Koh Samet: Weekend Getaway Island near Bangkok [2020 Update]

If you are looking for a weekend getaway island near Bangkok, Koh Samet is a great choice. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, in the province of Rayong, Koh Samet features white sand beaches, plenty of hotels and resorts catering to any budget, and a vast choice of restaurants and beach bars. 

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Also written as Koh Samed or Ko Samet in English language guides and websites, Koh Samet is a somewhat tranquil and cheap alternative to the mainstream Thai islands such as Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, and Phuket. Additionally, many mistakes it for the much popular and touristy Koh Samui island. 

Situated around 220 km from the capital, it’s one of the closest islands near Bangkok, famous among the local young crowd to relax and party during the weekend. It’s slowly gaining popularity among foreigners too. Most of the island is part of Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, meaning that you’ll need to pay a small fee to enter the area: 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for children. 

HOW TO GET FROM BANGKOK TO KOH SAMET

Bus

Using a bus is the easiest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samet island. The buses depart from Ekkamai Bus Terminal, and the final destination is Ban-Phe pier, the closest pier to the island. The first bus leaves at 7 a.m and goes till 5 p.m in every 1:30hrs. The journey takes around 4 hours until the dock with a short 20-minute toilet/snack break.

Buses are comfortable, with enough leg space and air conditioning. Tickets cost 155 THB per person one way. I recommend getting an open-date round-trip ticket. There is no additional fee for such a ticket, and it’s just very convenient. 

Once at Ban-Phe, the harbor is only one minute walk away. The ferries depart from 8 a.m till 5 p.m in every hour. The open-date round ticket costs between 100-150 THB depending on which part of the island you want to go to. Check with the cashier to give you the correct ticket. The journey from the pier to the island is around 45 minutes. At the port, you have to pay an additional 20 THB for security, cleaning, and developing purposes of the harbor.

Taxi/Car

If you are willing to pay more and shorten the journey in half, hire a private driver. This will cost you around 1,500 THB one way. You can arrange this via the Grab mobile app.

Book this private transfer if you’d like to get to Koh Samet from any of Bangkok’s airports,

It is also possible to get to Koh Samet from Pattaya and Rayong either with a minivan or a public bus. Buy tickets in bus stations or from local travel agencies.  

Read about Koh Larn, another island near Bangkok. 

GETTING AROUND KOH SAMET

The island’s total area is around  6.8 km from south to north, meaning that it is quite a small island. Once you arrive at Koh Samet’s main harbor Na Dan, green songthaews (truck taxis) will be parked right at the entrance. However, if your hotel is close to the pier, you can easily walk.  

The best way to get around the island to do some sightseeing is by renting a motorbike or scooter if you have a license. The cost per day for a small bike is around 300 THB. 

You can also use the truck taxis, but it might get a bit expensive as they charge per person. Otherwise, you can also explore it on foot. 

KOH SAMET HOTELS

Koh Samet Hotels vary by price and location. However, there are plenty of budget-friendly options and for mid-range and luxury travelers. So here’s some of the best Koh Samet Hotels to choose from:

Baan Rom Talay – ideal for couples, friends, and budget travelers. This local hotel has a homestay feel with small private rooms that come with private bathrooms. 

Olly’s Bar & Hostel –  solo and budget travelers. Located right across the main street, the hostel is very centrally located and close to everything. It has one of the coolest outdoor bars to hang out. However, the hostel only has dorm rooms. 

Sidewalk Boutique Hotel – mid-range hotel with comfort and modern style. The boutique hotel has more of a hostel feel offering small clean rooms with bright colors. It’s a bit overpriced, but the price might be justified with its central location. Its cafe serves delicious smoothies, breakfast, and food in general. 

Sawasdee Coco –  beachside hotel, but lacks privacy offered by many other hotels. It’s ideal for those traveling in groups.

Jellyfish Bungalows –  private beach huts that are not modern, trendy, or luxurious but are ideal to have private space right on the beach and be away from traffic, resorts, and crowded beaches. 

Apache Loongdum Bungalows – mid-range private huts on beachfront offering bungalows either with a fan or an air conditioning, free WiFi, and breakfast included in the price. 

Bar and Bed – trendy mid-range hotel offering comfort, pool, and bar far from the touristy areas. This artistic hotel has one of the best water view restaurants and a lounge overlooking the ocean. 

Paradee Resort Koh Samet – an ultimate luxurious resort with private bohemian beachfront villas and pools on the south of Koh Samet. It has its own private beach. 

Mooban Talay Resort – another luxurious resort with private pools on the coast offering a tranquil environment and private beach on the northern part of the island.

If none of those hotels appeal to you, search others here.

BEST KOH SAMET BEACHES

Koh Samet has approximately 16 white and beige-sand beaches, so there’s something for everyone’s taste. Whether you want peace, a private resort beach, or a crowded one, everything is here.  

Sai Kaew 

Also referred to as Diamond Beach, Sai Kaew is the most popular and longest beach on the island. This 780 meters long coast has almost snow-white sand lined up with cozy restaurants and beach bars. There are a couple of accommodation options too, so choose it if you’d like to be in a bustling area and close to grocery shop 7 Eleven, various activities (jet-skiing, snorkeling, windsurfing, etc.), and other beaches. 

Ao Lung Dum 

A bit far away from Sai Kaew, Ao Lung Dum beach is famous for its backpacker vibe with no large resorts on the site, making it a popular place for a young crowd.

This small beige-sand beach is excellent for swimming and even jumping from an old pier. Here, bohemian bungalows aline along the coast, making it a somewhat paradise scenery – waking up to the gorgeous green-blue water landscape. There’s also an excellent restaurant made from driftwood. 

Ao Phai

Located next to Sai Kaew Beach, this is another postcard-perfect coast with white sand beach and blue-green water. Even though Backpackers favor Ao Phai, it still has a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. The coast is lined up with oceanfront bars and restaurants, so you can enjoy a meal or a drink with spectacular views if you get hungry. There are a couple of bungalows for rent.

Ao Wai

Ao Wai is another stunning and serene beach ideal for escaping crowds among Koh Samet beaches. Laying next to the Ao Lung Dum, this powder-white sand beach features Cajeput trees to offer shade. The water Two headlands make water calm The water here is calm due to the two headlands making it a perfect spot for swimming. Samed Villa Resort is the only accommodation option here. Its restaurants offer both local and western meals for lunch and dinner. Additionally, you can rent the equipment here if you’d like to snorkel or kayak. 

Note that you can get directly to Ao Wai from Ban Phe pier by speedboat. 

Ao Nuan

Ao Nuan is the second Koh Samet beach that backpackers favor. Nestled on a small rocky cove enclosed by untouched greenery, the beach is a bit south of the busy Sai Kaew; but you can still find a peaceful spot. The coast has grainy light-beige sand; however, the water is mostly free from seaweed and reef. There are no significant developments, no crowds of people, and no watersports! 

Ao Noi Na

Ao Noi Na is a famous northern beach for locals who own fishing boats. The beach itself is long and tranquil, but there might be lots of those boats, so it’s not very ideal for swimming or sunbathing. Come here to enjoy a glimpse of local living. The area is also full of bungalows and resorts. 

Ao Prao

Even though Ao Prao is within walking distance from Sai Kaew, it feels like an offbeat world with almost no loud boat motors, tourists screaming while doing watersports, and very few children. The beach has three mid-range and luxury resorts with nearly no boat traffic.  

Rent a sun lounger with an umbrella, sit back, relax, and enjoy gorgeous scenery with coconut water or a delicious cocktail. 

THINGS TO DO ON KOH SAMET

As the island is a getaway from the bustling cities of Thailand, expect a limited number of sights but an abundance of bars, restaurants, and cafes to relax and indulge in the scenery as much as possible. So apart from sunbathing and visiting nearby beaches, the list of things to do on Koh Samet includes watersports, visiting a couple of statues, watching breathtaking sunsets, and attending beach parties. 

The very first statue you’ll notice when approaching the island’s main harbor is of an underwater woman called Pisuea Samut (Butterfly of the Sea). She is the ruler of the undersea kingdom in a famous Thai poem Phra Aphai Mani written in 1821. A mermaid saves Prince Aphai Mani from the sea and takes him to Koh Samet. Another statue of a mermaid and a prince on a rocky terrain between Ao Phai and Sai Kaew beaches represent the poem. 

The island is also home to a large Big Buddha Statue at Wat Koh Samet. Accessed via a line of trees and a few steps, you can find the temple after the turnoff for Sawadee Coco Coffee on the right.

WHERE TO WATCH THE SUNSET ON KOH SAMET

As most Kot Samet beaches face east, there are only a couple of places to watch the sunset. One of the popular spots to watch the sunset is Sai Kaew, Ao Prao, and Ao Lung Dum beaches. 

WHERE TO EAT ON KOH SAMET

Love Island Cafe & Beach – cool beachfront cafes past the main Da Nan pier overlooking a long stretch of sandy white beach. You can sit either on a deck or in comfy chairs right on the beach. The prices for drinks are high, but it’s worth a visit or a short stopover. 

Bar and Bed waterfront restaurant – modern and trendy hotel to stay, and its restaurant is an excellent choice for dinner while watching a sunset from the deck. 

Sawasdee Coco Cafe – beachfront cafe offering good quality coffee in an open-air venue. It’s a bit hidden from the main road, so look for the sign. 

Banana Bar – this highly rated restaurant on Tripadvisor is an excellent choice for dinner. Offering one of the best Thai meals. 

Sidewalk Boutique Hotel Cafe – yet another trendy and modern boutique hotel on the island is a perfect choice for breakfast at reasonable prices. 

Life Buoy Smallroom & Coffee – this tiny and cozy coffee shop is another place to get a delicious and craft beverage on the island. 

Summer Day Beach Restaurant – another spot for local, authentic, and affordable Thai meals.