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Koh Samui Tourist Information - Beaches
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Chaweng Beach 
Chaweng Beach covers a large portion of the island's northeast coast, and is easily the most crowded and tourist saturated region on the island. The beach itself, while beautiful and clean often suffers from seasonal overcrowding as ever increasing numbers of visitors discover the island. Several hotels, ranging from budget resorts to luxury villas line up the shore. Restaurants are set right along the beachside, making Chaweng Beach seem to glow from within the sands.
Hotels near Chaweng Beach
Lamai Beach 
Lamai, just south of Chaweng beach and smaller, but Lamai's beaches are clean and occasionally less crowded than Chaweng. Lamai was the original destination for travelers to Samui, and compared to Chaweng more low budget, but it has its own distinct charms.
Greater Lamai is actually a large and beautiful valley, and as one travels inland away from the beach village the landscape is striking. Lamai has a lovely old Wat (temple), and is also the location of two of the most endearing original SPAs on the island, one on the beach, a hipster paradise called 'The Spa', and the other called 'Tamarind Spa', which has long been the class act on the island.
Hotels near Lamai Beach
Maenam Beach 
Maenam offers spectacular views of Ko Phangan to the North, and the Ang Thong National Marine Park to the East. The waters are calm and clean, being protected from the North Easterly currents by Ko Phangan. Because the sans are golden rather than white Meanam is usually much less crowded than Lamai or Chaweng, and Maenam's restaurants and bars still retain much of the local Thai flavor as well as being more reasonably priced, or even inexpensive. Overall Maenam is quieter, more relaxed, with local Thai community still pretty much intact. Meanam is also home to the Santiburi Resort, still considered by many to be the premier hotel on the island. The major golf course on the island is also in Maenam.
Hotels near Maenam Beach
Bophut Bay 
Bophut is the beach/bay just to the east of Maenam. Its lifestyle is relaxed and more traditional than the larger communities, referring to itself as Fisherman's Village. Bhophut's laid back vibe is popular with the more chic sort of travelers, and has a number of pricey but very good French-owned cafes and restaurants.
Hotels near Bophut Bay
Bang Rak Beach 
Bang Rak, just two kilometers east of Bhophut, and part of Bhophut 'province' is also known by the name Big Buddha Beach, after the 19-metre gold tinted statue of the ancient spiritual master which overlooks the entire bay (Big Buddha). Bang Rak is quite close to the airport, and is one of the calmest beaches, though the huge sweep of its jade colored waters are often a bit murky. Bang Rak is the jump off point to sister island Ko Phangan, and the ferry goes every day.
Hotels near Bang Rak Beach
Choeng Mon Beach 
Choengmon Beach is peaceful, romantic and clean, making it a delightful escape from the wearisome hustle and bustle of daily life. As it is not the at the center of any village or community, this tranquil and calm beach is the preferred spot for couples or families seeking peace and privacy. The sparkling, azure waters of Choengmon Bay are also relatively shallow, allowing kids of all ages to enjoy the waters in safety.
Choengmon Beach lies on the North East coast of Koh Samui, near Big Buddha Beach and around 4 kilometers north of Chaweng.
Hotels near Choeng Mon Beach
Ao Tong Takian 
Ao Tong Takian is a small cove north of Lamai beach. It's long been popular among stoners and hip tourists for its inviting white sand, and is also known as Silver Beach. There is great swimming here if the local fishing boats are not around. Be a careful if you are walking in the water, as Tong Takian has a lot of sharp rocks.
Hotels near Ao Tong Takian
Nathon 
Nathon on the Southwestern coast is the island's main port and the beaches here lack the beauty or deep water found on the east coast of the island. The city of Nathon offers great shopping with some of the best prices to be found anywhere on the island, as well as some truly good local restaurants, including a fantastic place on a side street where you can get a low priced Chinese Duck lunch. The open-air food market is piled high with inexpensive and fresh local produce. Some of the shops in Nathon are really offbeat, selling umbrellas, computer parts, stationary, and cheese in a single shop. Banks and Travel agencies here make it happen for travelers, and the ferry to the mainland and point beyond departs from this port.
Hotels near Nathon
Lipa Noi Beach 
Lipa Noi is really the only useful swimming beach on the west coast, and its wide sweep of sand is the last quiet place on the island. Lipa Noi faces due west and looks directly into the stunning Thai sunsets. It won't last long, but this is the part of the island where you can still feel like you are free from the tourist circus. It's really romantic, and there is not much to do.
Hotels near Lipa Noi Beach
Taling Ngam Beach 
Taling Ngam Beach, located on the west coast of Koh Samui just south of Nathon town, is a beautiful and quiet area of Koh Samui.
Not as developed as many areas of the island, Taling Ngam offers extraordinary views and sunsets to the west with the sun setting behind the Angthong Marine National Park's many islands.
There are several resorts and hotels in Taling Ngam, as well as an assortment of both local the international restaurants.
Hotels near Taling Ngam Beach