The 7 Best Beaches in Koh Samui Thailand I Actually Went to (2026)

Koh Samui is easily one of the most popular islands in Thailand, and it’s no secret that the turquoise water and the beautiful beaches are a huge reason for that.

Since it’s the biggest of the three islands in the Gulf (sorry, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan!), there are a lot of stunning beaches to choose from. 

I just spent nearly two weeks here on a family vacation, which gave us plenty of time to explore a new beach almost every day. That’s why I feel like I have a pretty good idea now of that beaches are actually worth visiting and which aren’t

When I first landed, I definitely felt a little overwhelmed by the amount of stunning beaches in Koh Samui

When an island is this big, the quality varies wildly, you can go from a stunning paradise to a total skip in about ten minutes. To save you the trial and error, I’ve put together this guide with the 7 beaches I actually visited in 2026 that are worth your time.

Best Beaches in Koh Samui: My Quick Answer + My Experience

Before I get into the full list, I want to share a bit of my own experience to help adjust your expectations.

Because Koh Samui is so massive and built-up, I actually didn’t find many beaches that felt like an “untouched paradise.” In my experience, the nicest stretches of sand and the clearest water are usually the ones packed with hotels and restaurants. 

On the flip side, the beaches that are less developed often had a lot more rocks, trash, or stray dogs to deal with.

I personally don’t mind the more developed beaches. I’m a fan of having a sunbed and a cocktail in hand, especially on a resort-style trip, but if you’re looking for a truly remote, pristine beach, you’re honestly better off headed to Koh Tao or Koh Phangan. Koh Samui is more about convenience and comfort.

If you’re in a hurry and just want my top picks:

• Lamai Beach was my personal favorite because it felt a bit quieter than the large main beaches but still had enough going on.
  
• Thongson Beach was such a nice surprise, it’s tucked away in the north, has incredibly clear water, and is easily the best spot for actual swimming!

The 7 Best Beaches I Went to in Koh Samui

1. Lamai Beach (This is The Beach I Visitied The Most)

Lamai is for sure one of my favorite beaches on the island, mostly because it’s much quieter than Chaweng (which is arguably the most popular and crowded beach in Koh Samui).

I’ve been to Lamai a few times now, and it’s become my go-to beach because it feels the most relaxed and family-friendly. We usually tried to get here early in the morning before the crowds showed up to get a spot under the palm trees. After a morning of hanging out, we’d just wander over to one of the beachside restaurants for lunch and that’s pretty much a perfect beach day for me.

While so many beaches in Koh Samui feel over-developed and chaotic, Lamai has a really nice balance. You still get those classic palm trees and plenty of sand, but with just enough beachside shacks to keep you fed and hydrated.

2. Bophut Beach (Best For Cocktails and Fire Show)

I’ll be honest: Bophut isn’t exactly the beach I’d choose if I just wanted to lay on a towel all day. However, it is my absolute favorite spot for grabbing cocktails, eating good food, and catching a show on the sand!

On my most recent trip, I finally made it to Coco Tam’s for the first time, and I loved it. We got there in the afternoon and claimed some beanbags right in the sand. We had one last dip in the water and then transitioned straight into sunset drinks and dinner while watching the fire show.

So, while I wouldn’t necessarily pick Bophut for a dedicated “beach day,” I would 100% recommend hanging out at one of the beach bars like Coco Tam’s for the vibe, the sunshine, and the dinner. I had a great time there and it’s definitely a Koh Samui must-do.

3. Choeng Mon Beach (Best Beach in Koh Samui for Swimming)

We had an absolutely amazing day with the whole family at Choeng Mon Beach. From what I could tell, it’s definitely one of the more popular spots on the island because it was pretty busy when we arrived. But the conditions were hard to beat with soft white sand and calm, clear water that was perfect for a swim.

A huge perk for us was that there’s parking right at the beach, which made things so much easier since we had the car that day. 

We started off by just throwing our towels down on the sand, but as it got more crowded, we decided to move over to Carnival Beach Village. It’s a little beach club right on the sand with sunbeds, a pool, and a restaurant. We ended up spending the rest of the day there, and it was fantastic. I was actually surprised that the cocktails and food weren’t overpriced, definitely one of my favorite hangouts in Koh Samui.

4. Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)

Silver Beach (also known as Crystal Bay) seems to be a bit polarizing depending on who you ask online. It’s a tiny, gorgeous bay tucked away near Lamai, and in my opinion, it has the potential to be the most beautiful beach on the entire island. 

I went there early one morning for a few hours, and it was stunning, with huge boulders in the water, palm trees everywhere, and barely anyone else around.

That said, I’ve seen reviews from people complaining that it gets overrun with tour groups, that the nearby resort is strict about access, or that there’s trash on the sand. 

I didn’t experience any of that during my visit in December between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, but just a heads-up that your experience might change depending on the season or what time of day you show up. If you want it to yourself, go early!

5. Natien Beach (My Top Hidden Gem in Koh Samui)

I know I mentioned earlier that Koh Samui doesn’t really do “remote and nice” very well, but Natien Beach is the one big exception. Because of that, it’s easily one of my favorite spots on the entire island.

I only found out about this place because a friend told me about it and told me to keep it a secret (oops, I guess it’s our secret now!). But wow, this is exactly what I’m looking for in a beach. Don’t get me wrong, I love a fancy beach club as much as the next person, but what I really love is feeling like I’m in a scene from Cast Away.

Natien Beach definitely gave me that vibe. There’s basically nothing around except palm trees, an abandoned resort, and a beach restaurant called Cool Bar. They serve cheap, delicious Pad Thai, cold beers, and cocktails, and the whole atmosphere is just super chill. 

I think I saw maybe ten other people the entire time I was there. I spent the whole day eating, drinking, and soaking up the quiet, I absolutely loved it.

6. Chaweng Beach

Chaweng is probably the biggest, busiest, and most popular beach on the island. Because it’s so built-up with endless restaurants, beach clubs, and hotels, it tends to get a bit of hate from people looking for a “traditional” island vibe.

Honestly, though? I don’t think it’s that bad. I’ll be the first to agree that the actual town and the main street behind the beach are a bit much, but the beach itself is actually quite nice. 

I definitely spent a few days here enjoying happy hour cocktails, and while it’s busy, the water is crystal clear and great for swimming. If you head toward the north end, the water gets much calmer, which makes it a fantastic spot for some stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

7. Thongson Beach

Thongson Beach turned out to be one of my absolute favorites in Koh Samui. It reminded me a bit of Lamai in the sense that it’s developed, there are restaurants and resorts around, but it lacked that frantic, overcrowded feeling.

That’s usually the deal-breaker for me; if I’m laying towel-to-towel with a stranger, I’m out. But at Thongson, that wasn’t the case at all. I actually only made it here on my very last day, which is such a shame because it’s a beautiful stretch of sand. The water is clear, the vibe is chill, and it was the perfect way to wrap up the trip.

FAQs About Koh Samui Beaches

What are the best beaches in Koh Samui for families?

From my own experience of being on a family vacation in Koh Samui, I think Lamai Beach was our favorite. Whenever I’m traveling with family, I actually prefer having a more developed beach with easy access to toilets, bars, and restaurants. Lamai is great because it has all of that, but it’s still pretty quiet compared to the chaos of Chaweng, so I think it’s the best for families.

What is the best remote beach in Koh Samui?

Natien Beach is my absolute favorite hidden gem in Koh Samui. I could literally spend weeks on that beach, no kidding. It is exactly up my alley; it only has one little beach shack called Cool Bar that serves Pad Thai and cold drinks, and that’s it. Other than that, you just get calm waters and white sand. It’s perfect.

What are the best quiet beaches in Koh Samui?

If you’re looking for a more remote, “stranded on an island” experience, I recommend Natien Beach. It’s super quiet and very peaceful. However, if you’re looking for a beach that is still quiet but has more facilities like sunbeds and cafes, then Lamai Beach is definitely the best choice.

Is Koh Samui worth visiting?

Absolutely, it’s worth visiting, but for me, Koh Samui is only good for certain types of trips. I personally only go to Samui when I’m looking for a family resort vacation. In my opinion, that’s what the island does best, and if that’s the vibe you’re after, I definitely recommend it.

Final Thoughts on The Best Beach in Koh Samui

All in all, I have to say that Koh Samui’s beaches are decent. In my head, and from my experience of visiting, Koh Samui is very much a “resort and family vacation” type of island. I often like to compare it to Cancun in Mexico.

I think the beaches here are on par with that comparison; they’re beautiful, but they’re also often very built-up with hotels, restaurants, and bars, which is exactly what you’d expect from a resort island.

I personally had a great time here and enjoyed the beaches a lot. 

However, if you are looking for a more rugged experience with fewer hotels and more untouched palm trees, then I would maybe recommend Koh Tao or Koh Phangan over Koh Samui. I hope this little guide helps you find your next favorite beach hangout. Happy travels!

Check Out My Other Koh Samui Guides

Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

How to Get to Koh Samui: The Easiest Ways to get there

Best Time to Visit Koh Samui: When I Would Come Again

Koh Tao vs Koh Samui: Which One Do I Like Better

Best Beaches in Koh Samui: My Top Beaches I Went to

How Many Days in Koh Samui: My Day Guide

Koh Samui Itinerary: How I Spent 3 Days in Koh Samui

Restaurants in Koh Samui: My Favorite Food in Koh Samui

Where to Stay in Koh Samui: My Favorite Hotels & Areas

Things to Do in Koh Samui: The Activities I Enjoyed the most