12 best beaches of Samui

Resorts in Thailand are now in great demand, as they are almost the best in terms of price / quality ratio. And Samui (or Samui), the second largest island in Thailand, attracts thousands of tourists every season. It has several dozen beaches. And it is difficult to choose the one that really should devote a limited vacation time. We picked up the 12 best beaches of Samui, so you know exactly where and when you will be most comfortable to relax.

What to look for when choosing a beach

When choosing a beach, rely on your expectations and desires. We have compiled a small list of criteria and features that we recommend to pay attention to.

1. Clean beach and shore. Almost the main criterion. Find out if the beach is often cleaned up, if the garbage is destroyed and the dirt is removed after the storm. It is also worth finding out if the beach is somewhat clean under water - are there stones or corals. If there is - it will be difficult to go into the water without shoes.
2. Sand or pebbles. Think that it will be more convenient for you. The sand is more familiar, it is soft and comfortable. But grains of sand stick to the body, and they are hard to wash off. Pebbles are large, it is not very comfortable to lie down and walk barefoot in the heat, but it massages the feet and back well, but it still does not stick to the body. And the water on the pebbled beaches is cleaner.
3. Infrastructure. This includes various cafes, restaurants, rental entertainment and other little things that make a beach holiday more enjoyable. Find out whether there is something on your chosen beach exactly what you need (for example, a restaurant with a view of the sea or a room for mother and child).
4. Coastal depth. If you are planning a vacation with a child, or simply do not know how to swim - you have no need to go to the beaches, where deep water begins three meters from the shore. You are more suitable options with a gentle shore, where you need to go far enough to get to the depth. If you want to swim and swim a lot, then look for beaches with steep banks (for example, Coral Cove)
5. Number of visitors. Everything is simple: the more famous and the beach, the more tourists on it. If you prefer solitude, look for beaches far from tourist routes. And it’s better to choose wild ones - there are definitely few people on them, but there is no infrastructure.
6. Beach size. The great beaches of Samui, as a rule, are most chosen by tourists. There is an excellent infrastructure here, it is easy to reach them, but the fee for this is a lot of tourists. But the eyes are nice - wherever you look, everywhere there is sand and water, and no rocks. And small beaches, as a rule, are little known. But some (such as Silver Beach) can give odds to all the major ones in quality.
7. Shadow presence. If you do not tolerate the bright sun of Thailand, we recommend to go to the beaches with lots of vegetation. This will give a natural shade, which will not burn and escape from the heat. When there is no natural shade, it’s good if you can rent a deck chair with an umbrella. Otherwise, you will have to either endure the burning rays of the sun Samui, or carry and dig in your own umbrella.
8. Based on these criteria, you will choose the most comfortable beach for relaxing, swimming, sunbathing or having a chat with your family. It is especially convenient to deal with it when you know exactly what the beach should be - this will allow you to cut off the extra options.

Top beaches of Samui

Nomination	a place	beach	rating
Top beaches of Samui	1	Maenam Beach	5.0
	2	Silver Beach (Silver Beach)	4.9
	3	Ban Thai Beach	4.8
	4	Choeng Mon Beach	4.7
	5	Chaweng Beach	4.6
	6	Lamai (Lamai Beach)	4.5
	7	Bang Po (Bang Po Beach)	4.4
	8	Coral Cove (Coral Cove Beach)	4.3
	9	Bang Rak (Bang Rak Beach)	4.2
	10	Lipa Noi Beach	4.1
	11	Samrong Beach	4.0
	12	Thongson Beach	4.0

Maenam Beach

Samui beach rating: 5.0

This is the most popular "family" beach of Samui, which in the "high season" is literally packed with people to the eyeballs. The sand here is yellow and surprisingly fine, similar in size and flowability to regular sugar. The coast is steep, but at low tide the quality of the beach does not change - under the water hides the same clean and fine sand as on the shore. Remember that even near the shore, the water is already quite deep (about six meters to an adult approximately shoulders). Therefore, do not let the children go far away from you. Maenam is famous for the fact that there are a lot of palm trees on it almost next to the water. And this is a lot of natural shade, which is very pleasant on hot days. There is no need to put up umbrellas and huddle the whole family under them.

Infrastructure pleases - many bars, cafes, restaurants, ATMs, rental equipment and even laundries. The beach is very long, but cleanliness is maintained almost throughout. With the exception of wild sites that may be of interest to some tourists - they have fewer people, which is convenient for those who want to be alone. Wild areas are located on the western edge of the beach, on the eastern edge and in the very center, near Buddha Beach. In addition, at night almost all the places nearby are closed, so that after dark it becomes uncrowded.

The disadvantage is his participation in the festival of Loi Kratong. This is the night of the November full moon, when Thais launch small rafts into the sea, collected from banana leaves and pins, which tend to fall off and stay in the sand. Therefore, after the holiday on the beach is not safe.

Silver Beach (Silver Beach)

Samui beach rating: 4.9

The place is also known as Haad Thong Ta-Khian (“The Beach of Ta-Khian trees” translated from Thai) or Crystal Bay (“Crystal Bay”). This is a small beach only 250 meters long. He hid in the north near Lamai Beach, right near the cliffs that share it with Chaweng. Despite the size, this beach can be called safely one of the best. The sand here is very fine, of a pleasant white color. On the outskirts of the beach there are picturesque boulders of various sizes lying around - you can drag in pieces and build a castle or make cool photos. Stones are also found in water, so swim carefully!

The area is perfectly clean - the hotel staff around it is watching. Conveniently, the depth of the water along the coast is different - somewhere shallow, just for children, but somewhere deep and you can even dive with an aqualung or snorkel. The infrastructure is not very convenient - there are several cafes and restaurants with sea views, various beach activities, and that’s all. But a few kilometers away is the public Lamai beach, and if you reach it, you can find shops, exchangers, and anything else there.

Very expensive hotels have been built around, so it’s very difficult to drive up. But anyone can walk, not even the client of these hotels. True, you have to go right through the building, but the law of Thailand is allowed, and hotel staff are not allowed to stop you. However, many people do not know this, so you can get on the “premium” beach of Samui and not suffer from crowds.

Ban Thai Beach

Samui beach rating: 4.8

The perfect beach for mothers with young children kilometer long. Located near the leader of our rating, Maenam beach. The sand is fine, white. There are a large number of different shells, which will greatly delight young children. The slope of the coast is small. To dive at least to the waist, an adult needs to walk at least thirty meters from the water's edge. The infrastructure is not rich - in the district there are small shops, several cafes and restaurants, a laundry and a water heater. To large stores have to go.

There are almost no sun beds - they are concentrated at the very end. But on this site do not grow trees, so you will need a beach umbrella. The cleanliness of the beach is maintained by the Mimosa restaurant and the residential complex, which is located nearby. But outside of them you can find garbage, including construction. Wild areas are suitable for people who want to be alone, despite the contamination of the sand.

Approximately half of the beach is intended only for walking - in this part the bottom and the shore are covered with huge stones and boulders, so swimming there is difficult. In this part there are almost no tourists. Ban Tai has a flaw - the bottom is covered with vegetation and small pebbles. So you need to go into the water very carefully. However, there is a place where the sand at the bottom is clean and soft - almost at the very end of the beach, next to the sandy platform and sun beds.

Choeng Mon Beach

Samui beach rating: 4.7

Another convenient family beach for people who come with children is about a kilometer long. Despite the size, there are always a lot of people here - in particularly “hot” days you will have to literally win back a place in the sun. The water is slightly muddy, and the sand has an unusual grayish tint. It looks more like dust, and when wet, it turns into a kind of porridge. The coast is shallow - for an adult person to swim normally, you will have to move about thirty meters from the edge of the water. After low tide, everything becomes even sadder - at a distance of 30-40 meters from the edge you can stand to the waist. But the children will be safe.

The bottom near the coast is covered with stones and corals. But there is a clean area between the hotels Imperial Boat and Sala Samui Resort - it is almost in the center of the beach. Very pleased with the number of sun beds and shade. You can easily rent a deck chair and table to it anywhere on the beach. And with high probability this place will be in the shade - there are a lot of palm trees and trees on Chong Monet. There is a wild area with jungles - almost no one there, so quiet and peaceful.

The infrastructure is rich in various massage parlors, shops, restaurants. There are kayak and motorbike rentals (where you can even drive along the beach along the tide line, the sand there is heavily tamped with waves). In a small distance from the beach you can also find laundries and a market.

Chaweng Beach

Samui beach rating: 4.6

Chaweng is the best beach for those who prefer night life to the night. He works around the clock, and at any time he always has something to entertain himself with. The coastline is about two kilometers. The beach is famous for the finest and lightest sand on the island of Koh Samui. It is very loose and loose. The sea on the beach has a pleasant azure color: this is exactly what you saw on advertising posters or pictures about a beautiful vacation. The bottom is flat - at a distance of 20 meters from the water's edge, an adult will stand in the water on the chest.It is perfectly clean - no large stones, corals, algae. So for the safety of the feet you can not worry.

Infrastructure deserves the highest praise. Chaweng is literally teeming with various restaurants, cafes, clubs, shops, bars and so on. There are aqua towns for children, and for adults - kayaks, boats, mattresses and jet skis. At night, there are dozens of places where you can drink, hang out, relax and chat. Therefore, we recommend Chaweng to anyone who does not like to sleep at night.

It is very noisy on the beach, and not only because of those who like to have a splash and rest. Geographically, Chaweng is located opposite the runway of Samui Airport. Therefore, you will often see airplanes, and they will be extremely loud. There are a lot of people too - be ready for the crowds in the high season.

Lamai (Lamai Beach)

Samui beach rating: 4.5

Another very popular beach of Samui. It is truly huge - the length of the coastline is about five kilometers. The beach is divided into three parts - the northern, southern and central. We can say that these are three separate beaches under the same name - they have different infrastructure, convenience, and so on. What do the three parts of the beach have in common? With the wind here it is dangerous - the waves are big, they can "lick" into the sea.

The central part of Lamai Beach is practically a small coastal town on the sand. For one kilometer there are dozens of different bars, shops, restaurants and much more. This is the most crowded and bustling beach of Samui, so it’s not a fact that you can find a place for a rug. The central part of Lamai has a rather steep bank, so watch out for the children! The depth increases quite sharply - after five meters from the edge of the water you lose the sand under your feet, so you should swim more carefully. But the entrance to the water is the purest - not a single litter or pebble.

North Lamai is more suitable for walking than for swimming. The sea is very shallow, which is convenient for families with children. But a lot of fishing boats and fishermen themselves. Swimming here is unrealistic - the bottom is very dirty, stony, a lot of coral. And if you go a little further, you can stumble upon a dangerous undercurrent. In general, we do not recommend visiting North Lamai.

The southern part of Lamai is half-abandoned - rare tourists get to the bottom, so you can even call it a wild beach. It has a yellowish sand. This part is not too well-groomed - there are a lot of stones, it is problematic to enter the water, there is rubbish. There are almost no trees, traders and infrastructure (except the hypermarket), too.

Bang Po (Bang Po Beach)

Beach rating (Samui): 4.4

The beach is quite long (about three kilometers), is located near Maenam and is notable for its uncrowded and not very pleasant view. But this does not mean that it is bad - a small number of tourists allows you to relax in peace. It will not suit you if you want to admire the crystal clear water and white sand.

Here the sea is slightly muddy, and the bottom is not sandy, but slightly muddy, there are corals and sharp stones - we don’t recommend walking into the water without slippers. It is gently sloping - to dive along the chest, it is necessary to move 10-15 meters away. The sand is coarse, yellow. The ideal time for swimming is in winter or until low tide, until the sea has gone from a sandy beach to a muddy one. But this beach is ideal if you like stony ridges or detached boulders - you can make a lot of photos if you get to the left side of the beach.

Around a lot of different hotels and resorts, so you can rent a house literally near the water. Also full of cafes and restaurants. You can sign up for a massage or rent a kayak. But the sun loungers are few, but you can get a rug under one of the many trees. But there are no beach entertainments like jet skis or bananas - you have to do without them.

Coral Cove (Coral Cove Beach)

Samui beach rating: 4.3

Coral Cove is located between the two most popular beaches of the island - Chaweng and Lamai. But getting there is not so easy - this wild beach lies between the rocks. But this does not prevent crowds of people from coming here every time, because he is really good and deserves the wasted strength. The coastline is short - only 176 meters. At one end there is a ridge of boulders, which hides a small stretch of beach from prying eyes - there you can really be alone. The beach is covered in red sand. Walking on it is not very pleasant - it is quite large and stabs your feet.

The water is clean, no silt and algae. The coast goes down very quickly - literally two meters from the edge, you already lose the sand under your feet. This makes the beach ideal for diving or snorkeling (unless, of course, you bring equipment with you). On windy days, high waves may rise, making the coast even more dangerous. Therefore, we warn you: do not let the children walk away from you and go inland if you know how to swim well.

Due to the size and inaccessibility of the beach, there is nothing to talk about infrastructure - there is almost none. No cafes, entertainment, rentals. There is not even a person to rent a lounger. But here come people who crave a wild holiday without ordinary tourists. Therefore, the territory is very clean and well-groomed - nobody shits here. Someone even set up a volleyball net on a few sticks dug into the sand. Also nearby you can find one small restaurant. The main benefits of civilization are no closer than the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai.

Bang Rak (Bang Rak Beach)

Samui beach rating: 4.2

Pretty narrow (about 15 meters) and long (up to three kilometers) beach. On the island there is a statue of Big Buddha. The beach is not perfect - it is divided into three parts, and each one with some drawbacks. The infrastructure abounds with everything except hypermarkets, so you can relax, drink and relax at any time.

For recreation, only the eastern part of Bang Rak is well suited. But it is also not perfect - the river is silty underwater, the water is a bit muddy. You can stumble on small and large stones, so that you need to enter the sea very carefully. But even here after the holiday of Loi Kratong it is better not to go out on the sand without shoes for at least a couple of days - thousands of pins will wait for tourists. It is worth waiting until they all find and take away.

The central part of Bang Rak is occupied by fishing piers and a market. There is a good sandy beach and a steep slope, but because of the fishermen you can not always relax. The western part can be called wild - there is a fine yellow sand, there are few tourists and there is almost no infrastructure. It is understandable - just a few meters passes the ring road, so being there is not very pleasant. Although if you do not have special requirements - you can try, the coast and the water there are the same as on eastern Bang Rak.

Lipa Noi Beach

Samui beach rating: 4.1

Another “wild and deserted” beach for those who are ready to neglect the conveniences of ordinary beaches like Maenam, Lamai or Chaweng. Unlike the miniature Coral Cove, Lipa Noi stretches nearly six kilometers along the bay and behind it. Another name for this beach is Tong Yang by the name of the bay. This place is the backyard of Koh Samui, so the infrastructure here is not very good - restaurants, several mini-markets, entertainment, and that's all.

Lipa Noah varies greatly throughout its length. In the central part of the beach there are many different hotels and restaurants, and the sand here is clean, without garbage. In the north, there is no one to look after the territory, so there is slightly dirtier there. Everything is much worse in the south of the beach, closer to the naval base of the island. The closer to it - the more marine and human debris you will meet. And who will agree to rest under the supervision of a machine gunner on the tower? The beach continues beyond the Naval Base, but there is even dirtier and more garbage. However, in the area of ​​the pier of Raja Ferri, you can relax, if you are not confused by the situation. But there definitely will not be many people.

In general, Lipa Noi is a shallow beach. Serious depth is only in the central, more well-groomed part. In other places, you will need to walk at least 50 meters in order to at least lift off your feet from the bottom. The sand on the beach itself is very fine, almost like flour. It strongly adheres to the body, especially wet. It hides a lot of shells and pebbles. And under the water there are stones larger, so it is worth being careful. There are a lot of shadows - the coast is literally overgrown with palm trees and trees.

Samrong Beach

Samui beach rating: 4.0

Small and not particularly remarkable little beach, hidden in the north of Koh Samui and enclosed between two rocks. Its length is only 230 meters. Samrong is owned by The Bay Samui Hotel, which maintains it in perfect cleanliness and order. Because of this, it is always uncrowded here - mainly the hotel guests and rare visitors who know that employees are obliged to let them to the water visit the beach area.

The sand has different sizes - small light mixed with large gold. It is very loose, so you need to walk carefully. The sand is well compressed along the surf line, which makes it possible not to be afraid to fall into the water when you try to enter it. Under the water, you will find a muddy bottom interspersed with corals and large boulders. The depth is small, for complete immersion will have to walk about 50-70 meters, which is problematic due to the abundance of corals.

Infrastructure is limited to the hotel, which manages the beach, rental of jet skis and kayaks, a volleyball net and a shop five hundred meters from the beach. Before everything else you need to go to the more lively areas of Koh Samui. On the territory there are sun loungers and umbrellas for them, but they can only be used by hotel guests. There is almost no natural shadow.

Thongson Beach

Samui beach rating: 4.0

And closes our rating of the best beaches of Samui is a small (only 500 meters) beach near the bay. It is as if divided in half - 250 meters are covered with stones and boulders: you can rest there if you choose a place and get settled. The next 250 meters is a classic sandy beach, where the main part of the rest is located.The territory of Tong Son is neat and tidy - this is done by the staff of nearby hotels. Garbage appears only closer to the western edge, where almost no one rests. The infrastructure is poor - shops are a few kilometers away, a massage parlor, kayak rental and a small restaurant. The only plus is that the beach is closer than the others from the airport; you can get there cheaply.

The sand on the beach Tong Son in size resembles flour. He sticks to the body easily and it is difficult to shake it off. Easier to go wash, it will be faster. Closer to the water's edge, the size of the grains of sand increases, seashells and small pebbles appear. Interestingly, in the canopy of a large tree on the beach there is a natural paddling pool for young children. It is small and does not have access to the sea that is easily accessible for a child, so you can not worry about the safety of the baby. It is relevant only at high tide - after a low tide only a shallow puddle of stones remains.

The beach to low tide is not too shallow - you need to move 30 meters to swim, not to touch the bottom with your feet. But after low tide you will need to go 150-200 meters to swim. If it works out - the farther into the sea, the greater the bottom is strewn with stones and corals. Behind a stone blockage to the right of the beach you can find a secret place - a few tens of meters of sand in a secluded place. But be prepared - there often come nudists.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.