Where to stay in Koh Samet: which beach to choose?
Koh Samet is a small, narrow island about three to four hours from Bangkok, and part of a national park. Most beaches line the east coast, getting quieter as you head south from the pier at Na Dan, while Ao Prao is the main beach on the west side, facing the sunset.
Sai Kaew is the most convenient and busiest beach, a practical choice for short stays and first-timers. Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai are best for budget travellers and nightlife, with beach bars and fire shows. Ao Wong Deuan suits families and couples wanting a sheltered bay with restaurants. Ao Prao is the pick for couples and upscale stays with sunsets. Ao Kiu, in the far south, is for those wanting real quiet. Expect crowds on weekends and Thai holidays.
Areas compared
The best areas to stay in Koh Samet
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Sai Kaew (Hat Sai Kaew)
The island's main beach, close to the pier
Lively฿฿฿
Hat Sai Kaew, a short walk or ride from Na Dan pier, is Koh Samet's longest and whitest beach and its most developed. Resorts, bungalows, restaurants and bars line the sand, and the small village behind has shops, ATMs and a clinic. During the day the beach fills with loungers, jet skis and day-trippers, especially at weekends, and evenings bring seafood dinners with tables on the sand. It is the easiest base if you arrive late or stay only a night or two.
Best forFirst-timersShort staysFamilies
Why stay here
Soft, white sand and shallow water
Closest to Na Dan pier and services
Plenty of restaurants and evening dining on the beach
Watch out for
Crowded at weekends and on Thai holidays
Jet skis and noise during the day
Getting around: You can walk from Na Dan pier in about 10 minutes; songthaews wait at the pier. Most of the east coast beaches are linked by walking paths.
Just south of Sai Kaew, Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai are two small, neighbouring bays that form the island's backpacker area. Accommodation runs from simple bungalows to mid-range rooms, often a little cheaper than on Sai Kaew. Some beach bars host fire shows and DJs late into the night, making this the liveliest part of Koh Samet. The beaches are smaller and can feel crowded, but they are within easy walking distance of Sai Kaew and Na Dan.
Best forBackpackersBudget travellersNightlife
Why stay here
Some of the island's cheapest rooms
Beach bars and fire shows in the evening
Walkable to Sai Kaew and the pier
Watch out for
Small beaches fill up quickly
Music can carry late at night
Getting around: Walking paths link the bays with Sai Kaew and Ao Wong Deuan; songthaews run on the island's main track.
Sheltered horseshoe bay in the middle of the island
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Ao Wong Deuan is a crescent-shaped bay midway down the east coast, with calm, clear water in the dry season and a line of mid-range resorts, restaurants and bars behind the sand. Speedboats and a few ferries a day from Ban Phe can drop passengers directly here, which saves the transfer from Na Dan. The atmosphere is livelier than the southern bays but calmer than Sai Kaew, with some beach dining and bars in the evening.
Best forFamiliesCouplesMid-range stays
Why stay here
Sheltered, calm water
Direct boats from the mainland pier at Ban Phe
Good mix of restaurants and resorts
Watch out for
Beach gets busy and narrow in places
Loungers and boats crowd the sand in high season
Getting around: Around 10–15 minutes from Na Dan by songthaew along a rough track; quieter bays to the south, such as Ao Thian (Candlelight Beach), are reachable on foot.
Ao Prao, sometimes called Paradise Beach, is the main beach on Koh Samet's west coast and the best spot on the island to watch the sunset. The bay is small and quiet, with only a few resorts, mostly in the upscale range. There is little to do beyond the beach, a pool and the resort restaurants, which is the appeal for couples. Some resorts run their own boat transfers from the mainland, which avoids the walk or ride across the island.
Best forCouplesHoneymoonersUpscale stays
Why stay here
Sunsets over the sea
Very quiet, uncrowded beach
Upscale resorts with their own facilities
Watch out for
Few independent restaurants or shops
Crossing to the east-coast beaches needs transport
Getting around: A dirt track crosses the island to the east coast; resorts can arrange transfers, and songthaews can be called.
At the southern end of Koh Samet, Ao Kiu is a narrow neck of land with a beach on each side: Ao Kiu Na Nok faces east and Ao Kiu Na Nai faces west, so you can see both sunrise and sunset within a few minutes' walk. Accommodation is very limited and upscale, and the main resort there is adults-only. It is peaceful and green, far from the weekend crowds, with good snorkelling on rocky points nearby. Nearby Ao Wai is another quiet bay in the south.
Best forCouplesSlow travellersSeclusion
Why stay here
The quietest part of the island
Sunrise and sunset on the same stretch
Clear water and nearby snorkelling
Watch out for
Very few places to stay or eat
Long, bumpy ride from Na Dan pier
Getting around: Most guests use resort transfers; the track from Na Dan is rough and slow, and there is little public transport this far south.
Sai Kaew (Hat Sai Kaew)Close to the pier, with the best beach and most services.
Close to the pier, with the best beach and most services.
Budget travellers and backpackers
Ao Hin Khok and Ao PhaiCheaper bungalows and the island's social scene.
Cheaper bungalows and the island's social scene.
Couples
Ao PraoQuiet resorts and sunsets on the west coast.
Quiet resorts and sunsets on the west coast.
Families
Ao Wong DeuanCalm water in the dry season and plenty of places to eat; Sai Kaew also works well.
Calm water in the dry season and plenty of places to eat; Sai Kaew also works well.
Nightlife
Ao Hin Khok and Ao PhaiBeach bars, DJs and fire shows most nights in high season.
Beach bars, DJs and fire shows most nights in high season.
Budget
How much for a room in Koh Samet?
Indicative nightly ranges for a double room in high season; expect lower prices from May to October.
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Budget
600–1,500 THB / night
A simple fan or air-con bungalow, mainly around Ao Hin Khok, Ao Phai and back from the beaches.
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Mid-range
1,500–4,000 THB / night
An air-conditioned room or bungalow in a beach resort, often on Sai Kaew or Ao Wong Deuan.
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Upscale
5,000+ THB / night
A resort or villa, mainly at Ao Prao, Ao Kiu and the best spots on Sai Kaew.
Before you book
Booking tips from the ground
Koh Samet is part of a national park, and foreign visitors pay an entrance fee on arrival; keep the ticket, as it may be checked again.
Boats leave from Ban Phe in Rayong province, about three to four hours from Bangkok by road; some speedboats go directly to Ao Wong Deuan or to resorts.
Prices rise and rooms sell out on weekends and Thai public holidays, when Bangkok residents head to the island; book ahead or visit midweek.
Sai Kaew is the most convenient, with the best beach and most services. Ao Wong Deuan is a calmer all-rounder, Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai suit backpackers, and Ao Prao suits couples.
Is Koh Samet good for a weekend from Bangkok?
Yes, it is one of the closest islands to Bangkok. But it is also very popular with Thai visitors at weekends, so prices rise; midweek is quieter and cheaper.
Is Koh Samet good for families?
Yes. Sai Kaew and Ao Wong Deuan have shallow, generally calm water in the dry season and easy access to restaurants. Nightlife in Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai is easy to avoid.
Do I have to pay to enter Koh Samet?
Yes. As part of Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, the island charges an entrance fee, higher for foreigners than for Thais. Check the current rate before you go.
Does Koh Samet close in the rainy season?
No. Most accommodation stays open all year, and the island tends to get less rain than many others. Seas can be rough on some days between May and October.
By Kylian Dev