By Kylian Dev
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Ao Prao beach
The only big west-facing beach: sunsets and a peaceful vibe.
Destination guide · East
Koh Samet: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
The closest beach island to Bangkok (about 3.5 hours by road and boat), protected as a national park. Powder-fine sand, small coves and evenings by the water: an easy weekend escape, very popular with Bangkok locals.
- Best: November to April
- €35 - 70 / day
In short
Koh Samet (East) — The closest beach to Bangkok, fine sand and quiet coves. Best time to go: November to April; average temperatures 30°C. Budget: about €35 - 70 / day. Weather: 30°C • One of the driest areas in the country
RegionEast
TypeIsland
Best seasonNovember to April
Avg. temperature30°C
Budget / day€35 - 70 / day
Suggested stay2 to 3 days
Thai nameเกาะเสม็ด
Must-sees
Things to do in Koh Samet
The closest beach to Bangkok, fine sand and quiet coves
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Coastal path from Ao Wong Deuan to Ao Cho
A walk from cove to cove along the east coast, with rocks and viewpoints.
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Sai Kaew beach
The main beach, very fine white sand, lively at night with dinners and fire shows.
More things to do in Koh Samet
- 4
Ao Wong Deuan
BeachHalf a day or moreA pretty crescent-shaped bay on the east coast, lively in the evening with restaurants on the sand.
- 5
Snorkelling tours around the islands
Sea & islandsHalf dayBoat trips visit the small islands around Samet for snorkelling and fish feeding.
- 6
The Sunset viewpoint
ViewpointAbout 1 hMost beaches on Samet face east, so this rocky spot on the west side, near Ao Prao, is one of the few places to watch the sun go down.
- 7
Fire shows at Sai Kaew and Ao Hin Khok
NightlifeEveningIn the evening, beach bars light up the sand with fire shows.
- 8
Ao Nuan
BeachAbout 1 hA small, quiet cove just south of Ao Hin Khok, surrounded by rocks and trees.
- 9
Seafood on the beach
FoodEveningRestaurants set up tables on the sand in the evening and grill fish and seafood.
- 10
Ao Kiu
Beach2 to 3 hAt the southern tip, a beach with two sides, one facing sunrise and one facing sunset.
Great forBeaches & RelaxingNightlifeDiving & Reefs
Weather
When to go to Koh Samet?
30°C • One of the driest areas in the country. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayRain / monsoon
- JunRain / monsoon
- JulRain / monsoon
- AugRain / monsoon
- SepRain / monsoon
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovIdeal
- DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Koh Samet: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €35 - 70 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Mid-range
35–70 € / day
Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)
Accommodation
~21 €
Food
~13 €
Activities
~11 €
Local transport
~8 €
Transport
How to get to Koh Samet
Transport tip
Bus or minivan from Bangkok (Ekkamai) to Ban Phe (about 3 h), then ferry (40 min) or speedboat (15 min). National park entry fee payable on arrival.
From Bangkok → Koh Samet
Road
~218 km · ~4 h by road
Nearest destinations
Koh Samet → Pattaya
Road
~96 km · ~2 h by road
Koh Samet → Koh Chang
Road
~144 km · ~3.5 h by road
Koh Samet → Koh Mak
Road
~181 km · ~5.5 h by road
Times and tickets Bangkok → Koh SametPartner link
Where is Koh Samet?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Koh Samet
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Hat Sai Kaew
Main beach, lively at night with seafood restaurants and bars, 10 minutes' walk from Na Dan pier. Simple bungalow: 800-1,500 THB; comfortable beachfront hotel: 2,500-5,000 THB.
Ao Phai / Ao Wong Deuan
Smaller coves, a good balance of calm and restaurants; Wong Deuan has more families and established resorts. Fan bungalow: 700-1,200 THB; pool resort: from 2,500 THB.
Ao Prao
West coast, secluded resorts and mainland sunsets, away from Sai Kaew's bustle. Rooms generally start above 3,000 THB, few budget options.
Food
What to eat in Koh Samet
Beach seafood barbecue
Crab in yellow curry (pu pad pong karee)
Rayong nam prik (chilli paste with dried shrimp)
Combine with
Similar destinations
Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Koh Samet
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- International Clinic Koh SametClinicDirections
- Koh Samet Health CentreClinicDirections
Serious cases are transferred to Rayong, about 45 min by boat and road.
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Koh Samet
What are the best things to do in Koh Samet?
The must-sees are Ao Prao beach, Coastal path from Ao Wong Deuan to Ao Cho, Sai Kaew beach. Also worth your time: Ao Wong Deuan, Snorkelling tours around the islands, The Sunset viewpoint, Fire shows at Sai Kaew and Ao Hin Khok.
How do you get to Koh Samet from Bangkok?
Bus or van from Bangkok to Ban Phe pier (about 3h), then a boat to the island. The public ferry to Na Dan pier costs 50-70 THB and takes about 40 minutes, running hourly from 8am to 5pm. The speedboat is faster (about 10 minutes) with no fixed schedule, costs 150-300 THB and drops you at your chosen beach.
How much is the national park entrance fee?
The island is part of Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park: 200 THB per foreign adult, 100 THB per child, paid in cash on arrival.
How many days should you spend on Koh Samet?
One to two days are enough for a quick trip from Bangkok; many visitors come for a weekend. Three days let you explore the beaches and relax without rushing.
When should you go to Koh Samet?
The dry season, November to April, gives the calmest seas and least rain. The monsoon, May to October, brings more frequent showers, usually late in the day, without preventing a visit.
How do you get around the island?
There's no continuous paved road linking every beach: songthaews (40-100 THB depending on distance) and motorbike taxis connect the main areas. Most beaches are also reachable on foot from Hat Sai Kaew in 15-40 minutes.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Koh Samet
Compare with the other destinations
Koh Samet is one of the 28 destinations covered in detail on the site. The destinations hub sorts them by traveler profile, by month of travel and by daily budget, to help you decide where to go and how many days to stay.