The Best Beaches in Koh Samui to Perfect Your Vacation Tan
If you’re a fan of soft golden sand, clear turquoise waters and sunsets to die for then Koh Samui is your kind of place. Choose from lively, tourist-friendly party beaches or laid-back hidden gems; there’s something for everyone on Samui and each beach seems more idyllic than the last. Check out the best beaches in Koh Samui, Bodega selected and certified!
Silver Beach, A.K.A. Thongtakian Beach
Let’s start with a classic. Silver Beach is your archetypal paradise stretch of coast, with white sand and a gently shelving gradient that’s tailor-made for lazing in the shallows and catching some rays. Check out the local restaurants that cluster just back from the shoreline for some great local food, and enjoy the fact that not many tourists know about this place. You might even have it to yourself!
Location: On the eastern peninsula, near the Crystal Bay Beach Club
Choeng Mon Beach
Choeng Mon is the place to go if you want to meet other westerners and hang out with the expat crowd. The water is calm and excellent for swimming between the months of April and October; outside of these times approach with caution as there can be strong currents sweeping along the coast. This is a pretty built-up beach with good services- the ubiquitous 7-11 makes an appearance, as do several restaurants and an ATM.
Location: On the north eastern peninsula, just past the airport
Bang Rak Beach, A.K.A Big Buddha Beach
While Bang Rak beach certainly doesn’t rank as an undiscovered spot, it’s a great place for budget travelers as it boasts a host of cheap accommodation and a few beachside bungalows for hire. This is also a good place for a party, because its proximity to Koh Phangan makes it a great meeting point for people hoping to get to the Full Moon Party on the neighboring island. Grab some buddies, hire a longtail and head over to join the fun. If you’re worried about how to get back to Koh Samui at night then don’t worry, you’ll be partying till dawn anyway!
Location: On the north coast close to the airport
Bophut Beach and Fisherman’s Village
Bophut is a strange place in many ways, but an appealing one nonetheless. By day it’s a sleepy fishing village with a beautiful range of restored traditional buildings to explore, where the beach is quiet and the waves are empty. By evening, however, one of the best night markets in Koh Samui pops up and the place springs to life. This is a great choice if you want hassle-free days but long for a bit of nightlife after the sun goes down.
Location: On the east coast, just below the north east peninsula
Lipa Noi Beach
If you really want to get off the tourist path then head to the lesser-visited western coast, and check out Lipa Noi. The sand here is just as golden and the water just as warm, but it comes without the day-trippers and resort guests seen elsewhere in the east. What’s not to like! The only exception to the undeveloped feel is the high class Nikki Beach Resort, but if you can afford to drink here then you can probably afford to buy some Ray Bans to block out the other guests!
Location: On the western coast of the island, along route 4171
Kick back and Enjoy the Best Beaches in Koh Samui
You can’t go wrong on Koh Samui no matter which beach you choose. The crowd is friendly, the beers are cold and the views are spectacular. Pick one and enjoy!
