The Best Beaches in Koh Samui for Swimming

The beaches of Koh Samui are distinguished by their azure waters, picturesque tropical vegetation, and the lack of mass tourism in the coastal area. Due to the special location of the island, many beaches are characterized by long tides. However, they do not become an obstacle to a full-fledged coastal holiday.

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach is one of the most developed resort areas on Koh Samui. Located on the southeast part of the island, it stretches for 6 km. Chaweng is covered in fine golden sand, with numerous restaurants, bars, and premium hotels lining the shore. It is suitable for swimming with young children due to its shallow waters and gentle slope. Nearby are the Wat Sawang Arom Buddhist temple and the Khao Hua Jook pagoda.

Bo Phut Beach

Bo Phut Beach is situated on the northern part of Koh Samui, near the international airport. It is one of the least crowded beaches on the island, offering scenic views of Koh Phangan. Being only 5 minutes away from a fishing village, this spot is quite popular among tourists. Along the beach, there are restaurants serving local and European cuisine, as well as cafés and shops.

Lamai Beach

Located on the southeast coast of Koh Samui, Lamai stretches over 4 km. According to tourists, it is one of the best beaches on the island: clear, transparent sea, a scenic bay surrounded by rocks and palms, and a developed promenade with restaurants and local boutiques. Nearby are a market, the Lamai Buddhist temple, and an observation deck.

Lipa Noi Beach

Lipa Noi Beach is on the western part of Koh Samui, offering the best sunsets on the island. It is considered a wild, secluded beach due to its distance from the main tourist centres. The beach stretches for about 4 km, with fine, beautiful shells dotting the sandy shores, and a palm grove providing shade throughout the day. Nearby are the Hin Lad waterfall and Samui’s cultural centre.

Maenam Beach

Maenam, on the northern side of Koh Samui, is regarded as one of the most beautiful and convenient beaches due to its length (5 km), calm waters, gentle slope, and fine golden sand. It also has the advantage of deepening quickly, making it ideal for swimming a few meters from the shore. Unlike other beaches, Maenam has no noisy nightlife, bars, or restaurants. The beachfront is home to elite hotels, and long-term rentals, supermarkets, and small markets can be found nearby.

Chaweng Noi Beach

Located in the southeast part of the island, Chaweng Noi is famous for its stunning sunrises. This small beach is close to luxurious hotels. Along the promenade, there are numerous massage salons, and nearby is the Lad Koh viewpoint. At the far end of Chaweng Noi, there is a small coral reef, which is great for diving.

Crystal Bay Beach

Situated in the southeast of Koh Samui, this beach is known for its picturesque boulders, white sand, and palm groves. Despite its small length (300 m), Crystal Bay Beach is quite crowded throughout the year. Small local restaurants can be found nearby.

Bang Po Beach

Bang Po Beach, stretching over 3 km, is located in the north of Koh Samui and is ideal for families with small children due to its gentle, long entry into the water. The beach’s infrastructure is underdeveloped, with only a few bars and local supermarkets. In the afternoon, the tide goes out, revealing patches of silt on the seafloor, and there is a nearby coral reef.

Ban Tai Beach

A scenic, small beach with palm groves and fine golden sand, located in the north of Koh Samui, between Bang Po and Maenam. Ban Tai is suitable for family holidays due to its gentle entry into the water. Parts of the seabed are covered with seaweed and silt, but there are comfortable spots for entering the water. Several hotels, bars, and restaurants surround the beach.

Choeng Mon Beach

This small beach is on the eastern part of the island, just 10 minutes from Koh Samui International Airport. Choeng Mon boasts a well-developed infrastructure: along the coast, you can rent sun loungers, jet skis, and kayaks. There are also numerous restaurants, massage salons, and supermarkets nearby, making it a great choice for families with children.

Thongson Bay Beach

A tiny, lesser-known beach located north of Choeng Mon, Thongson Bay is characterized by crystal-clear waters, white sand, and almost no tourists. The surrounding area has a few restaurants and kayak rentals.

Nathon Beach

A large beach on the western coast of Koh Samui. Near Nathon, there is a Buddhist temple and a government hospital. As the beach is part of the Nathon settlement, it is not the most tranquil spot, but it is always kept clean. Boats and catamarans are moored along the entire stretch, and a small market can be found on the promenade. The waters here are not suitable for swimming.

Bangrak Beach

Located on the northeastern side of Koh Samui, just 5 minutes from the international airport, this beach is known for the popular photos taken with planes flying overhead. It is also close to one of the island’s main attractions, the Big Buddha statue. The central part of the beach is the best for swimming, thanks to the quick depth increase, while the western and eastern parts have sea floors covered with coral debris and sharp shells. The beach is popular for its «Beach club» format.

Na Thien Beach

Na Thien is situated in the southern part of the island, away from popular tourist routes, making it one of Koh Samui’s most secluded beaches. Na Thien is not suitable for swimming due to shallow waters and sharp shell fragments on the seabed, but it is one of the most beautiful spots for watching the sunrise.

The best beaches in Koh Samui for kids

For families with children, the best beaches are Chaweng, Lamai, Lipa Noi, Bang Po, Ban Tai, Maenam, and Choeng Mon. These beaches share features like a gentle, long entry into the water, soft sand covering the seabed, and natural palm shade.

Author: Polina Fedotova