10 Best Beaches
on Koh Samui 2026

Koh Samui has beaches on every coast — and they are very different from each other. Here is an honest guide to ten of the best: what each one is like and who it suits, including the two beaches where we teach kitesurfing.

1. Lamai — Our December–April Kite Spot

Lamai is the second-largest beach on Koh Samui, on the east coast — about 4 km of sand with a relaxed village behind it. At its southern end are the famous Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks, one of the island's best-known sights.

From December to April, Lamai is where Kite Club Koh Samui runs kitesurfing, wing foil, windsurfing, e-foil, kayak and SUP. The beach faces the northeast monsoon, which typically brings 12–20 knots, most consistently from January to March. The village has restaurants, bars and accommodation for every budget, and Samui Airport is about 30 minutes away by car.

Best for: Kitesurfing and water sports (Dec–Apr), a longer stay with everything nearby, a more relaxed alternative to Chaweng.

2. Nathon — Our May–October Kite Spot

Nathon is the island's administrative town on the west coast and the site of the main ferry pier, where ferries arrive from Donsak / Surat Thani. The beach next to the town is not a postcard resort beach, but it has a genuine local atmosphere, a waterfront with Thai restaurants and markets, and sunsets over the sea.

From May to October, when the southwest monsoon brings wind to the west coast, the whole Kite Club school moves to Nathon Beach. Typical wind is 10–18 knots, more variable than the Lamai season, with afternoons usually best.

Best for: Kitesurfing and water sports (May–Oct), local Thai town life, sunsets. Access: about 40 min by car from the airport, 30–40 min from Lamai.

3. Chaweng — Busiest & Liveliest

Chaweng is Koh Samui's longest and busiest beach, on the east coast — soft white sand, clear water and a long line of resorts, restaurants and beach clubs. The area behind the beach is the centre of the island's nightlife and shopping. The northern end is generally quieter than the central stretch.

Best for: Nightlife, restaurants, a lively resort atmosphere.

4. Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) — Small & Scenic

Silver Beach, also called Crystal Bay (Thong Takhian), is a small cove between Chaweng and Lamai, framed by granite boulders. It is one of the most photogenic spots on the island, with clear water around the rocks that is nice for a snorkel. It can get busy in the middle of the day, so go early.

Best for: Swimming, snorkelling around the rocks, photos.

5. Choeng Mon — Sheltered Northeast Bay

Choeng Mon is a sheltered, crescent-shaped bay in the northeast corner of Samui, not far from the Big Buddha. It is quieter than Chaweng yet close to it, with several resorts along the sand and a calm, family-friendly atmosphere.

Best for: Families, a quiet swim, easy access to Chaweng and the Big Buddha.

6. Bophut — Fisherman's Village

Bophut on the north coast is best known for Fisherman's Village — old wooden shophouses turned into restaurants, bars and boutiques, with a weekly walking-street market. The beach itself is quieter than the east coast; the village is the real draw, especially in the evening.

Best for: Dinner by the sea, evening markets, a charming base on the north coast.

7. Maenam — Long & Quiet

Maenam is a long, quiet beach on the north coast, with views across the water to neighbouring Koh Phangan. It has a mix of simple bungalows and resorts, and a more laid-back feel than Chaweng or Lamai — popular with families and visitors on longer stays.

Best for: Quiet beach days, families, longer stays.

8. Bang Po — Local & Low-Key

Bang Po, on the northwest coast, is one of the island's more local, low-key beaches — a few small resorts and seafood restaurants, and very little development. A good stop for lunch on a scooter trip around the island.

Best for: Peace and quiet, local seafood, a road-trip lunch stop.

9. Lipa Noi — Calm West Coast

Lipa Noi is a calm beach on the west coast, south of Nathon. It is quiet, uncrowded and faces the sunset, with a handful of resorts and restaurants along the sand. A good choice if you want a slower pace away from the busy east coast.

Best for: Sunsets, families, a quiet stay.

10. Taling Ngam — Secluded Sunsets

Taling Ngam, in the southwest of the island, is one of Samui's most secluded areas — a quiet stretch of coast with views of the small islands offshore and some of the best sunsets on the island. Very little nightlife; this is a place to switch off.

Best for: Seclusion, sunsets, a peaceful retreat.

Quick Reference: Best Beaches by Activity

FAQ

Finding Your Perfect Beach on Koh Samui

Koh Samui's best beaches are as varied as its visitors. The east coast — Chaweng and Lamai — is the liveliest, with the most restaurants, bars and accommodation. The north coast around Bophut, Maenam and Choeng Mon is calmer and popular with families. The west and southwest coasts, from Nathon and Lipa Noi to Taling Ngam, are the quietest and the best for sunsets. With a scooter, car or taxi you can easily see two or three different beaches in a day.

For water sports, the season decides the beach. From December to April the northeast monsoon reaches the east coast and Kite Club Koh Samui teaches at Lamai Beach; from May to October the southwest monsoon reaches the west coast and the school moves to Nathon Beach. On no-wind days, e-foil, kayak and SUP run from the same spot, and the rest of the island's beaches are there to explore.

Water Sports Access from Each Beach

If you want to combine beach time with kite or wing foil sessions, the easiest plan is to stay near the spot that matches your dates — Lamai for December–April, Nathon for May–October — and explore the other beaches on rest days or after your session. Lamai and Chaweng are close to each other on the east coast; Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam are within reach of Nathon on the west coast. Contact Kite Club Koh Samui via WhatsApp at +66 99 312 9042 for current recommendations during your visit.