Koh Samui is second only to Phuket in popularity as a holiday destination in Thailand for those looking for sunshine and beautiful beaches. It is an island that is easily reached thanks to regular domestic flights between Bangkok and Samui Airport. Many people book a holiday in Koh Samui without knowing very much about the island and its beaches. For these people this guide is intended.
Koh Samui has an area of 247 square kilometers and a population of about 50,000 permanent residents. The principal town is Nathon on the west coast although the main tourist beach is Chaweng on the east coast. Generally speaking the north and east coasts are the most visited areas of the island and have the most tourist facilities and amenities. Beaches in the south and on the west coast tend to be much quieter and less developed. No matter what beach you choose to stay at it is easily reached by a comprehensive road network on the island. You can get to any beach from the airport in 30 minutes.
North Coast of Koh Samui
In the north of Koh Samui the principal beaches are Bophut and Maenam. Bophut has a beach with several mid-range and luxury resorts that back onto the beach. Next to the main part of the beach is the beautiful area known as Fisherman’s Village. This is the best looking spot in Koh Samui as many of the original wooden buildings have been preserved and turned into shops, Irish pubs and restaurants. Bophut also has a handy pier with connections to the other islands in the area as well as the mainland.
The longer beach next to Bophut is called Maenam. Here you will find good value mid-range places on the beach most of which have their own pool. The town of Maenam has more of a Thai atmosphere especially at night when it has a night market. Maenam also has a speed boat service to Koh Phangan (home of the Full Moon Party) that takes only 12 minutes.
East Coast of Koh Samui
On the east coast are the main beaches of Lamai and Chaweng. These are the two biggest and best beaches on Koh Samui. They have ideal swimming conditions. Chaweng also has some good snorkeling spots. Everything from nightclubs to Brazilian samba shows to bowling alleys to big supermarkets can be found in Chaweng town. At the top end of the accommodation spectrum is the Library and the Amari Palm Reef Hotel. At the other end there are backpacker hostels and locally owned hotels and guests houses. It is easy to book Chaweng accommodation online. There is no need to pay a travel agent to do this or to take a package holiday deal.
Lamai is smaller than Chaweng but very similar in feel and amenities. It perhaps attracts a slightly younger crowd as there are a few budget places to stay in near the beach.
South of Lamai is Laem Set that is home to the much reviewed luxury resort and wellness center, the Kamalaya. It is also home to Samui’s aquarium and tiger show.
South and West Coats of Koh Samui
On the south coast the main beach is Bang Kao. This is a peaceful spot with a temple nearby that houses a 30 year old mummified monk.
The main beaches on the west coast are Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam. Again these are very tranquil beaches away from the crowds on the opposite coast. Taling Ngam is famous for its Hilton hotel called Conrad Samui. It is only the second Hilton hotel built in Thailand. Although the beaches in the south and east might sound attractive they are generally not very good for swimming as they have large tidal differences and tend to have sharp coral in the sand. These areas have few supermarkets, bars etc. and are mostly devoted to private villas.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that you might get a great deal on private villa rental if you contact the owners directly instead of using one of the island’s rental agencies. These agencies take huge commissions and with the downturn in the global economy any income from these empty properties might be appreciated.