Koh Samet
Koh Samet is a small, colorful island in the Gulf of Thailand, popular with daytrippers, budget backpackers and families. From Bangkok it’s about a 3–3.5 hour drive to Ban Phe, then a ferry or speedboat takes 15–30 minutes to Nadan Pier. The island is known for white sandy beaches, clear water and short distances between bays — perfect for beach hopping. The best time to visit is November–March when it’s dry and sunny;
Beaches
Koh Samet has a beach for every taste: from the busy Hat Sai Kaew with beach clubs and fire shows to the small, quiet bay of Ao Nuan. Ao Phrao is great for snorkeling and staying for the sunset. Between those extremes you’ll find Ao Phai, Ao Tubtim and Ao Wong Duean, offering a mix of friendly beach bars, solid hotels and useful facilities. On the beach pages below you’ll find practical tips, how to get there and our favourite local hotspots per beach.
Ao Chor
Ao Chor
Ao Lung Dum on Koh Samet, Thailand is a relaxed backpacker beach with a social, unpolished vibe. It has simple beach bars and clear blue water. Tucked in the island’s south, it� […]
Ao Phai Beach
Ao Phrao Beach
Ao Phrao on Koh Samet offers clear water, a peaceful, upscale atmosphere, and stunning sunsets. Snorkel around the rocks, lounge on a sunbed, or sip a drink at a snug beach bar — […]
Ao Phai Beach
Ao Phai
Ao Phai is a small bay on Koh Samet. The beach is lined with greenery, with clear water and a few rocks. Bars, restaurants, fire shows and sunbed rentals make it a lively base for […]
Koh Samet
Beaches Koh Samet
Thinking of visiting Koh Samet’s beaches? This small island is a quick escape from Pattaya or Bangkok, with clear water, soft sand, and a relaxed vibe. We explored the island and […]
Koh Samet
Hat Sai Kaew
Hat Sai Kaew Beach is Koh Samet’s most popular beach. It has wide, soft white sand, calm swimming water, and many beach bars. In the evenings, restaurants, fire shows, and waterf […]
Koh Samet
Ao Nuan Beach
Ao Nuan is a small, sheltered bay on Koh Samet with white sand, clear water, and shade from trees. It’s great for swimming and relaxing.
Accommodations
Koh Samet has places to sleep for every budget, from simple bungalows to refined resorts. Along popular beaches like Hat Sai Kaew and Ao Phrao you’ll find mainly mid‑range hotels and a few luxury resorts with pools and restaurants. If you want cheaper stays, look at Ao Lung Dum or parts of Ao Tubtim, where simple bungalows and guesthouses are common. There are also small guesthouses and beach bungalows right on the sand — handy if you want to be close to restaurants and bars. Book early in high season.
Koh Samet
Samed Tubtim Resort
Beautiful wooden bungalows on stilts in a peaceful, green setting, with balconies overlooking the beautiful Tubtim Beach and the sea. Friendly service and a good breakfast buffet. The front bungalows are the nicest.
Ao Phutsa (Ao Tubtim)
Sky Cottage
Basic but clean hotel, friendly staff and a good breakfast. Rooms with a balcony or terrace, close to quiet beaches such as Tubtim Beach, Ao Phai and Ao Nuan (Pashat/Tubtim nearby). Perfect for those seeking peace and for families — simple comfort and good value for money.
Koh Samet
Sai Kaew Beach Resort
Sai Kaew Beach Resort is ideal for beach lovers who want restaurants and bars nearby. Rooms are clean and spacious with fresh linens, ample storage, and comfortable beds. The well-maintained pool is perfect for a dip after the beach or relaxing with a drink.
Ao Phai Beach
Samed Villa Resort
Directly on Ao Phai Beach, with clean, spacious rooms (some with sea views), comfortable beds and an extensive breakfast buffet. Friendly and helpful staff, spotless rooms, delicious food and a green, peaceful setting.
Koh Samet
Kerala Coco Resort
Resort on a beautiful beachfront with spacious rooms and stunning views. Friendly, helpful staff ensure a welcoming, worry-free stay.
Koh Samet
Nong Nuey Rooms
Perfect location on Sai Kaew Beach: clean, simple rooms, friendly & helpful staff, cozy beach bar and right on the soft sand. Great for couples and beach lovers; interiors sometimes a bit dated but good value for money. Scooter rentals and watersports available.
See & Do
Koh Samet Koh Samet is small but has plenty to fill a few days. Most visitors relax on the beaches: swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling around Ao Phrao. Take a short coastal walk — for example from Hat Sai Kaew to Ao Hin Khok — for great views and the mermaid statue photo spot. Rent a scooter to hop between beaches or use the songthaew if you’d rather not drive. In the evenings Hat Sai Kaew comes alive with beach bars, live music and fire shows. For more active options you can book a boat tour around the island, rent a kayak along the coast or arrange a short scuba trip. Don’t miss the sunset at Ao Phrao — it’s one of the best on the island.
Koh Samet
Eat & Drink
Food and drinks on Koh Samet are simple, fresh and all about the sea. Think grilled seafood straight off the boat, spicy som tam salads and chilled beers on the sand. Beach restaurants serve reliable Thai classics — pad thai, green curry and seafood platters — but the real joy is eating with your toes in the sand as the sun goes down.
Koh Samet
Eat & Drink Koh Samet
Koh Samet is known for its relaxed beach vibe, and food and drink play a big part. From casual beach bars to seaside restaurants, there are many great places to eat and drink. In t […]
Transportation
How to get to Koh Samet
Take a bus, minivan or private transfer from Bangkok to Ban Phe (about 3–3.5 hours). Minivans are the easiest option — they drop you at the pier. From Ban Phe catch the public ferry (≈30 min) or a speedboat (≈15–20 min) to Nadan Pier. Ferries are cheaper; speedboats are faster.
Note: there’s a park/entrance fee on Koh Samet (paid at the pier) — 200 THB per foreign adult. Bring cash for that and for boat tickets.
At Ban Phe you can buy tickets at the pier or book online in high season (Nov–Mar). From Nadan Pier you can walk to nearby beaches, hop on a songthaew, or rent a scooter if you want to explore more.
Riding a scooter on Koh Samet
Renting a scooter is the quickest way to get around Koh Samet; expect to pay a few hundred baht a day. When you pick one up, check the brakes, lights and tyres, and especially the suspension. There are many speed bumps on the roads and poor suspension makes the ride rough — it will quickly become sore on your back and seat. Watch out for bumps at night: they can be hard to see. There aren’t many steep roads on the island and the roads are in good condition.
Songthaew / Taxi Koh Samet
Songthaews are shared pickup trucks that run between Nadan Pier and the main beaches for a small fare. They are handy if you have luggage or don’t want to drive. On busy days short boat taxis also run between beaches — a quick way to hop around without a scooter.