With over 50km of coastline and some of the finest white sands, theres no shortage of beautiful beaches in Koh Samui Thailand. Although it is known as one of the best islands in Asia, the most popular beaches do differ, so I’ve asked my fellow travel bloggers to give me their recommendations for the best Koh Samui beach. Check out the following list to ensure you pick the right beach in Koh Samui for you.
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Best Koh Samui Beaches Map
Best for Sunsets – Lipa Noi Koh Samui
This remote beach has golden sands and clear waters that are perfect for swimming in, however Lipa Noi beach is best known for its amazing sunsets.
Spanning 3 kilometres of white sandy beaches, Lipa Noi is great for families as the water doesn’t have any big rocks or coral.
There are several beachfront resorts but Anahata Resort is my number choice as it offers oceanfront yoga classes which are perfect for enjoying golden hour.
Recommended by: Roshni from The Wanderlust Within
Best for Sunbathing – Lamai Beach Koh Samui
Lamai Beach is Samui’s second largest beach resort area after Chaweng (only 10 minutes away).
It is a lot quieter but there is still plenty of accommodation and dining options, including Lamai Bay View Resort.
Lamai beach is 4km long and is a palm lined crescent, filled with powdery white sand, making it great for walks or runs along the beach.
The beach in Lamai Koh Samui is also best for sunbathing as the water is very shallow so swimming or snorkelling here isn’t an option.
The most famous tourist attraction on Lamai beach is the Grandfather and Grandmother Rock (Hin Ta and Hin Yai), which is found on the southern side of the beach.
These unusually shaped rock formations, are often visited on day tours of Koh Samui.
Recommended by: Roshni from The Wanderlust Within
Best for Swimming – Silver Beach Koh Samui (Crystal Bay)
Silver Beach or Crystal Bay as it is often known as, is located on the east side of Koh Samui island, and just 13 minutes walk from Lamai beach.
It is a 250 metre long stretch of paradise set in a charming bay.
The beach has 4 long-established hotels along its stretch, including Thongtakian Resort.
However you don’t need to be staying at any of these resorts to experience this tranquil beach and the sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling opportunities there.
It’s also possible to hire kayaks for a small fee, or head to the Easy Divers dive centre to do try dives or PADI courses.
Silver beach is probably the most picturesque beach in Koh Samui, due to the unique boulders and calm crystal clear waters.
Best Secret Beach – Taling Ngam Koh Samui
If you’re looking for a picture perfect beach in Koh Samui then a trip to stunning Taling Ngam is the one for you.
You’ll be greeted by scenes that come straight from a travel brochure, glistening golden sand, deserted stretches of coastline and seas covering the whole spectrum of blue.
Lining the beach are towering palm trees, many holding wooden swings or hammocks.
This is not one to visit for organised water sports, busy beach bars or night markets, the vibe at Taling Ngam beach is relaxed and the lack of activities adds to its charm.
Being located on the west of the island, Taling Ngam has so far avoided much of the recent development on Koh Samui.
A handful of luxury hotels and high end villas remain hidden away giving the area an authentic Thai feel.
Taling Ngam is one of the best places on Koh Samui for snorkelling.
The untouched yet fragile reef is home to all types of sea creatures and you won’t have to swim out far to see it.
You’ll find a few relaxed beach bars and restaurants dotted along the sand serving local dishes and tasty cocktails.
The best place to stay in Taling Ngam is at the luxury Intercontinental Koh Samui.
The landscaped pool looks out to the turquoise sea and the seating area located on the sand is the perfect place to enjoy the nightly sunset.
Recommended by: Karen from Are We There Yet Kids
Best for Avoiding the Crowds – Koh Samui Chaweng Noi Beach
Located at the southern end of Chaweng Beach, Chaweng Noi is one of the most romantic places in Thailand.
Chaweng Beach is divided into four parts: Chaweng Noi, South Chaweng, North Chaweng, and Central Chaweng.
The set of four beaches is around 7 Kms/4.4 miles long.
The separation makes it a cleaner, and less noisy beach which is perfect for swimming and relaxing.
There are a few resorts, local spas, and restaurants as well as water sports activities, but the best thing is that the beach is not crowded like other parts of Chaweng.
If you’re looking for a relaxing setting with a line of coconut trees beside the beach with soft white sand and turquoise blue water in a serene atmosphere, Chaweng Noi is the best beach on Koh Samui for you.
Couples and families especially love this beach as it is far away from loud music, busy crowds, and prying eyes.
On top of that, the shallow water is perfect for families with young children.
Chaweng Noi also offers watersports like banana boat riding, wakeboarding, and jet skiing.
OZO Chaweng Samui is a great beachfront resort which is located at the heart of Chaweng. The resort offers all modern amenities and features an outdoor pool and fitness center.
Recommended by: Trijit Mallick from Budget Travel Buff
Best for Families – Bophut Beach Koh Samui
Bophut Beach on the Northern tip of Koh Samui is undoubtedly one of the best beaches on the island.
Home to soft golden sand and shallow turquoise water this beach is popular with all ages.
The vibe is more relaxed than other beaches on Koh Samui but there are still plenty of activities to keep you busy for a full day.
Bophut is the ideal beach to visit with kids as the water is shallow and waves gentle making it perfect for a paddle. You can also hire paddle boards and inflatables if you fancy being a bit more active.
Bophut beach is lined with bars and restaurants with bean bags spilling out onto the sand.
Be sure to stay to watch the sunset and order a cocktail at Coco Tams. The nightly fire shows are worth the visit alone.
Once you’ve had your fill of the sand, wander the traditional streets of the neighbouring Fisherman’s Village and purchase some souvenirs at one of the many boutique shops.
This is home to one of the most popular night markets on Koh Samui which sees the area spring to life every Friday night.
For somewhere to stay near Bophut Beach, book the luxury Anantara Bophut. A stunning hotel which backs straight on to the beach. With a fabulous kids club, landscaped pools and organised beach activities.
Recommended by: Karen from Are We There Yet Kids
Best for Couples – Maenam Beach Koh Samui
One of the most amazing beaches in Thailand is definitely Maenam Beach on Koh Samui. On a visit you will find a true paradise beach, as beautiful and unique as a postcard.
This dream beach is located in the north of the island, overlooking the holiday island of Koh Phangan.
The beach is popular with families with children, but also couples and friends will find their personal vacation happiness here.
The sand is wonderfully soft, the sea water is warm and clear and the tall palm trees conjure up a spectacular tropical backdrop.
Nearby there are some really great sights, such as the Big Buddha Temple, which is only 10 kilometres away.
Another reason to visit Maenam Beach is the beautiful accommodations. W Koh Samui on the eastern beach section is villas with private pools, making them extra special.
Recommended by: Martina from Places of Juma
Best for Watersports – Choeng Mon Koh Samui
Choeng Mon is one of the smaller, more hidden beaches in Koh Samui.
This makes it perfect for couples or tourists looking for peace and quiet, families wanting to avoid the party scene, and travellers seeking beautiful Thailand nature.
Choeng Mon Beach, however, isn’t so far away from everything that you feel like you’re out in the wilderness.
In fact, Choeng Mon has many nice resorts and hotels — like SALA Samui Choengmon for luxury travelers, PS Thana Resort for lower budgets, and the Monkey Samui Hostel for backpackers.
As far as things to do in Choeng Mon, it’s actually quite popular for diving and snorkelling.
You can get your PADI dive certification here, or just strap on a mask and snorkel to check out the healthy coral reefs nearby.
At the northern end of Choeng Mon Beach, check out the Ko Fan Noi and Ko Fan Yai Islets.
During high tide, you’ll have to get a rental kayak, but during low tide, you can often walk right out to Ko Fan Noi.
After a day of exploring, the beachfront Choeng Mon restaurants will be calling your name!
Enjoy a nice mix of Thai favourites and international cuisine while you watch the sunset at the end of a beautiful day in Choeng Mon.
Recommended by: Shelley from Travel Mexico Solo
Best Hidden Gem – Ban Tai Beach
Ban Tai Beach is located on the northern coast of Koh Samui and is the perfect spot for families as it has very shallow, calm water!
Most families prefer the western most part of the beach as it is a free, public area with pristine white sand and clear waters as far as the eye can see.
The central part is privatised by a handful of hotels with sun beds for rent.
This is also where you can rent kayaks if you want to get out on the water and try a new sport but apart from this, you won’t find any shops or loud bars. If you want to stay right on the beach here, Mimosa Resort & Spa is a great option.
Lined with picturesque palm trees, white sand and even grassy areas to lounge, Ban Tai beach is a hidden gem for those of you who want to stray away from the typical touristy attractions or simply need a break after being bombarded with all the busy things to do in Koh Phangan.
The easternmost part of the beach even ends in a picturesque state park should you want a little walk after lounging in the sun all day. What more could you ask for?
Recommended by: Yulia from Miss Tourist
That’s 9 of the Best Beaches in Koh Samui Thailand
That’s the end of this list of recommendations, so I hope you’ve managed to find the best beach in Koh Samui for you.
I’d love to know which one is your favourite, and if I’ve missed any awesome Koh Samui Thailand beaches then please let me know in the comments below.
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