other beaches

Although Lamai Beach is of course the best beach on Koh Samui there are several other interesting choices which you may want to visit on a day trip, or alternatively stay there are travel to Lamai for your entertainment or dining needs.

Chaweng Beach

The other of the main beaches together with Lamai the Chaweng Beach has the highest density of resorts, restaurants and nightlife. Just 10 minutes away by car from Lamai it is the other go-to location. While busier it is also of course more noisy and chaotic, so if y you want more 24 hour entertainment it may be a good choice, or alternatively you can stay in Lamai and just visit Chaweng when you need more activity, or stay back in Lamai for relaxation and quite.

Bophut Beach

This north facing beach has great sand, but neither sunsets or sunrise to warm it. However during most of the year it is still a great place to be, but rather quieter with less facilities. Best visited as part of a trip to Fisherman's Village which is right in the centre of the beach.

Maenam Beach

One of the most quiet and undeveloped of the beaches it harks back to the 1980s when Samui was a backpacker paradise, and here you can still find fan huts by the beach that are cheap enough to rent for months of beachcombing. At the same time a few luxury properties have opened as well so there are some choices. Notable also for the fact that the beach sand is particularly narrow and so the gap from your accommodation to the water is one of the shortest in Koh Samui.

Lipa Noi Beach

On the West coast just a short way from the town of Nathon, where the ferry from the mainland arrives, this very quiet beach is popular with older couples and mature families.  Outside of the hotels themselves there are limited facilities for tourists, mostly locally run restaurants along the beach, and no nightlife, clubs or other entertainment.

Choeng Mon Beach

Popular with packaged tour groups from Europe you'll find the facilities here great if you like German or French food! Of course international standards and Thai options. With only a few major resorts most of the tourist activity is within resorts, though local restaurants are set up along the beach and road of course. Try one of the resorts here which offer a range from 3 to 5 stars.