Beaches on Koh Samui
Koh Samui offers an impressive range of beach locations, each with its own special atmosphere and different options for activities and entertainment. Sealed roads make travelling to the different beaches and attractions easy and enjoyable. Whether it’s five star luxury services or a simple natural setting you seek, a trip around the island is sure to reveal some interesting, beautiful and sometimes surprising local colour.
There are six main tourist beaches on Samui, all located on the East or North Coast, and here you’ll find most of the resorts and services. Chaweng and Lamai are the two plum locations, with their lovely beaches, so they are most developed and lively. However, lying on the beach you’d scarcely notice. Much quieter are the Northern Samui beaches of Big Buddha, Bo Phut and remote Mae Nam where you get better value for resorts on the waterfront. However they can be very quiet in the evenings. Choeng Mon is a nice exclusive little beach within 10 minutes ride of Chaweng.
Although Chaweng and Lamai centres 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 few lanes with the rest of the waterfront of the 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 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 unspoilt and deserted beach in the South of the island.
The beach life is what Samui is all about. From the action of Chaweng and nighlife of Lamai to the quieter atmopshere of Bophut or Mae Nam, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets. Find out more details on each particular Samui beach in this section.
 |
ChawengSamui’s most popular and lively beach, you’ll find the perfect swimming waters here and the crowds, try North Chaweng and a generous budget... more |
 |
LamaiSecond best choice, this lengthy beach is down-to-earth, with room for all and a nice village behind the resorts, boasting good nightlife...more |
 |
Big BuddhaSweeping beach with ferries to Koh Pha Ngan, nearer the airport, nice views and, of course, the Giant Buddha to gaze at – middle market... more |
 |
BophutFurther from the action, resorts are all right on the beach but you won’t find a bangin’ nightlife here, relax and enjoy the boutique atmosphere...more |
 |
Mae NamCheapers and removed from the tourist crowds, furthest from the aiport nearest to the ferries, this is the ‘getaway from it all’ experience... more |
 |
Choeng MonExclusive and small, tucked away in the North, away from the hussle and bustle but 10 minutes from Chaweng, limited and pricey rooms...more |
Travellers and locals have lots more to say on this on our Thai island destinations forum.
- See them all on a map of Samui
- Pictures of Samui
 |
