Visit Ayutthaya in Thailand: a fun day trip from Bangkok
August 26, 2025
- Thailand
Lois Weeterings
Content
Koh Samet in Thailand is a hidden gem and a popular destination among locals and tourists alike. Because of the island's convenient location, just 220 kilometers from Bangkok, it is the perfect place for a relaxing getaway. The island is small, but fine. It offers a relaxed atmosphere with beautiful white sand beaches, clear blue sea water and lush green nature. To make the most of your stay on Koh Samet, we've written out our tips for you. In this article you will read about the most beautiful beaches on Koh Samet, as well as the best activities and finest hotels to stay at!
The island of Koh Samet in Thailand
The island of Koh Samet in Thailand is part of the Khao Laemya National Park, which has been a protected natural park since 1981. Still, it takes some shifting when you arrive on the island from the mainland. The chaos (read: a busy street full of restaurants, music and traffic) is, to put it mildly, not the image you have of a protected nature reserve. But if you get beyond this part of the island, that is, more to the south, you soon see the other side of the island. The more green and lush side, the place you want to be.
Because the island is part of a protected natural park, you pay 200 baht to enter the island.
What to do on Koh Samet: fun tips and activities
Koh Samet is not a standard beach destination added to a tour of Thailand, but is definitely worth considering. Especially if you want to stay around Bangkok but still enjoy pearly white sandy beaches that Thailand is known for. These then are the best tips and activities to do on the island of Koh Samet in Thailand:
1. Discover the most beautiful beaches on Koh Samet
For an island that is only 13 km2 in size, it offers a large number of beaches. There are 14 beautiful white sandy beaches to discover on Koh Samet and on many of these you will find green cajeput trees. This is also what the island is known for and also the name of the island is derived from this. Samet means cajeput in Thai.
Whereas the beaches in the north are crowded and touristy, the beaches in the south are a lot more peaceful and idyllic. These are the most beautiful beaches to explore on Koh Samet:
Ao Prao - the only beach on the west coast of the island and literally a paradise to spend the day;
Ao Karang - because the beach is so secluded, it is often very quiet. And because of the cajeput trees, there is a lot of shade, so it is great to be there;
Ao Wai - a beautiful bay with white sandy beach and rugged rocks at the far ends of the bay;
Ao Nuan - a small but very fine bay with a white sandy beach and clear blue sea water;
Ao Lung Dam - although this is not the most beautiful beach on the island, it belongs in the list because of its very cozy atmosphere;
Ao Tubtim - a beautiful white sandy beach and a good place to book a hotel for those who like to stay in a quiet area, but still want to be close to Koh Samet's nightlife.
2. Drive to the southernmost tip of the island: End Viewpoint
One of the best activities to do on Koh Samet is to rent a scooter. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore the island at your own pace. It is a big advantage that Koh Samet is not that big, you can drive to the southernmost tip in just 30 minutes. Here you will find the viewpoint End Viewpoint where you can enjoy beautiful views of the island and the surrounding sea.
3. Explore the hiking trails of Khao Laemya National Park.
The natioanle park covers much of the island and is definitely worth exploring. Put on your hiking boots in the morning and take a nice walk through the park. This is the best time of day to go hiking because you avoid the hottest part of the day. Plus, you can relax on one of the most beautiful beaches afterwards.
The Nature Trail is the walk on the island of Koh Samet is about 2 kilometers. It takes you about 40 minutes to do this, which in our opinion is very doable. It does involve some climbing and descending, and the path is not very well maintained. But still fun to do and in the end you are rewarded with a beautiful view!
4. Enjoy beautiful sunsets
Almost all the beaches on Koh Samet are on the east coast, and let this be the ideal side for watching a beautiful sunset. As such, you will find restaurants on or near the beach on many beaches. The perfect setting for a romantic dinner out.
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Hotel tips: fine places to stay on Koh Samet
As you may have figured out, we would recommend staying in the southern part of the island of Koh Samet. There you are out of the crowds and often with your hotel located on one of the nicer beaches on the island. We have therefore collected our favorite spots for you, these are:
Le Virmarn Cottages & Spa On the west coast (Ao Prao)
Ao Prao Resort at the beautiful Ao Prao beach
Samed Villa Resort at the Ao phai bay
Tip: Don't want to stay at one of these resorts? Then it is good to know that the resorts are often open to day visitors as well. You are often allowed on the beach for free, only for renting a bed you pay a small fee.
The best period to visit Koh Samet in Thailand
The best travel time to visit Koh Samet is from October through April. Why? Because the temperature averages around 30 degrees, there is no rain and the sun shines all day long.
The rainy season is in the months of July and August, but because Koh Samet has its own microclimate, there is little rainfall even during these months. Except for a hefty tropical downpour (lasting 15 minutes at most).
Good to remember is that Koh Samet is a popular island among locals, especially those living in and around Bangkok. Therefore, it is a valuable tip to avoid weekends and holidays.
Getting to Koh Samet: how to get there
By far most travelers who want to go to Koh Samet leave towards the island from Bangkok. At Ekkamai bus station, you can catch a direct bus to Ban Phe pier from where the ferry to the island departs. The bus ride takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. You can buy your ticket at the bus station or via 12GO's website.
Once at Ban Phe pier, you can choose to take the speedboat to the island or buy a ticket for the ferry. Remember that if you buy a ticket for the ferry you can choose between a single sailing or a round trip. Don't want to depend on the company and the times they sail? Then buy a ticket for just the crossing.
Are you on Koh Samet? Then there are jeep cabs waiting to take you to your hotel. For about 300 Baht you can join them to the other side of the island. This is good to know before you get in!
Traveling around Thailand: we would love to help you get started!
After reading this article, you can no doubt enjoy a wonderful stay on the Thai island of Koh Samet. But Thailand offers many more paradise islands to explore. Not only that, there is a wonderful culture to discover and experience and so much more in vibrant cities and authentic villages. Would you like to combine Koh Samet with other beautiful destinations in Thailand? We would love to help you get started!
Customized travel proposal for Thailand
Are you interested in touring Thailand? Then Koh Samet is a nice addition to your itinerary, because with its beautiful white sandy beaches it is a wonderful end to your tour. Wondering what other places are worth visiting in Thailand? We would like to help you on your way and point out the best places and hidden gems. We combine the highlights of Thailand with your wishes and interests to create a tailor-made itinerary!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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