Where are the world’s top 100 beaches? And how many are in Thailand? Well, Thailand scored 3 of the world’s Top 100 beaches. Two of them are easy to guess – the other one, surprising.
The list has been compiled by BeachAtlas, a UK-based startup specialising in beach-related information.
Maya Bay in Thailand secured an impressive fifth place on the 2024 Golden Beach Award list.
It’s no surprise as Maya Bay boasts is Thailand’s ‘postcard’ beach and attracts 4-5,000 visitors a day, despite visitors having to catch a 1 hour speedboat from wither Phuket or Krabi to get there.
“Maya Bay, Thailand’s showstopper, boasts clear blue waters, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful white sand. It’s not just nature’s masterpiece but also a Hollywood star, thanks to “The Beach” and Leonardo DiCaprio. Suddenly, everyone wants a slice of Leo’s paradise, turning Maya Bay into the ultimate bucket list destination.”
It was behind Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Boulders Beach in South Africa, Waikiki Beach in the USA and Copacabana in Brazil, which secured the top four positions.
Also in the top 10 were Black Sand Beach, Glass Beach (aka. Reynisfjara) in Iceland, JBR Beach in Dubai, Skeleton Beach in Namibia and Omaha Beach in France.
Krabi’s Railay Beach, also a regular in ‘world’s best beach’ lists, was listed at Number 66…
“Railay Beach West in Thailand, often hailed as the country’s best mainstream beach, showcases stunning limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and soft white sand. Only reachable by boat, this slice of paradise promises a tranquil escape, though you’ll likely be sharing this ‘secluded’ retreat with a merry crowd of fellow beach lovers.”
The big surprise was Pattaya Beach which achieved the twelfth spot, while Railay West Beach in Krabi ranked sixty-sixth. The BeachAtlas website lists its criteria for selection of the world’s best beaches. It’s not just about being ‘pretty’.
Pattaya Beach, lacking the sheer beauty of many of Thailand’s other beaches, scored well in the last three categories of ‘Party and Lifestyle’, ‘Community’ and ‘Cultural Significance’.
“Pattaya Beach is where the action’s at, a vibrant four-kilometre stretch that’s as lively as a carnival. In the bright sun and warm weather, the golden sand invites you, and the smell of Thai food is everywhere. As night falls, Pattaya Beach unveils its other side, offering unforgettable experiences with a mantra: what happens here, stays here.”
Here’s the list of the World’s Top 100 Best Beaches, as published in the BeachAtlas website…
