Where to stay on Koh Samui. Good beaches of Koh Samui - the charm of "party" Chaweng and the fashionable silence of Ban Tai

Phuket and Koh Samui can be compared exactly in the same sense as drawing a parallel between, for example, Sevastopol and Koktebel, Sochi and Loo, Sukhum and New Athos, Kemer and Olympos, mainland Greece and Crete.

In all these pairs, the first position is characterized by developed infrastructure, transport accessibility and high anthropogenic load. The second is provinciality, a slow pace of life and the possibility of secluded recreation. The answer to the question which is better from the Thai islands - Phuket or Koh Samui - is determined by what type of vacation the tourist prefers.

Features of Phuket and Koh Samui

The formation and development of the tourism industry in Thailand began precisely with Phuket. Here already in the late 1960s - early 1970s. the construction of the main infrastructure begins: a bridge connecting the island with mainland, paved roads, hotels.

The proximity to mainland Thailand (0.41 km at the narrowest point of the strait) predetermined the status of Phuket and opened up wide prospects for tourism development district.

On the island of Koh Samui, separated from the nearest province of Surat Thani by 27 kilometers of sea, in the 1970s there were only a few dozen bungalows, and not every tourist would dare to go there. Thus, the transport accessibility of Phuket, on the one hand, and the isolation of Koh Samui, on the other hand, laid the objective prerequisites for differentiating their tourist potentials.

The first became a large, popular and crowded resort. The second is calm and, in a certain sense, melancholy. This trend continues today and is unlikely to change in the future.

Characteristic features of Phuket:

• a large island with a permanent population of more than 300 thousand people;
• tourist centre southern Thailand with its own airport, which has international status and receives flights from hundreds of cities;
• developed trade infrastructure;
• there is a system municipal transport, allowing you to save on movement around the island;
• unique nature reserves around, of interest to tourists, incl. for divers.

What is Koh Samui:

• the population of the island is 6 times less than Phuket;
• transport is available (airplane, ferry), but there are certain difficulties - waiting for the ferry, extra travel time, costly flights exclusively by Bangkok Airways;
• The traditionally relevant issue for resort holidays about the proximity of housing to the sea is replaced by a more pragmatic one - about proximity to a supermarket;
• for $700 a month you can rent a whole house and live in the middle of the jungle;
• it is comfortable to rest almost the whole year with the exception of October-November.

Issue price

Despite the fact that there is a slight variability in prices and costs of services on both islands, in the end, due to the compensation of some items of expenditure by others overall size costs will be about the same.

So, for example, other things being equal on Koh Samui, you can find accommodation much cheaper. However, the transfer to the island, transport costs inside, the cost of food largely offset this difference.

On the other hand, since high season in Phuket is extremely short, and on Koh Samui there is an opportunity to comfortably relax all year round, then, accordingly, if we compare holidays on both islands in January, then Phuket will be more expensive. If it's in June, it's cheaper.

The difference between Phuket and Koh Samui can be formulated as follows: in the first case, the vacationer pays for the civility of the rest and the level of service, in the second - for "bounty" exotics and the opportunity to relax in the "eco" style.

Natural and climatic conditions

Considering comfort climatic conditions, then the island in the Gulf of Thailand has more even weather throughout the year. The rainy season is not so pronounced: it drips a little from the sky throughout the year, and the peak of showers occurs in October-November.

The sea is calm most of the year, but there are high and low tides. In January, it becomes noticeably cool here: the air temperature during the day does not rise above +25 degrees C.

Phuket, located on the other side of the Malay Peninsula, is strongly influenced by the Indian Ocean. The comfortable period from December to February is replaced by a terrible humid heat of +40 degrees C in March-May. The sky is covered with clouds.

It can rain daily, but not for long. The main disadvantage, given the beach orientation of recreation, as well as the recreational value of diving, spearfishing and excursions to the surrounding islands, is the sea, which storms 9 months a year, making the main types of tourist activity impossible.

It should also be remembered that it was Phuket that suffered greatly during the tsunami of 2004. This is due to the peculiarities of the geographical position of the island, which is not protected from the Indian Ocean.

Despite the fact that faults in the ocean floor (earthquakes) can also occur in pacific ocean, which is even more seismic, nevertheless Koh Samui is located in the depths Gulf of Thailand and is protected from possible tsunamis by numerous Pacific islands and the Indochinese peninsula.

On the other hand, in order not to scare tourists away from Phuket in vain, it should be noted that such cataclysms happen once every hundreds of years: in our life we ​​are unlikely to see what happened in 2004 again.

Accommodation and infrastructure

Huge amounts of money have been invested in Phuket's economy for decades. Therefore, this island objectively provides a wider choice of accommodation options and better infrastructure necessary for vacationers.

It will not be a mistake to say that Phuket is one big tourist city with jungle islands in its central part. Koh Samui is more fair to describe as a jungle island with small settlements stretching along the coast.

However, on both islands there are numerous accommodation options - from very budget to the luxury segment in its Thai interpretation.

Phuket's shopping areas are superior to those of Samui in terms of size and range of goods offered. Although today they operate on Koh Samui Central Festival and others shopping centers, which provide an opportunity to purchase quality goods, clothing, products.

However, they are all concentrated in Chaweng, Bophut and Natong districts. There are also numerous 7eleven, Family Mart, small private shops. The basis of the road infrastructure of both islands is the ring road, passing in close proximity to the coast.

Activities

You can often find the opinion that there is something to do in Phuket, but boring on Koh Samui. This is not true. It's just that they talk a lot about the first one, but the second island has a long history. Cultural attractions on both islands are traditionally represented by Buddhist temples and other places of religious significance.

Just like in Phuket, Koh Samui has a zoo, an aquarium, a butterfly garden, and numerous eco-attractions:

• waterfalls;
• botanical gardens;
• conservation marine park;
• Safari Park;
• fishing village for lovers of ethnographic excursions.

Both islands practice water sports recreation. However, for scuba diving and studying marine life, the waters of the Andaman Sea are of greater interest.

What is better?

As we have seen, Phuket and Koh Samui have more in common than different. You can have a good rest on both islands. The choice between them is largely a matter of individual preference and ideas about the perfect vacation.

To put an end to the question of what is better, let us recall the well-known aphorism of J.-P. Sartre: Hell is other people. If you agree with the French philosopher, then Koh Samui will suit you, where, if you wish, you can spend time alone with your family or in a narrow circle of friends without any extra financial costs and efforts.

If you want a greater presence of civilization around, and do not mind being in a crowd of the same tourists, then Phuket is your option.

If you have come to Koh Samui for the winter and are looking for accommodation, you can see the one I personally compiled, where there are more than 80 houses with a map and photos.

Main beaches

Bang Po Beach

Bang Por will appeal to those who do not like the depth and crowded family Maenam. The beach is located in the north of Koh Samui, next to Maenam. The building density of the coast is high, there is a lot of housing for rent, well-developed infrastructure and the ring road is not far away. Bang Po is smaller than Maenam, but the sea here is unclear, the bottom is muddy, closer to the edges of the beach, stone placers begin at the bottom. The beach is suitable for swimming, especially with small children, but it is not particularly beautiful. Not crowded, not replete with beach activities, with coarse yellow sand and many restaurants on the coast. More , with photos.

Bang Po Beach - Bang Po Beach

Ban Thai Beach

Ban Tai is a famous place among the moms of Koh Samui. The second name of the beach is Mimosa, after the name of the hotel and restaurant located on the shore. The beach stands on the outskirts, does not suffer from crowds, has only one hundred-meter clean entrance to the water. Basically, the entire sea along Ban Tai is overgrown with algae, and the west of the beach is littered with huge stones. Lots of natural shade, shallow sea, few buildings on the shore. There are no noisy parties, beach vendors and drunken youth. All these characteristics together make for an excellent family beach in the north of Koh Samui. More , with photos.

Ban Thai Beach - Ban Thai Beach

Mae Nam Beach

The third most popular beach on Koh Samui, after Chaweng and Lamai. The main characteristic of the beach is family. Things are very good here with self-rental housing, houses for every taste and price tag. Excellent infrastructure, but no nightlife. After sunset, the entire area falls asleep, except for the bars. The beach is wonderful, almost all hidden under a continuous palm grove. The sand is yellow, loose, very soft. The depth of the sea allows you to swim despite the low tides, there are few beach vendors, there are no active party places, there are no beach activities. More , with photos.

Mae Nam Beach - Mae Nam Beach

The beach of the hotel W-Retreat Koh Samui (W-Retreat Koh Samui Beach)

The closed beach of the cool W-Retreat Koh Samui hotel with rooms, the price tag for which starts from 90,000 baht per day. The beach is perfectly licked, equipped with all the amenities that are intended only for hotel guests. There are many sources of shade on the shore, the same palm grove grows here as on Maenam. The highlight of the beach is the sandy spit, which goes a couple of hundred meters into the sea, allowing you to take amazing photos. Sometimes the spit deteriorates after strong waves and becomes not so straight. Despite the closeness and exclusivity, the access of outsiders to the beach is not prohibited. More , with photos.

Bo Phut Beach

Bo Phut is located in the north of Koh Samui, next to the family Maenam. The beach runs along the ring road at a sufficient distance. The gap between the road and the sea is built up with hotels, access to the beach is possible only through the territory of one of the resorts or on the waterfront of Fisherman Village. Excellent infrastructure and beach activities. Very crowded and popular due to its good location. Nearby are Macro and Big C hypermarkets. The beach itself is not uniform along its entire length. There are wild, unkempt areas with fishing boats in the west, there is a busy, well-maintained central part and a deserted eastern one. The sea is suitable for swimming only in the central part of Bo Phut. More , with photos.

Bo Phut Beach - Bo Phut Beach

Bang Rak Beach

Bang Rak is located in the north of Koh Samui, in one of the most densely populated and lively areas of the island. The high density of development on the coast limits access to the sea. Basically, there are restaurants, commercial organizations, two piers, resorts and bars. Well-developed infrastructure and beach activities on the beach. Nearby is the airport and the ring road. The beach is U-shaped and the sea is shallow and rocky at the edges of the beach. In the middle of Bang Rak, the sea is deep, but the proximity to the piers affects. You can observe both oil stains and debris in the water. In winter, there are high waves and very muddy water. More , with photos.

Bang Rak Beach - Bang Rak Beach

Play Laem Beach

Play Lam will appeal to those who do not aspire to a beach holiday in the classical sense. The shore of the beach is not crowded, located in the north of the island. Basically, there are poor resorts, industrial buildings and fishing houses. The bottom of the sea is covered with silt and small stones, not at all suitable for swimming. The coast is mostly dirty, not cleaned, and the beach is not popular with tourists. There is almost no entertainment, houses are rarely built, but there is a choice. The infrastructure of the area is below average, there are only the most necessary services such as equipment rental and laundries. The main attractions of the island and the airport are very close. More , with photos.

Plai Laem Beach - Plai Laem Beach

Samrong Beach

Samrong is hidden behind the walls of the only hotel on the coast in the north of Koh Samui. Access to the beach is not restricted by the hotel administration. Of particular interest is not, especially if you live elsewhere. The beach is shallow, covered with algae and rocks. No entertainment, no people, no beach equipment, you can come here just out of curiosity. The infrastructure of the area is poor, as this part of the island is located on the outskirts and is occupied mainly by expensive villas and hotels. More , with photos.

Samrong Beach - Samrong Beach

Thongson Beach

Another children's beach on Koh Samui. The shallow water, combined with the easy accessibility and relative liveliness of the beach, makes it attractive for families. The sea here is shallow, in some places there are paddling pools in the stones, after low tide. You need to move very carefully over the stones, under wet feet a dry stone becomes slippery. The entrance to the water is sometimes complicated by coral debris and algae. Behind the stone cliff to the right of the entrance to the beach there is a hidden cove where you can sunbathe nude. The building is not dense, the infrastructure is undeveloped. More , with photos.

Thong Son Beach - Thong Son Beach

Thongsai Beach

The private beach of the Thong Sai Bay Hotel, which is fairly easy to get to. Like Samrong Beach, Thongsai is a perfectly groomed strip of coastline. The sea in this place is very deep, at low tides it remains unchanged. Not suitable for independent visit, since they don’t allow you to use hotel equipment, and there’s nothing to do here without an umbrella - there is no shade anywhere. Very wide beach, about 40 -50 meters. No entertainment, beach vendors and infrastructure. Only a hotel with its own beach. More , with photos.

Thongsai Beach - Thongsai Beach

Chong Mon Beach

Considered one of family beaches, on a par with Maenam, Ban Tai and Thongson. Relatively well-developed infrastructure of the area, not the densest housing development. There are four large hotels on the beach, but access to the sea is free along the bypass road. Lots of natural shade. Chong Mon has a shallow sea, grayish fine sand. The beach is lined with bars and massage houses, many restaurants, water activities and rent of sun loungers. It's always crowded, whole families come here. There are parking problems. More , with photos.

Choeng Mon - Chong Mon Beach

Chaweng Yai Beach

The most inaccessible, but exotic part of Chaweng beach. It is located north of the main Chaweng and consists of two halves - a shallow bounty and a deep rocky coastline. The sea is not suitable for swimming, rather for walking along the bottom and taking pictures. Excellent infrastructure and many hotels on the coast. Water activities and beach equipment are also presented in a wide range. Crowded on the shore, many bars and drunken youth, as well as a stone spit on the horizon, protecting from the waves. More , with photos.

Chaweng Yai Beach - Chaweng Yai Beach

Chaweng Beach

The most popular and one of the most beautiful beaches of Koh Samui. Excellent infrastructure, lots of houses, hotels and resorts. Chaweng has everything you need for rest and life. Busy, noisy, crowded. The beach is popular and really beautiful all along its length. Chaweng in the central part has a deep sea, almost white sand and a clean entrance to the water. Lots of beach and water activities, a lot of bars and restaurants, beach vendors, animation and magnificent landscapes. The most beautiful sea on the island is Chaweng. More , with photos.

Chaweng Beach - Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Noi Beach

Chaweng Noi is located south of Chaweng and is its smaller copy. It runs along the ring road, and a solid wall of hotels has been built on the land between the sea and the road. The entrance to the beach is possible only through the territory of one of them. The beach is clean, well maintained, deep sea with free entry into the water. Beach activities are presented in a truncated form, there is a lot of natural shade. Self-reliance is quite real, without the additional cost of renting a sun lounger. Beach of different widths, with a very beautiful horizon. The infrastructure is hotel, there are no residential areas in the district. More , with photos.

Chaweng Noi Beach - Chaweng Noi Beach

Coral Cove Beach

One of the few beaches on Koh Samui, which enjoys well-deserved popularity among the majority of people who have visited it. Due to its inaccessibility, many do not get here, but at any time of the year there are always a lot of people here. Despite the fact that the beach is on the outskirts and is closed by the hotel, lovers of coral sand and azure sea they still come with their rugs and umbrellas. There is no entertainment on the beach, no beach vendors and noisy youth. Very clean, beautiful, exceptional picturesque beach in the east of Koh Samui. All the amenities of civilization are available on Chaweng or Lamai. Coral Cove is designed for contemplation and swimming. The sea is deep and clear. More , with photos.

Coral Cove Beach - Coral Cove Beach

Thong Takian Beach

A beach with four names. One of the most beautiful small beaches on Koh Samui. Located between the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai, in a beautiful bay between huge round rocks. Separated from the entire island by the territories of three hotels. It has a hotel infrastructure, there are no marine entertainments and youth parties. Tongtakian is ideal for a beach holiday with real tropical landscapes in the background. Very beautiful place, very popular and always crowded. More , with photos.

Thong Takian Beach - Thong Takian Beach

Laem Nan Beach

Laem Nan is located north of Lamai, along the territory belonging to expensive resorts. The building density here is low, but the price of housing is far from budget. Despite the presence of luxury real estate, the sea on Lam Nan is very shallow, rocky, with a muddy bottom. It is practically not suitable for swimming, but you can observe tourists walking along the bottom, half a kilometer from the coast. It is quite a pleasant place for families with children. There are many sources of shade on the shore, few people, no noisy and drunken neighbors. A favorite place for farangs from Europe, many of whom come with their families. More , with photos.

Laem Nan Beach - Laem Nan Beach

Lamai Beach, North (Lamai Beach)

Lamai is the most popular beach on Koh Samui after Chaweng. It has an impressive length, so the description of Lamai is divided into three parts. Northern part Lamai is located near the ring road of the island, has a dense building and population. However, here for the most part there are commercial organizations, one large hotel, and several small ones. North Lamai is on the outskirts of this huge village so there is no nightlife in the evening. The sea is shallow, the bottom is rocky, there is a pit for fishing boats and many of these very boats. There are no beach activities, there are very few sections of the beach with clean sand. More details with photos.

Lamai Beach, Northern part - Lamai Beach

Lamai Beach, Central (Lamai Beach)

Lamai is the most popular beach on Koh Samui after Chaweng. It has an impressive length, so the description of Lamai is divided into three parts. central part Lamai is the perfect island getaway if you're not looking for privacy. Lamai in this part has excellent infrastructure (including the Tesco hypermarket), a large number beach activities, dense development of both commercial and residential buildings. There is everything you need for a good rest on Koh Samui. The sea is deep, the sand is clean, light yellow and loose. More detailed description beach, with photos. There is not a single mouth of the stink river. The only drawback of Lamai in the central part of the beach is the lack of shade sources. You will have to look for an umbrella to rent or bring your own. More , with photos.

Lamai Beach, Central part - Lamai Beach

Lamai Beach, South (Lamai Beach)

Lamai is the most popular beach on Koh Samui after Chaweng. It has an impressive length, so the description of Lamai is divided into three parts. The southern part of Lamai Beach is located along large wastelands and is somewhat abandoned, although there is a Makro hypermarket and an Orthodox church. Here worse sand, rocky and algae-covered entrance to the water, there are no sources of natural shade. Beach entertainment did not get here, even beach vendors do not go. People usually gather on the northernmost outskirts of Lamai, near the rocks of Hin Ta Hin Yai. Access to the sea is limited to the territories of the resorts, with the exception of a private bridge, which is built over a stink river in the wasteland area. More , with photos.

Lamai Beach, South - Lamai Beach

Not the main beaches

Hua Thanon Beach

One of the dirtiest and most unpleasant beaches on Koh Samui. Located in the east, right after Lamai beach. Most of Hua Thanon lies along the eponymous fishing village and its surroundings. Here the beach is crowded with boats and polluted with the waste of fishing activities. Housing for rent is offered only in the interior of the island. The beach is located relatively close to the ring road. Very poor infrastructure, all purchases have to be made on Lamai. The sea is shallow, the bottom is rocky. It can be called more or less bathable in the area between the village and the temple. More , with photos.

Hua Thanon Beach - Hua Thanon Beach

Nahai Beach

Nahai is known as a favorite place for windsurfers. Located on the east coast of Koh Samui. A very shallow, inaccessible sea, which at low tide goes 300-400 meters from the coast. Built up with private villas and resorts that are not very friendly to strangers. Nearby is one of the main tourist attractions - the zoo of tigers and marine animals. The infrastructure of the area is weak, not focused on a large influx of tourists. Few people, mostly because of the beach. There is no entertainment, a lot of beaches, little sea. More , with photos.

Nahai Beach - Nahai Beach

Laem Set Beach

A hard-to-reach, little-known and unpopular Koh Samui beach. A favorite place of supporters of secluded recreation and uninhabited shores. Located in the southeast of Koh Samui in a sparsely populated area of ​​the island. Along the entire coast there are hotels or a fenced area for development. Hotels are quite expensive, they don’t let them through their territory to the beach, explaining that they value the safety of their guests. The sea is shallow, rocky, along the entire coast. More , with photos.

Laem Set Beach - Laem Set Beach

Na Thien Beach

Natien is hidden behind the walls of three large luxury hotels on the island. It is a winding coastline that has sandy beaches in between huge round boulders. Access to the beach is possible only through the territory of the hotels, but not every hotel allows it. The sea is shallow, rocky, unsuitable for swimming. There are no beach activities, except for those offered by the hotels themselves. Great for a one-time visit, for the sake of the picturesque coast and horizon. Are obtained beautiful pictures. The Natien area is sparsely populated with poor infrastructure. More , with photos.

Na Thien Beach - Na Thien Beach

Bang Khao Beach

The longest beach in the south of Koh Samui. It is located far from the ring road and the main densely populated areas of the island. The area around Bang Kao is poorly developed, the development is presented in the form of private villas and rare resorts. There is very little housing on the coast. The sea along the beach is catastrophically shallow. Ditches are dug for fishing boats, and there are practically no normal areas for swimming. The bottom is muddy, rocky. The beach is mostly wild, unkempt, with heaps of garbage. Bang Kao is a favorite place for "savages" and fishermen. There is nothing for a beach holiday, you need to bring everything with you. More , with photos.

Bang Khao Beach - Bang Khao Beach

Thong Krut Beach

Thong Krut, like all the beaches of the south of Koh Samui, has one big drawback for those who like to swim in the sea. Shallowness. The sea recedes almost half a kilometer at low tide, leaving a rocky bottom. It takes about an hour to drive to the nearest centers of island life. Thong Krut is the farthest corner of the island, only Thong Tanot is farther than it. There is no infrastructure, there are few houses, there are also few tourists. The beaches are deserted, dirty, wild. From here it is convenient to hire a boat with a boatman to ride to the southern satellite islands and swim on an even more uninhabited coast. More , with photos.

Beach Thong Krut Beach

Thong Tanod Beach

Thong Tanot is the farthest corner of the island. Its only attraction is its remoteness. Few people, few houses, no infrastructure. It is far from the ring road, it takes about the same time to go to Nathon as to Lamai. This is the edge of the island. The sea here is shallow, the bottom is rocky, the sand is coarse and yellow. Ideal for those who need desert island. More , with photos.

Thong Tanod Beach - Thong Tanod Beach

Phang Ka Beach

Pang Ka is very similar to a flooded sand pit. The almost perfectly square shape of the bay in which it is located creates a strong association. The sea on Pang Ka is extremely shallow, with low tide it goes 400 meters and the bottom dries up. With the exception of a channel dug for jet skis, boats and boats. Oddly enough, there are some marine entertainment, loungers for relaxation and even tours by sea are offered. The main user of the beach is a contingent of neighboring hotels located on the slopes of the mountains and in the jungle, which do not have their own sea. More , with photos.

Phang Ka Beach - Phang Ka Beach

Taling Ngam Beach

Taling Ngam is considered a gem west coast Samui. Very different along its length, Taling Ngam is located along the wild coast, unpopular with ordinary tourists. Partially the coast is covered with stones, partly breaks off at the rocks. The coast is mostly unkempt, dirty, with shallow sea and muddy bottom. The highlight of Taling Ngam is its authenticity and stunning sunsets overlooking the Five Islands. There is little housing in the area, the infrastructure consists of Thai shops and laundries. Very far from the ring road. Edge of civilization. More , with photos.

Taling Ngam Beach - Taling Ngam Beach

Lipa Noi Beach

Lipa Noi, also known as Thong Yang, is a long beach consisting of two parts. Lipa Noi is located on the west coast, immediately after the administrative center of Koh Samui - Nathon. Fine, gray sand, clean in places, abandoned in places. The sea is shallow, with a muddy bottom. There are many trees scattered along the beach, providing natural shade. The Lipa Noi area is located far from the ring road, there are few houses and shops in the area. There is no infrastructure, but there is one of the coolest entertainment bars - Nikki Beach. Mostly family people rest here, many mothers with children. More , with photos.

Lipa Noi Beach - Lipa Noi Beach

Nathon Beach

The administrative center of Koh Samui, with all the ensuing consequences. Nathon is a mini-town, with two huge piers, navy different-sized ships, boats and boats. Half of the conditional beach is sewn into concrete and is a promenade, and the second is a wild beach with mangrove trees. The advantages of Nathon are well-developed infrastructure, proximity to major government institutions, the ferry, and remoteness from noisy Chaweng. Cons - the sea is unsuitable, shallow, dirty. Great for photo shoots on the wet seabed after low tide. A favorite spot for local photographers. High building density, but mostly these are houses of local residents. More , with photos.

Nathon Beach - Nathon Beach

Bang Makham Beach

Bang Makham, or Bang Makam, is called the beach conditionally. It is located in the north of Koh Samui, and runs along the ring road. Nearly half of this road passes within five meters of the water's edge. The beach itself appears only at low tide, when the seabed is exposed. The sand is very white, but everything is littered with stones and pebbles, marine debris and teeming with marine life. In the east of Bang Kao there is a small stretch of sandy beach opposite the only resort. The rest of the space is unsuitable for swimming or sunbathing. This beach is suitable for a romantic photo shoot with a motorcycle or car against the backdrop of the sea. More , with photos.

Bang Makham Beach - Bang Makham Beach

Laem Yai Beach

Lam Yai is a beach that only becomes a beach at low tide. With the departure of the sea, a shallow bottom is exposed, covered with fine white sand, which dries quickly in the sun. Water remains in small and large puddles, in the middle of which islands are formed for relaxation. The beach is located on the outskirts of the main busy places Samui. Buildings around Lam Yai are extremely rare, only three or four resorts and a hotel. There is no infrastructure, except for a plastic pier and a reggae bar. The place is wild, not crowded, hidden by a palm forest. Stones of different sizes are scattered along the shore, there are no beach activities. As well as people. More , with photos.

Laem Yai Beach - Laem Yai Beach

Thong Plu Beach

Thong Plu is located on the very edge of the northern coast of Koh Samui, near the beginning of the Naton Hills - a pass through the mountains. Literally 30 meters remain between the sea and the ring road, where about a dozen resorts are located. The sea is inaccessible, shallow, with a rocky bottom. Not crowded, there are practically no tourists, except for local residents. The infrastructure of the area is poor, you have to buy everything you need in Nathon, which is about 5 minutes away. The building density of houses is low, there are many workshops for processing wood and stone. A more detailed description of Thong Plu beach

Map of Koh Samui beaches, north

Living on Koh Samui, of course, we visited almost everything beaches of Koh Samui🙂 I am often asked which beach is the best on Koh Samui, which beach of the island Koh Samui is better just suitable for families with children, which Koh Samui beach to choose for youth recreation, which beach is best to settle for the winter?

I can say that we are all different and what one likes is not necessarily like another. In this article, a small overview of the beaches of Koh Samui. Please note that this is my subjective opinion 🙂

Koh Samui beaches on the map

The beaches of Koh Samui: a review

Let's start in order with the most popular beach 😎

We move along the ring road of the island to the south. The next beach is the beach or South Chaweng. You can get to the beach only through hotels or through the coastal restaurant Bistro Samui. The beach is long, wide coastline, fine white sand, pleasant waves in winter and complete calm in summer. Good for families with children. On the left near the stones you can swim with a mask. This beach is my favorite, and in general best beach on Koh Samui! If I come to Koh Samui on vacation, I will choose Chaweng Noi Beach, and I advise it to all my friends! Detailed article about hotels on Chaweng Noi beach.

Further south is the beach - this very romantic, secluded beach is only 130 meters long, located in a small bay and surrounded on both sides by rocky cliffs and bizarre boulders. There are only three hotels on the beach. The sand on the beach is yellow and coarse, the sea is almost immediately deep. Waves in winter. Suitable for lovers of romance. This beach is also one of our favorites. But also not for life, but for relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea.

Beach or Thongtakian or Silver Beach - that's how many names one beach has - a beautiful beach in a cozy bay with a length of about 300 meters. There are several hotels on the beach, soft sand, lush vegetation. Minus - the entrance to the sea is not very good, there are stones and algae in the sea. Beach for quiet a relaxing holiday. Read about all the hotels on Crystal Bay beach.

Beach - the length of the coastline is about 4 km, just like Chaweng beach is divided into three parts: northern, central and southern. The tides are pronounced in the northern part. The central part is ideal for swimming. The sand is yellowish and coarse, in winter there are often waves. Lamai Beach is not as party and noisy as Chaweng, but all the infrastructure is present here, there is a market, shops, Tesco Lotus, Makro, many restaurants and cafes. Prices are generally not high. Lamai Beach is an ideal choice for both leisure and long stays. It was Lamai that I chose to live on Koh Samui. About our house on Lamai.

To the south along the ring road is the beach, which I call the beach for myself, because. it is located near the hotel of the same name. On the map, this is Natien Beach, the eastern part. The beach is very beautiful, but not swimmable. Very shallow and rocks in the water. But what soft sand and magnificent views! There is a kai station on the beach. Aquarium and tiger zoo nearby. The perfect place for kitesurfing. In general, I really like this beach 😎

the islands - Laem Set, Bang Kao, Thong Krut - are sparsely populated, a lot of natural debris and not suitable for swimming: shallow, a lot of stones in the water. Beautiful nature and desertedness is the main plus of this place.

We follow further to the west of Koh Samui and get to the beach - gorgeous beach for a quiet, relaxing and romantic getaway. There are almost no people, the hotels are located far from each other. Entertainment, shops too. Incomparable nature, palm trees, but there is a minus - a shallow sea. You don't have to go far to buy. Since this beach is located in the west of Koh Samui, you can watch amazing sunsets here. I would live on this beach in retirement, in a good expensive hotel 😎

The next beach to the west, immediately after the cape with a naval base, is the beach or Tong Yang. A long beach with white, fine sand, magnificent scenery, palm trees and a few hotels. Quiet, calm, but also a problem - the sea is shallow ... I would choose this beach for living with children. Nearby in 10-15 minutes drive - Nathon, where there are many shops and other necessary infrastructure. Beautiful sunsets on Lipa Noi Beach.

Beach - this beach is located in the north of Koh Samui and is very popular with Russian winterers with children. I do not argue - the beach itself is very beautiful. You can find a place in the shade under a palm tree and in the sun. Swimming is comfortable - there are no stones in the sea and almost immediately deep. The sand is coarse and yellow. Waves are rare in winter. It often happened like this: there is a storm on Chaweng and Lamai - you can’t swim, but there are no waves on Maenam Beach. There are many houses for rent in the beach area. long term. But I don’t know why, I didn’t like the area very much. In the evening, silence, emptiness. There is nowhere to go, there is no walking street with shops or restaurants. Prices are higher than in Lamai. A big plus is that there are two markets: morning and evening. In the morning market prices are very low. The beach is ideal for families with children who go to bed at 9-10 o'clock. In this area, several rivers flow into the sea, so there are a lot of mosquitoes.

The beach is a continuation of Maenam beach. The beach is located on a cape and belongs to an expensive hotel, but anyone can come and swim on it. The beach is ideal for photo shoots on Koh Samui. Beach W is very clean, the sand here is large and yellow, the right bay is deep and suitable for comfortable swimming, there are few people.

The beach - I liked it much more than Maenam beach. The coastline itself is very similar to Maenamskaya: coarse yellow sand, palm trees near the water, deep sea. But the area is much nicer - there are many restaurants, bars, where to walk in the evening - there is even something like a promenade along the sea, which is very rare for Koh Samui 😎 On Fridays - famous. Lots of expensive hotels. Prices for everything in the Bophut beach area are quite high. We were struck by the prices in the market - very expensive fruits, so we went to the market on Maenam Beach. Very close to Big C supermarket.

The beach, or as it is also called Big Buddha beach (due to the location of the Big Buddha statue near it) - is located in the northeast of the island in the same bay as Bophut beach. There are several piers on the beach from which you can get to Koh Phangan. It is better to swim and relax in the middle part of the beach, the sea here is immediately deep, the sand is quite fine. There are many nice cafes on Bang Rak, the famous fish market, Tesco Express. Bang Rak is a good place to live or spend the winter on Koh Samui.

Beach - a small beach in the northeast is located in the bay of the same name, in which there are only two hotels and a few villas. There are no shops, you can eat in the restaurant at the hotel. The sand on this beach is fine, the water is clear, there are not many people. The minus of the beach is that there is almost no shade and therefore it is very hot. You can go swimming several times if you live somewhere nearby 😎

The beach is located in the northeast of the island, not far from Chaweng beach. Choeng Mon Beach is very popular with families with children. Fine white sand on the beach, shallow sea, not a large picturesque island nearby. There is all the necessary infrastructure - shops, restaurants and Chaweng beach is not far away. The only negative is that in January there were a lot of people on the beach. Like in the Crimea in the summer! And in summer the whole beach was full of yachts.

Hotels on the beaches of Koh Samui

Pay attention to special offers for hotels on Koh Samui:

All beaches of Koh Samui. Video

The beaches of Koh Samui: conclusions

So, let's summarize the beaches of Koh Samui: there are no perfect beaches, everywhere there are pros and cons 😎 The way the beach looks depends very much on the season, the presence of storms and the sun. In sunny weather, all the beaches of Koh Samui are beautiful, but in the rain they look dull. From November to February, Chaweng, Chaweng Noi, Coral Cove and Lamai have quite strong waves. In summer, all the beaches are calm.

For a long stay, I would choose the beach Lamai, if I had not found a house on Lamai, then the beach Bophut or as a last resort Bang Rak. If you live for more than a year, then you can rent a house quite cheaply in Nathon while bathe ride on Lipa Noi.

For swimming and relaxing, three beaches are ideal for me: Chaweng Noi, ban thai,Coral Cove.

For contemplation - the beach near the hotel and Taling Ngam.

If I went to Koh Samui on vacation for a couple of weeks, I would stop either on the beach Chaweng Noi or on the beach Lamai.

In general, come to Koh Samui and make up your mind about all the beaches of the island 😎

Before you go to rest on Koh Samui, you need to make a choice in which area of ​​the resort is best to stay. Chaweng and Lamai are considered the most popular among tourists, because they have wonderful beaches and the most developed tourist infrastructure. The remaining areas are less developed, but you can still always find where to eat and spend the night. To make it easier for you to choose, I have described in detail each area on Koh Samui.

This area is located in the very north of Koh Samui, from the beach of the same name offers an excellent view of the neighboring one. has coarse sand, small pebbles in the form of pebbles can rarely be found. The entrance to the sea is calm and gentle, but it is distinguished by a rapid increase in depth. Maenam Beach stretches for several kilometers in length, and the width does not exceed 7 meters.

The infrastructure of the Maenam area is quite developed and is suitable for a good rest:

• The first and second coastlines are completely built up with hotels and small hotels.
• Maenam Soi 7 approx. main road there is a market open in the evening. Here you can buy local products, souvenirs and food.
• The entertainment life of the area is concentrated on Maenam Soi 4, on Thursdays there is an evening market that sells food, clothes and souvenirs.

Bophut District

In the northeast of the island is an area called Bophut. Among the numerous hotels and cafes along the central street of the district you can find stalls. They sell clothes, gift items and souvenirs from morning until late at night. And on Fridays, an evening market opens at Fisherman Village, where you can buy clothes, shoes, fruits and ready-made Thai dishes. Also in the area are Big C, Tesco Lotus and Makro supermarkets.

In addition, the most famous dental clinic on the island, operating at the European level, is located in the Bophut area. Not far from it is a go-kart.

The area's beach is a long sandy spit. Many tourists consider it the most beautiful and secluded place on the island. The beach attracts with its bright colors; nowhere in the resort there are such author's restaurants and boutique hotels.

Bang Rak District

If you are not attracted to the night and noisy life of the resort, then it is the Bang Rak or Big Buddha area that will become perfect place for a quiet, secluded holiday on Koh Samui. From this area you can easily public transport get to any popular place on the island or to the beaches with a lot of entertainment.

The beach here is never crowded with tourists, it has very clean and fine sand, as well as a very convenient entry into the sea. The Bang Rak area is famous for its main attraction - which is located on top of Phan Hill.

Choeng Mon area

In a picturesque place is the Choeng Mon area, which is surrounded on one side sea ​​coast, and from the other two - tropical nature. The depth of the sea increases gradually, the entrance is very convenient and consists of fine velvet sand, like the rest. Entertainment and nightlife did not take root in this part of the island. However, there are several excellent hotels, cafes and restaurants near the beach.

Chaweng District

This area is the most popular and party on Koh Samui. It is considered the best place to relax, mostly because of its beach. East Coast covered with white and fine sand, the water in the sea is perfectly clear and clean. In addition, holidays in this area are perfect for couples with children, since the entry into the water here is perfectly smooth and comfortable.

Chaweng is exactly that. rare place in the resort, where most of the large supermarkets, shopping centers and markets are collected. Also in the area there is a center of night entertainment life, the place will appeal to young people and lovers of club life.

Lamai District

Lamai is the second most popular area on Koh Samui. The tourist infrastructure is well developed here, as well as an excellent beach. The central and southern parts are very wide, which allows tourists not to interfere with each other during their holidays. The entrance to the water is very comfortable and gentle, the sand is fine and always clean.

Lamai is not as noisy as Chaweng, but here you can find some worthy places for entertainment. Along the beach there are bars that are open until late at night and have daily parties and discos for visitors. In the Lamai area, a huge variety of places to stay - from simple bungalows to luxurious hotels on the seashore.

Taling Ngam District

Peace and quiet is what attracts tourists here. southwestern part Koh Samui is significantly distant from the noisy areas and party places of the resort. It is here that the paradise beach of Taling Ngam is located, which is so loved for romantic meetings and picnics. The beach is quite large, wide, the sand is fine, and the depth of the sea increases gradually.

The Taling Ngam area is the only one that is badly affected by modern civilization. The tourist infrastructure is not arranged here in the best way. The easiest way for tourists who find themselves in the Taling Ngam area is to find economy class accommodation. As soon as it gets dark on the street, the area freezes in complete silence.

Lipa Noi District

The Lipa Noi area is known for its significant pier for the island. Despite the fact that there is constantly active movement sea ​​vessels, the water always remains clear and quite clean. The beach itself is very long, beautiful palm trees grow along the coast and tropical plants separating the area from the neighboring road.

The tourist infrastructure of the Lipa Noi area is presented as follows:

1. The entire area is built up with luxury hotels and private villas. But here you can also find a budget accommodation option in the form of a bungalow or private rooms.
2. Near the beach and on the main streets there are dozens of restaurants and cafes where you can taste national cuisine, European dishes and fast food.

Area Nathon

The administrative center of Nathon is located in the western part of the island. It houses the immigration office, hospital, police station and many other administrative buildings. The coastline of Nathon Beach is not suitable for swimming. Here is the main port of the island. There is a daily ferry service from the pier. Thanks to maritime transport, people can easily get to neighboring islands and the mainland.

Prices here are much lower than in tourist areas. This applies to hotels, cafes and shops. On main street the Nathon area has supermarkets, markets and stalls.

Bang Por area

Another great place for a secluded holiday is the Bang Por area, which is located in the northwestern part of Koh Samui. The length of the beach of the same name is more than 5 kilometers, so there is enough space for absolutely every vacationer. In several places, the beach is separated by stones, visually dividing it into western, central and eastern.

The infrastructure in the Bang Por area is poorly developed, you will have to go to Nathon to get to the nearest supermarkets and markets. Both expensive villas and modest houses are rented in the area. Rest in this area is comfortable only if you have your own vehicle.

The choice of an area for recreation on Koh Samui should be done based on what kind of pastime is closest to you. If you want a developed tourism infrastructure, shopping and nightlife, it is best to go to Chaweng or Lamai. The remaining areas are ideal for people who prefer peace and quiet during their holidays.

Description of regions, beaches of the island of Koh Samui. Where is the best place to relax and live?

The island is like a big village, there are no cities here - the division into districts goes along the beaches) There are almost no condominiums, one- and two-story houses, complete island relaxation.

At the same time, the island has almost everything you need for a comfortable life: large shopping centers, banks, hospitals, very atmospheric bars, cozy cafes and luxurious restaurants.

What is the best area to live on Koh Samui?

The choice of the area of ​​Koh Samui depends on whether you want privacy or vice versa, live in a busy place. And do you plan to use a bike or a car.

If you do not ride a bike, it is better to choose more "lived-in areas". In my opinion, the best choice is Lamai. There are supermarkets, and cafes, and the sea within walking distance. And some sights.

Other areas located along the ring road are also suitable: Chaweng, Bo Put and Maenam.

And also, if you are interested in renting a house on Koh Samui, you can contact Islandhouseforrent.

Description of Koh Samui beaches

There are many beaches on Koh Samui, all of them are beautiful, but not all of them are suitable for swimming.

The most beautiful sunsets on Koh Samui can be seen in Nathon and Lipa Noi, on Bang Rak (starting from the Big Buddha and further east), and on Plai Laem. The most beautiful sunrises in Chaweng and Lamai.

Lipa Noi beach

Lipa Noi is a beach in the west of Koh Samui, located just south of Nathon.

There are not very many houses for long-term residence, but there are beautiful villas and hotels.

For example, Nikki Beach. There is a great beach club where they often hold different parties, show films in the open air. Yes, and on a normal day, it’s very cool to lie down in their shade on a sunbed with a cocktail in your hands.

Lipa Noi has the most beautiful sunsets.

But the infrastructure is not very good. There are several cafes, 7/11 Family Mart stores, but large supermarkets are quite far away.

Swimming on Lipa Noi is possible only in winter, in the low season there are strong low tides and the sea goes far from the coast.

Nathon beach

Nathon is located just north of Lipa Noi. This is the administrative center of the island and is more suitable for 1-2 nights than for long stays.

There is no beach for swimming, except for a small patch.

In the off-season, there are strong low tides.

But here are gorgeous sunsets, bus station, ferry crossing, cheap market, banks and government hospital.

Bang Por Beach

Bang Por is located in the northwest of Koh Samui, above Nathon. It is a very quiet, secluded place.

There are quite a lot of houses that are rented both daily and for a long time. There are very few cafes and other benefits of civilization, except for 7/11.

But you can live by the sea!

In winter, the sea is deep enough for swimming. There is natural garbage (what attacked from palm trees), but in general, it is clean. Strong tides in summer.

Ban Tai Beach

Ban Tai is a favorite place for rest and wintering of Russian families, especially with children)


It's pretty too quiet place. There are several massage parlors, a couple of cafes, 7/11. For everything else, you need to ride a bike, car or.
Ban Tai beach is very beautiful. Bauni with crooked palm trees, white sand and a gentle entrance to the water (but not so much that it takes a kilometer to go to the water).

Maenam Beach

Maenam is a popular area for both recreation and wintering. There are many properties for rent here, from bungalows right by the water to luxury condos in the mountains.

There is not expensive hotels and the beach is great.

It was my pleasure to swim here. Moreover, both in winter and in summer. There were no strong waves, as in Chaweng and low tide, as in many other beaches.

Soulful beach, only pleasant memories.

Bo Phut beach

It is also a great place to relax and spend the winter. There is a lot of housing for rent and a fairly good infrastructure.

Very close to big supermarkets. The sea is suitable for swimming regardless of the season, but sometimes there is silt at the bottom.

Many cafes, both cheap and very expensive (especially in the Fisherman Village area).

On Fridays, walking street is held on Fisherman, several times a week you can watch a fire show right on the shore. In principle, it is pleasant to take a walk on any evening.

Bang Rak (Big Buddha)

The Bang Rak area is undeservedly bypassed by many tourists. But in vain, it is very convenient - we lived there for six months, it was great)

Close to shops, close to the sea, lots of things within walking distance. After the birth of Lyova, I didn’t ride a bike for almost a month and was tied to the patch where we lived. So, almost everything you need is within walking distance.

The beach is cool, but there is no feeling of a bounty because of the piers, numerous boats and longtails.

But waves and low tides are not terrible, it was possible to swim almost any day.

And yet, there are excellent prices for housing. And cool swings on the beach.

Plai Laem beach

The area on the other side of the Big Buddha statue.

The beach itself is small, there is not much housing for rent, there are large and very beautiful hotels. But the place is so-so for living - the sea there is not very good for swimming, there are strong low tides in summer. There is almost nothing in this area.

But there will definitely be beautiful sunsets.

Choeng Mon Beach

Chong Mon is loved and adored by many winterers, especially with children.

But I didn’t like this beach: it’s too shallow, even in winter. The water is heated to the temperature of a warm bath, but swimming there is unrealistic - you have to sit like in a bath)

At the bottom there are fragments of corals, it is better not to swim barefoot.

There are both tie-style houses and expensive villas on the seashore. Close to Chaweng (but not accessible on foot).

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng is the busiest place on Koh Samui. All major stores (Central Festival, Tesco Lotus, Big C and Makro) are located here and can be reached on foot if desired.

A huge number of bars, discos, restaurants, shops, massage parlors. Night market, walking street on Saturdays. SIH and Bangkok Samui Hospital are also here.

Accordingly, there are plenty of housing offers - both budget options for backpackers and expensive hotels.

Nice to walk along the sea right on the beach.

In winter, the beach is not very good for swimming: strong waves, currents (sometimes rip), sometimes low tides.

But when there are no waves, the beach is gorgeous. Especially in the Chaweng Noi area.

Lamai beach

Lamai is the second most popular beach with a fairly developed infrastructure. It is located just south of Chaweng.

There are many cafes and restaurants, including those right on the seashore; fire shows are often held on the beach. There is a market, Tesco Lotus and Makro supermarkets.

Close to the main attractions of the island.

Many expats live here, including Russians) But not only, there are enough Italians, Germans, French, and Australians.

Houses for long stays are mainly located not on the coast, but in a 5-10 minute bike ride. If you have transport, you can climb higher into the mountains and enjoy the view every day!

The beach has coarse yellow sand, in winter there are strong waves and it is not always possible to swim. It was great in the spring.

Hua Thanon and other southern beaches

Hua Thanon and the rest of the beaches in the south of the island up to Lipa Noi can be combined into one group.

These are very quiet (sometimes even wild) places, suitable for people who really want to relax about society and the main benefits of civilization)

They offer quite a lot of houses for long stays, there are beautiful expensive hotels. Big shops and cafes will take a long bike ride.

The sea is beautiful but not suitable for swimming. It is always shallow here, in summer there are low tides.

There is a Muslim village in the Hua Thanon area, where you can go for fresh fish and seafood.

My conclusion

• If you do not want to move around the island on a bike, it is best to choose Lamai. Everything is within walking distance - both the sea and large shops. Close to attractions.
• I want to move - to Chaweng.
• It's good with children in Ban Tae, Maenam. You can consider Choeng Mon.
• Maenam, Bo Put, Big Buddha (Bang Rak), Chaweng and Lamai are good for wintering.
• If you arrived at the height of the season, everything is busy or expensive - try looking in Bang Rak.
• For complete solitude - to the south or to Lipa Noi.

In general, everything is good on Koh Samui. Ciao!