Chaweng Beach 

           is located on Koh Samui's east coast, is the most developed area on the island. It attracts many young travelers and families alike, and remains good value for the money. The beach is approximately 7 Km long, with powdery white sand. It is bordered by dreamy, emerald-blue waters and a coral reef where waves break, leaving the bay quite peaceful. Two small islands are close to the reef -- the nearest one can easily be accessed by walking through the shallow waters. The second island, further out and larger, provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy snorkeling and kayaking. Bring shoes if you plan to walk around the islands, as they are made of sharp coral sands.

Lamai Beach

          is located 10 Km south of Chaweng on the east coast, Lamai is the second largest beach on Koh Samui. To get there, turn left on the main road coming from the airport (see map). The wide sandy beach is not as powdery as that of Chaweng but the hundreds of coconut trees bending over the blue-green waters give Lamai a more peaceful and natural atmosphere. And for those who enjoy playing in the waves, there is no reef protecting this bay, so the sea is a little rougher.

Maenam Beach

          is located about 2 Km to the west of Bophut. It is still very much a traditional Thai village in the true sense of the word. Some of the wooden houses and shops are over 70 years old and it's well worth taking a stroll down to the waterside to take in the character of the place. The 4-Km long beach here is clean with calm waters. The sand is not as smooth as Chaweng's and the sea not as shallow, but it provides a quiet and remarkably tropical feeling. Some dive shops and watersport facilities are available and it's a great place to go windsurfing, especially in November and December. Many speedboats going to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao depart from Maenam Pier. Along the main road is a small town with some restaurants and shops. If you want some action at night, just head on over to Chaweng, which is only a 10 minutes away by car or motorbike.

Bophut beach

            is not far from the famous landmark of Big Buddha is Bophut Beach. The beach itself encompasses some two kilometers of white sandy shoreline fringed by coconut palms leaning over the sea. The calm waters of the bay make this a popular spot for either playing or relaxing. Stretched along the main road you will find many small shops and restaurants. Bophut is a good compromise between the super quiet places and the hustle and bustle of Chaweng. This is one of the few beaches on Samui where you can rent jet skis, as well as kayaks and snorkeling gear.