Home > Samui Guide > samui-beach

Samui Beach

Hat Chaweng

Situated on Samui's east coast, this is the island's longest and most beautiful beach, a 6-km. strip of powder-soft sand fronted by crystal-clear water. At Hat Chaweng, there is plenty of accommodation, ranging from five-star resorts to simple bamboo bungalows. In the day time, Hat Chaweng is the centre for water sports such as windsurfing and jet-skiing and also a great social scene at night, when the dance clubs pulsate to the latest rhythms.

Hat Lamai

Also on the east coast, just south of Hat Chaweng, the playful waters of Hat Lamai always attracts surfers, as they run a little deeper than any other beaches in Ko Samui. Behind the beach are several spas where visitors can treat themselves to an herbal sauna, a relaxing Thai massage, or even a mud facial.

Hat Maenam, Hat Bophut and Hat Bang Rak

These are all located along the north coast, and are ideal places for those who want to get away from it all. Bang Rak is often called "Big Buddha Beach" because of the huge Buddha image at the eastern end of the beach (particularly impressive at sunset.)

South and West Coast Beaches

On the south and west coasts are very isolated beaches not linked by the island's ring road, yet access is easy enough for those in search of tranquility. At Laem Set in the south, the sea is too shallow for swimming. However, the huge smooth boulders on the beach and the coconut palms leaning over at impossible angles make it look spectacular. ln the island's southwest, Hat Taling Ngam may not be quite as perfect as Hat Chaweng, but has a long strip of sand that is often deserted and makes an ideal spot for a beach ramble. At the northern end of the bay, the luxurious Ban Taling Ngam Resort has several swimming pools and villas set on a hill with great views of the beach.