The Beaches in Koh Samui: 2026 Guide +Map

Choosing where to stay on Koh Samui is tricky. The island’s 52-kilometre coastline has 15 distinctly different beaches, and your accommodation choice will determine everything from what you pay for dinner to whether you can actually swim safely.

Based on our extended visits to Koh Samui since 2022 this guide breaks down each beach’s character, facilities, and swimming conditions. We’ve personally visited every location mentioned here—some multiple times—to give you accurate, current information about what you’ll actually find.

Chaweng and Lamai offer full tourist facilities but higher prices and crowds. Silver Beach and Coral Cove deliver excellent snorkeling but limited dining options. The west coast beaches provide authentic local experiences and spectacular sunsets but require your own transport. We’ll walk you through each option so you can match the beach to your travel style

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Quick Beach Finder

Detailed Beach Guide

We’ve spent countless hours exploring these beaches, checking prices, and chatting with local vendors to bring you practical details about each stretch of sand around Samui’s coast.

Chaweng Beach

Location: Eastern coast, 10 minutes from airport
Best for: Shopping, nightlife, water sports, family swimming

If you want to be where everything’s happening, Chaweng Beach on the eastern coast is your spot.

Stretching 7 kilometres along Samui’s eastern coast, Chaweng Beach is the island’s main tourist hub. Located 10 minutes from the airport, this white-sand beach combines practical convenience with extensive facilities.

The beach slopes gradually into calm water most of the year, making it suitable for families with young children. The northern end is quieter, while the central area buzzes with activity.

The beachfront road has the island’s largest concentration of hotels, restaurants, and shops. Some construction continues in the southern section as of early 2026.

Tip: If you get bored sitting on the beach, Chaweng has more activities than anywhere else on the island.

Water sports operators line the central section of the beach, with the most reputable companies clustered near the major resorts. Current activities include:

• Jet ski rental (1,500-2,000 baht/30 minutes)
• Parasailing (800-1,000 baht)
• Kayaking (200 baht/hour)
• Stand-up paddleboarding (400 baht/hour)

If you’re after nightlife, this is where you’ll find it, Chaweng has more bars and beach clubs than the rest of the island combined.

• Seen Beach Club at Avani: International DJs, modern cocktails, beachfront pool
• Arc Bar: Live music, casual atmosphere
• The Beach Republic: Sunday pool parties

The northern section offers quieter sunset dining options if you prefer to avoid the party scene.

Best Time to Visit – Visit between 7-9am for sunrise views and cooler temperatures for morning walks. The beach is quietest before 10am and after 5pm. During peak season (December-April), arrive early to score a good spot on the sand.

Silver Beach

Location: 6km south of Chaweng, between Chaweng and Lamai
Best for: Snorkelling, quiet afternoons, photography

Also known as Crystal Bay, this local favourite offers some of Koh Samui’s best snorkelling conditions. The beach sits on a small promontory, with large rounded boulders at each end that create good conditions for underwater exploration.

The clear water has plenty of tropical fish, making it great for snorkelling. The gradually deepening water also makes it suitable for swimming, though the beach can get busy during peak hours.

Best for Snorkelling: Silver Beach offers some of Koh Samui’s best snorkelling right off the beach. Head to the rocky areas at both ends of the bay where you’ll find colourful tropical fish including clownfish, angelfish, and parrotfish. The water stays clear most of the year, with visibility best in the early morning. Snorkel gear rental costs around 150 baht per hour from the beachfront vendors.

Best time to visit: Early morning (7-9am) offers the best snorkeling visibility and fewer crowds. The beach gets busier from 11am onwards during peak season.

Getting there: The entrance is easy to miss – look for signs for Silver Beach Resort. We drove past it three times before spotting it. Look for the cluster of parked motorbikes outside a restaurant.

While it’s great for day trips, staying here requires your own transport. Local amenities are limited and taxis are infrequent, so consider this before booking one of the hotels on the beach.

Coral Cove Beach

Location: Southern headland, between Chaweng and Lamai
Best for: Photography, peaceful swimming, snorkelling

Sharing the same headland as Silver Beach, Coral Cove is a small 200-metre bay framed by distinctive rounded boulders. The secluded location and natural rock formations make it one of Samui’s most photographed beaches.

The peaceful atmosphere comes from limited development – just a handful of small resorts nearby. You’ll find basic toilet facilities and a few simple food and drink options, but for more choices, Chaweng’s restaurants and nightlife are just a 15-minute taxi ride away.

While not ideal for an extended stay, Coral Cove makes a good day trip when you’re looking for a quieter alternative.

Lamai Beach

Location: Eastern coast, south of Chaweng
Best for: Beach walks, swimming, family holidays, dining

Lamai has one of Samui’s best walking beaches, with a long stretch of white sand for morning strolls. The beach maintains a more relaxed atmosphere than Chaweng while still providing good facilities and dining options.

The water here is usually clear and good for swimming, though visibility can decrease during the rainy season. Despite the beachfront cafes and bars, there’s always space for a quiet swim. Palm trees provide natural shade along the beach, and several good restaurants sit just steps from the sand.

Beachside massage services and plenty of space for relaxation make this an ideal spot for families, couples, or older solo travellers, while younger singles might prefer Chaweng’s livelier atmosphere.

The southern end of Lamai features one of Samui’s most visited attractions – the unique rock formations of Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks). These naturally occurring formations, known for their distinctive shapes resembling male and female genitalia, have become one of the island’s most photographed landmarks.

Tip: Wat Khunaram is a short drive away, a temple notable for housing a mummified monk. The temple provides insight into Thai Buddhist culture and makes an interesting morning or late afternoon visit.

Taling Ngam Beach

Location: Southwest coast
Best for: Sunset views, quiet beach days, family swimming

Located away from Samui’s busier tourist areas, Taling Ngam offers a peaceful alternative on the island’s western shoreline. The temple provides insight into Thai Buddhist culture and makes an interesting morning or late afternoon visit.Taling Ngam sits away from the main tourist areas on the island’s western shoreline. This quiet stretch of coast shows a different side of island life.

The beach has soft sand and a small reef good for snorkelling. The shallow, calm waters make it a great choice for families with young children. The west-facing location means good sunset views across to Koh Pha-Ngan.

Tip: The nearby Coconut Museum covers Samui’s traditional coconut industry and makes an interesting stop on the way to or from the beach.

Best time to visit: Late afternoon is ideal for sunset views across to Koh Pha-Ngan. The west-facing position means afternoon shade can be limited, so morning visits work well if you’re sensitive to heat.

Lipa Noi Beach

Location: West coast, north of Taling Ngam
Best for: Family swimming, quiet beach days, local food

Stretching for 3 kilometres along Samui’s western shore, Lipa Noi stands out for its family-friendly features. The beach’s gradual slope and absence of rocks or reefs creates ideal swimming conditions, particularly for families with young children.

Hin Lad Waterfall lies just a few kilometres inland, offering a refreshing escape from the beach. The well-maintained path through the jungle leads to the waterfall, making it an easy side trip for families. The shaded route provides welcome relief from the midday sun.

We often pop up to Nathon town for lunch – it’s Samui’s main town and sits just north of Lipa Noi. The waterfront restaurants here serve some of the best local food we’ve found on the island, and prices are much more reasonable than in the tourist areas. Try to visit before 11am or after 3pm though – the midday sun can be brutal on the exposed waterfront.

Bang Po Beach

Location: Northwest coast, north of Nathon Town
Best for: Seafood dining, snorkelling, quiet beach time

We love Bang Po for its laid-back local atmosphere – it’s quieter and less developed than the eastern beaches. From here, you get clear views across to Koh Pha-Ngan, particularly good at sunset. It’s refreshingly quiet compared to the eastern beaches, and that’s exactly how the locals like it.

There’s decent snorkelling around the small reef here, but check the tide times – we’ve found morning usually offers the best conditions. The real reason we keep coming back to Bang Po, though, is the food. Haad Bang Po Beach restaurant is a must-try – we have eaten at beach restaurants all over Thailand, and this one consistently ranks among our favourites.

The seafood here is about as fresh as it gets – you’ll often see the local fishing boats coming in with the day’s catch. Most restaurants still cook the traditional way, and prices are about half what you’d pay in Chaweng. Try the salt-grilled fish if it’s available – it’s a local speciality that keeps us coming back.

Ban Tai Beach

Location: Northwest coast, eastern end of Bang Po
Best for: Quiet escapes, local experience, peaceful swimming

Here’s a tip for when you really want to escape the crowds – head to Ban Tai Beach. It’s a small, quiet stretch of sand at the eastern end of Bang Po that most visitors miss completely. We stumbled across it during our early explorations of the island, and it’s remained one of our favourite quiet spots.

The views across to Koh Pha-Ngan are just as good as from Bang Po, but you’ll likely have them all to yourself. You might see this spot called Mimosa Beach on some maps – named after the small resort here.

Finding it can be tricky – we drove past it three times on our first visit! Look for the Mimosa Resort signs and follow the small road towards the water. There’s usually a few scooters parked at the entrance, which is sometimes the only clue you’re in the right place.

Maenam Beach

Location: North coast, east of Ban Tai
Best for: Long walks, affordable beachfront stays, local atmosphere

If you’re looking for that classic palm-fringed beach without Chaweng’s prices, Maenam might be exactly what you need. We often send our budget-conscious friends here – you can still find affordable beachfront hotels, and the 5-kilometre stretch of sand gives you plenty of space to spread out.

The beach has kept its local charm, with enough facilities to be comfortable but not so many that it feels overdeveloped. It’s one of the few places left on Samui where you can find genuine beachfront bungalows for under 1000 baht a night.

Don’t miss the viewpoint at the northern end of the beach – it’s one of our favourite sunset spots on the island. You can either take a 15-minute hike up (bring water!) or do what we usually do and zip up on a scooter. The views across the beach and out to Koh Pha-Ngan are worth the effort.

While you’re in the area, we highly recommend visiting the Samui Elephant Sanctuary. It’s one of the few genuine ethical elephant facilities on the island, and we’ve been impressed with their commitment to animal welfare every time we’ve visited.

Bophut Beach

Location: North coast, east of Maenam
Best for: Local culture, dining, shopping, sunset drinks

Want to experience a different side of Samui? Head to Bophut. While the beach itself isn’t our top pick for swimming, the Fisherman’s Village behind it is our favourite evening spot on the island.

The mix of traditional shophouses, modern cafes, and local life gives this area a character that’s completely different from Samui’s other beach towns.

On weekends the walking street market fills the village with food stalls, crafts, and music. We usually start at the eastern end and work our way through the food stalls (the grilled prawns near the entrance are always our first stop). Even on regular evenings, the atmosphere is lovely, with fairy lights strung across the old wooden buildings and the sound of waves mixing with music from the bars.

One of our favourite spots is Coco Tams – we’ve spent many evenings here enjoying their fireshow and sunset cocktails. Grab a bean bag on the deck around sunset, order a cold Chang, and watch the show – it’s one of the best ways to spend an evening on Samui.

Best time to visit: Evening is when Bophut comes alive. Arrive around 5pm to explore shops before dinner, or come on Friday/Saturday evenings for the walking street market. Coco Tams’ fireshow typically starts around 8pm.

Thongson Beach

Location: Northeast coast, between Six Senses and Choeng Mon
Best for: Photography, quiet mornings, boutique stays

Tucked between its better-known neighbours, Thongson Beach is one of those small spots that most visitors miss completely. We discovered it during our endless quest to photograph every beach on Samui, and it’s become one of our favourite morning spots.

The beach itself has good swimming conditions, though the bay is quite open so check weather conditions before heading in. During low tide, the retreating water creates interesting patterns in the sand that photographers will appreciate.

Early morning is best here – arrive around 6:30am and you might have the whole beach to yourself, save for a few local joggers and the occasional monk walking between temples.

Look for the small temple entrance – the beach access road is right next to it. There are usually a few scooters parked at the entrance, which is often the only clue you’re in the right place. A few small cafes have opened recently near the beach entrance – the coffee shop run by a local family serves good Thai-style breakfast.

Choeng Mon Beach

Location: Northeast coast, 5 minutes from Big Buddha
Best for: Family swimming, resort facilities, relaxed dining

Choeng Mon is our go-to recommendation for families who find Chaweng too busy but still want good swimming and facilities. This white-sand bay strikes a good balance – it’s developed enough to have everything you need, but quiet enough to feel like you’re actually on holiday.

The swimming here is good, especially in the middle section of the beach where the water stays deep enough even at low tide. We’ve found the northern and southern ends get a bit rocky, but the central stretch has soft sand that’s great for beach walks and sandcastle building.

Several of the beachfront resorts, including the Kimpton Kitalay, welcome outside guests to their beach clubs and restaurants. You’ll find everything from casual Thai beach cafes to upscale dining, and most places will let you use their sun loungers if you’re buying drinks or food.

Best time to visit: Mid-morning (9-11am) when the sun is up but the beach isn’t crowded yet. The middle section has the best swimming throughout the day, even at low tide.

Getting around Koh Samui Beaches

Getting between Samui’s beaches is straightforward once you understand the island’s layout. The main 52-kilometre ring road runs around the island’s perimeter, connecting all major beaches. Most destinations are within a 30-45 minute drive of each other.

Transport Options:

• Rental scooters: 200-300 baht per day (the most flexible option)
• Songthaews (shared taxis): 60-100 baht per person for short trips
• Private taxis: 400-600 baht between major beaches
• Grab app: Available in tourist areas, prices similar to taxis

Driving Tips
If you’re comfortable driving on the left side, renting a car or scooter gives you the most freedom to explore. Just remember:

• Keep an eye out for scooters when turning
• Traffic is heaviest around Chaweng and during rush hours
• The road between Lamai and Chaweng can be steep
• Watch for sudden tropical showers between May-December

Koh Samui Beaches Map

Use this map to plan your beach-hopping route around Samui. The east coast beaches (Chaweng, Lamai) are most developed, while the west coast offers quieter, more local experiences. Most visitors base themselves on the east coast and make day trips to other beaches.

Quick Distance Guide:

• Chaweng to Nathon: 45 minutes
• Chaweng to Lamai: 15 minutes
• Chaweng to Bophut: 15 minutes
• Lamai to Bophut: 25 minutes
• Bophut to Maenam: 10 minutes

Getting to Koh Samui

There are several ways to reach Samui, depending on your budget and schedule:

By Air

• Bangkok Airways operates most flights (from 4,000 baht one-way)
• Direct flights from Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Phuket
• Flight time from Bangkok: 1 hour 15 minutes
• The airport is near Chaweng and Big Buddha beaches

By Ferry

• Regular ferries from Donsak pier on the mainland (from 400 baht)
• High-speed catamarans from Koh Pha-Ngan (from 300 baht)
• Ferries also leave from Chumphon 3 hours south of Hua Hin
• Journey time from mainland: 1.5-2 hours

From the Airport
Shared minibuses run to all major beach areas (150-200 baht per person), or grab a taxi (400-700 baht depending on destination).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beach in Koh Samui?

Chaweng Beach is Koh Samui’s most popular beach with 7 kilometres of white sand, good facilities, and water sports. For quieter beaches, try Silver Beach for snorkeling or Maenam for affordable beachfront stays.

Which Koh Samui beach is best for snorkeling?

Silver Beach and Coral Cove offer the best snorkeling on Koh Samui. Both have clear water, rocky areas with tropical fish including clownfish and angelfish, and good visibility most of the year.

What are the quietest beaches in Koh Samui?

Ban Tai, Thongson Beach, and Taling Ngam are the quietest beaches on Koh Samui. These west and north coast beaches have few tourists, minimal development, and peaceful atmospheres.

Which Koh Samui beach is best for families?

Lipa Noi and Choeng Mon are best for families. Both have shallow, calm water, gradual slopes ideal for young children, and good facilities nearby.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samui beaches?

December to April is peak season with calm seas and the best swimming conditions. The east coast beaches (Chaweng, Lamai) can get rough during the rainy season (June-October), while west coast beaches (Taling Ngam, Lipa Noi) often remain calmer.

Planning Your Koh Samui Beach Holiday

Koh Samui’s 15 beaches offer something for every type of traveller. Whether you’re after Chaweng’s nightlife and water sports, Silver Beach’s snorkeling, or the quiet stretches of sand on Ban Tai and Taling Ngam, you’ll find your spot on this island.

Most visitors base themselves on the east coast (Chaweng, Lamai, or Choeng Mon) for easy access to facilities and restaurants, then hire a scooter to explore the quieter west and north coast beaches as day trips. This gives you the best of both worlds – convenience when you want it, and peace when you need it.

The beaches described in this guide are based on our visits between 2022-2025. Prices, facilities, and conditions can change, particularly after the rainy season or if new development occurs. If you find something significantly different from what we’ve described here, please let us know in the comments below.

Safe travels, and enjoy the beaches of Koh Samui.

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