All You Ever Wanted to Know About Koh Samet (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Visiting Koh Samet: Thailand’s Worst-Kept Secret with the Best Sand-to-Tourist Ratio

Koh Samet. The island that’s somehow both a beach escape and Bangkok’s unofficial weekend dumping ground. Want to leave the chaos of the city behind? Great! So does everyone else. But hey, at least the water’s blue, the sand is flour-soft, and the hangovers are surprisingly scenic.

This place is ideal if you want that tropical island vibe but only have 2.5 brain cells of energy left after surviving Bangkok traffic. It’s close, it’s chaotic, it’s charming, and yes, it’s full of people who forgot sunscreen. Let’s break it down.

---

Beaches: Choose Your Own (Sandy) Adventure

Koh Samet isn’t huge, but it’s got a shocking number of beaches for a place that takes 20 minutes to scooter across.

• Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach) – The main beach. The big one. The party central. Imagine Ibiza, but with more street meat and fewer rules. Jet skis, loud music, fire shows, and tourists burning like lobsters. Fun for extroverts, terrifying for introverts.

• Ao Phai – Just a short walk from the madness of Sai Kaew, Ao Phai is slightly more relaxed, the kind of place where you can drink from a bucket and pretend to read a book.

• Ao Tubtim & Ao Nuan – Smaller, more peaceful beaches that attract couples, solo soul-searchers, and anyone who says things like “I’m just trying to reset my energy.” Expect hammocks, smoothies, and quiet existential dread.

• Ao Prao – Fancy beach alert. This is where you go if you’ve discovered SPF before age 30 and enjoy resorts with cocktails that don’t come in plastic cups.

---

Where to Stay: From Budget Bungalows to Resorts With Throw Pillows

• Budget (Under $25/night) – The usual suspects: fan rooms, shared bathrooms, and lizards that may or may not pay rent. But hey, you’re 10 seconds from the beach and that’s what matters.

• Mid-range ($30–80/night) – A/C, private bathrooms, and at least one piece of furniture that isn’t plastic. Solid choice for people who still have standards but also a backpack.

• Luxury ($100–300/night) – Beachfront resorts with infinity pools, spa menus, and staff trained to pretend they don’t notice your sunburn. You’ll never want to leave and your bank account will make sure you don’t forget it.

---

How to Get to Koh Samet from Bangkok: The Lazy Person’s Island Escape

Getting to Koh Samet is delightfully simple, assuming you don’t spontaneously combust in a minivan.

Step 1: Get to Ban Phe Pier

• Take a bus or minivan from Bangkok’s Ekkamai Bus Terminal (or from random travel agents who will absolutely overcharge you and not care).
• Cost: around 200–300 baht ($5–8).
• Time: 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on how many roadside snacks the driver stops for.

Step 2: Ferry or Speedboat to the Island

• Public Ferry: Leaves every hour-ish, takes 30–45 minutes, costs about 60 baht ($1.50). Comes with bonus exposure to Thai karaoke and sea spray.
• Speedboat: 200–300+ baht ($6–9+), takes 10–15 minutes, and includes a mild sense of terror as you bounce across waves like a caffeinated dolphin.

Note: When you arrive on Samet, you’ll pay a National Park fee (200 baht for foreigners). Yes, even if you’re only there to make questionable life choices and drink out of a pineapple.

---

Getting Around: Walk, Scooter, or “Just Stay on the Beach, Honestly”

• Walking: Entirely doable, especially if you’re staying on the east coast beaches. Bring flip-flops and a willingness to sweat.
• Scooter rental: 300–400 baht/day. The roads are decent-ish, but it’s still Thailand, so drive like everyone else is trying to kill you.
• Taxis (a.k.a. Songthaews): These island trucks are everywhere. They’ll take you up, down, and around for a fee that’s always “negotiable,” meaning you’ll probably get scammed with a smile.

---

Nightlife: Fire Shows, Booze Buckets, and Regret

Koh Samet knows how to party. It may not be Full Moon crazy, but it definitely understands the assignment.

• Sai Kaew Beach is your main party zone. Think fire dancers, neon buckets, Thai whisky-fueled dance-offs, and at least one guy trying to impress people with poi (it’s never impressive).
• Ao Phai also gets lively after dark, but with slightly more laid-back vibes. Great for drinking with your feet in the sand while contemplating your fourth mojito.
• Beach Bars: There are dozens, and they’re all either playing deep house, reggae, or that one remix of “Despacito” that never dies.

---

Daytime Activities (For When You’re Not Hiding From the Sun)

• Beach-hopping: Samet is literally made for lazy exploration. Just pick a direction, walk, and fall in love with another slice of beach.
• Snorkeling: Tours available all over the island. You’ll see fish, coral, and occasionally other tourists doing the exact same thing next to you.
• Kayaking: Cheap to rent, hard on the shoulders, and a perfect excuse to take Instagram photos that say “I’m sporty” when you’re really just floating.
• Sunbathing: Aka “slow-roasting your thighs while trying to read a book you’ll never finish.”
• Getting a beach massage: 300 baht ($8) for an hour of blissful confusion over whether you’re relaxed or in pain.

---

Final Thoughts: Should You Go to Koh Samet?

If you’re short on time, patience, or functioning brainpower but still want tropical beauty and the occasional beach bar bender, Koh Samet is your soulmate.

Yes, it gets busy. Yes, it’s got the occasional tourist chaos. But it also has gorgeous beaches, decent food, and the kind of “I could live here forever” vibes that hit hard after your second Chang beer.

So pack light, expect sand in your everything, and prepare to tell yourself, “I’ll just come for the weekend,” right before extending your stay by four more nights.

You won’t regret it. Probably.