Koh Samui offers visitors an array of seaside atmospheres to match just about any dream holiday preference. The best-known beaches on the island, Chaweng and Lamai, on the east coast, have the highest concentrations of bungalows, restaurants, beach bars and recreational activities. Their exciting banquets of nightlife and spice to the tropical cocktail for the young-at-heart. The north coast of Samui has accommodation scattered throughout the coconut plantations and along the seaside, but little night entertainment. For some, this day and night tranquility is perfect. The island's south and west coasts, meanwhile, have few places to stay and few residents, apart from some hardy local fishermen, making them ideal destinations for those seeking solitude.

   CHAWENG BEACH
Chaweng Beach on the eastcoast is the most famous and developed beach of Koh Samui. The 6 km white and clean beach is charming. The underwater world is inviting. It boasts the largest number of dive shops on Koh Samui. It offers a big choice of accommodation, man-made facilities, a wide selection of restaurants and numerous places of entertainment.

 

   LAMAI BEACH
Lamai Beach is the second most popular beach on the island. The thriving beach is well-known for its twin grotesque rocks on shore. Various kinds of accommodation are available. A combination of nightlife and local life makes the beach attractive to tourists.

 

 

   MAENAM BEACH
Maenam Beach is some two kilometers to the west of Bophut. There is a largish village here with several small restaurants and some dive and windsurf centers. Maenam has a smooth white beach running for four kilometers along the calm, scenic bay. This is a pleasant, ecluded spot for swimming and sunbathing, and attracts families and honey mooners. For nightlife you need to travel.

 

   BO PHUT BEACH
Bo Phut Beach is located on the nort coast along Bo Phut Bay. It is tranquil and nice for relaxation. Accommodations are available. Ideal for windserfing and sailing,
Bo Phut is also where people can take a boat to some nearby islands.

 

 

 

   BIG BUDDHA BEACH
Big Buddha Beach is to the east of Bophut and takes its name from the twelve metre tall statue sitting out on an islet connected to Samui by causeway. This is part of the Koh Fan temple, which is the focal point of this area: there is no town as such, although there are plenty of little shops and restaurants around the temple. The beach itself is very quiet andpeaceful and the waters are calm.

   CHOENG MON BEACH
Choeng Mon Beach is eastwards part Big Buddha. A remote and quiet part of the island it has several smaller capes and bays, some of which have been developed into self-contained resorts. Owing to the geography of Choeng Mon there is no central village: this really is where you can get away from it all.

 

   BANG PO BAY
Bang Po Bay is fringed with coral reefs and with its calm sea is one of the better places for snorkeling. There is some attractive bungalow style accommodation to be had here.

 

 

 

 

   NATHON
Nathon is where express and night ferries from Suratthani berth. It serves as a local market and provides visitors with necessary facilities including banks, main post office and a hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

   TALING NGAM BEACH
Taling Ngam Beach is a quiet and remote enclave, far from the crowds, with almost the only evelopment of note being the super-luxury resort operated by Royal Le Meridien.

 

 

 

 

 

   THONG KRUT BAY
Thong Krut Bay is at the south side of the island. There isa tiny village here and some inexpensive accommodation. This is also a jumping-off point for Koh Taen,also known as Island of No dog, and an
unscheduled boat service will ferry you across the three kilometer stretch of water where those wishing to stay overnight can fid bungalow accommodation.

 

   HUA THANON
Hua Thanon is the biggest anchorage for fishing boats on the island. A charming Hainanese style fishing village straddles the main road, while there is a Moslem fishing community on the south side of the beach, noted for its colorful
boats. Some lovely old houses can be seen in the coconut groves.