The Best of Koh Samui's Beaches
By: Gregory Smyth

Some virtually untouched, others providing everything you require. Enjoy a massage, have your hair braided, taste barbecued chicken, sarongs, get to familiarize with the locals. Have your dinner in candlelight on beachmats, relax with a drink on triangular cushions, or simply doze off and chill out... Chaweng Beach - Koh SamuiJust when you think it is safe to leave the water you will get to know that you are on Chaweng Beach: one of the most crowded Koh Samui beaches, it is compressed into 7 km of some of the Island's finest surf and sand with a large variety of choices in accommodation for every budget and style.Lamai Beach - Koh SamuiThe second major beach among Koh Samui beaches is situated on a warm corner in the south of the island. Smaller and a bit more pleasant than Chaweng, you can comfortably walk the town in an evening and come across a variety of eateries and entertainment venues.Bophut Beach - Koh SamuiLocated near Samui's famous Big Buddha landmark is Bophut Beach. Two kilometers of white sandy shoreline surrounded by leaning coconut palms - a perfect place to chill out. Bophut comprises the charming Fisherman's Village featured with old wooden houses, small trendy shops and relaxed restaurants.Maenam Beach - Koh SamuiThe calmness of Maenam still continues to attract those in search of peace and quiet, preserving its old Samui character. Maenam is frequented by both backpackers and well heeled guests. Some of Samui' most costly new deluxe resorts can be found here.Numerous excellent local restaurants plus new age spa centers for those in search of new age stress relief. A good place to stay if your aspiration is not necessarily a noisy party nightlife.Big Buddha Beach - Koh SamuiOne of Samui's fastest advancing areas, Big Buddha takes advantage from its proximity to the airport and highly favored Chaweng Beach. Named after the statue that gives the beach its name it is also one of the most convenient places to get a ferry or speedboat to Had Rin on the island of Koh Pha Ngan - home of the popular Full Moon Party. The long sweeping Koh Samui beach is characterized by budget to mid-price bungalow operations, many of which have excellent restaurants appended. Overlooking the beach, is the large Buddha statue that gives the beach its name and is the island's most sought after tourist attraction.Choeng Mon BeachMuch more upmarket than its neighbour Big Buddha, Choeng Mon is consists of a series of bays on the north-western tip of the island, which are ruled by a handful of three to five star resorts. Most of the activity of places like the White House, The Peninsula and Tong Sai Bay is limited to indoors, implying that barring a few tailors and local restaurants there is not a lot happening outside the hotels. Still, when guests can enjoy their own private beach as offered by Tong Sai and the Peninsula, there is not a hell of a lot of incentive to leave either.Taling NgamEasily the most isolated spot on the island, Taling Ngam's appeal mainly pertains with those who desire to come out from it all in style, i.e. by staying at one of Samui's leading luxury hotels.Lipa Noi BeachLipa Noi beach is also one of the finest locations on the island from which to watch a beautiful sunset. Particularly on the weekends, the shallow waters and white sands are irresistible for local families and children. During the week though, it is very pleasant. A few bungalows and a restaurant can be located close to the beach.Nathon TownFor anyone travelling by boat as a passenger, Nathon is the island's main port (car ferries also dock at Lipa Noi, a few kilometres south) and landing point for the islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and mainland Surat Thani. To service the backpacker trade, a small cottage industry of sarong shops, bakeries, second hand bookshops, travel agents and internet cafes have made their entries along the waterfront.Hua Thanon/Bang KaoThis Koh Samui beach is amongst the least improved parts of Samui with only a few resorts scattered at leisurely intervals along the two beaches on the island's south west tip. So if you are looking for total peace and quiet...this is it.