Thailand's seas have once again gained international pride. Recently, the World’s 50 Best Beaches website announced its 2026 global ranking based on data and votes from on-site surveys by Beach Ambassadors and over 1,000 travel experts worldwide. This year, Donald Duck Bay in the Similan Islands National Park, Phang Nga Province, proudly claimed 10th place worldwide.
Decoding the beauty: WhyDonald Duck Bayhas captivated the world
Donald Duck Bay is located on island number 8, the largest island and the tourism hub of the Similan Islands. The World’s 50 Best Beaches highlighted three main distinctive features of this beach:
A unique identity unlike any other, with a stunning and unusual surrounding landscape dominated by large natural granite boulders, featuring the landmark"Sail Rock"which symbolizes the islands.
Its remote location keeps it far from the hustle and bustle, preserving a pristine and natural environment. The beach has fine white sand like powder stretching along the shore, and the bay’s waters are typically calm and a clear turquoise blue, ideal for swimming, relaxing, and snorkeling to admire underwater beauty.
Finally,"sustainable tourism"The area's richness is not just due to geographic luck but results from strict management by the Similan Islands National Park. Donald Duck Bay only allows visitors during the open season and closes during the monsoon season.
These time and visitor restrictions are key to letting nature rest and recover, resulting in a peaceful, uncrowded environment that sustainably preserves the marine ecosystem compared to other islands.
Three Thai beaches shine on the World’s 50 Best Beaches stage
Besides Donald Duck Bay, the natural beauty of Thailand’s seas earned two more beaches global recognition this year:
Paradise Beach (Ko Kradan) in Trang Province ranked 23rd, and Freedom Beach in Phuket ranked 27th.
The global rankings of these three beaches affirm Thailand as a dream destination for travelers worldwide and remind everyone to travel responsibly, respect the environment, and leave no trace except footprints, preserving the magical beauty of Thailand’s seas forever.
Source: worlds50beaches