Ten stretches, one island
Where to base yourself
Samui is roughly a circle, and where you land on it decides your trip more than any hotel review can. Chaweng and Lamai carry the nightlife and most of the crowds. Bophut, Maenam and Bang Rak sit calmer on the north coast, closer to the Koh Phangan ferries. Nathon, Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam face west, quieter and better for sunsets. The south coast barely sees a tourist at all. Below, the ten areas grouped by coast, plus three comparisons for anyone still deciding between two of them.
East coast
The busy side: beaches, bars, and most of the island's hotel rooms.
North coast
Closer to the Koh Phangan ferries, an easier pace than Chaweng.
- Bophut / Fisherman's Village Restored shophouses, restaurants and a Friday walking street: the most walkable evening on the island.
- Maenam The quietest north-coast beach, long-stay bungalows, shallow water, light on restaurants and nightlife.
- Bang Rak Handy for the airport and the Phangan speedboats; the beach itself is workmanlike, not scenic.
West and south-west coast
Fewer people, sunset views, longer drives to everything else.
South coast
The side most visitors never see.
Which one
Straight comparisons for anyone stuck between two.
Not looking for a place to stay?
The areas above are about basing yourself. These pages are about what to do once you're there.
- Beaches
Every named beach on the island, not only the ones with a resort strip attached.
- Temples
Samui's temples, from the Big Buddha to smaller ones most visitors miss.
- Waterfalls
The island's waterfalls, with a note on which ones run dry outside the rainy season.
- Hiking
Trails through the interior hills, away from any of the beaches above.
- Map
One map with every beach, temple, waterfall and trail plotted by area.