#1
Lamai Beach
4.4 (3,746)·Lamai
Chaweng's calmer sibling, a long, clean beach with easy swimming and coconut shacks instead of five-star polish.
The 10 Best Beaches in Koh Samui, Ranked
Ten beaches, from Lamai, Silver Beach and Chaweng on the east coast to the quiet sunset beaches of the north and west.
10 placesAvg 4.4 on GoogleUpdated Oct 2026
- #2
Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)
4.2 (2,968)·Koh SamuiA small, boulder-framed cove between Chaweng and Lamai, the one everyone means by Samui's prettiest quick swim.
- #3
Chaweng Beach
4.3 (2,173)·ChawengSamui's main beach, about 7 km of fine white sand on the east coast with most of the island's hotels, beach clubs and nightlife right behind it.
Where to stay
Best Hotels in Koh Samui
My pick at each price level in Koh Samui, going by Google's hotel class. Hotels from my ranked list of the 10 best come first, then the best-reviewed. Each button opens the hotel on Booking.com with your dates filled in.
#1Luxury · 5-star
Explorar Koh Samui4.8 (2,489 reviews)
Stylish beachside resort in Mae Nam with infinity pool, gulf views, and highly rated service.
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#6Mid-range · 4-star
Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Villas4.7 (1,766 reviews)
Beachfront boutique resort on Koh Samui's quieter north coast, with villa-style rooms and attentive staff.
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- #4
Bo Phut Beach
4.3 (2,533)·Koh SamuiThe north-coast beach of Fisherman's Village, for sunset drinks and seafood with a view more than for a swim.
- #5
Maenam Beach
4.4 (671)·MaenamA long, quiet stretch of sand and palms on the north coast facing Koh Phangan, with calm dry-season water.
- #6
Choeng Mon Beach
4.5 (1,538)·Choeng MonWater so flat it looks like a lake, at the island's northeast tip, and the easy swimming beach for families.
- #7
Lipa Noi Beach
4.3 (735)·Lipa NoiA quiet, very shallow sunset beach on the west coast south of Nathon, with calm water and wide flats at low tide.
- #8
Bang Po Beach
4.5 (450)·Koh SamuiA long, quiet northwest-coast beach near Nathon with calm, shallow water, best at high tide, and a clear view of the sunset.
- #9
Coral Cove Beach
4.4 (1,821)·Koh SamuiA small rocky cove between Chaweng and Lamai with proper snorkeling, best before the 10am crowd arrives.
- #10
Taling Ngam Beach
4.5 (28)·Taling NgamThe southwest coast's long, quiet village beach, with shallow water, fishing boats and sunsets out to the Five Islands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Koh Samui?
Lamai is the best all-rounder, a long clean beach with easy swimming and a calmer feel than Chaweng. Chaweng is the longest and busiest, and Silver Beach between the two is the prettiest small cove on the island.
What is the best beach in Koh Samui for swimming?
Lamai and Choeng Mon are the easy swimming beaches, and Choeng Mon's water is so flat it looks like a lake. Silver Beach and Coral Cove are best for a swim with some snorkeling. Bo Phut is the place for dinner at Fisherman's Village rather than for a swim.
Which Koh Samui beach is best for families?
Choeng Mon, Maenam and Bang Po on the north coast are calm and quiet, with very little surf, though Bang Po is shallow and best at high tide. Lamai also works for families who want restaurants and shops close by.
Where can I watch the sunset on Koh Samui?
The west and southwest coasts. Lipa Noi has calm water and wide sunset views, and Taling Ngam looks out to the Five Islands. Bo Phut on the north coast is the sunset spot with restaurants.
When is the best time for Koh Samui's beaches?
Samui's wet season runs from October to December, with November the wettest month. The best beach weather is from about February to September, which is the reverse of Phuket and the Andaman coast.
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