12 best beaches in Koh Samui

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Resorts in Thailand are now in great demand, as in terms of price / quality ratio, they are almost the best. And Koh Samui (or Koh Samui), the second largest island in Thailand, attracts thousands of tourists every season. There are several dozen beaches on it. And it is difficult to choose the one that is really worth spending a limited vacation time. We have selected the 12 best beaches in Koh Samui so that you know exactly where and when it will be most convenient for you to relax.

What to look for when choosing a beach

When choosing a beach, rely on your expectations and desires. We have compiled a small list of criteria and features that we recommend paying attention to.

1. Cleanliness of the beach and coast. Almost the main criterion. Find out if the beach is cleaned often, if trash is removed, and if mud is removed after a storm. It is also worth finding out if the shore is somewhat clean under water – whether there are stones or corals. If there is, it will be difficult for you to enter the water without shoes.
2. Sand or pebbles. Think about what will be more convenient for you. Sand is more familiar, soft and comfortable. But the grains of sand stick to the body and are difficult to wash off. The pebbles are large, it is not very convenient to lie on it and walk hot barefoot in the heat, but it massages the feet and back well, and does not stick to the body yet. And the water on the pebble beaches is cleaner.
3. Infrastructure. This includes various cafes, restaurants, rental entertainment and other little things that make your beach holiday more enjoyable. Find out if the selected beach has what you need (for example, a restaurant with a sea view or a mother and child room).
4. Depth at the coast. If you are planning a vacation with a child or simply do not know how to swim, you do not need to go to the beaches, where deep water begins three meters from the coast. You may prefer the shallow shore options where you have to walk far enough to get to depth. If you want to swim and dive enough, then look for beaches with steep shores (for example, Coral Cove)
5. The number of visitors. Everything is simple here: the larger and more famous the beach, the more tourists there are. If you prefer seclusion, look for beaches that are far from the tourist routes. Better to choose wild ones – there are definitely few people on them, but there is no infrastructure.
6. Beach dimensions. Samui's large beaches are usually the most popular among tourists. The infrastructure is excellent here, they are easy to reach, but the pay for it is a lot of tourists. But the eyes are pleasant – wherever you look, there is sand and water, and no rocks. Small beaches are usually little known. But some (such as Silver Beach) can give odds to all large ones in quality.
7. The presence of a shadow. If you are not comfortable with the bright sun of Thailand, we recommend turning to beaches with a lot of vegetation. This will provide a natural shade that will help you avoid sunburn and escape the heat. When there is no natural shade, it is good if you can rent a sun lounger with an umbrella. Otherwise, you will either have to endure the burning rays of the sun of Samui, or carry and dig in your own umbrella.
8. Based on these criteria, you will choose the most comfortable beach for relaxation, swimming, sunbathing or family gatherings. It is especially convenient to handle it when you know exactly what the beach should be – this will allow you to cut off unnecessary options.

Best beaches in Koh Samui

Nomination	a place	beach	rating
Best beaches in Koh Samui	1	Maenam Beach	5.0
	2	Silver Beach	4.9
	3	Ban Thai Beach	4.8
	4	Choeng Mon Beach	4.7
	5	Chaweng Beach	4.6
	6	Lamai Beach	4.5
	7	Bang Po Beach	4.4
	8	Coral Cove Beach	4.3
	9	Bang Rak Beach	4.2
	10	Lipa Noi Beach	4.1
	11	Samrong Beach	4.0
	12	Thongson Beach	4.0

Maenam Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 5.0

This is the most popular 'family' beach in Koh Samui and is packed with people during the 'high season'. The sand is yellow and surprisingly fine, similar in size and flowability to regular sugar. The coast is steep, but at low tide the quality of the beach does not change – the same clean and fine sand is hidden under the water as on the coast. Remember that even not far from the shore, the water is already quite deep (six meters away – about the shoulders of an adult). Therefore, do not let the children go far away from you. Maenam is famous for the fact that many palm trees grow on it almost next to the water. And this is a lot of natural shade, which is very pleasant on hot days. There is no need to put up umbrellas and huddle with the whole family under them.

The infrastructure pleases – there are many bars, cafes, restaurants, ATMs, equipment rentals and even laundries. The beach is very long, but cleanliness is maintained almost throughout. Except for wild areas, which may be of interest to some tourists, there are fewer people on them, which is convenient for those who want to be alone. Wild sites are located on the western edge of the beach, on the eastern edge and in the very center, near Buddha Beach. In addition, almost all nearby establishments close at night, so that after dark it becomes less crowded.

His participation in the Loi Krathong festival can be considered a disadvantage. It is the night of the November full moon when Thais launch small rafts into the sea, made from banana leaves and pins, which tend to fall off and remain in the sand. Therefore, it is not safe to be on the beach after the holiday.

Advantages

• Three wild sites for those who don't like crowded beaches.
• Clean fine sand even at low tide.
• There is a lot of natural shade thanks to the palm trees.

disadvantages

• It is better not to come to the beach after the Loi Krathong holiday – it is literally strewn with pins.

Silver Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.9

The place is also known as Haad Thong Ta-Khian ('Beach of Ta-Khian trees' in Thai) or Crystal Bay ('Crystal Bay'). It is a small beach with a length of only 250 meters. He hid in the north near Lamai Beach, right next to the cliffs separating it from Chaweng. Despite its size, this beach can be safely called one of the best. The sand here is very fine, pleasant white. On the outskirts of the beach, there are picturesque boulders of various sizes – you can grab the pieces and build a castle or take cool photos. There are rocks in the water too, so swim carefully!

The area is perfectly clean – the staff of the hotels around are watching this. It is convenient that along the coast the water depth is different – somewhere it is shallow, just for children, and somewhere deep and you can even dive with scuba or snorkel. The infrastructure is not very convenient – there are several cafes and restaurants overlooking the sea, various beach activities, and that's it. But a few kilometers away is the Lamai public beach, and if you walk to it, you can find shops, exchangers, and anything else there.

Very expensive hotels are built around, so it is very difficult to drive up. But anyone can walk on foot, not even a client of these hotels. True, you have to go straight through the building, but Thai law is allowed, and the hotel staff have no right to stop you. However, many people do not know this, so you can get to the 'premium' beach of Koh Samui and not suffer from the crowds.

Advantages

• Very few people due to the large number of expensive hotels around.
• The purest white sand on Koh Samui.
• There are sections of different depths for people with different swimming skills.

disadvantages

• Apart from hotels, cafes and restaurants, there is nothing interesting in the area.

Ban Thai Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.8

A kilometer long beach for mothers with small children. It is located near the leader of our rating, Maenam Beach. The sand is fine and white. There are a large number of different shells that will delight young children. The slope of the coast is small. To dive even to the waist, an adult needs to walk at least thirty meters from the water's edge. The infrastructure is not rich – in the district there are small shops, several cafes and restaurants, a laundry and a water pump. You will have to go to large stores.

There are almost no sun beds – they are concentrated at the very end. But there are no trees in this area, so you need a beach umbrella. The cleanliness of the beach is maintained by the Mimosa restaurant and a residential complex located nearby. But outside of them you can find garbage, including construction waste. Wild areas are suitable for people who want to be alone, despite the clogged sand.

About half of the beach is only for walking – in this part, the bottom and the shore are strewn with huge stones and boulders, so it is difficult to swim there. There are almost no tourists in this part. Ban Tai has a drawback – the bottom is covered with vegetation and small stones. So you need to be very careful when entering the water. However, there is a place where the sand at the bottom is clean and soft – almost at the very end of the beach, next to the sandy area and sun loungers.

Advantages

• Very shallow water – ideal for families with small children.
• Lots of natural shade.
• Several wild sites for lovers of solitude.

disadvantages

• About half of the beach is littered with boulders.
• It is necessary to enter the water carefully because of the plants and stones.

Choeng Mon Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.7

Another convenient family beach for people with children, about a kilometer long. Despite the size, there are always a lot of people here – on especially 'hot' days you will literally have to win a place in the sun. The water is slightly cloudy and the sand has an unusual grayish tint. It looks more like dust, and when wet turns into a kind of porridge. The shore is shallow – an adult will have to move thirty meters away from the water's edge to swim normally. After low tide, everything becomes even sadder – at a distance of 30-40 meters from the edge you can stand up to your waist. But the children will be safe.

The bottom near the shore is strewn with stones and corals. But there is a clean area between the Imperial Boat and Sala Samui Resort – it is almost in the center of the beach. I am very pleased with the number of sun beds and shade. You can easily rent a sun lounger and a table to it anywhere on the beach. And with a high degree of probability this place will be in the shade – there are a lot of palms and trees on Chong Mon. There is a wild area with jungle – almost no one is there, so it's quiet and calm.

The infrastructure is rich in various massage parlors, shops, restaurants. There is a kayak and motorcycle rental (on which you can even drive along the beach along the tide line, the sand there is heavily compacted by the waves). There are also laundries and a market a short distance from the beach.

Advantages

• Good and rich infrastructure.
• Very shallow beach – maximum safety for children.
• Lots of sun loungers for rent and shady areas.

disadvantages

• Muddy water and corals with stones at the bottom – you need to be careful when entering and leaving the water.

Chaweng Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.6

Chaweng is the best beach for those who prefer night life to daytime. It works round the clock, and at any hour there is always something to entertain yourself with. The coastline is approximately two kilometers long. The beach is famous for the finest and lightest sand on the entire island of Koh Samui. It is very loose and free-flowing. The sea on the beach has a pleasant azure color: this is exactly what you saw on advertising posters or pictures about a beautiful vacation. The bottom is gently sloping – at a distance of 20 meters from the water's edge, an adult will stand in the water up to his chest. It is perfectly clean – no large stones, corals, algae. So you don't have to worry about the safety of your feet.

The infrastructure deserves the highest praise. Chaweng is literally teeming with various restaurants, cafes, clubs, shops, bars and so on. There is a water camp for children, and for adults – kayaks, boats, mattresses and jet skis. There are dozens of places to drink, hang out, relax and socialize at night. Therefore, we recommend Chaweng to anyone who does not like to sleep at night.

The beach is very noisy, and not only because of those who like to party and relax. Geographically, Chaweng is located opposite the Samui airport runway. Therefore, you will see planes often, and they will make noise very loudly. There are a lot of people too – be prepared for the crowds during the 'high season'.

Advantages

• The most beautiful views: the whitest sand and the azure sea.
• Clean, gently sloping bottom – you can safely enter the water.
• The best nightlife on Koh Samui.

disadvantages

• All natural shade is occupied by sun loungers and is far from the water's edge – with its own rug, there is almost nowhere to attach.
• Airplane noise from the airport can make it difficult to rest.

Lamai Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.5

Another extremely popular Koh Samui beach. It is truly huge – the length of the coastline is about five kilometers. The beach is, as it were, divided into three parts – north, south and central. We can say that these are three separate beaches under the same name – they have different infrastructure, convenience, and so on. What do the three parts of the beach have in common? When there is wind, it can be dangerous here – the waves are large, they can lick in the sea.

The central part of Lamai Beach is practically a small coastal town on the sand. Within one kilometer, there are dozens of different bars, shops, restaurants and much more. This is the most crowded and noisy beach in Koh Samui, so it is not a fact that you can find a place for a rug. The central part of Lamai has a rather steep coastline, so watch out for the kids! The depth increases quite sharply – after five meters from the water's edge you will lose sand under your feet, so you should swim more carefully. But the entrance to the water is clean – not a single rubbish or pebble.

North Lamai is more suitable for walking than swimming. The sea is very shallow, which is convenient for families with children. But there are many fishing boats and fishermen themselves. It is unrealistic to swim here – the bottom is very dirty, rocky, there are many corals. And if you go a little further, you can stumble upon a dangerous underwater current. In general, we do not recommend visiting North Lamai.

The southern part of Lamai is half-abandoned – rare tourists get there, so you can even call it a wild beach. Has yellowish sand. This part is not very well-groomed – there are a lot of stones, it is problematic to enter the water, there is debris. There are almost no trees, merchants and infrastructure (except for the hypermarket) too.

Advantages

• The largest and longest beach on Koh Samui
• The central part is the best infrastructure in Koh Samui.

disadvantages

• Only central Lamai is suitable for a relaxing holiday.
• Great depths begin close to the coast – it is dangerous for those who cannot swim and small children.

Bang Po Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.4

Quite long (about three kilometers) beach, located next to Maenam and not crowded and not very pleasant views. But this does not mean that it is bad – a small number of tourists allows you to relax in peace. It will not suit you if you want to admire the crystal clear water and white sand.

Here the sea is slightly muddy, and the bottom is not sandy, but slightly muddy, there are corals and sharp stones – we do not recommend going into the water without slippers. It is gently sloping – to dive up to the chest, you need to move 10-15 meters away. The sand is large, yellow. The ideal time for swimming is in winter or before low tide, before the sea has left the sandy beach to the muddy one. But this beach is ideal if you like rocky ridges or free-standing boulders – you can take a lot of photos if you get to the left side of the beach.

There are a lot of different hotels and resorts around, so you can rent a house literally by the water. Also full of cafes and restaurants. You can sign up for a massage or rent a kayak. But there are few sun loungers, but you can settle down with your rug under one of the many trees. But there are no beach activities like jet skis or bananas – you have to do without them.

Advantages

• There are really few people on the beach – you can safely come for privacy.
• Before low tide, the beach is ideal for bathing young children.

disadvantages

• Not very good infrastructure – there are almost no beach activities.
• Inconvenient and dirty entry into the sea, shoes are required.

Coral Cove Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.3

Coral Cove is located between the two most popular beaches of the island – Chaweng and Lamai. But getting there is not so easy – this wild beach lies between the rocks. But this does not stop crowds of people from coming here every time, because he is really good and deserves the energy spent. The coastline is short – only 176 meters. At one end, there is a ridge of boulders that hides a small section of the beach from prying eyes – you can really be alone there. The beach is strewn with red sand. Walking on it is not very pleasant – it is quite large and pricks your feet.

The water is clean, there is no silt and algae. The shore goes down very quickly – literally two meters from the edge you will already lose sand under your feet. This makes the beach ideal for diving or snorkeling (assuming you bring your own gear, of course). On windy days, high waves can rise, making the coast even more dangerous. Therefore, we warn you: do not let the children away from you and go deep if you know how to swim well.

Due to the size and inaccessibility of the beach, there is nothing to talk about the infrastructure – it is almost nonexistent. No cafes, entertainment, rentals. There is no one to rent even a sunbed. But people come here who crave a wild holiday without ordinary tourists. Therefore, the territory is very clean and well-groomed – no one crap here. Someone even set up a volleyball net on several sticks dug into the sand. There is also one small restaurant nearby. The main benefits of civilization are no closer than the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai.

Advantages

• A wild little beach with no excess of tourists.
• The deep water is ideal for those who don't like splashing around in shallow water.

disadvantages

• On windy days, the beach becomes downright dangerous.
• There is no infrastructure other than a restaurant and a volleyball net.

Bang Rak Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.2

Quite narrow (about 15 meters) and long (up to three kilometers) beach. On an island nearby is the Big Buddha statue. The beach is not perfect – it is, as it were, divided into three parts, each with some drawbacks. Infrastructure abounds in everything except hypermarkets, so you can rest, drink and relax at any time.

Only the eastern part of Bang Rak is well suited for recreation. But it is not ideal either – the shore is muddy under the water, the water is a little muddy. You can stumble upon small and large stones, so you need to be very careful when entering the sea. But even here, after the Loi Krathong holiday, it is better not to go out on the sand without shoes for at least a couple of days – thousands of pins will be waiting for tourists. It is worth waiting for all of them to be found and taken away.

The central part of Bang Rak is occupied by fishing piers and a market. There is a good sandy beach and a steep slope, but because of the fishermen you can't always rest. The western part can be called wild – there is fine yellow sand, few tourists and almost no infrastructure. This is understandable – just a few meters away there is a ring road, so being there is not very pleasant. Although if you do not have special requirements, you can try, the shore and water there are the same as in the eastern Bang Rak.

Advantages

• Excellent infrastructure – there is everything you need for a comfortable stay and stay.

disadvantages

• It is better not to come to the beach after the Loi Krathong holiday – it is literally strewn with pins.

Lipa Noi Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.1

Another 'wild and deserted' beach for those who are willing to neglect the amenities of ordinary beaches like Maenam, Lamai or Chaweng. Unlike the miniature Coral Cove, Lipa Noi stretches nearly six kilometers along and beyond the bay. Another name for this beach is Tong Yang by the name of the bay. This place is the backyard of Koh Samui, so the infrastructure here is not very good – restaurants, several mini-markets, entertainment, and that's it.

Lipa Noy varies greatly throughout its length. There are many different hotels and restaurants in the central part of the beach, and the sand is clean, without garbage. In the north, there is no one to care for the territory, so it is slightly dirtier there. Things are much worse in the south of the beach, closer to the island's Naval Base. The closer to it, the more marine and human debris you will meet. And who would agree to rest under the supervision of a submachine gunner on the tower? The beach continues behind the Naval Base, but it's even dirtier and more garbage there. However, in the area of ​​the Raja Ferry pier you can relax if you are not confused by the situation. But there will definitely not be a lot of people.

In general, Lipa Noi is a shallow beach. Serious depth is found only in the central, more well-groomed part. In other places, you will need to walk at least 50 meters in order to at least take your legs off the bottom. The sand on the beach itself is very fine, almost like flour. It sticks strongly to the body, especially when wet. It contains many shells and pebbles. And there are larger stones under the water, so you should be careful. There is a lot of shadow – the coast is literally overgrown with palms and trees.

Advantages

• Long beach – you can easily find a place with a minimum of people and garbage.
• There are both shallow and deep areas – you can choose the right one.

disadvantages

• About half of the beach is abandoned and is only suitable for 'savages' or casual tourists.
• The infrastructure is poor, some shops will have to look in other areas of Koh Samui.

Samrong Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.0

A small and not particularly remarkable beach, hidden in the north of Koh Samui and enclosed between two rocks. Its length is only 230 meters. Samrong is owned by The Bay Samui, which keeps it perfectly clean and tidy. Because of this, it is always sparsely crowded here – the beach area is visited mainly by hotel guests and rare visitors who know that employees are obliged to let them into the water.

The sand has different sizes – fine light mixed with large golden. It is very loose, so you need to walk carefully. The sand is well compressed along the surf line, which allows you not to be afraid to fall into the water when you try to enter it. Under water, you will find a muddy bottom interspersed with corals and large boulders. The depth is shallow, for full immersion you will have to walk about 50-70 meters, which is problematic due to the abundance of corals.

The infrastructure is limited to the hotel, which runs the beach, jet skis and kayak rentals, a volleyball net and a shop five hundred meters from the beach. Before everything else, you need to go to the more lively areas of Koh Samui. There are sun loungers and umbrellas on the territory, but they can only be used by hotel guests. There is almost no natural shadow.

Advantages

• There are very few people on the beach – you can relax in silence.
• Perfect cleanliness – the staff of the hotel monitors the beauty of the territory.

disadvantages

• Muddy bottom with corals – walking without shoes can be annoying.

Thongson Beach

Beach rating (Koh Samui): 4.0

And our rating of the best beaches in Samui closes with a small (only 500 meters) beach next to the bay. It is, as it were, divided in half – 250 meters covered with stones and boulders: you can relax there if you choose a place and settle down. The next 250 meters is a classic sandy beach, where most of the tourists are located. The territory of Tong Son is well-groomed and clean – this is the responsibility of the staff of nearby hotels. Garbage appears only closer to the western edge, where almost no one rests. The infrastructure is poor – shops are a few kilometers away, a massage parlor, kayak rentals and a small restaurant. The only plus is that the beach is located closer than others from the airport, you can get there for an inexpensive way.

The sand on Thong Son Beach is the size of flour. It sticks easily to the body and is difficult to shake off. It's easier to go to wash, it will be faster. Closer to the water's edge, the size of the grains of sand increases, shells and small stones appear. Interestingly, in the canopy of a large tree on the beach, there is a natural paddling pool for small children. It is small and does not have an easily accessible access to the sea for a child, so there is no need to worry about the safety of the baby. It is relevant only during the high tide – after low tide, only a small puddle with stones remains.

The beach is not too shallow before low tide – you need to move back 30 meters in order to swim without touching the bottom with your feet. But after low tide, you will need to go 150-200 meters to swim. If possible – the further into the sea, the more the bottom is strewn with stones and corals. Behind a stone block to the right of the beach, you can find a secret place – several tens of meters of sand in a secluded place. But be prepared – nudists often come there.

Advantages

• There is a section of the beach hidden from prying eyes – ideal for nudists and singles.
• Clean area and well-groomed beach.

disadvantages

• Lack of entertainment and infrastructure.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.