Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Leh
The Beach movie. Now capped at 375 visitors/session — book early.
AsiaParty, backpacker, family, diving
Thai Islands
Best value beach destination in Asia — and it stays that way
Thailand's islands run the full spectrum: Koh Phi Phi for the party, Koh Lanta for the families, Koh Tao for the cheapest dive certification on Earth ($300 for PADI Open Water). And unlike Bali, everything is walkable or 100 baht by songthaew.
Best months
November – April (Gulf) / May – Sep (Andaman split — check per island)
Water temperature
28–30°C year-round
Realistic daily budget
$40–90/day incl. beachfront bungalow, longtails, Thai food
Country
Thailand
Why go
- Cheapest scuba certification worldwide (Koh Tao)
- Longtail-boat island hopping — DIY or Klook day tours
- Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan for the young; Koh Yao Noi for silence
- Street food that's ranked among world's best
The beaches worth your day
Freedom Beach, Phuket
Reachable only by longtail. Empty by 4pm.
Long Beach, Koh Lanta
3km of sand, perfect for families & sunset walks.
How to book smart
Fly Bangkok (BKK), take AirAsia to Krabi/Phuket — total under $60 return. eSIM (Airalo Thailand) works on all islands with signal.
The honest downside
Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi) has monsoon May–Oct. Gulf side (Koh Samui, Phangan, Tao) has best weather Jan–April.
Country guide
Thailand overview
Itinerary
Thailand day-by-day plan
Entry rules
Thailand visa & entry
Other beach destinations
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