Short answer
Donald Duck Bay (Ao Kuek) on Similan Island No. 8 was ranked 10th in The World's 50 Best Beaches 2026, a list announced on 4 May 2026 and compiled by a network of more than 1,000 tourism experts. Thailand's environment minister welcomed the result and told the national park service to keep its strict standards. The bay is inside the Similan Islands National Park, which is open for the 2026–27 season from 15 October 2026.
What was announced
On 4 May 2026 the list The World's 50 Best Beaches 2026 placed Donald Duck Bay in the Similan Islands National Park in tenth place. The Department of National Parks says the list was compiled by a network of more than 1,000 tourism experts around the world. Pattaya Mail adds that beaches were judged on natural beauty, ecological condition and distinctive character.
The bay, known locally as Ao Kuek, is on Similan Island, also called Island No. 8, in Phang Nga Province. The department describes it as fine white sand with Sail Rock above it, the granite boulder that has become the symbol of the park.
What the park service says it did right
Thailand's environment minister thanked the park staff and told the department to keep its management standards strict and to use the result as a model for other national parks. The department's director-general credited three measures: limiting visitor numbers to what the area can carry, closing the park each year so resources can recover, and strict control of rubbish.
The department adds that cooperation from tour operators and visitors was a key factor. These are the park service's own explanations, not findings of the ranking.
What it means for a visitor
A ranking does not change how the park works. The Similan Islands are open only part of the year: the 2026–27 season began on 15 October 2026 after the closure from 16 May to 14 October. The bay is a day-trip stop, so expect other boats and other visitors, not an empty beach.
The park's limits and rules apply as before. Visitors are asked to use sunscreen without chemicals that harm coral and to cut single-use plastic, as the park chief said at the season opening on 15 October.
What it means for our Similan day
Donald Duck Bay is a main stop on our Similan Islands speedboat day trip, which starts from $105 per person and runs from 15 October to 14 May. On our route you swim and relax on the beach, climb to the Sail Rock viewpoint and have lunch there. The price includes the national park fee, hotel transfer, breakfast, lunch and snorkelling gear.
The speedboat leaves Thap Lamu pier at about 9:00, and pickup in Phuket is between about 5:30 and 7:30 am. Every guest needs a passport copy by email the day before. For the season, rules and what to expect, read when the Similan Islands are open.
Practical checklist
- Plan the Similans for a date from 15 October to mid-May; the park is closed the rest of the year.
- Email a passport copy for every guest no later than the day before the tour.
- Pack sunscreen without chemicals that harm coral, and a towel and swimwear.
- Do not expect an empty beach: the bay is a busy day-trip stop.
Questions and answers
Where does Donald Duck Bay rank in the world?
It was ranked 10th in The World's 50 Best Beaches 2026, announced on 4 May 2026. The list was compiled by a network of more than 1,000 tourism experts.
Where is Donald Duck Bay?
It is on Similan Island, also called Island No. 8, in the Similan Islands National Park in Phang Nga Province. The granite Sail Rock stands above the beach.
Is Donald Duck Bay open all year?
No. The park is closed from 16 May to 14 October and opened for the 2026–27 season on 15 October 2026. Our Similan tour runs from 15 October to 14 May.
Is the park fee extra on our Similan tour?
No. On our tour the Similan Islands national park fee is included in the price from $105 per person.