Best Beaches in Koh Samui
Koh Samui boasts a diverse selection of beach locations, each with its own unique ambiance and a plethora of activities and entertainment options. Well-maintained roads make exploring the different beaches in Koh Samui and attractions a delightful experience. Whether you’re seeking luxurious five-star services or a tranquil natural environment, a journey around the island promises to uncover captivating local charm.
There are six main tourist beaches on Samui, all situated along the East or North Coast, where you’ll find a wide array of resorts and services. Chaweng and Lamai stand out as prime spots with their stunning beaches, making them the most developed and vibrant areas. However, even with all the activity, relaxing on the beach is pure bliss. For a more serene experience, consider visiting the quieter Northern Samui beaches, such as Big Buddha, Bo Phut, and remote Maenam, where waterfront resorts offer great value. Keep in mind that these areas can be quite tranquil in the evenings. If you prefer an exclusive and cozy beach, Choeng Mon, located just a 10-minute ride from Chaweng, is a fantastic option.
Although Chaweng and Lamai centers can be a bit chaotic and touristy, with their section of girlie bars, tuk-tuk mini traffic jams, and neon signs, none of the Samui beaches themselves are overly developed. In fact, access is restricted to a few lanes with the rest of the waterfront beachfront dominated by low-rise tastefully developed resorts. These two are ideal if you can’t do without evening entertainment. Otherwise choose the Northern beaches in Koh Samui if you prefer an idyllic escape, confined to the company and hospitality of your resort. Of course, you can also hire a bike and seek out your own unspoiled and deserted beach in the South of the island.
The beach life is what Samui is all about. From the action of Chaweng and the nightlife of Lamai to the quieter atmosphere of Bophut or Maenam, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets. Find out more details on each particular Samui beach in this section.
Chaweng
Chaweng stands as Koh Samui’s most renowned resort destination, offering not only the island’s longest beach but also the largest shopping and entertainment hub. Much like any bustling tourist hotspot, it has lots of hotels, restaurants, and bars, stretching along its pristine white sands.
You can choose to stay in five-star luxury or search out one of the few remaining budget bungalows, and when it comes to food there’s everything from top-end Mediterranean to burgers and pizza. Also thrown in for good measure are a good few tasty Thai options.
Despite undergoing a significant upgrade that has given it a more family-oriented vibe, Chaweng continues to be the ultimate party destination, boasting the highest concentration and most diverse selection of clubs, bars, and restaurants on the island. If you’re seeking a tranquil escape, this may not be the ideal beach for you. However, if you crave a thrilling beach vacation filled with fun, diverse options, and temptations to suit all tastes, Chaweng is an experience that should not be overlooked.
Over the last few years, Chaweng Beach has developed into three distinct sections. North Chaweng Beach is the quietest part and also the chosen location for several luxury boutique resorts, spas, and up-market dining options. The water is very shallow at this end of the beach and many places have their own pool as a result.
Despite the up-market development, though, it’s still a picturesque spot with a beautiful sandy headland at the northern end and a shallow channel separating the main beach from a small, attractive island, Koh Matlang. Places worth treating yourself to here include: Olivio’s Italian restaurant on the waterfront at the Baan Haad Ngam Beach Resort and the indulgent spa at Chaba Cabana Resort.
The central part of Chaweng Beach is the most densely populated in terms of sunbathers, accommodation, and nightlife. The sands here are packed with sun loungers during the day and beach sellers meander through the crowds selling fruit and soft drinks. There are also jet skis for rent and all kinds of other beach antics to join in with.
At night, some of the bars put cushions out for revellers to enjoy the beach between drinks and dancing, while many of the larger resorts offer live, but gentle, music and Thai dance performances during dinner. The Ark Bar is a perennial favorite for the beach party crowd, while resorts like the Blue Lagoon Resort offer a more tranquil, family setting. By night, this area is a popular place for eating and drinking in beachside restaurants set out with cushions on the sand, which provide a fun, lively atmosphere.
South Chaweng Beach, like the north, is becoming more high-end and exclusive. The beach is wide at this end, but during the winter months (from November to March) the waves can be fearsome and people have drowned as a result. Samui’s largest hotel, The Central Samui Beach Resort, dominates the southern scene and is also the venue for some of the island’s larger events, such as the annual Samui Regatta. Other beachside venues include Poppies, which is famed for its fine food, while even farther south smaller resorts vie for beachfront space in a labyrinth of accommodation, food, and services that stretch back to the road.
In some ways, Chaweng’s central strip feels like a different part of the island from the beach it serves, sometimes even a different island altogether. The five-kilometer road is lined with shops and stalls selling every known holiday accessory, interspersed with bars, supermarkets, tailors’ shops, pharmacies, opticians, and, of course, fast food restaurants.
Like the beach, each section is quite distinctive from the next, with the smart Iyara Shopping plaza dominating the north end, along with popular venues like Prego; Samui’s coolest Italian restaurant and bar. Clusters of smaller family-run shops around the center and more up-market, boutique-style outlets are farther south. Major landmarks for taxis and meeting points include Starbucks, Tropical Murphy’s Irish Pub, and The Islander.
Chaweng is many different things to many different visitors. If it’s top-end cuisine in a sophisticated Western-style eatery you are after, there are plenty to choose from. But if you prefer a Thai street snack, there are stalls to suit you, too. The Green Mango Club packs them in every night and down the same street, which is lined with bars and clubs, while international DJs rub shoulders with bar girls and football fans in a cacophony of entertainment that only Thailand seems able to conjure successfully. It’s manic, it’s chaotic but it can be fun, too.
Lamai
Lamai Beach ranks as the second most popular beach on Koh Samui, yet it has a less crowded and more laid-back atmosphere, despite being half the size of Chaweng. Nestled in a sweeping bay, the sands stretch almost endlessly. Just north of Lamai lies Tong Takian Bay, characterized by a rocky headland and lush jungle that extends into the mountains.
Lamai town, situated about 100 meters away from the beach, lines the beach road and may seem like a quiet village during the day. However, it offers a good variety of shops and services, making it a convenient place to find everything you need, from supermarkets and banks to travel agencies. It presents a more pleasant and relaxed development compared to Chaweng, which is approximately 15 minutes away to the north via a hilly road.
It’s at night that Lamai comes truly alive, however, and it has an entirely justified reputation for luridness, with plenty of bars and bar girls. This is mostly in the middle of the main street, although it can be ignored easily as there are plenty more bars and eateries to choose from.
Nightlife in Lamai is an experience in itself; there are several nightclubs like Fusion or Supersub that play hard house music into the small hours, with some of the island’s top DJs spinning their tunes.
Head north along the beach and a little out of town you will come to hedonistic Buddy’s, which is a chilled-out bar and restaurant with a giant pool close by. They hold monthly parties and have recently opened up a huge resort on the opposite side of the road.
Restaurants can be found in abundance in Lamai, too, and there is something to suit most pockets. On the beach road, Sala offers a fine selection of international and Thai dishes and The Shamrock (nearby) does very good pub grub and more.
Accommodation in Lamai’s north end is a good deal quieter and often more moderately priced than elsewhere on the beach. Places like Nice Resort and Rose Garden Resort offer a good range of styles and prices, but as you approach the town proper, options get more expensive. One example of this trend is the up-market Pavilion Resort, with its justifiably chic restaurant; a great place for romantic dining. The beach itself is also well served by eateries that produce some tasty food by day or night and there are many street stalls, too.
Lamai is closest to the quieter, southern part of the island, which retains an authentic feel of Muslim Samui, where coconut farmers and fishermen predominate. Several attractions, including temples, a small zoo, and interesting local villages are within easy reach of Lamai. The routes to the waterfalls and viewpoints on the hills are more accessible from here, but it is the farthest beach from the airport and ferry terminals.
Bangrak (Big Buddah Beach)
Bangrak Beach is also known as Big Buddha Beach because of the 12-meter-high Buddha statue that dominates the area.
Although the Buddha statue is undeniably the island’s most renowned tourist attraction, the beach resort in this area offers a more tranquil and serene experience compared to the bustling Chaweng and Lamai on Samui’s east coast. Big Buddha Beach can be found on the northeastern coast of Samui, approximately 15 minutes by road from Chaweng Beach, and conveniently close to Koh Samui airport. The beach stretches out majestically, adorned with resorts that contribute to its peaceful ambiance. While the nightlife options may not be as many, a short taxi ride will easily resolve that, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing and laid-back vacation.
The most striking feature of this place is undoubtedly the remarkable Buddha statue. It took a remarkable two years to construct, and its sheer grandeur leaves visitors in awe; it’s so impressive that it can even be spotted from the air upon arrival at Samui airport. The upper section of the statue is adorned with enormous prayer bells, offering breathtaking views of the sea. During important festivals, this spot comes alive with vibrant celebrations. Tourists particularly love visiting the statue during sunset, as it provides fantastic photo opportunities. The area also boasts some delightful souvenir stalls, along with the usual food and drink vendors. Moreover, the views of Koh Pha Ngan island to the North are especially mesmerizing from this location.
Big Buddha Beach is a long beach curving around the north coast, and there is a good range of cheap and medium-priced accommodation choices. In recent years, there have been a few more higher-end options developed here and the beach has started to attract a more diverse group of tourists than the traditional budget traveler. Staying at Big Buddha Beach is particularly popular for those who want the proximity to the nightlife of Chaweng – a 15-minute motorbike ride away – but also want the quieter daytimes here to relax with privacy.
There are several possibilities for people who want to do some more energetic activities, with water-skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, all available on Big Buddha Beach. There are a number of dive shops along the main road here that can organize trips for you. If you just want to relax, then the swimming here is fairly and the water is generally calm and quiet, although the beach isn’t as nice as Chaweng and lacks crystal clear water.
As is the case all over Samui, it’s not hard to find a relaxing and good value massage on the beach here, but for something a bit more indulgent there is Ban Sabai, a five-star spa offering a range of treatments in traditional wooden style houses at the edge of the beach.
Big Buddha Beach does have some good nightlife options of its own, with some good bars, and generally at a fraction of the price of the busier areas on Samui. There are a number of British-style pubs, like the Elephant & Castle and Brahms & Liszt. The Secret Garden Festival is one of the most popular evenings; from 5 pm every Sunday at Secret Garden Bungalows you’ll find a good barbecue, cheap drinks, and a variety of live musical performances. They’ve been drawing crowds of tourists and local expats for 13 years, and are still going strong.
Big Buddha Beach is also the most convenient place on this part of the island to take a boat across to Had Rin (on Ko Pha Ngan), for a full moon party. As a result, the beach’s accommodation gets full around this time as many find it better to avoid the crowded Haad Rin area and arrive for the party night only.
Big Buddha Beach is a perfect vacation spot for people who want some of Thailand’s idyllic island relaxation, and options for some good nightlife, but are not right on their doorstep. During the day you can wander along the lengthy beach and virtually enjoy it all to yourself.
Bo Phut
Bo Phut Beach sits between Maenam and Big Buddha beaches in Samui’s northern coast. There is a quieter and more laid-back feel than the larger Chaweng and Lamai beaches, and it is popular with people who don’t want to be in the thick of Samui’s hedonistic nightlife areas.
Bo Phut itself is also known as Fisherman’s Village and is considered the most traditional and well-preserved place on the island. It is a welcome sight for people who are not so keen on the heavier development in other parts of Samui. The village takes up the middle section of Bo Phut Beach and is lined with traditional Chinese, wooden shophouses. The modern buildings here blend in nicely and certainly don’t spoil the traditional feel of the place.
Bo Phut Beach itself spans about three kilometers and is one of the most idyllic spots on Samui, sporting beautiful white sand dotted with coconut palms. The beach is much quieter than the beaches on the island’s east coast and there are also some great views out to Koh Pha Ngan. Historically, as the nickname suggests, this was a fishing village, and there are still a small number of local fishing boats continuing this traditional lifestyle.
The western end of the beach has seen more development, with a number of five-star resorts under construction. Generally, accommodation at Bo Phut is good and there are some unique places to stay here, offering something a little bit different from normal Samui beach accommodation. One of the largest attractions of Bo Phut is the selection of beachfront restaurants and bars with fantastic views to neighboring Koh Pha Ngan.
There are no go-go bars at Bo Phut Beach, making it a pleasant area for families and couples. Zazen Resort, at the more secluded western end of the beach, is a great place for serious relaxation, with a spa and some beautiful accommodations. Wander along the beach and you’ll find several resorts where you can stop for lunch; it’s all quite unassuming and much quieter than the east coast beaches in Koh Samui.
There are plenty of opportunities for those who want a slightly more active time, with jet skis, kayaking, yachting, and snorkeling all readily available along the beach. Bo Phut is a great place for people who want to enjoy some of the island’s entertainment, but also some peace and quiet. The sands are as nice as Chaweng, although the water is less clear.
The small village itself has a narrow main street which is best explored on foot or by bike, and there is a good range of eateries to be found here. Juzza Pizza is one of the most popular, with a good selection of pizzas and pasta on the Waterfront. Starfish & Coffee is another popular and original place in The Fisherman’s Village, offering tasty Thai and international foods.
Every Friday, Fisherman’s Village hosts a ‘walking street’, with food, clothes, and jewelry stalls lining the street, along with live music and performances. There are also some higher-end restaurants at Bo Phut Beach, where some of the shop houses on the seafront feature fashionable restaurants. There are some beautiful spots to have dinner overlooking the beach with Koh Pha Ngan in the distance, along with bars and clubs.
Lipa Noi
Lipa Noi is the closest beach to the ferry pier on the west coast, lying just to the south of it and before Taling Ngam Beach. There are some secluded resorts here, but otherwise, it remains peaceful and the sand and water are nice. It has a shallow shelf and there are no rocks either, making it good for kids.
The shallow seas that softly roll onto the west coast beach of Lipa Noi offer the finest swimming and snorkeling on Samui for youngsters. The water is shallow 100m from shore and there are no sharp rocks or coral on the seabed to lacerate unprotected feet. The sands here are so soft it is like walking on velvet.
There are bungalows and resorts at Lipa Noi, but very few bars or nightlife venues. Restaurants along the beachside do not stay open late. This remoteness and bucolic aura make this resort area an attractive proposition for people looking for peace and solitude as well as family groups. The beach is popular with Thai tourists as it is not far from the island’s car ferry port.
Maenam
It’s hard to believe as you drive along the Ring Road in Maenam that, just a few hundred meters away, there is one of the prettiest beaches in Koh Samui. Once you’re off the road, it’s an amazingly tranquil spot, fringed the whole way by majestic palms. It’s also here that you can find some of the cheapest accommodations on the island, as well as some upmarket resorts.
The sand, though not picture postcard perfect, is a fine yellow color, with a turquoise sea stretching away. In the distance, you can see Koh Pha Ngan – Samui’s sister island – and, on a clear day, distant Koh Tao. For those who know it, Maenam represents a largely unspoiled beach and when you sit on the sands here and look along it in either direction, it’s hard to see the development. Most of it is a small collection of bungalows, with the main exception being the impressive Santiburi Resort & Spa halfway along the sands. It is one of Samui’s first luxury hotels and is still going strong.
Maenam is not for everyone, though, since it is quite remote from the action at Chaweng. However, that might be a good reason to choose Maenam, but if you’d prefer some nightlife, then you’ll find this beach a bit boring. It’s also a good place to stay if you plan onward travel. Ferries from Koh Samui to Koh Tao depart from the Maenam Pier. As with the rest of Samui, you can rent bikes and easily get out and about for the day.
Starting from the beach’s west end, an old temple called Wat Na Pralarn makes for some wonderful photos. A great place to see shortly before sundown, the temple has a slightly dilapidated feel to it, and while it could do with some fresh paint in places, it definitely has an evocative quality. Right by the beach, there are some simple food stalls under the shade of trees and the beach here is much favored by the natives. It is next to the Lomprayah Pier, from where you can take fast boats to Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao.
On the road that leads away from the temple, you will find John’s Garden; probably the most romantic spot in the area for a meal. The garden is beautiful and diners sit out in a wonderfully lush spot. To find the temple, simply turn off the Ring Road when you see the large temple gate, at the far end of Maenam.
Maenam Beach, unlike Chaweng, is never crowded, and very often you will come across only a handful of people sunbathing. As you walk further along you come to Harry’s Bungalows, which is more upmarket than the name suggests. Some distance later is the Santiburi, which offers a plethora of water sports as well as fine dining.
Halfway along Maenam Beach is a public road that comes down to the sea from the Ring Road at the junction with the approach to the temple Wat Pukhao Tong, and here you will find a cluster of shops and diving schools, including the excellent Penguin Divers.
On the beach itself are many places to eat and drink. One that’s favored by many is the Café Talay, with its simple interior, friendly service, and great food. Grand Sea Discovery is located at the sea end of the road and runs ferries to Koh Pha Ngan and its east coast on a daily basis.
Towards the end of the bay that cradles Maenam Beach, you come to the comfortable, yet affordable, Paradise Beach Resort. Blessed with two swimming pools, and what’s said to be one of the best restaurants on Samui, the Roma, it makes for a great place for a sundowner and one of their justly-renowned Italian dishes.
Every Thursday evening is Maenam ‘walking street’; a market that fans out from the pier along the sois. Stalls selling clothes, local snacks, jewelry, and odds and ends can be found here, along with some live music.
Maenam is also the closest beach to Na Thon, the administrative center of Samui. It is a typical Thai island town that is far removed from the boutique resorts of the rest of the island, yet is pretty much nondescript. Ferries from the mainland arrive here, although it does have some restaurants and services worth a look.
Choeng Mon
Situated on the far northeast corner of the island, Choeng Mon Beach consists of a number of beautiful, secluded bays, with some of the best accommodations on Koh Samui. The Choeng Mon area juts out from the rest of the island, helping to keep the beaches quiet. As a result, this area is popular with families and the discerning type without the busy nightlife of other beaches.
A large amount of the area has been taken up by private residences, but there is still a decent amount of hotels and resorts, albeit at the higher end of the scale. If you’re staying elsewhere on the island, it’s a nice half-day experience to find your way here on a rented scooter or by hire car, where you can then enjoy a more exclusive, quieter beach.
The main part of Choeng Mon Beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on Samui, and while many people just like to relax here, there are plenty of water sports options for the more active tourist. Just off the coast is the tiny island of Koh Fan Yai, which can be reached on foot at low tide – many people get here by kayak.
There is no real village to speak of here, with most people tending to eat where they stay, although there are a few restaurants just away from the beach. Located near the impressive Sala Samui Resort is a relatively new area that is fast becoming the center for dining and drinking in Choeng Mon. A handful of places can be found, from small supermarkets to tailors and dive shops. Chaweng is to the south, and Bo Phut and Big Buddha are to the west, all of which are easily accessible should you require some nightlife.
There is some fantastic five-star accommodation in Choeng Mon. The Samui Peninsula Resort & Spa is one of the island’s finest, offering luxurious rooms and villas, a first-class spa, and a private beach. The Sala Samui Resort & Spa also offers excellent villa-style accommodation, most with private swimming pools, while Thongsai Bay is another five-star resort with its own private beach. These resorts all have excellent restaurants.
Choeng Mon Beach tends to attract more foreigners than Thai tourists and this is reflected in the restaurants and entertainment options. The Thai food on offer tends not to be too spicy, and there are often Thai dancers and Filipino bands playing in some of the restaurants.
The disadvantage of Choeng Mon’s location means that transport is not so convenient here. Songthaews (pickup trucks) do operate here but are not nearly as regular as at the other major beaches. It is easy enough to arrange for taxis, and your hotel will be happy to assist, but it is a good option to consider hiring a car or motorbike if you want to visit other parts of the island.
Taling Ngam
Taling Ngam is rated by many frequent Koh Samui visitors as one of the most picturesque and atmospheric of the island’s beaches. It is far from the madding crowds of Nathon and Chaweng and has limited accommodation options or eateries. Jungle rings the edge of the soft sand here and the views of Ang Thong Marine National Park are marvelous.
The uncrowded sand at Taling Ngam is spread over two kilometres with waters calm enough for children to swim and snorkel in while mum and dad relax on the beach. Rocks, fishing trawlers, and the odd tidal pool on the beach offer diversions for youngsters. The restaurants that dot the coast are all family-friendly and serve a mix of Thai and international cuisine.
Bang Po
Bang Po Beach is on the northern shore of Samui and features sands that extend for almost four kilometers. Palm trees stand sentry behind the clean beach and the waters are tranquil and offer snorkeling and swimming. There are a few accommodation options here, although no shops or nightlife venues.
