Best Beaches in Koh Samui | Thailand Beach Guide
Koh Samui Beaches: Thailand's Island of Contrasts
Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island and its most developed beach destination — a place where five-star infinity pools overlook the Gulf of Thailand and longtail boats weave between luxury yachts and fishing vessels. The island offers a full spectrum of beach experiences, from the nonstop energy of Chaweng to the quiet seclusion of the northern tip.
Top Beaches in Koh Samui
Chaweng Beach
The island's longest and most famous beach stretches for 7 kilometres along the east coast. Chaweng is the pulse of Koh Samui — lined with beach bars, resorts, seafood restaurants, and a night market. The sand is white and the water relatively calm (outside monsoon season). It's busy, but undeniably beautiful, and offers the most complete range of services on the island.
Lamai Beach
The second major beach on the east coast is quieter than Chaweng but still well-developed. Lamai attracts a more relaxed, slightly older crowd, and the southern end in particular offers good snorkelling around rocky outcrops. The beachfront restaurants here are a step above the Chaweng party strip — fresh seafood in open-air settings.
Maenam Beach
On the north coast, Maenam is long, quieter, and less commercialised than the east coast beaches. The shallow, calm water makes it excellent for families and for kayaking. Sunset from the western end of Maenam, looking across to Koh Phangan, is one of Samui's most beautiful views.
Silver Beach (Ao Thong Son)
A genuinely hidden gem in the northeast, Silver Beach is a small arc of fine white sand accessible via a rocky path. The surrounding water is crystal clear, the crowd is minimal, and the snorkelling around the bay's edges is outstanding. Few resorts have been built here — keep it that way by visiting early in the morning.
Best Time to Visit Koh Samui
Koh Samui has a different wet season pattern from the rest of Thailand. December through April is the best period — dry, sunny, and with calm seas on the east coast. June through October is generally good on the west coast (Lipa Noi, Nathon). The Gulf of Thailand monsoon brings heavy rains and rough seas to the east coast from October through December.
Getting There and Where to Stay
Samui Airport (USM) is a private airport with flights from Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Ferries connect from Surat Thani on the mainland. Browse hotels on Koh Samui and explore the wider best beaches in Thailand.