Koh Samui

Koh Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand situated below Koh Pha Ngan and closest to the major southern town of Surat Thani, an epicenter for tourists arriving for the Thailand beaches in the south. Samui is surpassed only by Phuket on the Andaman Coast, making it the second largest and most popular Thai island. Getting there and around is easy, with dozens of daily flights or ferries and fast boats making the trip from the mainland, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao. Less than 430 miles from Bangkok and only 30 miles from the peninsulas east side, Samui is a convenient option and a fantastic place to get your beach groove on.

Chaweng Beach

Easily the most popular Koh Samui beach, Chaweng is on the northeast island side and the most beautiful beach on the island. Chaweng is geared to mid-range budgets and package tours, with a few inexpensive lodging options. The abnormally high rate of development complements the massive crowds splayed along the beach between November and April. On Chaweng, you can find everything from American fast food to almost any water sport and plenty of shopping.

Lamai Beach

Lamai Beach is second to Chaweng and only a few bays farther south. The trade-off here, which is a blessing for many, is that crowds are thinner and accommodation is less expensive. The options aren’t as wide but it’s a good compromise. North, central, and south Lamai are distinct. If low-key days and nights, tasty cheap eats, and a generally relaxing vacation sounds good, Lamai is a great option.

Bophut Beach

Bophut is on the northeast end of the island, and one of the best Koh Samui choices for scenery and things to do. The two-part beach area comprises Fisherman’s Village on the east and the beach on the west. The village has charm and great restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. The beach is home to both upscale resorts and some mid-range and budget accommodations. Watersports are very popular: parasailing, cable skiing, windsurfing, and jet skiing are each possibilities. There are also diving trips, island tours, and fishing charters available.

Mae Nam Beach

Mae Nam beach is one the best Koh Samui beaches for budget accommodation. Small and definitely underrated, Mae Nam features a great, golden-yellow beach on Samui’s north coast. A solid 2.5 hour walk will get you across the entire stretch of beach, which features excellent, budget accommodations. Small kids are accommodated by calm, shallow waters and mainly consistent weather all year. Sunsets and island views are enchanting and with a road set far back from the sand, traffic is hardly a hum in the distance.

Big Buddha

One of the best Koh Samui beaches for small budgets is Big Buddha, situated on the island’s northeast side. Plenty of economical lodging options are here. The location is also ideal for anyone who wants quiet, peaceful beach time by day but easy access to lively Chaweng by evening and/or direct ferry access to the neighboring islands. The long, fine-sand beach fringes shallow waters creating a perfect setting for families. Swim, read, and suntan here without any interruptions. Sunday nights are the night for live music one the beach; Secret Garden Resort hosts Sunday Music Festivals weekly.