Koh Samui doesn’t give up all its secrets at once. With some 40 beaches strung like pearls around its 50-kilometre coastline, the island rewards curiosity. Each stretch of sand carries its own mood— glamorous, bohemian, or blissfully bare. The joy lies in drifting between them, discovering one quiet cove after another until you find the spot that feels entirely yours.
Chaweng Beach
Samui’s most famous strand-and its longest-is also its most energetic. Chaweng’s six kilometres of powder-soft sand form the island’s beating heart. Mornings bring paddleboarders and parasails; by night, the tempo rises with beach bars and DJs. Yet it’s not all hedonism-wander to the Heart-Shaped Mountain Viewpoint to see the bay’s luscious curves from above, and you’ll agree that Samui’s wild beauty still wins out over its buzz.
Lamai Beach
Just south of Chaweng, Lamai has the same good looks with a gentler pace. The water deepens faster here, making it a draw for swimmers and surfers, while yoga studios and coconut-oil spas hide behind the palms. At the beach’s southern end, Hin Ta and Hin Yai—the cheekily named “Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks”—draw visitors for both the views and the folklore. Stop at Lad Koh Viewpoint en route, a quiet perch where sunrise feels like a secret.
Bo Phut Beach
If you prefer your beaches with a side of good taste, Bo Phut delivers. Once a sleepy fishing village, it’s now a haven for breezy bistros and barefoot dining Fisherman’s Village still retains its wooden charm, now reimagined as a stylish promenade of concept stores and cafés.
Laem Set & Taling Ngam
On Samui’s southern and western fringes, the crowd melt away. Laem Set is cinematic-boulders, leaning palms, and glass-clear shallows that catch the morning light. Further west, Taling Ngam feels like a secret whispered between travellers: an endless, often empty sweep with views of the Five Islands. It’s the side of Samui that reminds you isolation can be a luxury.
Maenam & Bangrak Beaches
Two northern favourites for those who like their escapes unhurried. Maenam, framed by palms and longtail boats, has an old-island grace—perfect for quiet swims and hammock afternoons. A short drive east, Bangrak, or Big Buddha Beach, faces the island’s most iconic statue—a golden 12-metre- tall figure glowing at dusk. Both offer understated charm, where time slows with each turning tide.
Lipa Noi & Nathon
Lipa Noi is where families and romantics exhale. Its shallow, ripple-free waters invite lazy swims, and the sunsets, while luxury resorts and simple beach cafés coexist in perfect calm. A few kilometres north, Nathon marks a shift from postcard to real life. The island’s working port and commercial centre offers an authentic Thai vibe: market chatter, pier views, and a front- row seat for the evening ferry framed against the sinking sun.
