Thailand is known for many things especially the tasty street foods, colourful nightlife and affordable retail. The quintessential Thai experience will also include its ancient relics like golden temples and statues.
But let’s forgo Thailand’s cheap shopping options, and disregard (for now) the oh, so yummy local food found throughout the streets — we’re here to talk about beaches, y’all.
Thailand is a country not without its fair share of pristine beaches. On one hand, you have your Phi Phi Islands and your Railay Beach to spend your next holiday. And on the other, Patong Beach or Koh Samui may very well be more suitable as a destination for party-goers.
The latter, in particular, is an island that begets a visit for its beautiful beaches.
The Koh Samui Experience
As Thailand’s second-largest island, Koh Samui is a popular destination among holidaymakers and international explorers. And the archipelago is known to attract massive crowds to its idyllic sandy shores each year.
As for the Koh Samui experience, you may expect the standard island affair. Imagine palm-fringed beaches, lush rainforests, and the always-overcrowded shoreline. Okay, the last one isn’t actually a plus but regardless, Koh Samui’s popularity is both a blessing (for the locals) and a curse (for tourists looking to relax).
Koh Samui’s most well-known beaches consist of Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam, and Bophut. And while each has its own uniqueness (such as Fisherman’s Village in Bophut), they’re equally popular with tourists and are always crowded as heck!
Instead, why not venture forth to discover what Koh Samui has to offer away from the bustling crowds? For an off-the-beaten-path experience, we recommend these 5 secret spots in Koh Samui.
5 Best Secret Beaches in Koh Samui
Silver Beach
First up is the easy-to-miss Silver Beach — a hidden gem nestled between the ever-popular Chaweng and Lamai. Sporting a 250 metre long stretch of soft sandy strip washed by clear turquoise waters, Silver Beach has recently been making waves (pun intended) among tourists looking for a quieter atmosphere.
The name of the beach comes from its white sandy facade, whereupon illumination by the bright tropical sun gives it a silver-like shine. And while this beach is modest in size, it can very well accommodate plenty of travellers, as evident by the four established hotels and restaurants found here.
However, you don’t necessarily have to stay at any of these establishments to gain access to the beach. At Silver Beach, you may sunbathe, swim, or snorkel freely.
Speaking of snorkelling, the waters here contain some of the most fascinating sea life (colourful fishies galore!) in the region. Plus, the absence of waves here also makes it easy for newbie snorkelers to swim in peace.
Samrong Beach & Thongson Bay
Found adjacent to one another, Samrong Beach and Thongson Bay are located at the most northeastern corner of Koh Samui, near Choeng Mon Beach. Both Samrong and Thongson are considered a pair of twin beaches, and it’s easy to see why.
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Separated by a cape with a spectacular view of Koh Phangan, Samrong Beach and Thongson Bay are similar in shape, size, and appearance. Additionally, both beaches also feature a similar out-of-the-way relaxing vibe which includes a beautiful tropical beach with shallow waters inhabited by an underwater garden full of colourful corals and vibrant sea life.
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While both spots are home to charming hotels, very few people find their way here. And despite the marked paths that lead to each, most visitors will completely ignore the small nondescript side roads and instead, drive straight past them — effectively missing out on one (or two, in this case) of the best-kept secrets of Koh Samui.
If you happen to find yourself in this hidden oasis, you’ll also be glad to know that there are a couple of places of interest nearby. For instance, Wat Phra Yai and Wat Plai Laem Temple are found a short drive away.
Laem Yai Beach
While not exactly a “secret”, Laem Yai Beach is still a lesser-visited beach on Koh Samui. The beach is located outside the touristy parts of Koh Samui on the northwestern tip of the island — which typically means a much smaller crowd!
Like the other entries on this list, Laem Yai Beach is fringed by a pretty cove, tall palm trees, and golden grainy sand. The 200 metre stretch of beach is oriented towards the North (in between Bang Por and Nathon) and is best known for having the only Four Seasons Resort on the island. And since there’s only one resort on the beach, finding a remote and private spot here won’t be too difficult at all!
All in all, the always exotic Laem Yai Beach is the perfect place for long contemplative walks, as well as offering an ideal site for viewing the sun setting over the majestic horizon. And if you’re looking to swim then this beach is not for you. The waters here are quite shallow and the terrain is pretty rocky.
Ban Tai Beach
While we’re still on the northern side of the island, allow us to introduce Ban Tai Beach — a quiet affair found a mere stone’s throw away from the lively party neighbourhood of Maenam.
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Ban Tai Beach features a two-kilometre long strip of white sandy beach, which is often mistaken for the similarly stunning Bang Por — both of which are only separated by a tiny rock cape.
This secluded cove is a haven for peace-and-quiet seekers, as few know about the place due to its location being very far from the main roads. And apart from the hotels, beach bars, and restaurants nearby, you won’t find many other facilities here.
Rather, the best things to do in Ban Tai Beach is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the amazing sunset! Of course, there’s always the option to partake in a spot of swimming and sunbathing too, if you’re into those.
Coral Cove Beach
As you drive down the main road from Chaweng, glimpses of white sand, huge boulders, and reflective crystal clear waters come within your peripheral vision. But do you stop to check out what’s there? Most passersby don’t. And most of them miss out on one of the prettiest beaches on Samui.
Located on the fringes of Lamai, Coral Cove Beach is a 200-metre long creek framed by massive rock formations on each side of the beach, including a peak that separates it from the aforementioned Silver Beach.
And out of all the secret beaches we’ve talked about so far, Coral Cove Beach does seem to skew more towards the romantic side — providing an ideal beach destination for couples or honeymooners looking for a romantic tryst.
For one, the beach is remarkably well-maintained and clean. Whereas, the waters here are deeper and more suitable for swimming with a variety of fishes. But most importantly, Coral Cove Beach is quiet and isolated from other more famous seaside resorts such as those in Chaweng and Lamai.
Thinking of spending the night on this picturesque beach? You’ll find plenty of options here. Some hotels can be found by the sea, while others are built on the rocks. Some other accommodation options also include beach bungalows that may be located inland but still near the cove.
Despite the relatively easy access from the main road, it’s still baffling how few visitors this beach receives on a daily basis. If we were to take a guess, we’d assume it’s because most tourists are already satisfied rubbing elbows with other beachgoers on the more crowded beaches on Samui.
But hey, let’s keep this secret between you and us, eh?
The article was originally published on 26 April 2022. Last updated by Discoverist Team on 12 June 2023.
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