Written by Shannon Osztonits
When there’s crystal clear waters involved (think Seychelle vibes), as well as some epic snorkelling to be done… Well, I can tell you that my heart starts to beat a little faster! (I swear I’m actually a mermaid.)
Thailand is scattered with gorgeous natural landscapes, and here we’ve narrowed it down to the best beaches for snorkeling. These beaches are where you can grab your gear, head straight to the shore, and start snorkelling directly from there without having to take a boat out!
The beaches we’ve chosen are also perfect for beginner snorkelers, so grab your mask, snorkel, and fins, and enjoy hours exploring our diverse and beautiful marine life.
Read more:
9 Islands to go island-hopping to around Koh Lipe, Thailand just 1.5 hours from Langkawi, Malaysia
13 Hidden islands 2 hours from Phuket and Krabi in Thailand to swim, snorkel and dive in clear waters!
9 secret islands around Krabi, with great beaches and perfect for diving, snorkeling and exploring!
1. Okay like seriously, are we in the Maldives or…?! – Sunrise Beach (Koh Lipe)
Okay let’s be real, this island is just jaw-droppingly stunning, and you might quite literally just feel as if you’re in the Maldives with waters as crystal turquoise as these.
At this beach in particular, the idyllic waters are sprinkled with natural rockery here and there, home to thousands of fish, sea urchins and underwater life. #sergeantmajorfish
It’s also an incredible place to watch the sunrise (obviously) over the eastern-facing horizon, and the early wake-up call for it will be more than worth it!
Here, you’ll be able to snorkel directly from the beach! And please remember, not to touch or walk on any coral, they are living creatures too! Please be especially aware during low-tide.
Editor’s Note: Our snorkel instructor informed us that it’s bad for us to touch or walk on coral as we have naturally occuring bacteria on our skin that is bad for them. Please also be especially careful when snorkelling out during low tide as the waters can get pretty low which means that your body will be closer to the MANY prickly sea urchins around. True story.
Sunrise Beach
Price: 200 Baht / approx. USD $6.62 (for snorkel and mask)
Address: Coordinates here
Getting there: There are 2 ways to get to Koh Lipe: Take a 1.5 hour ferry ride from Langkawi, Malaysia (from SGD $32.90 one-way) OR Take a 1.5 hour speedboat ride from Hat Yai, Thailand. (from SGD $6.50 for van transfer to Pak Bara Pier, from SGD $23.90 for one-way speedboat transfer to Koh Lipe)
Snorkel Gear: You can rent gear (including kayaks!) along the beach!
2. Want to escape the crowds in Phuket but don’t want to head too far? – (Koh Bon)
This is the closest island from Phuket that’s just a 15min boat’s drive away. Being just 1.2Km long in total, the entire land is the beach bay itself!
It’s the perfect half day trip for snorkeling and grabbing lunch, plus it isn’t as popular as the other islands around Phuket, so a bit of peacefulness is guaranteed.
The land is also known for its extensive forests and crab-y sands and is dotted with loads of tiny little coves – if you’re also keen on a bit of exploring (and photo-snapping).
Koh Bon
Price: 1000 – 1200 Baht (Two-way ticket on longboat) / approx. USD $31.50 – $47.20
Address: Coordinates here
Getting there: This place is a hop, skip and a jump from Phuket, just 2 Kms off the beach of Rawai on the southeastern coast of Phuket. Covered with lush vegetation, this rocky islet, dotted with tiny sand coves
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or if you are visiting the island with a snorkel tour group, this should be inclusive of your deal.
3. One of the most beautiful spots and diverse oceanic life – Ao Mae Yai Bay (Surin Island, Phang Nga Province)
Beautiful, untouched and home to a bale of turtles (if they’re out the day you choose to visit), as well as an abundance of other marine life – Nemo anyone??!!
Surin Islands are home to some of the best diving sites in Thailand, so naturally the snorkelling here is epic!
There are five islands that make up the Surins, and Ao Mae Yai Bay (on Koh Surin Nuea) is the most well-known out of them all for sporting the most gorgeous coral reefs.
Ao Mae Yai Bay
Price: 200 Baht / approx. USD $6.62 (National Park entrance fee)
Address: Ko Phra Thong, Khura Buri District, Phang-nga, Thailand (Coordinates here)
Getting there: Khura Buri Pier (125 kilometres north of Phang Nga Town) is the nearest launching point to the Surins and ferryboats regularly make the 4-hour trip from November-April. Boats may also be arranged from Amphoe Kapoe Pier in Ranong Province, but trips take about 7 hours.
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or if you are visiting the islands with a snorkel tour group, this should be inclusive of your deal.
4. Wanna experience a world untouched? – Koh Nang Yuan (Koh Tao)
This is when nature really shows off, creating something this beautiful!
There are three bays that are all connected by a shoal (a naturally submerged ridge, bank, or bar that’s covered by sand and rises from a body of water), creating what literally looks like a winding beach-y, wide pathway with oceans of stunning waters surrounding you!
Each of the bays (you can literally walk into one from the other just a few metres away), is absolutely alive with sea life – spot the schools of parrot fish, as well as picturesque coral reefs. The environment here has been beautifully preserved by the government.
FYI: NO plastic is allowed here and they check before you enter the beach, confiscating any plastics on you, and we’re so on board!
Koh Nang Yuan
Address: Coordinates here
Getting there: 12-15 minutes longtail boat ride from Koh Tao.
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or if you are visiting the islands with a snorkel tour group, this should be inclusive of your deal.
5. A perfect choice if you’re new to the underwater world – Pelay Beach/Hong Island Beach (Hong Island, Krabi)
Situated on what’s considered as the most beautiful islands in Krabi, Pelay Beach @ Hong Island Bay is absolutely ideal for snorkeling and swimming.
The beach is known for its idyllic white sands, as well as beautiful coral and tropical fish in the dozens!
So the beach is actually surrounded by limestone cliffs, giving it a bit of an enclosure, and the waters here are perfect for beginner snorkelers/weak swimmers, as the waters are super shallow.
You can just stand in the water, stick your face in your snorkel and goggles and watch (for hours) as schools of different fish swim by!
Pelay Beach/Hong Island Beach (Hong Island, Krabi)
Price: 300 Baht / approx. USD $9.94 (National Park entrance fee)
Address: Nong Thale, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81110, Thailand (Coordinates here)
Getting there: Hong islands can be reached in 20 minutes by speed boat or 45 minutes by long tail boat. You can reach the group of islands from the beaches surrounding Krabi, or from Phuket – the Koh Hong Archipelago is about 45 minutes away from Ao Nang beach.
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or if you are visiting the islands with a snorkel tour group, this should be inclusive of your deal.
6. This pop up beach that magically appears thanks to the weather – Thale Waek Beach, Separated Sea (Krabi)
Epic from a bird’s eye view, and just a generally cool natural phenomena that happens when the tides are low! The waters drop down, aligning perfectly to create a magical beach!
Anyhow, it’s all pretty incredible, and there’s fantastic snorkeling around these blue, blue waters.
The waters on either side of the bank are from two different islands, pretty much adjacent to each other (Koh Dam Hok & Koh Dam Kwan), and when the sea level lowers, they share one long sand back that rises, creating a ‘pop’ up beach quite literally.
Thale Waek Beach
Address: Ban Thung Nang Dam, Khura Subdistrict, Khura Buri District, Phang-nga 82150, Thailand (Coordinates here)
Getting there: Proceed on Highway No. 4034 from the city of Krabi, then turn left and follow Highway No. 4202 to Ao Nang.
Contact: +66 76 491 690
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or if you are visiting the islands with a snorkel tour group, this should be inclusive of your deal.
7. A delicious snorkel-experience, truly! – Mango Bay (Koh Tao)
If you’ve ever stayed on Koh Tao, you’ll know personally that anywhere on the little islet is perfect for snorkeling, but Mango Bay is ideal because it’s quiet, beautiful and a fantastic snorkeling spot!
Expect to see loads of marine life, and the beach has got many natural rock pools in the bay, as well as coral reef on either side. It’s home to a variety of sea creatures including some huge fish too! 😍 (Let’s be real, it’s always a thrill seeing an extremely bright or big fishie swimming under the sea!)
Head to the north coast of the island to find this beach that got its name from the fields of mango trees that once littered the island!
Mango Bay
Address: Coordinates here
Getting there: From Bangkok catch a bus (departing twice a day), traveling 7 hours until you reach the pier in Chumphon. It takes about 2.5 hours by ferry from Chumphon to Koh Tao. (Note, there are few options for getting there from Bangkok, from a private car to minibus)
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or rent from your accommodation stay.
8. Do some exploring (both in the waters and out!) – Lao Liang Nong Beach @ Koh Lao Liang (Krabi Province)
Strangely enough, many rock climbers make their way here, as this isolated beach is just surrounded by tall limestone walls – they’ve even added bolts and ropes into the stone, with climbs beginning on the sands.
But we’re not here to talk climbing! This untouched beach (on the south side of the island) is simply paradise, being super peaceful and quiet.
The waters are swimming pool clear and you can pretty much just grab your gear and explore the waters yourself.
(You can also camp here, but there’s only 20 tents in total with major beach-camping vibes and a wifi-free zone.)
Lao Liang Nong Beach
Address: North Laoliang, Laoliang Beach, Ko Sukon, Trang 92120, Thailand (Coordinates here)
Getting there: From Trang, catch a longtail from Hat Samran pier. It’s about 20kms away and the journey takes about an hour.
Contact: +66 89 896 0064
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or if you are visiting the island with a snorkel tour group, this should be inclusive of your deal.
9. Such a variety of fish and different corals here! – Koh Rang (Koh Chang)
The main beach on this little isle can be found at the southern eastern tip and is undoubtedly the most popular for snorkeling – although you can also pretty much snorkel from any of the other beaches too!
Expect to see loads of colourful fish, as well as coral and beautiful blue waters – but do remember, just like Koh Chang, you need to visit in-season – rainy season brings more murky waters).
PS: The island and beaches are off-limits from June to October.
Koh Rang
Price: 200 Baht / approx. USD $6.63 (Snorkel government tax for adults); 100 Baht / approx. USD $3.31
Address: Coordinates here
Getting there: Situated one hour from Bang Bao, Koh Chang and you can also kayak here (for the more adventurous souls) from Koh Mak/ Mok.
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or if you are visiting the island with a snorkel tour group, this should be inclusive of your deal.
10. Truly a slice of tropical paradise – Sivalai Beach/Ao Kham Beach (Koh Muk )
We have to be honest, the waters here aren’t known for having an over-abundance of ocean-life swimming in close proximity to the shores.
However the waters are just so clear here, you can rent a snorkel and explore the waters and surrounding reef anyway – and of course, you will spot fish along the way.
The best part of Ao Kham Beach is just in front of a resort, Sivalai Beach Resort, hence it’s been dubbed with the name.
Expect palm trees all around you and all of the tropical feels, plus Koh Mook itself is just dreamy!
Sivalai Beach/Ao Kham Beach
Address: Ko Libong, Kantang District, Trang 92000, Thailand (Coordinates here)
Getting there: The Krabi Town to Koh Muk speedboat ferry departs from Krabi Town Klong Jilad Pier. The speedboat ferry journey takes 2 hours 45 minutes. Trang islands are only accessible during the October-to-April high season. Multiple speedboats, ferries and (charterable) long-tails take you to and from Koh Muk. From high-season boats run south to Koh Lipe and north to Koh Lanta, Ko Phi-Phi and Phuket. Trang airport have daily flights to/from Phuket.
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or if you are visiting the island with a snorkel tour group, this should be inclusive of your deal.
11. Known as one of the quietest islands in Thailand – Ao Niang Beach (Koh Kradan)
Head straight from the shoreline and dive into crystal blue waters at this hidden beach, found on the Southeast side of the island.
Protected and part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park, the reef here is almost untouched, making it one of Thailand’s hidden gems.
The beach is a glorious stretch of fine white sands and lush vegetation around, and is 800 metres long – great for some catching up on some suntanning, chilling or beach frisbee!
The island itself is quite big and there are a few different stayss, restaurants and shops too, making it a perfect two-day escape filled with the 3 s’: Snorkeling, Sunshine and Smiles!
Ao Niang Bay
Price: From 1118 Baht Baht / approx. USD $35 (Speedboat from Koh Lipe)
Address: Coordinates here
Getting there: You can catch a speedboat directly from Koh Lipe to Koh Kradan’s beach jetty OR ride the ferry from Krabi to the mainland (which takes 1h20mins)
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or rent from your accommodation stay.
12. Looking for a beach escape? – Ko Rok Nai
Feel as if you’ve escaped the world and spend your days adventuring through naturally sandy pathways and magnificently blue waters.
Because the area is really small and untouched, it feels like you’re really experiencing a sense of nature in its purest; a crescent shaped bay lined with coral reefs, and a tropical forest acting as your backdrop!
Ko Rok Nai
Address: Ko Libong, Kantang District, Trang, Thailand (Coordinates here)
Getting there: Longtail boats lead snorkelling tours from Koh Muk, Koh Kradan, and Koh Ngai for around 1750 Baht / approx. USD $57.99
13. You’ll feel as if you’re in a swimming pool – Ban Bang Bao Bay (Koh Kood)
Among three beautiful beach options around here, the most ideal for snorkeling is Bang Bao Bay, more specifically directly in front of the resort here.
Don’t expect to see the craziest biggest species swimming about in these waters, however grab a snorkel and explore the bay – you’ll feel as if you’re in a swimming pool
Of course if you go when it’s the rainy season, the waters aren’t as blue (it was like this when we were in Koh Chang, however the moment the sun shines they turn crystal again).
Bang Bao Bay
Address: (Coordinates here)
Getting there: Travel to Trat via car (4h20mins), or fly here direct (1 hour flight). Then, travel by speedboat or ferry to Koh Kood.
Snorkel Gear: You can either bring your own along, or rent from your accommodation stay.
14. A 30min speedboat ride from Pattaya to the island of Koh Lan – Nual Beach (Koh Lan, Pattaya)
Nual Beach is a great option for snorkelling directly from the island, as the waters are quite shallow, making it perfect for beginner snorkelers, especially if you just want to practice.
This beach also gets the most shelter from strong winds and sea currents, so the waters are still and calm (in-season!).
PS: We would advise avoiding snorkelling on the weekends, as this is when the beach tends to become the most crowded. It’s also known as “Monkey Beach” as there’s a tribe of monkeys that live on the hill overlooking the beach.
Nual Beach
Address: Unnamed Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand (Coordinates here)
Getting there: Buses run every 30-60minutes daily from Ekkamai Station, Bangkok and the drive is just two hours to Pattaya. It’s then a 50-minute ferry (30-minute by speedboat) to Koh Lan.
Opening hours: Daily from 6am to 8pm
Snorkel Gear: You can rent gear from any of the tourist shops in Pattaya, or enquire at your stay.
Editor’s Note: Being a conscious traveller and changing our litter habits
We love to travel due to the opportunity to discover the beauty of our world. It’s a privilege, and one that we should treat with respect.
We have a responsibility to protect and preserve mother nature and all that she gives us. For this story, what that means is to protect our incredibly beautiful oceans.
It’s home to an entire aquatic world with thousands and thousands of marine life and animals of different species. A simple Google search of “marine life affected by plastic” will show you the consequences of our pollution.
Turtles tangled up in nets, seals getting choked by plastic packaging rings, and seabirds’ bellies filled with plastic debris mistaken for ‘food’.
Our litter can be so detrimental to our environment and the other creatures in it, yet we carelessly toss it and leave it to lie there without a second thought.
Let’s change those habits!
We implore you, our dear reader, and fellow travel passionates – let’s aim to be more conscious travellers, with the impact of our actions in mind.
And please don’t stand on or pick any coral whilst you’re down under!
PS: We are heavily against the abuse and harm to any animals, including our amazing sea-life.
There you have it, right on Thailand’s shores, you’ll find everything you need for an epic day filled with sunshine, crystal waters and all the snorkeling you could imagine.
Do let us know if you enjoyed these beaches by leaving your comments in the box below, or tag us using #TripCanvas in your snorkel day extravaganzas!
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