Mae Nam, Koh Samui This beautiful stretch of creamy sand, on Koh Samui’s north coast, is one of the most gorgeous beaches on the island, so you’d expect it to be packed with tourists. Happily, the crowds tend to miss the tucked-away road turning, leaving plenty of sandy square-footage for those in the know. Spend the morning watching kitesurfers twisting in the wind, lunch on cold Chang beer and freshly-caught red snapper from a bamboo shack, and then sleep it off under a swaying coconut palm.
Pansea Beach, Phuket This secret, coconut-lined cove on the northwest coast of Phuket is shared with the Surin Phuket and the terribly posh Amanpuri — but few visitors realise that it’s actually open to the public. The hotels want to keep it that way, so it’s tricky to reach but there’s a secret path between the two hotel entrances through the bamboo groves. Or you can catch a long-tail round from Surin or Bang Tao Beaches. Find your way here, and you’ll be greeted by a sweet band of sugary sand, bookended by smooth boulders, with bath-warm waters and a distinctly luxurious vibe.
Credit and view full story at National Geographic
