Best Beaches in Koh Samui: Most Iconic to Hidden Gems

With its crystal clear waters and powdery white-sand beaches, it's little surprise Koh Samui is one of the top destinations in Thailand, attracting travellers from all around the world. The best beaches in Koh Samui range from lively, well-known favourites like Chaweng and Bophut Beach to secluded hidden gems like Coral Cove and Silver Beach.

Whether you're visiting for the first time or you're a wellness traveller looking for a quiet escape, there's a beach here to match your travel style. This is your guide to eight of the best beaches in Koh Samui, from the most famous to its hidden gems.

• For first-time visitors: Chaweng Beach
• For couples: Bophut Beach
• For budget travellers: Maenam Beach
• For luxury and privacy: Banyan Tree Samui's private beach
• For families: Choeng Mon Beach
• For sunsets: Lipa Noi Beach
• For snorkelling: Coral Cove
• For photography: Silver Beach (Thong Takhian)

Best for: First-time visitors and lively beach days

Chaweng Beach is one of the best beaches in Koh Samui for first-time visitors. Running for around seven kilometres down the island's east coast, this wide curve of fine white sand is backed by a busy beach road of restaurants, bars, and beach clubs. The beach also changes character along its length.

North Chaweng is the quietest, where an offshore reef keeps the water calm and safe for families. Central Chaweng is the liveliest, home to the island's busiest nightlife and water sports, while South Chaweng, or Chaweng Noi, is a calmer, more upmarket bay with some of the clearest water on the beach.

Essential information

• Location: East coast Koh Samui
• Best time to visit: January to September for calmest seas and most reliable swimming conditions
• Getting there: Around a 15-minute drive from Samui International Airport

Best for: Couples and a relaxed local atmosphere

On the island's north coast, Bophut Beach offers a gentler alternative to Chaweng while keeping you close to plenty of dining and shopping. The beach is quiet, with soft sand, shallow water, and views across to Koh Phangan, making it a favourite with couples.

It's also close to the Fisherman's Village night market, a restored old-town quarter of wooden shophouses, boutiques, and waterfront restaurants just behind the sand. Time your visit for the evening, when the village comes alive and the sunset lights up the bay.

Essential information

• Location: North coast Koh Samui
• Best time to visit: December to September for best sunset views.
• Getting there: Around a 10-minute drive from Samui International Airport

Best for: Budget-friendly long stays and sunset walks

Another of Koh Samui's Northern coast, Maenam Beach has a quiet charm that feels a world away from the busier east coast. It's easy to find a private spot to spread out and relax, as there are fewer large resorts and crowds. It also has made it a long-standing favourite with backpackers with surrounding affordable accommodation. The seven-kilometre beach, ranging from fairly coarse to soft sand, is made for a slow walk along the shoreline as the sun goes down.

Essential information

• Location: Mae Nam, north coast Koh Samui
• Best time to visit: December to September for beach walks and swimming
• Getting there: Around a 15-minute drive from Samui International Airport

Best for: Luxury and privacy

Tucked away on Koh Samui's south-eastern coast, Banyan Tree Samui's private beach feels a world away from the island's busier shores. Coconut palms, pale sand, and granite boulders frame the sheltered bay, while calm waters create ideal conditions for a day by the sea.

Reserved exclusively for resort guests, it remains one of Koh Samui's quietest and most private beaches, with space to relax beneath the trees and uninterrupted views across the Gulf of Thailand.

• Location: Maret, south-east coast of Koh Samui
• Best time to visit: January to September for calm seas and good snorkelling conditions
• Getting there: Around a 30-minute drive from Samui International Airport

Best for: Families and calm swimming

Located on Koh Samui's north-eastern coast, Choeng Mon Beach is one of the island's best choices for families. The bay is sheltered by a pair of small offshore islands, Koh Fan Noi and Koh Fan Yai, which break the incoming waves and keep the water gentle, clear, and shallow for much of the year.

Despite being only a short drive from busier Chaweng, Choeng Mon Beach feels noticeably quieter. It's lined with a mix of cafés, restaurants, and resorts, making it easy to spend an entire day by the water without venturing far, whether you're paddleboarding, kayaking, or simply enjoying a relaxed walk along the shore.

Essential information

• Location: North-east coast Koh Samui
• Best time to visit: January to September
• Getting there: Approximately a 15-minute drive from Samui International Airport

Best for: Sunsets and shallow water

If you're chasing Koh Samui's best sunsets, head to Lipa Noi Beach on the island's west coast. This long stretch of soft sand faces the Thai mainland and offers one of the most peaceful beach settings on Koh Samui. The water remains shallow for a considerable distance from shore, making it popular with families and less confident swimmers.

Lipa Noi is lined with coconut palm trees across the beach, and the absence of jet skis and major nightlife contributes to its relaxed atmosphere. The broad sandy shoreline is ideal for long walks, particularly in the late afternoon.

Essential information

• Location: West coast Koh Samui
• Best time to visit: December to September
• Getting there: Around a 35-minute drive from Samui International Airport

Best for: Snorkelling and hidden-cove swimming

Wedged between Chaweng and Lamai on Koh Samui's east coast, Coral Cove is a small beach that feels surprisingly removed from the island's busiest resort areas. Granite boulders frame the shoreline, while clear water and a sheltered setting make it one of the island's best spots for swimming and snorkelling.

Despite being only 200 metres long, Coral Cove rarely feels crowded. Its secluded location attracts travellers looking for a quieter beach day without straying too far from the cafés, restaurants, and resorts of Koh Samui's east coast.

Essential information

• Location: Between Chaweng and Lamai Beach, east coast Koh Samui
• Best time to visit: January to September for swimming and snorkelling
• Getting there: Approximately a 20-minute drive from Samui International Airport

Best for: Couples and photography

Near Coral Cove is another of Koh Samui's quieter beaches, Thong Takhian Beach, better known as Silver Beach. At around 250 metres long, this small cove is easy to miss from the road. Granite boulders frame both ends of the bay, sheltering the water and creating some of the island's prettiest coastal scenery, ideal for couples and keen photographers.

The sheltered middle has a gentle, sandy entry that's good for swimming, while the rocks at either end offer the best snorkelling, with fish gathering close to shore.

Essential information

• Location: Between Chaweng and Lamai, east coast Koh Samui
• Best time to visit: January to September for clear water and calmer seas
• Getting there: Approximately a 20-minute drive from Samui International Airport

Whether you're after a beachfront stay or a base close to Koh Samui's best beaches, Accor makes it easy to plan the perfect trip. When you're ready, book directly on ALL.com for member rates, flexible booking, and up to 10% off when you join the free ALL Accor loyalty programme. Reach Silver status or above, and you'll also enjoy a complimentary welcome drink on each stay at participating hotels.