Koh Samui Beaches – The 20 Most Beautiful Beaches on the Island

The tropical island of Koh Samui is the destination of many travelers every year, as it has a lot to offer. While the markets on Koh Samui attract visitors in the evening, the days are perfect for spending time on the beautiful Koh Samui beaches. All around the island, there are dozens of beaches worth a visit, from popular spots like Chaweng Beach to quiet areas such as Taling Ngam.

Our Tips for the 20 Most Beautiful Beaches on Koh Samui

The beaches in the main towns are easy to reach, while the remote ones in the south are great to explore on a scooter tour or with a private driver. What you will find there is, above all, plenty of peace and relaxation, since the beaches in the north or east are usually the only ones that get really busy. In this article, you will find our selection of Koh Samui beaches to help you discover the right one for you.

Accommodation in Koh Samui – Our Hotel Tip

A hotel where we felt very comfortable from the start is the Amari Koh Samui. The resort is located right on the beautiful Chaweng Beach, but not directly in the busy center. Despite its central location, the Amari exudes a relaxed atmosphere. You are also in the middle of the action in just a few minutes.

The hotel offers two swimming pools and beautiful, modern rooms of various categories. All are equipped with air conditioning, TV, minibar and free WiFi. You can choose between a garden or sea view. The beds are of great quality and ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.

If you are looking for other hotels on Koh Samui, for example in places like Lamai, Maenam or Bophut? Then take a look at this overview.

1. Bang Por Beach

Bang Por Beach is located in the northwest of Koh Samui. Unlike many other beaches on the island, you will usually find only a few visitors here. You can access the beach through one of the public entrances or through hotels or restaurants such as CoCo Sunset Beach. The latter offers delicious food, drinks, and seating options directly on the beach.

From Bang Por Beach, you also have a wonderful view of the neighboring island, Koh Phangan. The sand is soft, the water is usually very clear, and it’s great for swimming. Even at low tide, you can still take a dip here, although you may need to walk out a bit farther for proper swimming. Bang Por Beach may no longer be a hidden gem, but it is still very quiet and relaxing.

2. Baan Tai Beach

The quiet area of Baan Tai, along with its namesake beach, lies between Bang Por and Maenam. A few resorts, such as Mimosa Resort, are located along this beach. Just like at Bang Por Beach, you also have a fantastic view of Koh Phangan here. The sand is clean and very fine. Due to the reef close to the shore, it is not suitable for swimming everywhere, but you can do some snorkeling instead.

Otherwise, Baan Tai Beach offers plenty of peace and relaxation, and you may sometimes find yourself completely alone on the beach. During midday, however, it can get very hot since there are only a few shaded spots. For us, Baan Tai Beach is definitely still a highlight in the north of Samui because it is very quiet and truly beautiful.

3. Maenam Beach

The next of the Koh Samui beaches in the north is the palm-fringed Maenam Beach. It is about 5 kilometers long and mostly very quiet. The water is ideal for swimming, although the beach often slopes gently into the sea. But be careful: it gets deep quickly here, which is especially important to keep in mind for children.

You will find several hotels, bars, and restaurants along the beach. Here, you can grab something to eat or drink and use the available seating if provided. Otherwise, you can simply relax under the palm trees in the shade and enjoy a beautiful day at Maenam Beach.

4. W Beach

W Beach is the private beachfront area of the luxurious W Koh Samui Resort. It is located roughly at the transition between Maenam and Bophut. You can visit the beach even if you are not a guest of the hotel. Simply follow the road to the W Resort, go up and down the hill to the parking area, and walk the last few meters through the resort, which is completely fine.

Here, you can expect a peaceful, well-maintained atmosphere with loungers, umbrellas, and elegant cabanas, although these are reserved for hotel guests. If you bring your own towel, you can still relax in the shade of the palm trees, as this stretch of beach is truly beautiful. During low tide, the water recedes significantly and the beach becomes very wide, making it unsuitable for swimming at that time. At other times, however, it is great.

5. Bophut Beach

The beach of Bophut is almost entirely lined with resorts and restaurants, and the nicer part ends near the shopping complex The Wharf (which is unfortunately a bit abandoned), where the large Walking Street also begins on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The wide sandy beach is cleaned regularly and is mostly very tidy, as the resorts located here, such as Holiday Inn (particularly popular with families), make sure their guests enjoy a beautiful beach.

Nevertheless, the beach is accessible to visitors who are not staying at any of these hotels. The sand is generally fine but does have a few small pebbles. Still, the beach invites you to relax and swim, with a lovely view of Koh Phangan.

Some restaurants and hotels also offer dinner directly on the beach, whether as a buffet or a romantic candlelight dinner. Dining right on the sand is a dream for many travelers, and on Koh Samui, you can make that dream come true. In Bophut, for example, you can enjoy this at the Anantara Bophut.

A highlight at Bophut Beach is the popular Coco Tam’s, a mix of bar and restaurant with Italian cuisine. You’ll find beanbags on the beach as well as additional seating along the promenade. In the evening, Coco Tam’s fills up and is usually very busy. It is open daily from 01.00 PM to 11.00 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays, a DJ plays on-site and gets the crowd going. The real highlight, however, is the evening fire show at 07.30 PM and 09.00 PM, which provides a fantastic end to the day.

6. Bangrak Beach

Bangrak Beach is located in the northeast, close to the Big Buddha, which you can see from the beach. You can visit it on your own or as part of a Koh Samui tour. Apart from that, Bangrak Beach is known for its many boats, as the Haad Rin Queen, Seatran, and Lomprayah (or Lomlahk Khirin) ferries to Koh Phangan depart from here.

A few resorts and the 79 Beach Club are located directly on Bangrak Beach. In our opinion, the beach is great for a nice walk, but many areas are not ideal for swimming due to the boat traffic, although there are some clear spots as well. If you want to swim, we recommend heading to Choeng Mon or Chaweng instead, both of which are not far away. By the way, Bangrak Beach is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset until the sun disappears behind the hills of Koh Samui.

7. Thongson Bay

Thongson Bay is a tiny bay in the north of the island and is rarely visited, as it is secluded and hidden. You could still call this a hidden gem on Koh Samui. On-site, you will find the small Thongson Bay Bungalows with an attached restaurant, as well as the 5-star Melati Beach Resort & Spa. Other than that, you will mainly find one thing here: absolute tranquility and a stunning white beach with a view of Koh Phangan.

The beach is only 400 meters long, but it never gets crowded. You will find a few loungers at the Thongson Bay Restaurant if you want to use them. The northern part of the bay is better for swimming, while the southern part, with its rocks, is better for snorkeling.

8. Choeng Mon Beach

The next beach on the northern part of Koh Samui’s east coast is Choeng Mon Beach. There are several resorts and restaurants along the beach. Some offer loungers and umbrellas for their guests. Even if you are not staying at one of the hotels, you can use them for around 200 Baht. But don’t worry, there are also plenty of open areas on the beach, although shade is challenging to find.

A very relaxed beach that is great for swimming and unwinding. The water here is very shallow and therefore perfect for children. One entrance to the beach can be found opposite the Café Amazon, right next to a Tops Daily. A sign shows the way to the Bay Beach Resort. You can park there if you come with your own vehicle and then walk the last few meters to the beach.

Tip: At the eastern end, there is another section called Cape Fahn Beach. It is technically just a small part of Choeng Mon Beach but has its own name because, during low tide, you can walk across a sandbank to the small offshore islands Koh Fan Yai and Koh Fan Noi.

9. Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Samui despite its popularity. It is kept very clean by the resorts located along the beach, such as the Amari Koh Samui or OZO Chaweng, and offers beautiful white sand, perfect for swimming. At the northern end, you will find more affordable bungalow resorts and also the Ark Bar and Elephant Beach Club.

At the southern end, you’ll find one of the few public access points, as otherwise you have to enter the beach through one of the resorts. Later in the afternoon, many locals also come to the beach. Not necessarily to swim, but because there is a lot of Thai food like papaya salad and snacks that people enjoy right on the sand. You’ll also find umbrellas, loungers, and the fantastic Seen Beach Club at the southern end.

Chaweng Beach is not only one of the most popular beaches for spending the day swimming and relaxing but also for enjoying various water sports. There are numerous rental stations along the beach for activities like jet skis. But be careful: before renting a jet ski, check it thoroughly for damage so that you are not held responsible afterward. Banana boats and flyboarding are also offered in some places.

Depending on the season and time of year, you can visit Chaweng Beach throughout the year. However, during the rainy season, the waves can be quite strong, making it unsafe for swimming due to dangerous currents. You can recognize this by the red flags.

10. Chaweng Noi Beach

A short stretch south of the well-known Chaweng Beach lies Chaweng Noi Beach, essentially the smaller version of Chaweng. It is noticeably quieter here, as you’ll find fewer water sports options and hardly any beach vendors. The sand is soft, and the water is usually great for swimming, unless it’s low tide. Several hotels with guests seeking peace and quiet line the beach. Chaweng Noi Beach is perfect for a relaxed and mostly calm day. Only occasionally will you hear traffic from the ring road, which runs fairly close to the shore.

Tip: Finn Beach is a nice restaurant at the southern end of the beach. You can park your scooter there, easily access the beach, or enjoy delicious food with a view of Chaweng Noi Beach.

11. Coral Cove Beach

On the way from Chaweng to Lamai, just a short distance south of Chaweng Noi, you’ll find Coral Cove Beach. The beach is only briefly visible on the left side of the road, so you can easily miss the entrance. A few accommodations, such as the Coral Cove Resort and the Coral Cliff Beach Resort, are located along this stretch.

This small beach is often not very crowded. There is a restaurant right on the beach and lots of open space, though unfortunately without shade. The sand can sometimes be deeper and coarser. On both the left and right sides of the bay, you’ll find large rocks where you can spot fish while snorkeling. It’s one of the few beaches on Koh Samui where you can experience this directly from the shore. Swimming is also great here, as the water gets deeper. It’s still shallow enough at the beginning for children to have fun.

12. Silver Beach

The next Koh Samui beach on the east coast, as you continue driving south, is Silver Beach. The beach’s official name is Thongtakian Beach. It sits in a curve right along the ring road and offers a few parking spots for scooters and cars, sometimes paid, between 20 and 50 Baht. On the roadside, you’ll see a red “Beach” sign, and you can follow the directions toward the Crystal Bay Beach Resort and the Silver Beach Resort.

You’ll need to walk between the resorts to reach the beach. The soft white sand is truly beautiful. Only the stones at the shoreline can be a bit bothersome when entering the water. After a few meters, this is no longer an issue, and swimming is excellent. During high season, the beach is quite busy due to the nearby restaurants and resorts, some of which play loud music and create a beach club atmosphere. In low season, however, it is much quieter. Silver Beach is no longer a hidden spot and is often well visited.

13. Lamai Beach

Lamai Beach is the second largest and most well-known beach on Koh Samui after Chaweng Beach. While the sand is not quite as fine and white as on Chaweng Beach in some places, the beach is still truly beautiful. Swimming at Lamai Beach is very pleasant, as the water gets deeper a bit earlier, giving you more space to move around freely.

The beach has different sections. In the north, you’ll find large open areas with few people, as there is not much shade. Near the restaurants and resorts, you’ll find many sun loungers and umbrellas. Water sports such as jet skiing and banana boating are also available here. You can find even more information about this beach and the surrounding area in our Lamai Beach Tips.

14. Natien Beach

A bit remote in the southeast of the island, often hidden behind hotels such as the Centara Villas Samui, lies Natien Beach. The best way to access it is through the Cool Bar. It’s a small, charming bar directly on the beach with a relaxed atmosphere, delicious drinks, and some food options.

From here, you can catch a first small glimpse of the offshore islands, such as Koh Madsum. The small beach is great for relaxing and taking a walk. Swimming is often not possible, as the water is shallow and rocky. But if you still want to spend a peaceful day at the beach and you’re in the south of Koh Samui, the Cool Bar is definitely worth a visit.

15. Bang Kao Beach

Bang Kao Beach, like all beaches in the south, is less crowded. It is located in the southern part of the island, and only a few accommodations can be found here. The fine sandy beach is about two kilometers long and perfect for long walks or a peaceful, relaxing beach day. You’ll also find a few palm trees offering shade. There is even a new pier where tours to Koh Madsum and other offshore islands are offered.

Starting around 5.00 PM, many locals come to the beach, as it is no longer as hot and the sun no longer shines directly on Bang Kao Beach. The beach slopes gently into the sea, so you’ll need to walk out a bit farther for proper swimming. This makes it suitable for children. There are hardly any stones in the water, making it pleasant for cooling off. During low tide, swimming is nearly impossible. It’s a beautiful beach that is slowly getting more visitors, but for better swimming conditions, the beaches in the north and east of Koh Samui are more suitable.

16. Thong Krut Beach

In the south of the island lies the bay of Thong Krut. Even though there is a beach here, it is not really suitable for swimming. This is because many fishing boats and taxi boats operate from here, taking you to the offshore islands such as Koh Madsum, Koh Tan, and Koh Rap. While there are some nice restaurants along the beach and even a beautiful accommodation like The Beach Samui, the small fishing village is worth a visit, but you should choose other beaches for swimming.

17. Taling Ngam Beach

Taling Ngam Beach is one of the quiet beaches on Koh Samui’s west coast and is still very natural, as it has so far been spared from mass tourism. Only a few, partly luxurious resorts such as the InterContinental are located directly on the beach and offer sun loungers and umbrellas. There are a few spots where you can access the beach directly, for example, in the small village of Taling Ngam or along the coastal road, where you can also find some more access points.

The sand is usually very fine, but seaweed and sometimes trash are often washed ashore. Only the areas in front of the hotels are regularly cleaned. There are a few spots suitable for swimming. At low tide, some parts can be very shallow and rocky. Otherwise, the beach is perfect for a walk and offers a great view of the Five Islands, a group of five offshore islands. The peace and seclusion make Taling Ngam Beach worth a visit, and on sunny days it is incredibly beautiful.

18. Lipa Noi Beach

Lipa Noi is located on the west coast near the island’s main town, Nathon. The beach is fine and very sparsely visited, so you will always find a free spot. A few palm trees provide shade, but most visitors arrive in the late afternoon when you can enjoy the sunset along the coast.

There are several accommodations along the beach, including the luxury resort Nikki Beach with its connected beach club. DJs sometimes play live here, there’s a Sunday brunch, and you can easily spend the whole day at the beach club. Lipa Noi Beach stretches for several kilometers. It is not suitable for swimming everywhere, as some areas are rocky, but there are also sections where swimming is enjoyable because the beach doesn’t slope too shallowly. We recommend a beach walk at sunset, but for swimming, we would choose other beaches on Koh Samui.

19. Nathon Beach

In the main town of Nathon, there is also a beach, but it is not suitable for swimming at all. However, it is perfect for watching a beautiful sunset. The southern part of Nathon Beach is especially popular for this. Bring something to eat or drink, a blanket, and find a quiet spot on the beach.

When the tide is low, swimming or bathing here is practically impossible. But even when it’s not low tide, the seabed is not very pleasant, and the water is relatively shallow. Nevertheless, we still wanted to mention Nathon Beach.

Tip: If you don’t want to sit directly on the beach, you can also visit the Nathon Night Market and sit at the pier with a small snack. You can find more in our Koh Samui Markets article.

20. Bang Makham Beach

A little outside of Nathon heading north, lies Bang Makham Beach. It is somewhat hidden behind many restaurants and bars that are perfect for lunch or dinner and, of course, for watching the sunset. While Bang Makham Beach stretches a bit longer, it is not very wide, so there are only a few spots to sit. Additionally, just like Nathon Beach, it is not suitable for swimming during low tide. Still, a short stop for sunset or a meal can definitely be worth it.

Koh Samui: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Koh Samui in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Koh Samui.

How to Get to Koh Samui

The easiest and fastest way to Koh Samui is with a direct flight from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The international airport of Koh Samui was built by Bangkok Airways and therefore the price for a flight ticket is kind of more expensive, because they preserve a monopoly – with a few exceptions.

It’s cheaper when you go to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat on the mainland of Thailand. Airlines like AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air fly to those cities from the Don Mueang airport in Bangkok. At the destination airport you can take a bus to the Donsak Pier or Tapee Pier and from there a ferry to Koh Samui.

You can find the cheapest flights to Koh Samui on Skyscanner. I absolutely can recommend Thai Lion Air by the way.

Note: Bus and train connections are also available if you want to arrive even cheaper. However, the travel time increases a lot. Tickets and information on times can be found at our partner 12go.asia.

Have you been to Koh Samui? Which is your favorite beach or, in your opinion, the most beautiful beach on Koh Samui? Write us a comment now!