Chaweng Beach
If you don't mind a busy location, Chaweng Beach is ideal–this is where the action is at, with plenty of places to eat and lots of attractions, Chaweng is Koh Samui's biggest resort town, best known for being home to the largest shopping complex in southern Thailand, a wide range of hotels in all price points, and lots of things to do and places to eat. Although Chaweng is also well known for its nightlife, this also includes a softer side of late-night cafes, live music venues that stay open well past midnight, and plenty of oceanside restaurants to lounge under the light of the moon.
Soi Green Mango is the epicentre of Samui's nightlife, home to drinking, loud music and good times. The highlight of the street is the namesake establishment at the very end of the road – The Green Mango Club, which has been an institution of Chaweng’s nightlife for decades.
There are a good few beer bars and a modest choice of nightclubs and has a lot to offer once it comes to life after midnight. Soi Green Mango forms a loop heading inland off the northern end of Chaweng Beach Road. The entrance is lit by bright signs and banners.
Like Green Mango, Soi Reggae has been a hub for nightlife in Chaweng for decades, featuring Muay Thai bouts at Samui International Muay Thai Stadium, nightclubs, karaoke and the pink-neon-lit beer bars which are an inevitable part of the nightlife across Thailand.
The 200-metre road leading up to Reggae Pub the entertainment venue at the end of the street in which the street is named after, you'll come across an unavoidable gauntlet of small beer bars, with loud music and a throng of people. However, they can be fun places to enjoy a few laughs, a few games of pool and cold beverages.
Ark Bar in central Chaweng is also a Koh Samui institution that has been around for quite a few years. It's a lively, cosmopolitan 150 metres wide beachfront venue offering excellent food, drinks, a chill-out groove in which to mingle and party to DJs’ latest live mixes.
Even though Ark Bar has changed hands several times, the bar/restaurant still uses the same methods to draw people in – fire dancers, fire shows, dining and dancing on the beach, as well as a relaxed atmosphere that extends to a children-friendly vibe, even late at night.
Above everything else, however, Chaweng's most important attraction is its beach with glistening azure waters and soft white sands. Chaweng's best resorts are oceanfront, some offering private beach access, complete with their own sunbeds and umbrellas. For those finding their own spot on the sand, there are always vendors pacing around selling products and services–everything from henna tattoos and foot massages to ice-creams and jewelry.
Although Chaweng Beach is seven kilometers long, its high popularity means it's often crowded and rarely quiet. If you're looking for big waves, lots of action and plenty of water sports opportunities, then this is your beach.
Lamai Beach
This eastern resort town, south of Chaweng Beach, has a similar sort of vibe to its northerly neighbour, but on a smaller scale. Like in Chaweng, its nightlife is still a major draw and there are plenty of great dining, entertainment and accommodation options. The older of Koh Samui’s more popular destinations, it has a cheap and cheerful atmosphere and some truly unique attractions. While much of the island is evolving to target high-end, big-spending tourists – and this process is no less evident in Lamai Beach, with the appearance of some great spas – Lamai’s age and popularity mean that there are many bargains still to be found.
Nightlife in Lamai features impressive after-dark entertainment despite its relatively small size. Of course, the nightlife here is not as busy as Chaweng's but a few long-established venues do their best to prove otherwise. From wooden beachside venues to trendy clubs, you'll find them all here, a place for partygoers in Samui.
Lamai Beach itself is lovely – a stunning crescent of palm-fringed powdery white sand. There's a deep central stretch of water that’s great for swimming and water sports. Large granite boulders are the landmarks of Lamai Beach – the most famous of them being Hin Ta and Hin Yai, at the southern end of the beach.
In summary, Lamai Beach is Samui's second largest resort town. More laid-back than Chaweng, Lamai still offers plenty of things to do - just at a more leisurely pace. Dining, shopping, and accommodations are also cheaper in Lamai, so it's a good destination for those on a budget. You can also, always grab a motorbike taxi for a 5-minute ride to nearby Silver Beach which offers a quiet escape under the swaying palm trees, it's perfect for couples and those looking for a calmer getaway.
Silver Beach
Silver Beach is a 250-metre-long tropical beach paradise set in a charming little bay just north of Lamai Beach. It faces northeast from the foothills and cliffs separating Lamai from the popular Chaweng area, on the east coast of Koh Samui.
Also known as Haad Thong Ta-khian, Silver Beach hosts 4 long-established hotels and restaurants: Crystal Bay Beach Resort, Silver Beach Resort, Thongtakian Resort, and Crystal Bay Yacht Club, which together occupy the full length of the beach. Nevertheless, according to Thai law, even if you’re not staying at one of the hotels you still have free access to this tranquil strip of sand, which offers some particularly good sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling opportunities.
Silver Beach may be small, but it still has plenty of room to welcome visitors due to the fact it is not (yet) very well-known. The bay is stunning and offers excellent snorkelling opportunities among the rocks at both ends. A few large granite boulder rocks stand in the water and on the beach, obliging swimmers to be a little cautious.
Bang Por Beach
Bang Por beach sits right between the Gulf of Thailand and the thick tropical rain forest, offering an almost hidden stretch of soft white sand for those looking to relax. At almost 11-km-long, this is Koh Samui's longest shoreline, but since it's located on the northwest coast (away from the main areas), it doesn't receive as many tourists. If you're looking for a quieter destination with great prices and local food, this is the place.
Compared to other beaches on the island, Bang Por like Ban Tai has seen little development. Local fishermen still visit the bay, and the food choices around are more of the local, simple variety set in thatch-roof shacks. Plus, majestic sunsets and the splendid view of Koh Phanagn across the water is hard to match.
Ban Tai Beach
Ban Tai beach, a 2-km-long strip of pristine white sand located between Bang Por and Maenam beaches on the Northern coast. With it's majestic sunsets and views to Koh Phangan and Ang Thong National Marine Park it's hard to match. It is often mistakenly called Bang Por from which is only separated by a tiny rocky cape. Facing north, this beach is a haven of tranquility. You can find cool independent beach bars and restaurants on Ban Tai beach, and if you're looking for one of the perfect places on Koh Samui to catch a sunset, this is it.
Maenam Beach
The Maenam area is popular with backpackers and expats offering everything that you would expect of such a title – budget shopping, fun activities and its fair share of rough-and-ready restaurants, along with a good selection of low-cost hotels and resorts right on the beach. However, the other end of the spectrum is also very well catered for, with high-quality and very private 5-star resorts, fine dining options, a quiet sophisticated nightlife and a golf course, a top pick among the best golf courses in Thailand.
Maenam Beach itself is a peaceful beach with excellent views of Koh Phangan. Many of its resorts are located at the end of long, rambling pathways, affording a degree of privacy unavailable elsewhere. Maenam beach is almost 7-km-long, so most people stick to one area rather than trying to explore the whole length of it. Head towards the end of it in either direction, and you'll find a lot more privacy. Any area you end up in, however, you'll find very little hustle and bustle on Maenam Beach.
Santiburi Samui Country Club in Maenam is the most renowned golf course and the only championship course in Koh Samui. Offering 18 holes through the magnificent lush hills, coconut plantations, rock-filled valleys, streams and waterfalls above Maenam in Samui’s northern area, Santiburi has spectacular views over to the Gulf of Thailand and is indeed a world-class golf course.
Overall Maenam remains one of the most affordable beaches in Koh Samui. Bungalows abound on the beach, offering plenty of beautiful views without breaking the bank. That doesn't mean there aren't luxurious resorts around; it's just that the options are plenty at both ends of the scale. Either way, Maenam is a great place to go to relax and take it easy on a pleasant beach.
Bophut Beach
Bophut might not be the biggest beach on the island, but it's definitely one of the most beautiful. The three-kilometer-long stretch of sand is relatively quiet and kept in pristine condition by the many beachfront hotels here. Soft waves, crystal-clear waters, and rows of palm trees make Bophut an inviting place to relax under the sun.
Smack down in the center of the beach is an area known as Fisherman's Village. Though technically this is also part of Bophut Beach, the distinctive feel of the area - which is lined up with old Chinese shophouses - is very different. Several small streets coming off from the beach are packed with boutiques, night markets, and entertainment options. This area of the coast has the cleanest sand, beautiful sea views towards Koh Phangan, and some of the best dining in Samui.
Bangrak Beach
Bangrak has become a lively and popular area, with cafés, restaurants, bars and beautiful sunny views across the bay. There are several beachfront hotels just minutes away on foot, perfect for a couple of nights' sleep while you explore Big Buddha island, Wat Plai Laem and its gigantic statue of the Chinese Goddess Kwan Yin, and nearby Choeng Mon Beach.
Samui has four ferry piers, but the boats that come and go from each one differ. Located towards the northwest end of Koh Samui, right next to Big Buddha Temple, Bangrak Pier is the main connection to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. There's also a ferry that connects to Donsak, from where you can easily proceed towards Surat Thani for train and airport connections.
Big Buddha Beach
This north-eastern area has only recently gained popularity, with most of the clientele being budget travellers and backpackers. The beach is conveniently situated, being close both to the Koh Samui Airport and the ferry to Had Rin on Koh Phangan, Choeng Mon Beach Bangrak and Bophut. It is also home to several cultural attractions, including the titular Big Buddha.
Accommodation options are mostly in the budget to mid-range categories, which increasingly attract families and tour groups. It is a popular destination with people who want the option of enjoying the nightlife of Chaweng Beach or the unique shopping options of Fisherman’s Village, but want to stay somewhere quiet and relaxing.
If you're looking for one of the perfect places on Koh Samui to catch a sunset, this is it and because the water is calm and shallow near the beach and only deepens gradually, Big Buddha Beach is not only perfect for kids, but also for those searching for relaxing water sports, such as kayaking as the sun sets in the distance.
Choeng Mon Beach
Nearby to Big Buddha, Choeng Mon Beach hidden away in its own bay with stunning views over the crystal blue ocean, offers a sense of privacy and attracts mainly families and those looking for peace and quiet. At the further end of the beach, you'll find the islet of Ko Fan Noi. During low tide, you can actually walk to the island, otherwise, you can rent a kayak to get there or circle it before heading back to your sun lounger on the main beach.
Although most visitors coming to this beach are looking to relax, the area is also famous for its many water sports activities. Snorkeling and scuba diving, PADI training courses, and boat tours out to coral-rich islands are available. Choeng Mon is also home to two of the island's most famous tourist attractions: Wat Plai Laem and the Big Buddha.
Taling Ngam Beach
Located in the less touristy southwest corner of Koh Samui, Taling Ngam remains a mostly wild beach. This means little development, only a few hotels and restaurants opening up over the sand, and a sometimes unkept coastline – palm branches, coral pieces, and coconuts can often be found on the sand.
The ocean is shallow near the coast, but rent a kayak and find your way to deeper azure waters for great swimming, diving, or just some leisurely paddling. In the distance, you'll be able to see some of the archipelagos that make up Ang Thong National Marine Park. Taling Ngam Beach also offers some impressive sunsets,
Accommodation ranges from cheap bungalows to upscale resorts. The beach is at least a 20-minute drive even from Nathon, the nearest town of any significance, and almost an hour away from Chaweng. That said, if you're after a relaxing, lazy, tropical holiday in Samui above all else, Taling Ngam is hard to beat.
Lipa Noi Beach
Lipa Noi is a convenient choice for anyone driving to Koh Samui from the mainland. The beach has fine white sand, and there are no rocks or coral in the water. If you're looking for the perfect place on Koh Samui to catch a sunset, this is it. Not only does the sky turn into an incredible rainbow of reds and yellows as the evening arrives, but the reflection on the beach means you'll get the illusion of walking on perfect pink sands.
Lipa Noi's remoteness and the lack of entertainment also means fewer tourists and a much quieter destination if you're looking for sand and sea away from the crowds. There are a few well-spaced bungalow operations, as well as more upscale resorts. Apart from the beach and a few cool beach bars, there's little else to do in the area – its very remoteness is what makes it most attractive to many visitors.
Luxury Resorts in Koh Samui
Deciding on a resort in Koh Samui can be tricky. With so many beautiful resorts and hotels to choose from, picking one over the other will be mostly a matter of deciding where and what exactly you're looking for. However even some of the high-end resorts in Koh Samui only offer partial sea views rather than the inspiring view you might have expected.
If you want Thai luxury complete with sea views, the best luxury resorts in Koh Samui–with plenty of amenities and absolute beachfront and ocean views, check out our guide to the top luxury resorts in Koh Samui, which will provide you with all the information you need to narrow down your search:
Agoda
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