Koh Samui Beaches & Awesome Resorts

Despite Koh Samui’s abundance of beaches for such a small island, some of them are rocky or utilized by locals for work purposes. However, Samui Explorer recommends a list of the top 12 beaches to visit on holiday.

The rocky beaches, however, are picturesque and worthy of a visit for beautiful holiday photos. For instance, Leam Yai Beach is probably the most rocky, but the setting is gorgeous, especially around sunset time.

The resorts on Koh Samui Beach that Samui Explorer recommends are listed below. Working in partnership with Booking.com allows customers to book all accommodations on our website by clicking the link below. This diverts to the Booking.com platform and customers’ Booking.com accounts for an easy transition.

Thong Krut Beach. This is a picturesque bay fringed with coconut trees and traditional longtail boats. Thong Krut Beach / Pier is where the locals depart for fishing trips and tours over to its neighboring. Islands Koh Madsum AKA Pig Island, Koh Taen, and Koh Rap. There are a few restaurants to relax and enjoy the scenery.

NB. Apart from the resorts, there are no sunloungers on the beach, apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend using towels.

Parking is available on the main road. Approx 46 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Thong Krut Beach Accommodation that we recommend below.

• The Beach Samui

Laem Sor Beach

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is available set back from the beach. Approx 45 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Laem Sor Beach Accommodations that we recommend are below.

• Easy Time
• Leam Sor Residence

Bang Kao Beach. This is a local working beach. The speedboats moor at the beach., taking customers on day tours over to the neighboring Islands Koh Madsum AKA Pig Island, Koh Tean, and Koh Rap.

Each Saturday there is a walking street market set up on the beach, and a great Reggae bar to enjoy a few drinks as the sun goes down.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach take towels

Parking is available on the main road. Approx 43 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Bang Kao beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Homestay Samui
• Bang Kao Tropical

Laem Set Beach

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking difficult. Approx 42 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Laem Set beach Accommodation that we recommend below.

• ShaSa Resort & Residences Koh Samui

Natien Beach

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking on the main road. Approx 40 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Natien Beach Accommodations that we recommend are below.

• Centara Villas Beach Resort
• PawPaw Resort

Hua Thanon Beach. This is a long beach with soft white sand. At low tide, it is very picturesque. A peaceful beach with only a few beach resorts.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking difficult. Approx 35 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Hua Thanon Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Shiva Beach Resort
• X2

Lamai Beach. Sunrise Recommended. This Is a long beach but differs from one end to the other with sand quality and picturesque spots. It is recommended, to walk along to find the best location suited to your needs. It has plenty of bars/restaurants and a beach club.

NB. Parking difficult or less with a scooter. Approx 32 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Lamai Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Pavillion Beach Resort
• Ammatara Pura Beach Resort & Private Villa
• The Hive
• Thai House Beach Resort
• Banyan Tree Luxury Resort & Spa
• Silavadee Pool Spa Resort
• Rocky’s Boutique Resort

Crystal Bay/Silver Beach. Recommended A stunning small bay, surrounded by granite boulders on either. Side of the beach making it a picturesque beach location. The water is shallow making it perfect for families with small children. Snorkeling can be done here, and kayaking. A good selection of restaurants and bars to choose from. Has a beach club to visit.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking at Crystal Bay Yacht Resort 50THB car and 20THB scooter. Approx 25 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Crystal Bay/Silver Beach Accommodation that we recommend below.

• Thong Ta Kian Resort
• Silver Beach
• Crystal Bay Yacht Club

Chaweng Noi Beach. This is a small bay separated from Chaweng Beach. Noi meaning small. It’s a pretty beach, with soft white sand. No other restaurants and bars apart from the hotels.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is very difficult but on the main road, suitable for scooters. Approx 20 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Chaweng Noi Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Impiana Samui Beach Resort
• Sheraton Samui Resort
• New Star Beach Resort
• Vana Belle A Luxury Collection

Chaweng Beach. Recommended. This Is a long beach spanning 7 KMS with bars and restaurants lined from one end to the other. This is the most popular beach in Koh Samui, because of its nightlife, shopping, and restaurants. A good selection of beach clubs to visit.

NB. Parking is available on the main road, but more suitable for scooters. Car parking during the day at Central Festival. Approx 14 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Chaweng Beach Accommodations that we recommend are below.

• Evergreen Beach Resort
• Chaweng Regent Beach Resort
• Mercure Samui Chaweng Tana
• Ozo Chaweng Samui
• Banana Fan Sea Beach Resort
• Centara Reserve
• Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort
• Casa De Mar Samui

Choengmon Beach. Recommended. Is another stunning little bay with shallow waters making it perfect for families. It is lined with bars/restaurants, beach bars, and beach cafes. More of a low-key beach area for those seeking a less crazed nightlife but not secluded. Opposite is Koh Faen Island and at low tide it’s possible to walk over to Cape Faen Resort for lunch. Has a beach club.

NB. Parking is available on the main road and beach parking opposite BJ Pharmacy. Approx 9 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Choengmon Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Melia Samui
• Sala Samui Cheongmon
• Kimpton Kitalay Beach Resort
• Chor Chang Resort
• Cheongmon Residence
• Cheongmon Gardens

Thongson Bay Beach. Recommended.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is available at Thong Son Restaurant. Approx 12 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Thong Son Beach Accommodation that we recommend below.

• Melati Beach Resort

Samrong Bay. Recommended. Is a small beach shared with three resorts. A quiet beach offering a beautiful setting. This is home to Koh Samui’s current most exclusive area. Luxury villas and apartments line the coastline and in the hills.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is available on the main road but requires a short walk. Approx 12 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Samrong Bay Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Six Senses Samui
• Idyllic Beach Resort
• The Bay Samui Resort

Plai Leam Beach. Is fringed with coconut trees the sand is sharp and used for mooring boats. A great sunset spot. Has a beach club to visit.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is difficult. Approx 9 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Plai Leam Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Tango Luxe Beach Resort
• Deva Samui
• The Summer House

Bangrak Beach. Sunset Recommended. Has two beach clubs to visit.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is available on the main road, but can be difficult at peak times. Approx 8 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Bangrak Beach Accommodations that we recommend are below.

• Prana Beach Resort
• U Samui Beach Resort
• Lanna Samui
• Samui Mermaid
• Koh Koon Beach Bungalows
• Samui Pier Beach Resort
• Secret Garden Beach Resort
• The Nest
• Samui Backpacker

Bophut Beach. This is not a great beach, the sand is rough, and the sea bed has a slime feel to it. It is however a great location for those who are not beach lovers. Beach cafes and clubs, plenty. of excellent restaurants to visit and it’s home to the famous Fisherman village. Has a beach club to visit.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking can be difficult, recommend parking at the Wharf and walk through. Approx 15 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Bophut Beach Accommodations that we recommend are below.

• Karma Beach Resort
• Holiday Inn Beach Resort
• Bandara Resort
• Hansar Resort
• Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa
• Peace Resort
• Anantara Beach Resort
• The Lodge
• Celes Samui

Meanam Beach. Recommended. Is a long beach with various bars/restaurants dotted along its stretch. There are little side streets to walk around, where you can find cool bars/restaurants. On an evening it comes alive and almost quaint, authentic feel.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is available in certain areas of the beachside. Approx 20 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Meanam Beach Accommodations that we recommend are below.

• Explorar Samui Beach Resort – Adult Only
• Tree House Bungalows
• Khwam Boutique Resort
• Escape Beach Resort
• The White Cottages
• Coco Palm Beach Resort Ko Samui

Baan Tai Beach. This is a great beach area if you’re seeking a peaceful vibe. Another one of my favorite villages in Koh Samui. Like Bang Por beach area Ban Tai. is picturesque yet underrated. The beach setting is stunning with cool beach bars/ restaurants much less than its neighbor Bang Por but still worthy of an afternoon to chill and take in its beautiful setting.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is available at the beginning as you reach the first beach entrance. Approx 27 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Baan Tai Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Belmond Napasai Beach Front Resort & Spa
• Mimosa Beach Resort
• La Perle Bungalows
• Ban Tai Villas

Bang Por Beach. Recommended. Bang Por is so underrated yet what a fabulous village to spend a day. The beach is fringed with coconut trees, and a huge variety of restaurants and cafes to visit. Thai, Indian, Italian and seafood. It is in my opinion, the best seafood restaurants in Samui, Krua BANGPOR and Bangpor Seafood. Cool beach bars & cafes. One of our favorite parts of the Island by day and by Sunset.

NB. No sunbeds on the beach, recommended to take towels. Parrking is convenient, roadside. Approx 30 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Bang Por Beach Accommodations that we recommend are below.

• Code Hotel
• The Sea
• Panalee Resort
• White Whale Villa
• Green Salad Hostel

Laem Yai Beach. Is a rocky but picturesque beach.

NB. Approx 35 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Leam Yai Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Four Season Resort Koh Samui

Angthong Beach. This Is more or less private to the resorts below, however, driving past these hotels is an area with bungalows that you can walk past onto the beach.

NB. No sun loungers on the beach apart from those at resorts. Parking difficult. Approx 35 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Angthong Beach Accommodations that we recommend are below.

• The Passage (Tui Blue)
• MAI Samui Beach Resort & Spa

Bang Makham Beach. Is partly used for local fishermen, but the beach area has some restaurants and cool beach bars to chill at.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach recommended to take towels. Parking is available on the main road. Approx 35 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Bang Makham Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• The Mud Resort
• Humble villas
• Seabreaze villa @ Indu Beach

Nathon Beach. Sunset Recommended. Is home to the ferries coming to and from the mainland. Only a small area of the beach is suitable to visit however it offers amazing sunsets to enjoy. At low tide, it is very picturesque with the change in colors and small beach island to capture awesome images.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is available on the main road.
Approx 40 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Nathon Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Stay Inn
• Jinta Hostel
• Sri Samui

Lipa Noi Beach. Recommended. Is a lovely bay with soft white sand. A very peaceful beach fringed with coconut trees. Cool cafes and restaurants can be found, but only a few. It’s close to the Raja Ferry which crosses to the mainland, therefore, a good stopover if early for the ferry. Has a beach club to visit.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is available on the main road.
Approx 50 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Lipa Noi Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Nikki Beach Resort & Lipa Lovely Beach Resort
• Kanok Buri
• Sea Valley Resort

Baan Taling Ngam Beach. Sunset Recommended. This Is the ultimate sunset beach for spectacular fire-red sunsets and a view of the Five Islands setting, stunning.

NB. No sunloungers on the beach apart from those located at the resorts. Recommend taking towels. Parking is not so convenient, suitable for scooters. Approx 55 minutes from Koh Samui Airport.

Baan Taling Ngam Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Intercontinental Koh Samui
• Am Samui Resort
• Aforetime House @ Samui
• Delma Samui

Phang Ka Beach. A quiet but pretty beach fringed with coconut trees offering that tropical Island beach vibe. This is however a working local beach.

NB. There are no sun loungers on the beach apart from those at resorts, it is highly recommend taking towels. Parking is on the beach verge, so it’s not recommended for cars, Scooters are ok.

Phang Ka Beach Accommodations that we recommend below.

• Conrad Koh Samui
• Avani + Beach Resort

Koh Samui has many beach clubs around the Island, follow the link below to find out where the nearest Beach Club is.