Just a few kilometres off the coast of Thailand’s Rayong province, Koh Samet is reachable from Bangkok in less than four hours if timed right. Although small at just under 7 km from tip to tail, it packs in an incredible number of beaches, strung out like silky pearls along the east coast.
When it comes to beaches, the rules here are simple: the further south you go, the quieter and more secluded they become. At the top you’ll find partying, fire displays and water sports. Keep heading south and, if you’re lucky, you might even get a beach to yourself.
Here’s a breakdown of Koh Samet beaches on the island’s east coast, from north to south.
Hat Sai Kaew (White Sand Beach / Diamond Beach)
750 metre long Hat Sai Kaew is the island’s longest and most well-known beach. Alongside its soft white sand and turquoise waters, you’ll find jet skis, banana boat rides.. and fire shows when the sun goes down.
Getting there: It’s a 10 minute walk (or 2 minute songthaew taxi) from the Nadan ferry pier.
Best for: First-time visitors, party-seekers and anyone who wants everything on their doorstep. Sai Kaew has the most accommodation, restaurants, bars and shops — if you want everything at your fingertips, this is where to stay. But it’s very busy, especially at weekends when the Thai’s often head down from Bangkok.
Ao Hin Khok
Immediately south of Sai Kaew and separated by Koh Samet’s famous mermaid statue and a cluster of rocks, you’ll find 280 metre long Ao Hin Khok. The sand here is the same brilliant white and the water just as clear, but the atmosphere is a little calmer.
Getting there: Walk south along the beach from Sai Kaew, over the rocks, and you’re there in under five minutes.
Best for: Travellers who want to be close to the action of Sai Kaew but prefer to sleep somewhere less chaotic. Couples looking for a quieter evening without sacrificing easy access to restaurants and bars.
Ao Phai (Bamboo Bay)
Ao Phai is one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Samet — the sand is fine and bright, trees provide pleasant shade, and the clear water invites swimming and snorkelling. It has a handful of beach bars and resorts and a lively enough evening scene, but the atmosphere is a step down in intensity from Sai Kaew.
Getting there: About a 20-minute walk south from Nadan pier, or a short songthaew taxi ride. It’s also an easy walk south from Ao Hin Khok.
Best for: Those who want the best of both worlds — gorgeous sand and clear water with a social atmosphere, but without the sensory overload of Sai Kaew. Ao Phai suits couples, solo travellers, and groups of friends who want to swim and relax by day, then enjoy a beer at a beach side bar by night.
Ao Tub Tim (Pudsa Beach)
A short walk south of Ao Phai, Ao Tub Tim is where things start to really settle down. The bay is hemmed in by rocky outcrops on each side and the sand is Koh Samet’s trademark soft and white variety. This is a great choice for those seeking a more tranquil and quiet beach experience. There are a couple of resorts here and a handful of places to eat, but it’s nowhere near as developed as the beaches to the north.
Getting there: About a 25–30 minute walk from the pier, or a songthaew ride with a short walk down to the beach.
Best for: Those who want genuine peace and quiet but aren’t ready to sacrifice comfort entirely. Tub Tim is ideal for couples who want a romantic, laid-back stay with easy access to the livelier beaches nearby if required.
Ao Nuan
This is one of Koh Samet’s best-kept secrets — a small, rocky cove just south of Ao Tub Tim that most visitors walk right past without stopping. Ao Nuan is a small rocky cove surrounded by unspoiled greenery. Although it’s not far south of busy Sai Kaew, you can easily find a private spot here to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Getting there: It’s accessible via the coastal path heading south from Sai Kaew, though the trail can be a little rough in places.
Best for: Solo travellers, nature lovers and anyone who enjoys finding beautiful spots that the crowds haven’t discovered yet. For a few hours of solitude with a good book to read, it’s hard to beat.
Ao Cho (Cho Beach)
Ao Cho is a charming, relatively undeveloped bay. It has very clear turquoise water to swim in and a more local, laid-back atmosphere. It’s home to the legendary Rasta Bar, which gives it a distinctly mellow character.
Getting there: It’s about 35 minutes on foot from Nadan pier, or reachable by songthaew taxi. The walk along the coastal path from Ao Tub Tim is a scenic one.
Best for: The backpacker crowd, budget travellers, and anyone who prefers a hammock and a cold beer to a sun lounger and a cocktail menu. The Rasta Bar sets the tone: this is a place to slow down, swap stories with fellow travellers, and let the days blur gently together.
Ao Wong Duan (Wong Duan Beach)
Ao Wong Duan is the only other small town on Koh Samet apart from Na Dan, featuring a lovely beach in a bay along with several hotels, restaurants, and small grocery stores. It’s the island’s second-busiest beach and has its own ferry connection to the mainland — a real practical advantage. The bay is wide, the water calm and good for swimming, and there are enough restaurants and facilities to be genuinely self-contained.
Getting there: You can take a direct ferry from Ban Phe on the mainland to Wong Duan pier — this is often the most convenient option for those heading south of Sai Kaew. Alternatively, a songthaew taxi from Na Dan takes around 20–25 minutes.
Best for: Families and those who want facilities and comfort without the late-night noise of Sai Kaew. It’s also a good base for day-trippers who want to explore the southern beaches on foot. The direct boat connection makes it particularly practical for those who want to skip the main village entirely.
Ao Thian (Candlelight Beach)
One of the most atmospheric beaches on the entire island. Ao Thian is also called “Candlelight Beach” — a somewhat wild beach with very clear water, which transitions into Ao Lung Dum at its southern end.  The name comes from the candles that beach bars used to light at night, and something of that romantic, flickering spirit still lingers. The sand is interrupted by rocks and boulders which, rather than being a downside, create a series of semi-private mini coves that feel wonderfully intimate. It is well worth the short walk south from Wong Duan to experience the relative isolation. 
Getting there: A short walk south from Ao Wong Duan along the coastal path, or reachable by songthaew from Nadan pier.
Best for: Couples above anyone else. The rocky, candle-lit atmosphere and natural seclusion make Ao Thian one of the most romantic spots on the island. It also appeals to photographers and travellers who prefer natural beauty to manicured beach setups.
Ao Lung Dum
Just south of Ao Thian, Ao Lung Dum is a small, charming bay that represents another step down in hustle, bustle and noise. There is no major development here, no noisy watersports, and no hordes of people. A couple of small resorts can be found here, the main road runs close by, as well as a nearby spot to catch a sunset view.
Getting there: Accessible by the coastal trail from Ao Thian, or by songthaew along the main road, with a short walk down to the beach.
Best for: Travellers who want to feel genuinely off the beaten track while still having a roof over their head and a meal nearby. It suits the kind of person who reads, watches the ocean in front of them and doesn’t long for nightlife.
Ao Wai
About half an hour’s walk south from the busy Wong Duan, Ao Wai is a dreamy little escapism bay that feels a world away from the noisier beaches it leaves in its wake. There’s just the one resort here, so things don’t feel too cluttered on its relatively small white sandy expanses. The water is clear and calm, the atmosphere unhurried, and there’s a satisfying sense of having earned your peace by making the journey south.
Getting there: The walk down the coastal path from Ao Thian or Wong Duan takes around 30 minutes. There’s no direct songthaew service to Ao Wai itself, so your legs are the most reliable option, or you can arrange a speedboat transfer.
Best for: Those willing to trade a little convenience for a lot of tranquillity. This is the beach for couples celebrating something, solo travellers on a digital detox, or anyone who just wants a few days of doing absolutely nothing in a beautiful place with minimal interruption.
Ao Kiu (Kiu Beach)
Ao Kiu is where the wealthy come to stay.  There are twin bays here — one on the east coast (Ao Kiu Nok) and a rockier one on the west (Ao Kiu Nai) — and they are home to what is widely regarded as the island’s most exclusive resort. The eastern bay has the better swimming; the western one offers spectacular sunsets. Access is technically public under Thai law, though the resort has historically made this feel less than welcoming to non-guests.
Getting there: This is one of the most remote beaches on the island. A songthaew can get you close, but the last stretch is either on foot or by speedboat. Many guests arrive directly by private speedboat transfer.
Best for: Luxury travellers, honeymooners, and those for whom budget is simply not a factor. If you want the island’s finest beach to feel like your private corner of paradise and you’re prepared to pay for it, Ao Kiu delivers.
Ao Pakarang
Ao Pakarang is the southernmost beach on the island — a very beautiful and quiet beach accessible through the Nimmanoradee Resort. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to visit; you can simply walk through to the beach. The small bay is often empty, and the many trees on the beach provide shady spots so you’re not forced to bake in the sun.
Getting there: Reach it by songthaew to the southern end of the main road, then walk through the resort grounds. It’s the end of the line on the east coast, so getting here requires a little commitment.
Best for: Those in genuine search of solitude. Ao Pakarang feels remote in a way that few beaches this close to Bangkok ever manage. It rewards the traveller who isn’t in a hurry and doesn’t need much beyond clear water, shade, and silence.
A Note on Getting to Koh Samet
All of these beaches share the same starting point: a ferry from Ban Phe pier in Rayong. Ban Phe is around three hours by bus or minivan from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). Ferries run regularly throughout the day and take about 30–40 minutes on a standard boat, or 10 minutes on a speedboat. Once on the island, green songthaews — pick-up trucks with rows of seats in the back — shuttle passengers to and from the various beaches.  Hiring a scooter gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and is highly recommended for anyone planning to move between beaches during their stay. Note that Koh Samet is part of Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, so there’s a modest entrance fee payable on arrival.
The great thing about Koh Samet is that the beach you want almost certainly exists here — you just need to know how far south to walk. The island rewards those who venture beyond the obvious.
