The pristine island destination of Koh Samui remained nearly untouched by the modern world well into the 20th centuries, and it didn’t even start to feature modern paved roads until the 1970s! Ringed by stunning beaches and featuring rainforests and jungle at its center, it is a nature lover’s true paradise. Most travelers intend to spend many hours on the different Koh Samui beaches that surround most of the island. However, as is so often the case, not all the beaches are identical, and if you want the best experiences it pays to learn which of the beaches are a good fit to your desires.
While most feature flawless golden sands and pristine, turquoise waters into which swaying and nodding coconuts and palms seem to gaze at their reflections, there are some ideal for those who like privacy and others for those who adore nightlife. Let’s take some time to discover the very best of the Koh Samui beaches and help you determine which should be on your “must visit” list for an upcoming holiday.
Maenam Beach
Far removed from the busier northeast area, this is a “backpacker’s beach” for its quiet, few amenities and pristine conditions. Stretching for more than seven kilometers it is a good spot for surfing, too.
Chaweng Beach
Commonly described as the best beach on the island, it sits along the northeastern edge and is also part of the busiest town. If you want a beach for both daytime and nighttime fun, this is the one to choose.
Choeng Mon Beach
This is a more secluded destination on the northeastern most area of the island. You reach it by taking quiet little country roads and it could be the right beach for you to visit when you also head out to one of the island’s most well known temples – the Big Buddha. Close to Chaweng, it is a nice respite and ideal as a picnic spot.
Lamai Beach
In the southern area of the island, south of Chaweng and Choeng Mon beaches is the appealing little village and beach of the same name. Though it is a popular resort area, with the many premium amenities, the beach is actually extremely peaceful and quiet. You can enjoy all of the best amenities (food and services) but the beach remains low-key, beautiful and relaxing.
Silver Beach or Thongtakian Beach
This is one and the same and is noted for its smallness and its idyllic beauty. It is actually between Lamai and Chaweng and is popular for snorkeling as well as swimming and sunbathing. It has a small, friendly beach bar and is consistently ranked as a secret spot for those in the know.
Anthong Marine National Park
This is not a beach but a collection of 42 gorgeous islands that include some of the best destinations for day trippers. If you want total isolation, flawless natural beauty and some of the most impressive scenery – plus the promises of protected waters – this is a way to enjoy it. Book a tour or private charter and spend a day on these tiny, mysterious and endlessly appealing islands.
There are many other beaches you can enjoy during a visit to Koh Samui, and we looked at only a few here. However, you can see that the busier beaches will be closer to the largest towns. Even then, they are still well preserved, clean and appealing. Because there are so many options, you definitely want to dedicate more than a day to finding your favorite ones.