As a local mama of 4, I’ve spent 16 years exploring some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.
But honestly, you should know that most Thailand beaches are not postcard worthy. Some have sharp rocks, some have so much seaweed that you can’t even wade through, some have trash littered all about, and some have a party-all-night backpacker vibe.
That’s why it’s so important to choose the best beach destinations in Thailand for families.
Top Choice of all the Thailand Beaches:
Phra Nang Beach, Krabi
6 Reasons You’ll Love Phra Nang Beach in Krabi, Thailand:
- Stunning limestone cliffs jutting out of the emerald blue sea make this place magical
- Being only accessible by long-tail boat or speed boat adds to the charm and adventure
- The powdery soft white sand that stretches far and wide means it’s easy to claim your own slice of paradise away from the crowds
- Beautiful sunsets
- Both deep and shallow waters — perfect for toddlers or teenagers alike.
- Kid-friendly activities include:
- Phra Nang Cave with its amazing viewpoint
- Walk ‘across the sea’ at low tide to access a true hidden gem called Ko Rang Beach
- Snorkel around the coral reefs right off the beach!
- Spot lots of wildlife like friendly monkeys or colorful toucans
You should also know the downside of Phra Nang Beach:
- This could be a plus or minus: there is only one place to stay on Phra Nang Beach — a 5 star luxury beach resort that would one of the best beach destinations in Thailand for families if you can afford it (our family could not — so this being the only place to stay at this beach was a negative for us)
- Phra Nang Beach has one of the most unique restaurants in the world to eat : The Grotto (Since it’s for hotel guests only, this was also a negative for us because we really wanted to eat here!).
- Even though it is a public beach, there are no public bathrooms.
- There are also no restaurants or shops selling any food or smoothies or anything. So bring a little picnic, water, and snacks. And at least, Railay Walking Street is just a 20 minute stroll away.
Where to Stay on Phra Nang Beach
Luxury Family Resort in Krabi on Phra Nang Beach:
Cost: 19,200 THB/night (about $575 USD) with 2 kids in a Deluxe Pavillion
- Unique 2-story bungalows beautifully designed
- Direct Beach Access
- One of the most unique restaurants in the world: The Grotto — tucked away inside a limestone cliff and only available to hotel guests
Luxury 3 Bedroom Family Villa in Krabi on Phra Nang Beach:
Cost: 81,000 THB/night ($2,380 USD)
- 3 Bedrooms
- Breakfast Included
- Direct Beach Access
- Private Pool
- Lovely outdoor lounge area and dining table
Our Family's Overall Favorite Beach :
Railay Beach West in Krabi
8 Reasons Railay Beach West in Krabi is our family’s personal favorite:
- Just a 20 minute walk from, the stunning limestone cliffs jutting up out of the emerald blue sea create postcard worthy views all day long
- Soft white sand
- We love that it’s a walkable beach town — no hassle of renting a car or negotiating with taxis
- Lots of local restaurants, ice cream shops, cafes, massages, souvenirs, tours and activities — all located within walking distance from your family friendly resort in Krabi.
- Did I mention Railay Beach is only accessible by boat? Can you imagine how exciting it would be for your kids to jump into a wooden long-tail boat that glides calmly across the emerald blue waters?
- Railay Beach is one of the most kid-friendly beaches in Thailand due to its long stretch of white sand and also how the shallow, calm waters gradually get deep.
- Lots of fun activities on Railay Beach Krabi such as:
- Kayaking
- Paddle Boards (SUP)
- Exploring caves
- Hiking to viewpoints
- Rock climbing
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- We really enjoyed our long-tail boat tour hopping to Maya Bay and other islands
- Another plus is that Krabi has an international airport with many daily flights from Bangkok, or if you’re already in Phuket, it’s just a 2 hour taxi ride (about $50 USD).
Negatives of Railay Beach West in Krabi:
- Railay Beach West does not have its own ‘pier.’ Sometimes the long-tail boats will drop you off right in the middle of the ocean where you then have to tote your own luggage in the shallow waters and through the sand to get to your resort. Ahhhh! So be sure to tell the longtail boat drivers to drop you off at Railay Beach East (and then you can walk along the sidewalk for about 10 minutes to Railay Beach West).
- Railay Beach does not have any of the typical chain hotels like Marriott, Hyatt, etc.
- Railay Beach does not have any chain restaurants either like McDonalds, Starbucks, etc. (Truthfully though, not having either of those helps it keep its tropical paradise charm)
INSIDER TIPS FOR THAI BEACH TRAVEL:
When you book your stay in Railay, be sure to find a family resort on Railay Beach West not Railay Beach East! Railay Beach East is the ‘mangrove forest’ side of the island and where the pier and all the boats are parked.
BEST FAMILY HOTEL IN RAILAY: SAND SEA RESORT
Where to Stay on Railay Beach West in Krabi
Sand Sea Resort in Krabi on Railay Beach West:
Cost: Only 3,500 THB/night (about $100 USD) with 2 kids in a Deluxe Pavillion
- Family-friendly where kids stay free if using existing bedding! This was perfect for our family
- Very charming Thai-style bungalows or newly-built modern rooms
- Direct beach access to Railay Beach West and East
- The first hotel off the pier where the long-tail boats drop you off, and the staff met us right at the boat to pick up our luggage. But we did inform them via email a couple days in advance of what time we would arrive.
- Enjoy a buffet breakfast with stunning ocean views!
- The pool had gorgeous sea views as well a kiddie pool.
- There was another pool on-site near Railay East — it was never crowded
Railay Bay Resort & Spa in Krabi on Railay Beach West:
Cost: About 3,500 baht ($100 USD) before adding the extra costs for an extra bed for kids age 5+
- Lovely Thai-style cottages
- Oceanfront Dining including a breakfast buffet
- Stunning views of the limestone cliffs and ocean from the pool
- Sadly only kids age 4 and under stay for free if using existing bedding. Kids age 5+ will have to have an extra bed, which incurs an extra charge. You can only have one child age 5+ per room. This is why we still haven’t stayed here yet.
INSIDER TIPS FOR THAI BEACH TRAVEL:
Since these are the only 2 resorts on Railay Beach West, they go fast! Don’t wait! All the other hotels are on the Railay East side, which is mostly Mangrove forests and not an actual ‘beach.’
Share with your loved ones to get them dreaming of this tropical escape too!
#3 for Most Beautiful Beaches in Thailand : Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe Island
Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe Island:
- Dubbed the ‘Maldives of Thailand‘ but more budget-friendly
- Crystal clear turquoise waters
- Powdery, soft white sand beaches
- Only accessible by boat
- Since the entire island is only 3 kilometers wide, you can explore Koh Lipe by foot. We personally love this because who wants to be worrying about renting a car or getting scammed by a taxi while enjoying paradise!
- Not overcrowded with tourists or long-tail boats like the other beaches on this island
- Spectacular sunsets
- Kid-friendly activities:
- kayak to a nearby island
- SUP paddle boards
- Snorkel amongst the coral reefs
- Take a longtail boat tour to other small islands
Negatives of North Point Beach on Koh Lipe Island:
- Koh Lipe Island is a bit hard to reach. From Bangkok, you’d need to take a 1.5 hour flight to Hat Yai + a 2 hour taxi to the pier + a 2 hour ferry ride to reach Koh Lipe Island. On this 3 week Thailand Itinerary, I gave detailed instructions on how to get to Koh Lipe from both Krabi and Bangkok.
- Not much shade at this beach, so the afternoon sun is scorching!
- At high tide, the sloping sand bar can be a bit dangerous for littles wanting to swim here. Another great option for families would be Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe Island because of the shallow waters.
- Not many of the resorts allow children to stay for free.
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Where to Stay on Koh Lipe Island for Families
For Luxury Stays: Irene Pool Villa Resort on Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe Island
Irene Pool Villa Resort on Koh Lipe is a luxurious boutique resort where each villa has its own private pool!
Cost: 8,500 THB/night (about $250 USD) in the Tree Pool Villa
- Immaculately decorated 5 star boutique resort
- Each villa has its own pool
- A uniquely designed resort pool on the beachfront has a swim-up bar — but no kiddie pool
- The rooms automatically sleep 3 ‘adults’ and then if you have a second child over 4+, they would need an extra bed with surcharge
- Breakfast Buffet with stunning views of the Andaman Sea
For Mid-range Budgets Seeking Tropical Thai Style: Mali Resort on Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe Island
Cost: About 5,700 baht ($175 USD) for a Bungalow with Garden View
- Set in a tropical lush setting right on the beachfront
- Buffet Breakfast Included
For Mid-range Budgets Seeking a Modern Stay: Akira Lipe Resort on Koh Lipe Island
Cost: About 5,500 THB/night (about $165 USD) in a Standard Room with Pool access
- A 4 Star Family-friendly Resort where kids 6 and under stay free if using existing bedding!
- Kids 7+ must get an extra bed, which has a surcharge
- Very modern and new rooms
- One pool is beachfront and has stunning views of the Andaman Sea. Plus, it has a kiddie pool.
- Two other pools are near the rooms.
- Excellent Breakfast Buffet
- Kids Club Room is great for rainy days
For Families Seeking a Budget-friendly Stay: Hideaway Resort on Sunrise Beach
The Hideaway Resort on Sunrise Beach is a super budget-friendly option with the cutest wooden bungalows nestled right on Sunrise Beach.
Cost: Only 1,050 THB/night (about $30 USD) for a regular bungalow where 3 adults and 1 child under 12 stays free!
- These are the highest rated budget-friendly bungalows on the island at 8.6 Reviews on Agoda.com
- The Family Bungalow is under $50/night and sleeps up to 5! Wow!
#4 is Klong Prao Beach on Koh Chang Island -- our favorite kid-friendly beach stay in Thailand
8 Reasons Your Thailand Family Vacation should be on Klong Prao Beach:
- After living in Thailand for 16 years now, Klong Prao Beach on Koh Chang Island is one of the best beach destinations in Thailand for families.
- While riding the 30 minute car ferry, you will see the lush, dense jungle while gliding over the pristine blue waters that are mostly shallow and great for the kids.
- Just beyond that palm tree line are luxurious hotels with infinity pools and incredible family-friendly resorts that have waterparks and epic kids clubs
- From budget-friendly accommodations on Koh Chang to luxurious 5 star resorts“] and main chain hotels as well
- This is the 3rd largest island in Thailand after Phuket and Koh Samui, so it is full of activities like :
- Kayaking through the Mangrove Forests
- Hiking to Waterfalls
- Visiting an Elephant Sanctuary — Did you know that Koh Chang literally means ‘Elephant Island’
- Incredible beach-side fire shows
- Snorkeling trips with an abundance of marine life
- We love that Koh Chang has a car ferry, which makes it great to take our family van or you could rent a car from the airport. You do recommend your own transportation for this island.
- Beautiful sunsets with the prettiest pink skies you’ll ever see
- Not over-commercialized nor over-touristy like Phuket or Koh Samui, so it still ouzes with Thai charm even though it is quite a large island.
- Koh Chang is one of the best Thailand beaches to go island hopping in Thailand during rainy season!
- The family hotels on Koh Chang Island are more affordable than other islands in Thailand.
Negatives of Klong Prao Beach:
- It is a little difficult to get to Koh Chang Island. It’s a 5 hour drive from Bangkok to the pier then a 45 minute ferry ride. There is a small, local airport with flights from Bangkok.
- Not a walkable beach town, so you will probably need a vehicle to get around because it is quite large. If you stay at Centara or on White Sand Beach then you’ll probably be fine without a car. They do have public Song Taews that run from 8am-8pm that are about 50-200 baht per person per ride depending on where you are going. I don’t recommend to stay at Lonely Beach or Kai Bae Beach if you don’t have a vehicle though. These beaches are quite far from the pier (1 hour++).
The Best Luxury Beachfront Resorts in Thailand on Koh Chang Island:
Koh Chang Paradise Resort & Spa ~8100 THB/night (about $235 USD)
- Located on one of the best beaches in Thailand: Klong Prao Beach
- Choose between a modern, luxurious beachfront bungalow or a villa with its own private pool
- This resort is one of our all-time favorites because of the huge on-site Waterpark that is for hotel guests only. The waterpark has splash pad for little swimmers, a pirate ship play area for preschoolers and also 7 large slides for the big kids and adults to enjoy!
- Great indoor kids club with ball pit, slides, and a trampoline
- Awesome international breakfast buffet with so many choices
Mid-range Place to Stay in Koh Chang with Kids:
The Splash Koh Chang ~5200 THB/night (about $150 USD) with 2 kids in a ‘Family Room’
- Modern and luxurious rooms and facilities
- The Family Room has bunk beds and a sofa
- This is another resort with an awesome waterpark on-site that is only for hotel guests
- a private beach
- a nice spa for the parents
- great buffet breakfast
Budget Friendly Places to Stay in Koh Chang:
Not on Klong Prao Beach, but nearby is Siam Bay Resort
Cost: ~2800 THB/night (about $80 USD) with 2 kids in a family bungalow with seaviews
- Dreamy sea views right from your own private bungalow
- Loft area with twin or queen bed for the kids to sleep
- Large balcony to sit outside and enjoy the views
- 2 swimming pools on-site
- Small private beach area with crystal clear water and nice, fine sand
- You can rent kayaks or paddle boards to go to a small, private island nearby and is great place to snorkel
- Good breakfast included too
Long Beach on Phi Phi Island is a perfect tropical beach destination for families!
Why Choose Long Beach on Phi Phi Island:
- Out in the middle of the Andaman Sea, about a 2 hour ferry ride from Phuket or Krabi, Phi Phi Island is one of the most dreamy Thailand beaches!
- From November to April, the crystal clear waters of Long Beach are flat and calm and perfect for little swimmers.
- At the very end of the beach, you can go snorkeling with the Blacktip Reef Sharks and discover lots of marine life like clownfish and sea urchins. Since humans are not on their menu, they are considered not aggressive and relatively safe to swim with. Our little girls were not up for it though!
- At low tide, we did find lots of Star fish, sand dollars, and crabs. This was super fun for our girls!
- Breathtaking sunsets
- Phi Phi Island is the best place to do a island hopping day trip on a longtail boat! This was one of my favorite all-time favorite memories with my family.
- Phi Phi Island has a reputation for being a backpacker haven with loud music way into the night. A good thing about Long Beach is that it is far enough away from the party scene to still be a serene escape. If you want to stay away from the loud music, do not book any hotel or resort on Phi Phi Island on the Loh Dalum Beachside. Instead book a family hotel on Phi Phi Island that is on Long Beach, Viking Beach, or Ton Sai Beach (but far down away from the pier).
The Not-so-Good about Long Beach on Phi Phi Island:
- It’s a bit far to walk to Tonsai Pier where the ferry will drop you off. It’s worth paying an additional 100 baht ($3 USD) to take a longtail boat to Long Beach.
- This also means it’s about a 20-30 minute walk to the main area with all the restaurants, coffee shops, massage spa, etc. But Long Beach has its fair share of restaurants and massage huts right along the beach.
Where to Stay on Phi Phi Island for Families
Budget-friendly Family Resort on Phi Phi Island:
A nice budget-friendly family resort on Phi Phi Island is Phi Phi The Beach Resort.
Cost: About 2,200 THB/night (~$67 USD) in a Superior Villa
- Feels like a private beachside paradise nestled amongst the lush tropical trees
- Every balcony has incredible sea views
- Charming hillside bungalows
- Direct beach access onto Long Beach
- Nearby Shark Point where you can snorkel with the “human-friendly” reef sharks
- 5 and under stay free
Another Budget-friendly Family Hotel on Phi Phi Island
Cost: About 3,100 baht ($95 USD) for up to 3 adults
- Beautiful Thai-style bungalows
- Oceanfront Dining
- Stunning views of the Andaman Sea
- Kids age 5 and under stay free
- No swimming pool though — boo
A Mid-range Family Resort on Phi Phi Islands
Even though this one is not on Long Beach, our family really enjoyed staying at the Phi Phi Villa Resort on Ton Sai Bay.
Cost: about 7,500 THB/night (about $200 USD)
- We enjoyed the quaint bungalows with large bathroom
- Kids age 5 and under stay free and it’s only 1,000 THB (about $30 USD) for an extra bed for the older kids
- The buffet breakfast had incredible sea views — this room was on the 2nd floor so not stroller or wheelchair friendly
- The pool was really nice, oceanfront, and had a kiddie pool. The sea views were partially blocked by a restaurant though.
- The beach was just across a small sidewalk. The seas were still rough in the morning. By late afternoon, the tide had gone down, and our girls loved finding sea critters like crabs, star fish, etc.
A Luxury Family Resort on Phi Phi Island:
If you’re seeking all the modern comforts of home with world class service, then Saii Phi Phi Island Village is a top choice.
Cost: About 15,000 THB/night (~$450 USD) in a Deluxe Garden Bungalow
- A private beachfront resort
- 5 star beautifully designed bungalows
- Surrounded by the glorious sapphire waters of the Andaman Sea
- Lush tropical landscaping all around
- Two swimming pools
- Exquisite breakfast buffet
Best Thailand Beaches near Bangkok
If you’re looking for the most beautiful beaches in Thailand near Bangkok, then skip Pattaya and Hua Hin, and choose these instead:
- Ao Prao Beach on Koh Samet Island is one of the best beach destinations in Thailand for families because it is so close to Bangkok.
- Our family absolutely loved staying at Ao Prao Resort with its 2 beachfront infinity pools set amidst tropical vegetation — giving us plenty of shade against the harsh sun rays.
- This resort also had a great seafood buffet with a fun fire show on the weekends.
- We went kayaking and snorkeling at the nearby coral reefs right off this beach.
- However, it is quite secluded with only 3 fancy resorts and 4 fancy restaurants nearby. So to find street food, souvenir shopping, or Thai massage shops, then jump on a Song Taew truck taxi to get to ….
- White Sand Beach on Koh Samed Island — our family loves this resort because it literally has everything a family needs plus an amazing buffet breakfast and right in the middle of the action. Check reviews and rates here.
- Vong Duen Beach on Koh Samed Island is equally as great.
- This bay has soft white sand with shallow waters that are protected from the harsh winds and strong waves.
- Perfect for parents to relax while the kids splash and play.
- This beach is less busy than White Sand Beach but has more restaurants and shops than Ao Prao Beach.
- Although we’ve stayed at a few resorts on this beach, Vimarn Samed Resort is our family’s favorite because of the charming 2 story family bungalows with sea views and surprisingly affordable rates. It also has a nice infinity pool, but the breakfast is subpar.
- Mun Nork Private Island off the coast of Rayong Province has only one private epicurean resort on it.
- Since it’s just 3 hours from Bangkok and less than $150/night, our family has been here twice and can’t wait to go back again!
- Sipping a fresh coconut lounging next to the infinity pool is my idea of the best vacation!
- Not to mention, the restaurant here has an incredible chef — seriously such good Thai food!
- We also enjoyed taking a hike around this small island, and my husband enjoyed fishing off the little covered huts that jutted out into the blue Andaman Sea.
- This place is a paradise!
- The only downside is the sand has some sharp sea shells for little feet. So I recommend wearing water shoes.
Awesome Beaches on the more Famous Thai Islands
If you’re still dead set on going to the most famous islands in Thailand like Phuket, Koh Samui, or Koh Phi Phi, then these are the most family-friendly beaches in Thailand on those islands:
- Nai Harn Beach on Phuket Island While we personally think that Phuket is a bit over-commercialized and too touristy, the best beach on Phuket for families is Nai Harn Beach. However, there are limited places to stay and eat right on the beach. Not to mention they are quite expensive. But we highly recommend The Nai Harn Resort if you do decide to stay there. It’s the only one right on the beach.
- Karon Noi Beach on Phuket Island is another great option for families, and this beach has many hotel options that are right on the beach. But again, it’s quite touristy. I wrote up a blog about the best places to stay in Phuket with families.
- Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui Island is one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand and has recently become very famous because of the new Netflix series called The White Lotus. Just know that this island is very touristy and over-commercialized with lots of resorts and sky-high condos up and down the coastline. To me, it has lost its quintessential Thai charm. But one great thing about Koh Samui Island is the family villas. Other islands don’t have these luxurious family villas and AirBNBs like Koh Samui does.
When to Visit Thai Beaches
Thailand has a tropical climate, which means it is mostly hot and humid year round.
Temps range from about 75’F (22’C) to 100’F (40’C), but mostly stay in the high 80s (low 30’Cs).
Thailand generally has two seasons: wet and dry.
The Wet Season
- heavily influenced by the monsoon winds
- typically lands between June to September
- Doesn’t typically rain all day
- Short bursts of heavy rainfall
INSIDER TIPS FOR TRAVELING THAILAND DURING RAINY SEASON:
- Pack shoes that can get wet, quick drying clothes, and a poncho or umbrella.
- Wear mosquito spray at dusk because of the small risk of Dengue Fever and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
The Dry Season
- generally between November to April
- Has mostly clear, sunny days
- Can be quite hot
- This is also ‘Burning Season’ for local farmers, and the air pollution can be quite high in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and other farming towns.
*Do note that May and October are shoulder months. The days could be either dry or wet. It just depends if the monsoon season comes early that year or late.
That being said, the very best time to visit Thailand with kids is between December to February. But our family lives here year-round and love every season!
FLIGHT TIP: We’ve personally had the best experience flying to Thailand with our family on Qatar Airlines and also Japan Airlines. Both were child-friendly airline options.
- Families with small children could board early
- Automatically got bulk-head seating when we traveled with an infant
- Could pre-select kid-friendly meals
- They have great entertainment options for the littles
- They had ‘grab-n-go’ snacks available throughout the whole flight
- The best part : more legroom than the other international flights for families that we’ve taken
Phone & Internet Service while in Thailand
You’ll need to stay connected while traveling in Thailand — for GPS Maps, researching the best island hopping tour packages, or letting the kids have some downtime watching Bluey on YouTube.
Don’t do the T-Mobile or AT&T International Roaming plans for about $10 per day — save that money for a nice restaurant or fun activity!
E-SIM: I highly recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo to have great internet service all over Thailand. They are actually using the same local providers that AT&T, T-mobile and Verizon will use.
I have personally used Airalo many times traveling all over the world, and it works great and is SUPER easy to install.
To use your Airalo eSIM, you simply buy a package then scan the QR code from your email to install and activate the eSIM.
The packages run from only $4.50 for 1 GB of data to $35 USD for Unlimited Data in Thailand.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING THAILAND WITH KIDS: If you let your kids watch YouTube, Netflix, etc, then I recommend getting the Unlimited Data. But if you’re not video streaming, then 50 GB of data is enough to browse the internet, use Google Maps, and stay in touch with friends back home.
PHYSICAL SIM CARD: You could also pick up a physical SIM card at the airport upon arrival, at any mall, which would have a TRUE shop, DTAC shop, and/or AIS shop, or even some 7-Elevens have them. Just ask! You would need your passport on hand. The physical SIM + a prepaid service card would cost about 999 baht (~$30 USD), but it usually comes with 30GB of Data. So Airalo is a much better deal.
TIP #2: If you plan to use a physical SIM card, then be sure to contact your local phone provider (such as AT&T or Verizon) before traveling overseas to check that your phone is already unlocked. They can usually do this for you over the phone.
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