Koh Samui Beach

Koh Samui Beaches

Koh Samui coast line with beaches and capes, like every coast in Thailand, is considered property of the King or in other words Public property. In Koh Samui there are not any private beaches. Some Resort say they have a private beach, actually they are located on a quite beach where there are few people passing by or the property is located in a small bay which can be accessed from the resort only. For the Thai law nobody can own a peace of beach in Thailand, every one is free to visit any beach because it is public land.

In some area, expecially on the busy beaches, it is hard to find a public acces to the beach. The Hotels and Resort are build so much close to each other that there in not actually any space for public roads to the beach. In fact there are only few public road leading to the beach.

Every Hotels and Resort in Koh Samui will let you pass trought their property for reaching the beach without problem. All of the beach Hotels and Resorts have a beach restaurant too, so sometimes the managment expect that maybe you will buy a drink or you will have a lunch at their restaurant.

The Island of Koh Samui is divided mainly into 4 areas:

Nathon Town

The West Coast is where the main Town Nathon is located. In Nathon there is the most important harbors of the island where Car Ferry and Speed Boat connect the island with the mainland and neighbor islands.

In Nathon there are many Banks with Atm machines and Money Exchange , Post Office, Police Station, Shops, Supermarket, fresh Market, Restaurants and Bakeries. Nathon is a "day time" town, here you can make good shopping of different goods and the price are often cheapen than in Chaweng beach. Shops and restaurant open in the morning at 8-9am and close quite early in the evening at around 6pm. Only few restaurants are open in the evening.

In Nathon there are few budget Hotels and Guesthouses. Few tourists decide to stay here, there are not so many attractions and the beach is not so nice because too close to a busy port. Tha majority of the tourist just pass Nathon and choose to stay in other Koh Samui beaches.

Lipa Noi Beach

Just South 5 Km from Nathon you can find Lipa Noi Beach. Is a quiet beach with few Resorts, Hotels and some Villas. This is a convenient spot if you love Sunsets and you like a relaxed beach holiday. This beach is mostly preferred by families and couples. Here you can find several budget and middle class accommodations on the beach.

Lipa Noi is located 3 km off the main ring road, the public taxis in this area runs to Nathon several time a day in connection with the car ferry. They do not run in the night.

Car Ferry Beach

Further South 3 km from Lipa Noi beach, the beautiful Bay of the Car Ferry is a good swimming and snorkeling spot, the beach is not much frequented. Also here there are a couple of budget resort where is possible to rent bungalows directly on the beach.

The only negative part is the car ferry pier with its harbor at the center of the bay. From the port there are several car ferries a day which run to/from the mainland. Despite the ferries and the harbor the water is often particularly clear with many fishes.

Car Ferry Bay is located 3 km off the main ring road, the public taxis in this area runs to Nathon town several time a day in connection with the car ferry. They do not run in the night.

Talingan Beach

5 km South of Car Ferry bay is located Talingam Beach. Is a quite beach with coral reef just few meters from the shore, this area is suitable for snorkeling and for great Sunsets over the ocean.

In Talingam Beach there are budget and middle class resort providing bungalows directly on the beach. Here is also located one of the island most beautiful 5 star resort Baan Talingam from the Le Meridien. The Baan Talingam Hotel and Resort is built on a hill slope which go from the beach all the way to the top. This resort is highly recommended for Luxury romantic holidays.

It is worth visiting the Baan Talingam Hotel Restaurant located on the top of the hill where you can have an unforgettable dinner in front of amazing sunsets over the Marine Anghtong National park arcipelago.

Bang Po & Ban Tai Beach

On the North coast on Koh Samui are located Bang Po Beach and Ban Tai beaches at only 7 km and 10km from Nathon town.

This 2 beaches are considered resident area. In fact many foreigner are living here permanently. Here is possible to rent many House and Villas on daily, weekly or monthly rates. Many Villas and Houses are also located directly by the beach. In Bang Po and Ban Tai there are only few Hotels and Resorts.

Bang Po together with Ban Tai is a 5 km long beach where you can walk all the way. The coral reef, at just 100 meters from the shore, is the perfect place for snorkeling. During the low tide the water is quite shallow as much as your knees.

From April to September is possible to see fantastic sunsets over the ocean. Bang Po and Ban Tai are conveniently located along the main ring road. The public taxis are very frequent in day time and not so frequent in night time.

Maenam Beach

Further Est, Maenam Beach is a large Bay facing the neighbor island Koh Phan Ngan. At the center of the Bay is located Maenam Village with few Shops, Restaurant, mini mart, Atm Machine, Post Office, Police Station. In Maenam The shop are open in the day time and Restaurants are open for Lunch and Dinner.

All along Maenam Bay which is nearly 10 km long, there are many Hotels, Resorts and Bungalow Places for everyone taste and budget, Here you can find basic Huts and Bungalows on the beach or 5 star Hotel and Beach Resorts.

Maenam is a wide beach with big grain sand of yellow color. In the center of the bay there is not Coral reef and the water is quite deep at just few meters from the shore. It is ideal for windsurfing because is the most windy area of Koh Samui, in fact in Maenam Beach you can rent wind surf and small two passenger sailing boats.

If you travel with children, consider that Maenam Beach water is quite deep just at 2-3 meters from the shore. Is possible to find more shallow water on the right side of the bay ( between Maenam Beach e Bophud Beach ) Remember that in Thailand there are not any Bay watch.

The main ring road pass trough Maenam Village, which is located at the center of the bay. Some resort are located directly or near the main road, some other are located as far as 2 km from the main ring road.

If the place you stay is far from the main road you have to walk to get to/from your Hotel to the main road where the public taxi are running.

Bophud Beach

Continuing Est from Maenam, Bophut Village know as Fishermen Village is a pretty Seaside Village still kept as it was in the past with traditional Thai wooden houses. In Bophud there are many beach front restaurants and Pubs and few shops.

Bophud Village has also a small harbor where several boat a day connect Koh Samui with the neighbor island like Koh Phan Ngan, Koh Tao and Angthong Marine Park. Bophut bay is connected with Maenam Bay by the beach. In fact there is not a rocky cape between the two bays there is a unique beach that connect the two. Also in Bophut, at the center of the bay the water is quite deep just few meter from the shore.

In Bophud beach there are many budget and middle class bungalows on the beach and some 5 stars Hotels and Resorts with rooms and beach cottages. In Bophut village there are few Guest House, Apartment or Houses to rent.

Bophud is located at 7 km from Chaweng Beach, 5 Km from Big Buddha Beach and 20 km from Nathon Town, is well connected with other beaches by several Public and Private Taxis several time a day and night. All the Hotels and Resort in Bophut beach are very close to the main road.

Big Buddha Beach

Big Buddha beach is located on the North-East coast of Koh Samui. Just 5 km from Bophud, 5 km from Chaweng beach and 25 Km from Nathon town. The main attraction of the area is a huge Buddha statue built on a tiny island connected by a road. On the big Buddha island there is a nice temple which is worth visiting.

Here is possible to watch superb sunsets over the sea ( from march to October ) with a Buddha statue in the background. Big Buddha is in part good for swimming. Because of the reef, the water in the low tide is veryshallow, however is a safe beach for small children because of shallow water. Koh Samui airport is also located here at just few hundred meters from the coast.

Big Buddha has also an Harbor where there are daily boats going to Haadrin Beach ( in Koh Phangan island ). From here start also Speed boats going to the famous "Full moon Party" which is happening in Koh Phangan during full moon night of every month. In this area many taxi are running all day until 2am in the night.

On big Buddha beach there are many budget and middle class accommodation in room or bungalows on the beach.

Choeng Mon Beach

On the East Coast, at 7 km from Big Buddha and 7 km from Chaweng is located a nice small bay called Choeng Mon Beach. The beach has fine white sand and the water dept close to the shore is not high. This beach it is very safe for children. The coral reef on the sides of the bay make it also a good place for snorkeling. On the right side of the bay there is an unspoiled island just hundred meters from the beach. On the low tide, you can easily walk to the island.

In Choeng Mon beach there are several accommodation, mostly upper class, in Hotels rooms or beach resort cottage. Some middle class bungalows can be found here also. Choeng Mon beach is well connected with Chaweng Beach and Big Buddha beach by Public and private taxis during the day and the night.

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng beach is the most popular beach of Koh Samui. All along the 7 km long bay are located hundreds of Hotels and Resorts with rooms, bungalow and beach restaurants. The most concentration of shops, restaurant, bars, discotheques are located in Chaweng beach main road at the center of the bay. The shops open quite late in the morning and stay open until 11pm or midnight. Chaweng is a "Night City" where most of the bar, pubs and discotheques close at 2 am.

Here you can find many kind of accommodation: budget room in guest house at just few hundred meter from the beach or budget bungalow close to the beach at just 1 or 2 km from the center. The most of the beach side Hotels and Resort in Chaweng Beach offer middle or upper class accommodation.

Chaweng is a large bay with a fine white sand, on the two sides of the bay there are coral reef which make it a good place for snorkeling too, on the left side of the bay, just few hundreds meters from the shore, there is an unspoiled tiny island which is possible to reach by walk during the low tide.

The central part of the bay is the best place for swimming, because there is not coral reef, is possible to swim even during the low tide. however this is the most expensive area of Koh Samui. Chaweng beach is a safe place for children because the water is not deep unless you go very far out from the coast.

In Chaweng beach there are also different water sport like Sea kayak, Water Scooter and para sailing.
To get around Chaweng Beach there are many public and private taxis which run up and down Chaweng road all day until 2 am in the morning.

Chaweng Noi is the southern part of Chaweng Beach. In this area there are coral reefs which make this area suitable for snorkeling. However in low tide the water level is often too low for swimming. Anyway is possible to walk by the beach to the center of Chaweng bay where is possible to swim even in the low tide. Also here there are many Hotels and resort at a better bargain than in Chaweng center.

Coral Cove Beach

Continuing South of Chaweng Noi, the main ring road follow the coast along mountains areas. For about 5 km there are small hills which goes straight down to the sea. The coast here is mostly rocky with tiny beaches in between and the water is often deep. This area, called Coral Cove Beach, is one of the best place in Koh Samui for snorkeling and fishing.

Built on the hills slope, there are few Resorts with bungalow either on the beach or on the hill with great view. Coral Cove beach is easily connected with Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach by public and private Taxis.

Thong Takian Beach

Just at the end of the mountain area, where the ring road goes down hill, is located a tiny bay called Thong Takian Beach. In this bay the water is quite shallow during the low tide. This is a quite bay where are located few middle class resorts with bungalows and cottage on the beach. Thong Takian Beach is located at 3 Km from Lamai beach and 5 km from Chaweng Beach. It is well connected with public and private taxis.

Lamai Beach

Just next to the South of Thong Takian Beach, Lamai beach is the second most touristic beach of Koh Samui. The bay is much similar to Chaweng bay with fine white sand. On the 2 sides of the bay there are coral reefs, for this reason, during the low tide, the water is quite shallow. Lamai is a safe beach for children because of shallow water.

In the middle of the bay, where is also the best part for swimming, is located Lamai Village with a good selection of Restaurants, Shops, Bars, Pubs and Dischoteques. The center of Lamai is smaller than Chaweng and has a more relaxed atmosphere.

In Lamai there are several budget and middle class Hotels and Resort providing rooms and bungalows directly by the beach at a cheaper price than Chaweng Beach. Lamai i well connected to Chaweng beach and Nathon Town with public and private taxis.

Hua Thanon Beach

Further South of Lamai Beach is located Hua Thanon Beach. The beach here is quite narrow and near to the main road. The swimming here, especially in the low tide is not so good because of rocks in the sea. This part of the coast has few resort with rooms and bungalows located by the beach.

Hua Thanon village is a characteristic Muslim village where there is also a nice market with fruits, vegetables and fresh sea food. Hua Thanon is well connected to Lamai Beach e Nathon Town with public and private taxis.

The Southern Part of Koh Samui is the less touristic area of the island for few reasons:

Most of the beaches and the resorts are few kilometers away from the main road, you need to have your own rented vehicle if you like to stay here because there are few taxis running in those areas.

All the South coast of Koh Samui has a reef which is sometimes 1 km far from the shore. In low tide the water goes away as far as 1 km and you can walk on a dry sea bed for 1 km before you reach the water. This part of the island can be interesting for people who like to collect shells. The South of Koh Samui is far from Nathon ( 25 Km ) and also far from Chaweng beach ( 25 km ).

Despite many negative aspect of the area, also in the South on Koh Samui there are few budget and middle class resort with rooms and bungalow directly on the beach. The South of Koh Samui is good for people who like to stay in isolated and almost unspoiled beaches, for people who like to watch magnificent Sunset and for people who want to stay out of all the action and in a laid back situation in the nature.

Natien Beach

Natien Beach Beach is located at just 5 km South of Hua Thanon Village in Maret district. Here there are few middle class resort with rooms and bungalows on the beach. On this beach there is also the "Samui Aquarium" with many tropical fishes and the "butterfly Garden" with a great park over the hill with a stunning view of the neighbor islands.

From Natien Beach there are few public taxis running to Nathon or to Lamai and Chaweng in the day time only. It is often possible to find private taxis running from/to Samui Aquarium and Butterfly Garden during the day time only.

Ban Kao & Thong Krut Beach

Further at the extreme Southern part of Koh Samui are located Ban Kao Beach and Thong Krut Beach. The two beaches are almost unspoiled with just few local fishermen living there and very few tourists around.

Is possible to walk on these beaches for kilometers without meeting anybody. Thong Krut beach is facing a small island called Koh Tan located at just 2 km from Koh Samui coast. In Thong Krut there are daily fishermen boat leaving to Koh Tan.

Koh Tan is a small island with a population of about 200 people. On the island's they have a schools and a temple. Koh Tan have some nice snorkeling spots. If you want to stay overnight, there are a couples of places with restaurant and basic bungalows to rent for the night.

Pangka Beach

At just 3 km from Thong Krut going to the West there is a small Bay Called Pangka Beach. This is a pretty bay situate at the South-West of Koh Samui and facing the West, so you can see beautiful sunsets over the Anghtong National Park all year round.

The Bay of Pangka in the low tide get almost completely dry. For swimming need to walk some hundreds meters to get to the water. On the two sides of the bay there are rocky capes which you can reach by walk ways, here is possible to fishing and snorkeling.