Koh Samui is a one-of-its-kind island. It is known for its kinetic nightlife, hospitable locals, and cutting-edge travelling infrastructure, but most importantly its stunning beaches. Located in Thailand it is one of the best places to visit in Asia as a budget traveller as this is one of the cheapest places to visit in Asia. Travel to the top ten beaches on Koh Samui to make the most of your trip there, and uncover how big and multi-faceted the island is.
1. Chaweng Beach
One of the best Koh Samui beaches, Chaweng Beach is a long stretch of white sand along a natural cove. Since it is known for gentle breeze and little to no rain, it is one of the best Koh Samui beaches to rent a bungalow on. Its waters are limpid and waves are gentle. It is great for swimming, jet-skiing, doing watersports and just lazing about sipping on your pina colada and grooving it to the reggae music.
Also, it is one of the best Koh Samui beaches to enjoy the nightlife. To make the most of Koh Samui Chaweng’s frenetic night activities head to Ark-Bar, from 10 pm to 2 am. Then, make it to Green Mango, open till 3 am. If still keen to carry on, go next to Arena Club where the night had just been born and is still young. After that, at around 6 am, the most intrepid of Koh Samui nightlife explorers can pull themselves to Hendrix, one of the best night-bars in Koh Samui to take pleasure in the island’s sun-rises.
Note that Chaweng’s long stretch of sand is one of the best Samui beaches to see sunrises.
2. Chaweng Noi Beach
Chaweng’s sand can be somewhat crowded on a particularly sunny day. If willing to bask in the sun alone without having to rent a bike to go to some of the island’s least-known sand spots, head to the end of Chaweng Beach closest to Sans Souci Hotel and other accommodation. There you can sneak through one of the local hotels for you to cross a bridge and find the fine sand under your feet.
Even though it is just 5 minutes away from Chaweng Beach, it is not seen from the outside. There are so few people because it is walled off from the rest of Koh Samui by what seems a barrier of private accommodation and luxury hotels with few to no outsiders finding a way onto the beach. Nevertheless, all beaches of Thailand are Thai King’s properties and are free for the public to find a way of getting in, and head for a perfect sunny day on a pristine beach just a short walk from the centre of Chaweng Beach’s city life.
Note: the waves are usually significantly stronger in Chaweng Noi than on the more quiescent Chaweng. Note that you can pay a visit on a jet-ski also from Chaweng Beach.
3. Silver Beach
A short took-took ride away from Chaweng is Silver beach. It is one of the smallest and best Koh Samui beaches with only the savviest and discernible of the tourists coming here. Even though it has several cosy eateries and bars in its vicinity it offers little accommodation so that most that make it here come from somewhere else. It makes for a less crowded sun-basking, making it one of the best Koh Samui beaches to swim on.
Note: Silver Beach is one of the best Koh Samui beaches for snorkelling
4. Lamai
Just as large as Chaweng Beach, the scenic Lamai is quieter and more laid-back. It is one of the best Koh Samui beaches to visit with families for it has a great number of good restaurants with prices often more affordable than on the somewhat more touristic Chaweng Beach; great accommodation and less hustle and bustle at night with Chaweng being the nocturnal destination of choice.
Note that it is one of the best Koh Samui Beaches to find lodgings for it allows you to spend your holiday in a calm pretty area with great tourist infrastructure. You can go to Chaweng’s bars and clubs any time you feel like doing it since Chaweng Beach is just 20 minutes took-took ride away.
5. Fisherman Village Beach at Bophut
Located on the other side of the island, Fisherman Village Beach is known for its complete lack of wind and shallow waters. It is not the best Koh Samui Bach to swim but it is a great place to sunbathe and spend time with your family and kids on Koh Samui.
Fisherman Village is also possibly the best place to do shopping in boutique clothes shops, eat the best European food in Koh Samui, attend Thai boxing events (for free), and sample Thai authentic cuisine or buy souvenirs at a night market, to be visited on Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm.
Note: The Fisherman Village is a great place to live long-term for the area is generally quieter than bustling insomniac Chaweng or still somewhat touristic Lamai. It is beloved by the island’s sizable ex-pat and digital nomad communities.
6. Choeng Mon Beach
At a distance from both Chaweng and Fisherman Village, the beach is still situated in the somewhat touristic north-eastern part of the island. The beach here is scenic: it is also one of the best Koh Samui beaches to delight in the island’s warm sunshine with few people around you. The beach features a mind-blowing sea view and wind-rustling palm trees, making it one of the most romantic beaches in Thailand. Note that since the beach is still little known to the wider tourist community, the accommodation price here is significantly lower with a good bungalow with a swimming pool setting you back a fraction of what it can be on Chaweng. Also, note that it is one of the best Koh Samui beaches to rent a luxurious villa.
7. Bangrak
Comparatively wide, Bangrak Beach is one of the best Koh Samui beaches to rent a bungalow on a budget. It is where a vast community of ex-pats live, with local Thai food and beer costing significantly less than on Bophut, Lamai and Chaweng, three of known best Koh Samui beaches.
Since the water is somewhat muddied, it is best to just take pleasure in the secluded surroundings, plane-spotting, and the good-value Thai authentic cuisine and crisp beer at the many sea-view establishments along the beach.
8. Mae Nam
Mae Name is one of the cheapest and most beautiful Koh Samui beaches. It has a sizable ex-pat community and is known for great Thai and European food options. It is easy to travel from Mae Name to the best Koh Samui beaches such as Chaweng, Silver Beach, Chaweng Noi and Lamai.
Note that the beach itself is a quiet stretch of coast popular with backpackers and ex-pats, known for sea-view accommodation at a good price, and great beer joints to hang out with locals. The scenic palm-fringed beach is also a great place to play beach football or do other sports.
9. Laem Yai
Laem Yai is one of the quietest and lesser-known Koh Samui beaches. It is popular for its sun strolls, lounging around on the warm sand, and few people around. If you are looking to escape from it all, head to Laem Yai to commune with nature and the tranquil spirit of the sea.
10. Secret Beaches
Other little known Koh Samui beaches include Ban Tai Beach, a quiet stretch of impeccably white sand a short distance away from the busy Maenam Walking Street; Thong Krut Beach, located close to Fisherman Village, and Samrong Beach, one of the least known Koh Samui beaches, offering views on Koh Phangan, a party island nearby, and perfect white sand, pellucid waters, and a feeling that you have your own private Koh Samui beach.
Conclusion
Koh Samui is one of the best places to forget it all and enjoy the peace of a tropical paradise. The idyllic island is not just pristine nature featuring pink dolphins, elephants, all kinds of flora and fauna, scenic waterfalls and white sand beaches. Be sure to use these beach captions for all your stunning beach photos too!
Koh Samui is also where some of Thailand’s best nightspots are located with revellers from all over the world coming to enjoy Koh Samui after sunset, and travel to Koh Phangan, a neighbouring island, where the world-renowned Full Moon Party takes place.
