For those vacationing on the mainland of Thailand, particularly in Pattaya or Bangkok, the pressing question is where to go to the pressing question is where to go to enjoy pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Koh Samet is exactly the place where you can spend a couple of days on magnificent beaches and connect with the stunning tropical nature. However, let’s take it step by step.
General Information
Koh Samet, also known as Ko Samet, is located 100 km from the resort city of Pattaya and approximately 200 km from Bangkok. It lies about 7 kilometers off the mainland. Its distance from the mainland is 7 kilometers. Ko Samet is an elongated piece of land in the Gulf of Thailand, halfway to Cambodia. Although the island stretches only about 7 km in length, it boasts so many beaches that they seem almost innumerable.
Territorially, Samet is part of Rayong Province.
If you have already vacationed on Koh Samui or visited the Phi Phi or James Bond Islands, you might find that the beaches and natural surroundings of Koh Samet do not particularly stand out. However, if the only island you’ve visited is Koh Chang or Koh Lan, you’ll definitely like it here.
Koh Samet Thailand is part of Khao Laem Ya National Park, and therefore entry is paid (we will provide some tips on how to bypass the free entry restriction later).
In fact, Koh Samet is not a single island but a cluster – the main island is surrounded by several smaller rocky outcrops, which are also considered islands.
Climate
The island’s climatic features allow for year-round vacations, as the weather here does not change significantly in summer or winter.
The rainy season on Samet is mild, and in almost 90% of cases, the downpours occur at night. Thus, even May, June, July, and August are not considered bad months for the island, and you can confidently book a trip to Samet. In the summer, there won’t be oppressive heat; due to nighttime rains, the air will be milder. Additionally, during the rainy season, the sky is constantly overcast.
Daytime temperatures rarely fall below 27°C, while at night they remain around 21°C. During the peak season, it can get quite warm, reaching up to 32 degrees. The warmest months are from November to April. Even in October, the temperatures can be pleasantly cool.
Attractions
Reviews of Koh Samet are almost unanimous: there are no significant attractions here, and everything worth visiting is beach relaxation and leisurely time (ironically, Thai islands indeed have very few interesting places from a historical perspective).
Many of the attractions mentioned by tour guides appear to be exaggerated or artificially enhanced just to offer something to talk about.
However, if you are a good photographer or simply love taking photos, Samet offers the most whimsical fantasies regarding photos and videos. Such landscapes are rarely found near Pattaya and Bangkok.
However, let’s return to the stretched attractions. Since we started talking about them, let’s finish the story. So, the island has:
- Turtle farm;
- Buddhist temple (home to a Buddha statue);
- Mermaid statue (located on the right side of Sai Kaeo Beach);
- Mermaid statue – to see it along with the figure of a boy with a trumpet, you need to climb a few meters up into the island;
- Statue of an angry woman with a bare chest (located at the main pier, in the northern part of Koh Samet);
- Freshwater lake (located between Ao Phai and Ao Prao beaches);
- Improvised stone sculptures (small figures made of stones).
In addition to the above, there are several viewpoints, including:
- Sunset Viewpoint in the western part, halfway to Ao Prao Beach;
- Scenic area, located between Tian Beach and Apache;
- On the south of Samet Island, there are amazing views of the open sea and the islands located in that part (this place cannot be called a viewpoint, but photos taken here are excellent).
And, of course, water activities cannot be overlooked; after all, Samet is an island, which means its waters boast magnificent underwater landscapes. You can go snorkeling or diving near Samet, or you can rent a boat for a sea tour to nearby islets (the cost of such an experience is only 600 baht per person).
Beaches
There is no point in listing all the beaches of the island because there are so many. Below, the map clearly shows where each section of the coastline is located and what it is called.
Let’s talk about the most popular beaches.
Hat Sai Kaeo
Beach information
Length (m): 500 
Cover Type: White sand 
Water Temp (°C): 28 
Cleanliness (1-10): 7 
Crowdedness (1-10): 4 
Infrastructure: Basic amenities 
Best Season: Nov–Apr 
Waves Level: Low 
Lifeguards Available? no 
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
The most popular beach among vacationers is Hat Sai Kaeo. Sai Kaeo is located in the northern part of the island, and its shore is the longest among the others. The coastline stretches one kilometer long and up to 30 meters wide.
The combination of white sand and crystal-clear seawater creates a breathtaking experience for beach lovers.
The water entry is gentle; about 30 meters in, it becomes deep, which means the beach is perfect for families with small children, as the shore is shallow. Children can safely play at the water’s edge while parents relax and watch them enjoy themselves.
The seabed is clean, with almost no rocks, however, a minor drawback common to all Samet beaches is the occasional presence of small jellyfish and seaweed. Although jellyfish are not dangerous, their presence nearby is not frightening but certainly annoying.
Swimming areas are marked with buoys; however, the large number of jet skis does not allow for complete relaxation. For example, for instance, when a large jet ski speeds towards you, and the only barriers are thin ropes and buoys, one may not feel entirely secure.
There are waves on this beach, and the sea cannot be called calm. Even in the low season, water fluctuations are noticeable.
As for nightlife, this is exactly the place where you can fully enjoy various fire shows, Thai boxing matches, and other entertainments in the evening, which are quite numerous here.
The beach borders a small town with its own infrastructure, reminiscent of small settlements in Phuket.
The main downside is the large number of tourists. Since island vacations on Koh Samet are associated by many with only Sai Kaeo, the majority of vacationers cannot disperse around the island and gather here, hence the tourist crowds.
Thus, at Sai Kaeo, you can have a combined vacation: relaxed and unhurried daytime activities and vibrant nightlife in the evening.
Ao Prao
Beach information
Length (m): 1000
Cover Type: White sand
Water Temp (°C): 28
Cleanliness (1-10): 8
Crowdedness (1-10): 3
Infrastructure: Moderate amenities
Best Season: Nov–Apr
Waves Level: Low
Lifeguards Available? no
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
Ao Prao is the sole beach on the west side of the island—the rest of the coastline is dominated by impassable rocks. Ao Prao is a kind of protected bay. It is sheltered from the winds by rocky stones on both sides, making this place the calmest on the entire island.
The description of Ao Prao is very ordinary: white sand, clear water, and a gentle water entry, where, like Sai Kaeo, you can safely swim with small children.
Even if you just stand in one place, you can organize a small photoshoot, as the surroundings are picturesque. Plus, there are swings here.
From the infrastructure, only a few hotels are worth mentioning, as they provide everything necessary for their guests.
There is no abundance of souvenir shops, Makash shops, or other mass-produced goods that are plentiful on public beaches; this is not the case here.
Ao Prao has three five-star hotels that fully cater to travelers staying with them. The beach’s remoteness explains the absence of a massive tourist flow. However, not long ago, Chinese vacationers began arriving here, but they are not yet in large numbers.
Samet hotels at Ao Prao have mixed reviews. Almost all guests give their hotels top ratings, but some complain about the discrepancy between price and service quality.
You can eat and use the restroom on the premises of any hotel, but be prepared for inflated prices, as these are top-class hotels.
- Lima Coco Resort.
- Ao Prao Resort.
- Le Vimarn Cottages & Spa.
Ao Putsa
Ao Putsa Beach, also known as Ao Tubtim, is located 15 minutes’ walk from Sai Kaeo and is one of the representatives of calm vacations. It is perfect for family couples with children and people seeking solitude and peace on Samet (there is no nightlife here).
A distinctive feature of Ao Putsa is the abundance of vegetation, which provides plenty of shade and makes it less hot than Sai Kaeo.
The sand here, like everywhere else, is pristine white, and the water is quite clear. You can’t compare it to the water near Koh Samui, but it is definitely cleaner than in Pattaya.
The water entry is gentle, and there are sights to see, unlike the other “grey” beaches of Koh Samet. For instance, Ao Tubtim features striking stone sculptures that are sure to catch your eye at first glance. One look is enough.
The path to Ao Tubtim from Sai Kaeo is not far; you can reach it by public transport (the tuk-tuk fare in 2025 was 20 baht) or on foot.
Transportation on the Island
Traveling across Koh Samet is quite easy, with several transportation options available:
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- Tuk-tuk;
- Songthaew;
- Rented bike;
- Taxi;
- Bicycle.
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Renting a scooter will cost you 400 baht per day. The price is higher than on Koh Lan, but the distances here are greater.
As for tuk-tuks and songthaews, the cost of moving from one beach to another can vary depending on the route. Price ranges from 15 baht to 65 baht.
If you prefer taxis, expect to pay between 100 and 800 baht per ride, depending on the distance and your bargaining skills.
The most economical option, in terms of cost-effectiveness, is undoubtedly the songthaew.
Hotels
Koh Samet boasts a well-developed hotel infrastructure. Here you will find a hotel to suit any taste and budget, from a simple bungalow to a luxurious five-star hotel.
Below are options that have been highlighted by other travelers as the best in their opinion.
Despite the abundance of hotels, when you pack for Koh Samet, it’s better to book your hotel in advance if you plan to vacation independently without relying on a tour operator.
We recommend using the booking service provided below.
How to Get to the Island
The most practical and inexpensive way to reach Koh Samet is by ferry from Bang Phe Pier or by a speedboat departing from the same pier.
You can reach Bang Phe in several ways, including:
- From Bangkok (Ekkamai Station), a bus departs that takes about 2-2.5 hours and costs up to 170 baht. Thus, after arriving at Bangkok Airport, you need to get to the bus station, and then to Bang Phe Pier. More details on how to get to Ekkamai Station can be read in the article, how to get from Bangkok to Pattaya;
- From Pattaya, a bus departs from the northern bus station to Rayong, costing 70–80 baht;
- The third option, which is considered more economical if traveling from Bangkok. Alternatively, if traveling from Bangkok, you might save a bit by buying a ticket to Rayong instead of Bang Phe. In Rayong, you can transfer to a songthaew for around 30 baht, saving you approximately 40 baht overall. it’s not a large sum, but for those who love to enjoy the local color, this option is excellent.
You can book your ticket in advance on the 12.go.asia website; the search form is provided below.
If independent trips tire you and you don’t particularly want to bother with finding specific bus stations or necessary routes, you can order a taxi or transfer from the airport.
A taxi from Bangkok costs about 2,000 baht (the same goes for a transfer), and from Pattaya, approximately 900 baht.
If you have the ability to move independently by personal or rented transport, the journey from Bangkok will take no more than 2 hours. But don’t forget about toll road sections; carry some change with you.
A Few Tips
As mentioned earlier, entry to Koh Samet is paid (200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children), but you can outsmart the military personnel who demand payment. Yes, this is not entirely correct, but it’s not illegal; at worst, you’ll just be asked to pay.
So, if you don’t have a lot of belongings that identify you as a newly arrived tourist, just act smart and don’t appear to be a tourist. Usually, such vacationers are not bothered (they think you’ve already paid).
The second option, for those who are not confident in their artistic abilities. On the left side of the checkpoint, there is a bypass road that you can walk on but cannot drive through, as it is blocked. So, if you walk there, no officer will think to run after you and ask you to pay.
And finally, the third option: bypass the checkpoint on a bike. To do this, you need to go from the pier not via the main road but around. This path is not marked on the map, but it exists.
The safest option is the third one, but it requires a bike.
So, it’s better to visit Koh Samet for more than a day on an excursion, spending several days to enjoy its beauty and visit all the beaches.
Don’t forget to share your vacation impressions in the comments. They are needed by those who have not yet decided on a vacation spot.
