Thailand is undoubtedly one of the best beach destinations in the world, thanks to the gorgeous tropical islands in the south of the country, in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
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The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has just completed their 2021 Environmental Quality Audit of Thailand, and Prachuap Khiri Khan and Koh Samui dominated the list of cleanest sea water beaches.
The water quality at the beaches in Phuket is generally quite good, with crystal clear and turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling. Some beaches may have a bit more seaweed or debris, but most beaches are kept clean by local authorities.
Thailand has better beaches than Bali, so if you're looking to indulge in a little slice of beachy paradise then this might be the better option for you. Northern Thailand offers big cities and remote villages alike, with stunning jungles and mountainscapes surrounding them.
December to April is the best time to go to Thailand's beaches, with Christmas and Easter (the latter slightly less expensive) both popular with families. March, April and May are the hottest months of the year in Thailand, so the coasts and islands are glorious, and very busy.
When is the best time to visit Thailand? The best to visit Thailand is during the cool and dry season between November and early April, when temperatures range from 84°F to 97°F. However, the climate varies throughout the country, so you can visit all year round.
Krabi is one of the most visited parts of Thailand and it is clear to see why that is! It's the part of Thailand with both the most incredible beaches and the best national parks. It's also the perfect place to start island hopping with infamous islands nearby like Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
Bali offers more hotel choices than Phuket does. If you're a surfer, Bali is your choice for its collection of world-class breaks. On the other hand, Phuket's beaches are more scenic and laidback, great for those preferring island beach escapades with a mix of water sports and just lazing on the sand.
Thailand is great for shopping, food, beaches, where Maldives is more for JUST relaxing, snorkeling, eating, limited shopping and huge prices for alcohol. If it is a bucket list I would say Maldives as it can be for pure luxury, romance, exquisite beach sand and crystal clear water, water villas are amazing.
Waves can be quite high, 4 feet or more, with strong rip currents. Several tourists drown during the rainy season each year and many more have to be rescued. Bear in mind there are no lifeguards on Phuket's beaches except Kata and Karon. Do not swim in the sea if there are red warning flags on the beach.
The graph below shows the range of monthly Phuket water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. The warmest water temperature is in May with an average around 86.9°F / 30.5°C. The coldest month is January with an average water temperature of 82.6°F / 28.1°C.