4 Reasons to love Koh Samet

As a master of procrastination I’m finally able to finish this article about my Thailand trip back in January (Is it really May now??) We got back from Okinawa, Japan and had another couple of days left in Bangkok before we left.

Okinawa turned out way too cool for a beach holiday at that time of the year, so we were in bad need for some warmer beach days! Deciding on a destination was quite easy due to our extremely limited time in Thailand: Koh Samet shall fulfill all our requirements! Since my first visit in 2013, Koh Samet was one of the most pleasant surprises and I’ve been planning to come back ever since! I’m glad I finally did and now I’m going to tell you what makes this island so great 😉

1. It’s easily accessible

I love the islands of Thailand and I generally follow the rule, the more remote and secluded, the better. Despite the extremely well developed transportation system in the country, traveling to some of the islands usually comes with long, strenuous journeys including several vehicles. You easily loose a full day by the time you get to your accommodation, so this was no option to us. Here’s why Koh Samet’s easy accessibility comes in handy: It only takes you a short drive from Bangkok and an even shorter ferry ride to get there. In total you can expect 4 hours from stepping out your place in Bangkok until you feel the soft sand beneath your feet (in good traffic conditions!) No wonder this island is the perfect weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. For people who get nightmares of choppy waters and seasickness, the fact that the ferry takes max. 40 minutes (on a slow boat) and the sea is mostly calmer than on the Andaman side, might be relieving.

2. It’s an island for everyone

Don’t feel discouraged by the thought Koh Samet might be overcrowded because its close proximity to Bangkok. Indeed, the island does get pretty busy – especially during weekends – but it’s easy to escape the crowds. There’s only one ferry dock on the island which is the busiest area with plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants but this gradually thins out the more south you go. Koh Samet has a bunch of beaches with Hat Sai Kaew (White Sand Beach) in the north being the longest and most developed. If you’re looking for water sports, more restaurants options and nightlife, I’d recommend to stay at or near White Sand Beach. For the ones who prefer it quiet and peaceful – just head south as the beaches become smaller and less developed. Whether you’re a party monster, travel with kids or seeking a Robinson experience – Koh Samet perfectly combines the upsides of a lively beach destination with a laid-back vibe.

Koh Samet has numerous inviting beach bars but Sabaidee Bar was definitely my favourite! It’s a great place to enjoy a cocktail and chill while looking at the ocean!

3. The beaches are amazing

Set foot the first time in Koh Samet and you’ll be surprised how powdery white the beaches are compared to the near mainland. In fact, Koh Samet is a protected National Park although the level of development and the amount of people makes it hard to believe. While the effort of keeping the island clean could always be improved, the water is still very clear and boasts with shades of blue and turquoise. Most beaches are shallow and the waves are gentle, so they’re perfect for swimming (of course you should always keep an eye on local warnings). At night, the bars and restaurants are beautifully lit and create a romantic atmosphere on the beach. Plus – the climate of Koh Samet belong to one of the driest in Thailand, heavy rainfalls that last for days are rather rare!

4. There’s plenty to do

If you’re like me and laying on the beach bores you quickly, you’ve got plenty of other options on Koh Samet. As a small island, most activities are water-based – however these belong to Thailand’s best. The reefs nearby are in decent shape, therefore scuba diving and snorkeling are very popular. I can recommend to join an island hopping tour which are offered everywhere from various tour operators but basically are very similar in program and price. Just make sure the boat goes to Koh Thalu, a small, uninhabited island with a gorgeous postcard-perfect beach, a spectacular viewpoint over the rocky coastline and cute rabbits (yes, rabbits!) which live there freely and happily! This was THE highlight of our entire trip to Koh Samet and for most of the time we felt like we were much further away from Bangkok than we actually were.

As we were “island hopping” we hit other islands as well, like Koh Kam and Koh Kudee which were nice too but could not beat the beauty of Koh Thalu. Still it’s great to see that every island has its own character!

On a side note, not all beaches were perfectly clean unfortunately. Despite being a National Park, mass tourism has affected this area just as much as non-protected areas. Be a good example and don’t litter!

5. Where to stay

Koh Samet has a wide range of accommodation from simple bungalows to fancy resorts and lots of middle-class hotels that can be a hit or miss. I’ve stayed at solid places but nothing in particular I’d recommend (yet). Rooms get booked quickly especially for weekends (at the same time fares rise up to 50 %) but if you’re not too picky you’ll always find something. Just make sure that the resort has beach access, so you can enjoy your breakfast with a beach view 😉 You can book Koh Samet resorts here.

6. How to get there

As mentioned, Koh Samet might be the best accessible beach destination (besides Pattaya, but it’s way nicer!) from Bangkok. By car it takes you about 3 hours to get to Ban Phe pier (unless you get stuck in traffic!) and slow and speed boats leave from Ban Phe at least every 20 minutes. Tip: Always get the tickets directly at the counter at the pier! Depending on your choice of boat, the ride will take between 20 and 40 minutes. From Bangkok, you can also take public buses from the Ekkamai Terminal which will take slightly longer (but you don’t have to deal with the traffic). At the boat landing in Koh Samet, lots of songthaews (pick-up taxis) are waiting to take new arrivals to their desired beach. The price is depending on the distance, so the further south you go, the more expensive. It’s also cheaper to share a taxi with others, otherwise you’ll have to hire the whole car. Every songthaew station has a price list, so pay attention and make sure you don’t pay more than necessary (it shouldn’t cost more than 200 Baht for the whole taxi to get to the closest beaches). It’s also possible to walk to White Sand Beach (if you’re traveling light) which takes about 20 minutes.

7. Useful information

• Like every National Park in Thailand, there’s an entry fee. Thai nationals usually pay only of fraction of what foreigners have to pay (I think it was 200 Baht for an adult foreigner). The tickets are issued at different checkpoints around the island(s) and are valid for at least 7 days, so you should keep them and be able to show them when requested.

• The only way to get around the island individually is by rental scooters which are ubiquitous on Koh Samet. I usually don’t recommend this mode of transportation as the scooters can be in bad shape such as the roads. Drive extra cautious and at your own risk.
• Bring enough Baht in cash. There’s not many ATM’s around, foreign exchange rates are much worse than on the mainland and not every place accepts credit cards.

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Also read up my other articles about Thai islands:

Visiting Mu Koh Surin National Park

Koh Yao Yai – The perfect island hideaway

Phuketmania