A collection of the most beautiful secret spots in Thailand. Hidden beaches and bays wrapped in surreal rock formations and surrounded by crystalline waters.

Maya Beach

Best For: White Sands
Nearest To: Krabi & Phucket

The picture-perfect sand and sea of Maya Beach is draw-droopingly beautiful.  It makes perfect sense as the setting of The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio, in which the landscape is edited to create the illusion of an enclosed bay; standing to speak of the undeniably private and secret feel of the paradise island. A real hidden treasure, Maya Beach is a must for any Thailand bucket list. The sun dances on the calm waters; fallen stars delicately hugging the waves. While the sand feels like flour on your toes, perfect for sieving through your fingers. Oh, it’s bliss for sure. Colourful longboats guard the shore and larger than life rocks frame the sea. A mystic view, perfectly enjoyed with a coconut in hand and waves lapping at your legs. Oh, and head to near-by Monkey Beach on your return trip to meet a few new curious and furry friends. You’ll catch them clumsily shimmying down the tangled branches to ogle straight back at you. An unforgettable experience.

Koh Nang Yuan

Best For: Crystal Waters
Nearest To: Koh Tao & Koh Samui

The beautiful island of Koh Nang Yuan is made up of three small island connected by a submerging stretch of beach. Wrapped in larger than life white rocks the three mountain peaks jilt out of the turquoise ocean as if they’ve just risen briefly out of the depths to welcome the sun and could submerge again any minute. The island is privately owned and only houses one resort and one restaurant. A truly unique place, the huge rocks and tiny beach carve a surreal landscape that makes you feel as if you’re stranded on the only island in the whole ocean. Washed in crystalline waters, the waves are truly jewel tone turquoise at their finest. A popular snorkelling spot, dip under the rolling sea to catch a glimpse of the vibrant fish or climb to the view point for fairy-tale visions of the three peaks. Curiosity led me to follow the board walk twisting around the island edge, but after one too many shaky steps and a few too many broken planks for my liking, I retreated in favour of the white sand beach.

Phang Nga Bay

Best For: Caves and Rock Formations
Nearest To: Krabi & Phucket

If you’ve been to Southern Thailand you will know that the emerald waters are sprinkled with islets; an infinite palette of blue and green as far as the eye can reach. One of the most spectacular natural structures can be found just off the coast of bustling Phucket, where the small island of Khao Phing Kan in Phang Nga Bay quietly lays, or as it’s often referred to; ‘James Bond Island.’ A setting for the iconic James Bond ‘The Man with the Golden Gun,’ the small secluded island draws in travellers from all edges of the world. The uninhabited island, and primary mangrove forest in all of Thailand provides accommodation only to the spectrum of wildlife that fly, swim and crawl around the prehistoric landscape. A unique tropical backdrop, the island’s identity lies in its unusual and surreal natural architecture. Just 40 metres from the shores of Phang Nga Bay, quietly sits a 20 metre tall islet; Ko Tapu. It’s this surreal limestone rock dusted in wild greenery sitting in the shallow waters that makes Phang Nga Bay another one of Thailand’s most beautiful hidden treasures. Now a protected national marine park, the islet can no longer be approached by curious boats in a move to prevent erosion which could lead to its collapse. It’s seems obscure that the islet can sit so confidently in the water with its unusual triangular shape – it almost looks too heavy to perch so delicately on the calm waters.

Do you know of any other secret beaches in Thailand? Do you think you’ll be adding any of the above to your bucket list?