Hello! I have 3 weeks in Thailand in Feb that includes Koh Sok (2 nights), Ao Nang (4 nights), Koh Lipe (4 nights), Koh Lanta (4 nights). For my remaining 3 nights I was thinking Koh Yao Noi or Koh Kao Yai. However, I'm reading that the beaches are really not good for swimming at all on those islands due to super high and low tides.
Can someone tell me if this is true, or not accurate?

If true and we do want beautiful beaches to swim on, is there another recommendation for an island between Koh Lanta and Phuket to spend those last 3 nights? Phi Phi seems a bit chaotic and I do like a quiet and more local experience if possible.

I welcome all suggestions!! Thanks so much!

If remember correctly and it has been many years, swimming is not great from beaches on Koh Yao Noi or Koh Kao Yai. I am not sure it is because of "super high and low tides" or even what those are, but more to do with shallow shelving beaches, rocks and run off from rivers etc. I remember Ko Tao though idyllic back in the day, it was hopeless for swimming as it meant clambering over sharp rocks to get to the water . Thats a lot of moving around in the time you have. If it were my trip I would just add those days to one or more of your existing stops.

Thank you VERY much for your reply. I truly appreciate your insights!!

Although Thai beaches can be wonderful, for the last few years, I have used swim shoes. This is because some time ago I cut my foot on some broken coral, and it meant I had to keep out of the water for a week or so.

To have an idea how the beaches look on koh Lanta, you can check this video. Indeed most beaches are shallow and many have plenty rocks.

Many years ago we stayed at Narima Resort – the sand was fine, there were a lot of rocks, and it was rather nice for snorkelling around. I was very disappointed with the management of Narima, as I'd booked a room down on the beach, as I wanted to keep my kayaks down there – we arrived less than an hour late to be told that someone else had taken that room and had to settle for a room halfway up the cliff – totally useless for keeping the kayaks.

So partly as a result of this, we tried various other beaches and found the sand quality good on all – I didn't notice any long shallow shelving beaches – but, as always, I wore swimming shoes (or fins for snorkelling).

However, I did not veer from my habit of wearing swimming shoes – a coral cut is very unpleasant and likely to get infected. I also think that with more and more people coming onto the beaches, there is an increased chance of hidden litter in the form of glass and metal.