Ban Tai Beach

Ban Tai is a quiet stretch on Koh Samui's north coast, about 1 km of fine white sand between Bang Po to the west and Maenam to the east, with a small rocky cape between it and Maenam. It's not the Ban Tai on Koh Phangan's south coast, which shares the name and much of the search traffic. This one has no nightlife to speak of, which is exactly why families and long-stayers pick it.

The water is shallow and calm on still days. At low tide the sea pulls back 10 to 12 meters and an adult walks about 30 meters out to reach waist depth, so it suits small children better than anyone after a proper swim. The beach comes in two halves. One is mostly rocks and boulders, better for a walk, and the other is the sandy, busier half with the cafés and resorts. There are stones and weed at some entry points, so look for a clean sandy patch to wade in.

It faces north, so you get the sunsets the east-coast beaches miss, and late afternoon is the best time on the sand. Sunbeds are only at the far end where the beach widens, and the palms give shade. Ban Tai is in the Mae Nam district, and the places to stay are small and quiet, Napasai, Cape Beach Villas and Moorea Boutique Resort among them, all within about 500 meters. Maenam village, with Lomprayah's pier for the Koh Phangan and Koh Tao boats and the Thursday walking street, is a few minutes east.

The seasons follow the rest of Samui. February to April are the driest months, and October to December bring the heaviest rain, about 445 mm in November, with stronger waves on this coast too. There's no entrance fee, and there's a 7-Eleven and scooter rental at the turn off the ring road.