White sands, crystal clear waters, wild parties under the full moon – these are words that one would often associate with beaches in Koh Samui. These beaches are exactly how one would picture a tropical coastline.
Not all beaches are home to the chicest night parties. Most of them offer peace and relaxation while some others provide isolation with their desertedness. To help you decide on your favorite beach, we bring you a list of the 8 best beaches in Koh Samui to explore the island of Thailand and go off the beaten track on your next vacay in this tropical paradise. Koh Samui offers some of the most popular beaches where you can sit back and enjoy the sun, the snad and the ocean waves. Let’s have a closer look at these beaches.
Most Popular Beaches In Koh Samui
- Chaweng Beach
- Lamai Beach
- Bophut Beach
- Lipa Noi Beach
- Maenam Beach
- Samrong Beach
1. Chaweng Beach
Chaweng, the busiest and biggest town of Koh Samui, has also been claimed to be the home to the best Koh Samui beach. In addition to the plethora of accommodation options, Chaweng also offers a nightlife that is streets ahead of any other place in Koh Samui.
Famous for: Bustling nightlife is the key highlight of Chaweng Beach.
Don’t miss: The award winning 100 Degrees East sea-diving resort, Magnolia Spa that uses and stocks a complete range of dead sea mineral products, and Ark Bar Beach Club Party on Wednesdays and Fridays at Ark Bar
Must Read: 15 Best Resorts In Koh Samui
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2. Lamai Beach
Lamai is the second largest Koh Samui beach. Despite the many activities and stay options at the beach, it is quieter and less bustling than the other popular beaches of Koh Samui.
Famous for: Lamai beach is known for a peaceful beach experience.
Don’t miss: Hin Ta & Hin Yai – Grandpa & Grandma rocks, casual beachfront dining at The Bistro at the Rocky’s Boutique Resort, and the tented private dining at the Banyan Tree Beach Resort
Must Read: 11 Luxurious Koh Samui Hotels To Unwind On A Flawless Tropical Vacation
3. Bophut Beach
Bophut Beach is another popular one among the best beaches in Koh Samui. The beach spans several kilometers between the Big Buddha and the Maenam Beach.
Famous for: Bophut Beach is known for its long coastline.
Don’t miss: The old and pristine Fisherman’s Village and the beachfront diners, such as The Zazen at Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa, The Full Moon Restaurant at Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa, Le Cabanon in Fisherman’s Village
4. Lipa Noi Beach
Thanks to the shallow waters up to 100 meters and the absence of corals and rocks in the water, Lipa Noi is considered as the best beach in Koh Samui for kids. Its remoteness attracts the tourists who seek a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation.
Famous for: Lipa Noi is a kid-friendly beach.
Don’t miss: Big John Seafood, Samui Dharma Healing Centre beachside spa, and shallow waters
Suggested Read: 24 Spectacular Things To Do In Koh Samui For A Fulfilling Holiday
5. Maenam Beach
The backpacker Maenam beach is among the most popular beaches in Koh Samui and one of the best beaches in Koh Samui 2023. Its secluded location on the end of long pathways provides the privacy that many tourists seek. Stay options at the beach vary from extremely luxurious to highly budget ones.
Famous for: Maenam Beach provides accommodation for all pocket sizes.
Don’t miss: Kitesurfing, beachside bar at Zenzibar and Black Rose Bar, and excellent views of Koh Phangan
Suggested Read: 28 Amazing Budget Beaches of South-East Asia
6. Samrong Beach
Samnrong beacha and Thongson Bay are the popular areas to visit in northern Samui. The beach offers stunning views to Koh Phangan located in close proximty. Relish the crystal clear waters and the plunge into the blue waters to enjoy the tropical life.
Famous for: Crystal clear waters, white sand
Don’t miss: Melati Resort and Arayaburi Boutique Resort
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Other Beaches In Koh Samui
- Taling Ngam Beach
- Choeng Mon Beach
- Silver Beach
- Bang Por
7. Taling Ngam Beach
Covered with pristine jungles, the Taling Ngam beach is the most picturesque Koh Samui beach. It offers stunning views of Angthong Marine National Park, in addition to options of cheap bungalows and seafood restaurants.
Famous for: Stunning natural beauty and excellent seafood is what makes Taling Ngam famous.
Don’t miss: Seafood at the Five Islands restaurant, stunning views of the Anthong Marine National Park , and fishing activities
Must Read: 8 Unique Koh Samui Restaurants To Know The Real Thailand
8. Choeng Mon Beach
Choeng Mon beach is one of the less bustling beaches of Koh Samui and is made up of a series of bays on the north-western tip of the island. Most of the activities offered are the in-house activities offered by the beach resorts, leaving few options for other tourists.
Suggested Read: Koh Samui Vs Krabi: How To Choose One Over The Other?
9. Silver Beach
The 250 meter long tropical Silver Beach in Koh Samui is a much smaller Koh Samui beach, set in a charming little bay. It is located between Lamai and Chaweng beaches. The four beach resorts, viz. Crystal Bay Beach Resort, Crystal Bay Yacht Club, Silver Beach Resort, and Thongtakian Resort, occupy the full length of the beach.
Famous for: The Silver Beach is popular for its beachside dining at the famous Rock Salt Restaurant.
Don’t miss: Swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing
10. Bang Por
Located near Maenam, this beach is an ideal haunt for travelers looking to unwind and for a more secluded spot to lazy out on the white sand beaches. It is one of the most laid-back beaches in Koh Samui that features some top notch resorts.
Famous for: a laid-back day outing, off the beaten track, isolated
Don’t miss: Four Seasons Koh Samui resort on this beach
Further Read: 15 Best Beaches In Thailand You Need To Visit Right Now
Party hard or relax in isolation. Get a spa, eat sumptuous food, enjoy beautiful views, or go for some great water activities. So, which of these beaches in Koh Samui would you like to spend your day at on your next trip to Thailand?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main beach in Koh Samui?
Chaweng Beach is Koh Samui’s most popular stretch of powdery white sand.
Can you swim in Koh Samui?
Koh Samui is well known for its beautiful beaches and incredible turquoise water. There are many beaches on the island to choose from. However, only a few are great for swimming.
Is Phuket or Koh Samui better?
Koh Samui is a better option for relaxed beach holidays.
Can you surf in Koh Samui?
Chaweng beach is definitely the most popular surfing beach in Koh Samui.
Which is the best month to visit Koh Samui?
February to April and November to January are the best months to visit Koh Samui.
Which side of Koh Samui is best?
The West side of the island is the best place to watch the sunset in Koh Samui, opposite to Chaweng Beach.
Is Koh Samui dangerous?
Samui is a very safe destination to visit
How many days do you need in Koh Samui?
Ideally, if you want to combine a bit of culture, sightseeing, relaxing and enjoying the water and maybe the surrounding islands, 4 days are enough.
What is Koh Samui known for?
The most famous of all the islands in Thailand is Koh Samui, a beautiful island that is famed for its stunning palm tree edged beaches and crystal clear waters.
Is Koh Samui expensive?
The short answer is no, Koh Samui isn’t an expensive place to visit.
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Kushal is a communication strategist, with 5+ years of experience in creating communication for diverse industries. His passion for helping the readers comes from his prior experience of running a travel agency with his dad. And he does that by addressing the actual travelers’ pain points in his blogs. And his work at TravelTriangle has also earned him multiple invites to speak about travel blogging at conferences & seminars. When he is not creating marketing strategies or content, he can be found reading about Harry Potter, DC, Marvel, or other anime. Find him on other social media channels here:
