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Koh Samet travel guide
Guide me around Koh Samet
Just a short drive from Bangkok and an even shorter one from Pattaya, is the small island of Koh Samet which is a beautiful jungle-covered island located in the Gulf of Thailand. Known for its beautiful beaches, clear blue waters, and vibrant nightlife especially on weekends, it is a popular destination for both Thais and tourists.
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Best beaches to visit on Koh Samet
Beaches & Bays
While most beaches are located on the east coast, Koh Samet’s northern beaches are the most vivid. Southern parts of the island are far more sedate and secluded.
Sai Kaew Beach: Koh Samet’s main beach. Crystal-clear water and white sand. Crowded on weekends. Beach bars, restaurants, water activities, nightlife.
Ao Hin Khok: Sai Kaew Beach’s neighbor. The famous statue of Koh Samet’s folklore legend Aphai Mani and the mermaid. Beach bars, restaurants. Less crowded than Sai Kaew. Fine white sand and turquoise water. Great for swimming.
Ao Wong Duean: Second largest beach on the island. Fine white sand and turquoise water. Good for swimming. Many upper-class hotels. Crowded on weekends. Full moon party.
Ao Pakarang: Southernmost beach. Quiet and great for swimming. Trees in the background to find shady spots. Accessible through Nimmanoradee Resort (you do not have to be a guest though).
Ao Prao: Quiet beach. Best water quality. Fine white sand and turquoise water. Good for swimming. Some upper-class hotels and a handful of bars.
Ao Tubtim: Secluded and small beach famous for couples. Fine white sand and turquoise water, great for swimming. Some resorts nearby offer dining options.
More fun activities to do on Koh Samet
More Activities
A thick jungle, declared a national park, forms the interior of Koh Samet, leaving little space for developed infrastructure. However, the island offers a good selection of tasty seafood restaurants, decent accommodations, and lively beach bars, making it an ideal destination for a relaxed vacation. Upon arrival, visitors must purchase a national park ticket (valid for several days) to move around and access the beaches.
Undoubtedly, Koh Samet’s beaches are the main attraction. However, if you feel the need to escape beach life for a while, you can organize trips to surrounding islands or enjoy a sunset trip around Koh Samet. For transportation, you can rent a scooter, golf cart, or bicycle, or take an adventurous underwater scooter ride.
On weekends, the small island comes to life as the sun sets. Visitors can find lively beach parties, exciting fire-juggling shows, and delicious beach barbecues on Koh Samet’s northern beaches.
travel tips Koh Samet
Getting There
To get to Koh Samet, you can take a minibus to Ban Phe on the mainland, where ferries depart frequently from the Municipality Pier near the information center (these are more expensive and also have speedboats available) or from the low-cost alternative Nuanthip Pier (which takes approximately 40 minutes from Ban Phe to Koh Samet). Roundtrip tickets are cheaper and not tied to a specific date or time.