Secret Thailand > Koh Samui > Beaches
Chaweng Beach
Chaweng is Koh Samui's most popular beach. 5 kilometers of white sand and shallow waters keep this section of Koh Samui a popular destination for travelers year round. Numerous water sports can be found here...along with anything else you might be looking for. Massages, food vendors, and cocktails are no more than a stones throw away...and often they
come to you. Friendly locals selling jewlery, sarongs, food, or pedicures can always be found strolling the beach.
Chaweng beach, or Chaweng Hat in Thai, is the perfect placde to meet new friends and share stories of your travels while you lounge under the tropical sun and swaying palm trees. Most hotels have lounge chairs available for rent, though duirng high seasons most will be spoken for by mid-day. In the evening the restaurants and bars set up dining tables along
with cozy seating areas for candlelit dining and drinking under the stars.
There are a number of lodging options here, ranaging from upscale villas to backpacker bungalows. The restaurants, pubs, and girly bars keep the action going late into the night.
Lamai Beach
Koh Samui's Lamai Beach is its second most popular beach. Located approximately seven kilometers south of Chaweng beach, the white sand and palm trees are just as beautiful, but the water is deeper and rockier. Though not impossible to swim in, this is not the place for the inexperienced swimmer.
The atmosphere of Lamai Beach is a bit more relaxed than that of Chaweng Beach and it is definitely less crowded, but there is still plenty to do! The village of Lamai offers numerous choices for dining, drinking, and dancing.
Big Buddha Beach
Big Buddha Beach is located on the North end of Koh Samui. The Beach gets its name from the 12 meter tall Buddha that rises out of nearby Wat Phra Yai. Big Buddha Beach's close proximity to the airport and ferry is causing an increase in its popularity, but this is still mostly a backpackers hang out. Speed boat taxies to Full Moon parties on neighboring Koh Phangan can be caught here. Crowds at Big Buddha beach noticeably increase right before the full moon.
Big Buddha does not boast the same clear waters of Chaweng, but the water is calm and lovely for swimming. Food and drink vendors roam this beach and many restaurants serve great food that is economically priced.
Bophut Beach
Bophut Beach is on the North side of Koh Samui. It claims several kilometers between Big Buddha Beach and Maenam Beach. Bophut is more well known for the Fisherman's Village that makes its home there than its beach. The white sand spotted with shade from the palms is an idylic place to relax and enjoy the quiet. The water is not as clear as that at Lamai and Chawen beaches and increased boating activity can be more of a hazard in this area.
The fisherman's village is dotted with traditionally styled, wooden Chinese shops and European inspired buildings and restaurants that combine to create its own unique atmosphere.
There are plenty of dining and entertainment options along the beach, but noticably no girly bars which makes this area more popular with families. Posh boutiques and upscale accomodations are becoming more prevelant in this area, though moderately priced rooms and ammenities are still to be found.
Maenam Beach
Maenam Beach is one of Koh Samui's quiet spots. There are no crowds in this area and often times the people you do encounter are locals. Most of the view up and down Maenam beach is uncluttered by development.
Plenty of restaurants plus some street vendors can be found when in need of nourishment or a beverage.
Choeng Mon Beach
Choeng Mon Beach is situated on a peninsula that extends from Koh Samui's Northeast side. The beach itself is made up of several smalll bays, offering a more secluded and private feeling than Koh Samui's other beaches. The beautiful white sand beach is perfect for lounging, and plenty of water activities are also available.
There are a very limited number of independent restaurants in the area as most of the dining at Cheong Mon Beach is done at the hotel and resort restaurants. Additionally, the hotel bars are essentially the only nightlife in the area. Cheong Mon Beach's mainly upscale lodgings are definitely more geared towards families.
Lipa Noi
Lipa Noi is located about half way down Koh Samui's western coast. It is a popular spot for tourists, yet manages to remain rather quiet. The white sand beaches and clear, shallow water are Lipa Noi's main attractions, little in the way of nightlife or entertainment can be found here. Lipa Noi is the perfect beach to watch the sunset.
Koh Samui Beaches
The breathtaking beauty of Koh Samui is most evident on one of its six beaches. Each beach is unique in its offerings. Some are secluded and tranquil, others, energetic and perfect for playing.Chaweng Beach
Chaweng is Koh Samui's most popular beach. 5 kilometers of white sand and shallow waters keep this section of Koh Samui a popular destination for travelers year round. Numerous water sports can be found here...along with anything else you might be looking for. Massages, food vendors, and cocktails are no more than a stones throw away...and often they
come to you. Friendly locals selling jewlery, sarongs, food, or pedicures can always be found strolling the beach.
Chaweng beach, or Chaweng Hat in Thai, is the perfect placde to meet new friends and share stories of your travels while you lounge under the tropical sun and swaying palm trees. Most hotels have lounge chairs available for rent, though duirng high seasons most will be spoken for by mid-day. In the evening the restaurants and bars set up dining tables along
with cozy seating areas for candlelit dining and drinking under the stars.
There are a number of lodging options here, ranaging from upscale villas to backpacker bungalows. The restaurants, pubs, and girly bars keep the action going late into the night.
Lamai Beach
Koh Samui's Lamai Beach is its second most popular beach. Located approximately seven kilometers south of Chaweng beach, the white sand and palm trees are just as beautiful, but the water is deeper and rockier. Though not impossible to swim in, this is not the place for the inexperienced swimmer.
The atmosphere of Lamai Beach is a bit more relaxed than that of Chaweng Beach and it is definitely less crowded, but there is still plenty to do! The village of Lamai offers numerous choices for dining, drinking, and dancing.
Big Buddha Beach
Big Buddha Beach is located on the North end of Koh Samui. The Beach gets its name from the 12 meter tall Buddha that rises out of nearby Wat Phra Yai. Big Buddha Beach's close proximity to the airport and ferry is causing an increase in its popularity, but this is still mostly a backpackers hang out. Speed boat taxies to Full Moon parties on neighboring Koh Phangan can be caught here. Crowds at Big Buddha beach noticeably increase right before the full moon.
Big Buddha does not boast the same clear waters of Chaweng, but the water is calm and lovely for swimming. Food and drink vendors roam this beach and many restaurants serve great food that is economically priced.
Bophut Beach
Bophut Beach is on the North side of Koh Samui. It claims several kilometers between Big Buddha Beach and Maenam Beach. Bophut is more well known for the Fisherman's Village that makes its home there than its beach. The white sand spotted with shade from the palms is an idylic place to relax and enjoy the quiet. The water is not as clear as that at Lamai and Chawen beaches and increased boating activity can be more of a hazard in this area.
The fisherman's village is dotted with traditionally styled, wooden Chinese shops and European inspired buildings and restaurants that combine to create its own unique atmosphere.
There are plenty of dining and entertainment options along the beach, but noticably no girly bars which makes this area more popular with families. Posh boutiques and upscale accomodations are becoming more prevelant in this area, though moderately priced rooms and ammenities are still to be found.
Maenam Beach
Maenam Beach is one of Koh Samui's quiet spots. There are no crowds in this area and often times the people you do encounter are locals. Most of the view up and down Maenam beach is uncluttered by development.
Plenty of restaurants plus some street vendors can be found when in need of nourishment or a beverage.
Choeng Mon Beach
Choeng Mon Beach is situated on a peninsula that extends from Koh Samui's Northeast side. The beach itself is made up of several smalll bays, offering a more secluded and private feeling than Koh Samui's other beaches. The beautiful white sand beach is perfect for lounging, and plenty of water activities are also available.
There are a very limited number of independent restaurants in the area as most of the dining at Cheong Mon Beach is done at the hotel and resort restaurants. Additionally, the hotel bars are essentially the only nightlife in the area. Cheong Mon Beach's mainly upscale lodgings are definitely more geared towards families.
Lipa Noi
Lipa Noi is located about half way down Koh Samui's western coast. It is a popular spot for tourists, yet manages to remain rather quiet. The white sand beaches and clear, shallow water are Lipa Noi's main attractions, little in the way of nightlife or entertainment can be found here. Lipa Noi is the perfect beach to watch the sunset.
