Beach Recommendation in Thailand?
 

I am confused as to what beach to go to in Thailand. First off, I do not want to visit Phuket or Pattaya…as they appear to be crowded and touristy. Yet, I do not want to go to an isolated beach either. I am a single and traveling alone. I would like a bit of a night life (restaurants, bars & dance). Yet, looking for a beach that has great snorkeling and a beach that will make you want to return again and again. Thank you for your assistance.

Unfortunately if you put the criteria for restaurants, bars and some dancing together with 'not touristy' but with great beach and snorkeling not too much comes out. Great beaches that have some nightlife become busy.

Perhaps a quieter beasch on Samui, that would give you beach, plus you can easily get to islands nearby for good snorkeling, plus you can have nightlife and dancing in Chaweng, but having said that you 'are' going to find lots of other tourists.

I think the closest to meet your criteria would be Koh Tao, but there are no discos or dancing bars as such except for impromtu at local bars.


First things first ( it should have been ) is 'time of year'.

The time of year you travel will dictate many of the possibles. Up until October Koh Tao would be an option. There are other islands nearby, Koh Phangan has nice beaches and it's good outside of the Full Moon period. Easy access from Koh Samui. Koh Chang also in the Gulf but not that good for snorkeling at all.

If you are thinking of after October then that time perhaps the Krabi area would suit, somewhere like Railey, and add on Phi Phi.

So tell us time of year first. Also if you give an idea of budget we can all give some tips.

You will find local bars everywhere but I am guessing you also want to have some tropical style party dance, that would need to be in a place where there are like minded others.

I think Samui as a base and then head to the islands nearby will give a good combination, but, if you plan to travel after October then the weather pattern changes and you should be looking at Krabi, Phi Phi or a beach on Phuket and then go snorkeling from there. Take a look at Beachsiam.com and have a quick browse thru those islands to get some ideas of what to expect.

Thank you James...I will be travelling in March of 2005. Actually, first 2 or 3 weeks of March (I'm pretty flexible). When you say Samui, do you mean Ko Samui. I don't mind taking a boat or whatever to an island for the day of snorkeling. I am currently looking at hotel: Angthong in Koh Samui. Also, do not mind taking taxi into town. Just don't want to feel like I'm on the crowded beaches of Waikiki or Cancun. Looking forward to your suggestions, and thank you!

Ok I see you have gone for Samui which is probably the best idea. You can gte boats easily from Samui ( same as Koh Samui ) to Koh Tao and other small islands for snorkeling and diving.

james pointed me towards the peace resort last year and we were very very happy with it....good beach area, fabulous pool, cheap massage, and excellent inexpensive restaurant...15 minutes walk to bophut town with its restaurants and bars plus some shops....20 minute taxi ride to chaewang beach (spelled incorrectly)....family run...choose a bungalow near to the beach....we choose beach front and thought it was worth the extra money

Undoubtedly Koh Samui has some of the finest beaches in Thailand. It wasn't affected at all by the tsunami being on the Gulf coast. For my full description of this magical island plus its beaches, accommodations and tips on pubs, clubs and restaurants see www.globosapiens.net/britman