Bang Po Beach
A long, quiet beach on Samui's northwest coast near Nathon, with calm, shallow water that's best at high tide and a clear view of the sunset.
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Best rated within 1.6 km
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Finding your way around Bang Po Beach
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Getting there and around
- Bang Po is on Samui's northwest coast, between Maenam and Nathon, and the ring road runs just behind the beach.
- Nathon and its ferry pier are about 10 minutes by car (roughly 6 km). Seatran's car ferries and Lomprayah's catamaran from Donsak land there.
- Maenam is about 10 minutes east by car, and Samui Airport about 30 minutes (roughly 18 km).
- The viewpoint pavilion on the ring-road pass west of the beach looks over Bang Po, Thong Plu bay and Koh Phangan, and is a popular sunset stop.
Tours that include Bang Po Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Bang Po Beach.
Why go, and how to do it well
Bang Po, also spelled Bang Por, is the long, quiet beach on Koh Samui's northwest coast, between Maenam to the east and the port town of Nathon to the west. It runs for three to four kilometers from Ban Tai to the small rocky headland at Laem Noi and faces north across the water to Koh Phangan. Palms grow down to the sand, and the frontage is private villas, small resorts and Thai seafood restaurants. There are no jet skis, no lounger rental stands and no bar strip, which is the whole point of coming here instead of Chaweng or Lamai.
Can you swim here? Yes, but time it with the tide. At high tide the water is calm and warm, good for floating and wading, and waves are rare outside stormy weather. At low tide the sea pulls back over a hard, stony flat with patches of coral, and you can walk 50 meters or more before the water reaches your waist. The sand is coarse in places and there are rocks underfoot, so I'd bring reef shoes and treat Bang Po as a beach for wading and walking rather than laps.
Because it faces open sea on the west side of the island, Bang Po is one of Samui's better sunset beaches. The restaurants on the sand are where people watch it, and the viewpoint pavilion on the ring-road pass to the west looks back over Bang Po, Thong Plu bay and Koh Phangan. The beachfront chairs mostly belong to those restaurants and resorts, and ordering lunch or a drink is usually how you get one.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Tours that include Bang Po Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Bang Po Beach.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Bang Po Beach, round out your day in Koh Samui with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
This beach is good for families, there are not big waves and the sand is nice. However, most of the restaurants and resorts took over the beach in most parts, but you can use their beach chairs for free if you order something. We went further up nearly 2km and the beach was nicer here. More shade from the trees and quieter. The sand is coarse but the beach was wider. If you're around consider stopping for lunch at Pad Thai , very local restaurant with cheap delicious food.
This a really lovely beach, the sand is soft and the sea is warm. We had a nice stroll up and down looking at all the restaurants and private villas. It wasn’t very busy at all, just a scattering of people, but overall it was pretty empty!
💚 Take a stroll along the beach until you can stroll no more. With the sand in your toes and the sea at your feet. Take a load off, sit for a while and simpley take it all in. 💚 ✌️ Off season visit. 🏆
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 450 reviews on Google.
Bang Po Beach, Ban Bang Po, Mae Nam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore beaches nearby
All within 3.6 km of Bang Po Beach.
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Tips for Visiting Beaches
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. A sunrise walk is the best hour of the day on the sand, and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Bang Po Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bang Po Beach?
On Koh Samui's northwest coast, between Maenam to the east and Nathon to the west. It runs for three to four kilometers from Ban Tai to the rocky headland at Laem Noi and faces north toward Koh Phangan.
Can you swim at Bang Po Beach?
Yes, at high tide, when the water is calm and deep enough to float. At low tide the sea pulls back over a stony flat with coral patches and you can walk 50 meters or more before it reaches your waist. Wear reef shoes and don't swim far out, because there are rocks and reef under the surface.
Is Bang Po Beach nice?
For a quiet beach, yes. It is long, lined with palms, villas and seafood restaurants, with no jet skis or bar strip, and it is one of the better sunset beaches on Samui. The sand is coarse in places and the water is shallow, so if swimming is the priority, Chaweng or Lamai suit better.
Is Bang Po the same as Bang Por?
Yes. Bang Po and Bang Por are two spellings of the same beach and village (Ban Bang Po) in Mae Nam subdistrict.
How far is Bang Po Beach from Samui Airport and Nathon?
About 30 minutes by car from Samui Airport (roughly 18 km), and about 10 minutes from Nathon pier (roughly 6 km). Maenam is about 10 minutes east.
Which months should I avoid for Bang Po Beach?
October to December are Samui's wettest months, with November the peak at about 445 mm of rain. February to April are the driest.
Is Bang Po Beach worth visiting?
Bang Po Beach holds a 4.5★ rating from 450 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated beaches in Koh Samui.
When is the best time to visit Bang Po Beach?
The best months to visit Koh Samui are January – September, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in July – August & December — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon).
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