Koh Samet is a picturesque island, especially romantic and cozy. Samet Island in Thailand is the largest in the Gulf of Thailand. And most importantly – you can enjoy its splendor 80 km from Pattaya.
General information
Samet Island is a great place for lovers of silence, relaxation alone with nature. The place has become popular due to its geographical proximity to Pattaya, preserved exotic nature. Samet in Thailand is a favorite holiday destination of local residents, the capital’s population comes here for weekends with whole families.
The island is divided into four geographical zones:
- north – there is a local village, pier, turtle farm and Buddhist temple;
- south – this area has preserved wild jungles-National Park;
- zapadnaya – rocky coast with only one beach;
- vostochnaya – this is where the best beaches are concentrated.
The island of Thailand is located in the Gulf of Thailand, belongs to Rayong Province, covers an area of only 5 square kilometers. The distance to Bangkok is 200 km, and to Pattaya – 80 km. The national park, which includes Koh Samet, includes several more uninhabited islands:
- Ko Kudi;
- Ko Kruai;
- Koh Cangao;
- Co Platinum.
Useful to know! The history of the island of Samet in Thailand begins in the 13th century. At that time, sailors stopped at its shores. The island became popular among tourists only in the second half of the last century. It was first discovered by residents of the Thai capital, who came here for the weekend.
Tourist infrastructure
Today, the island in Thailand has everything you need for a comfortable stay-restaurants, massages, spas, sports entertainment on the shore and in the water.
Useful to know! The most convenient way to get around the island is by motorbike-rent from 300 THB per day. It is also convenient to travel by tuk tuk-travel costs from 40 to 80 THB.
The only place where you can find ATMs is in the northern part of the island, where local fishermen live. It is most convenient to stock up on the necessary amount and not waste time on organizational issues. Terminals in stores are very rare, so you will have to pay in cash.
Despite the large selection of hotels and restaurants, Koh Samet in Thailand remains calm, secluded and measured.
| Things to do | Offers for tourists | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Water sports | Sea fishing, diving, snorkeling | It is necessary to have equipment in hotels, schools.You can swim off the coast of Koh Samet or go to the shores of neighboring islands. |
| Ecotourism | Jungle Walks | There are hiking trails for tourists. You can rent a bike, motorbike or quad bike for easy access. |
| Excursions | Guided tour of the island.Sunset meeting.Night fishing.A kayak ride. | The average cost of an excursion is from $10 to $40, depending on the chosen program. |
| Attractions | Statue of a mermaid and a prince.Big Buddha statue.Observation deck.Turtle farm.Fishing village. | On many thematic forums, tourists confidently write that there is absolutely nothing to see on the island. That’s not so. Start exploring Koh Samet with a simple island walk – this is where you can touch an unspoilt piece of nature, learn more about Thais. |
| Islands nearby | Ko Kudi.Ko Ta Lu. | The purpose of trips is relaxation, water activities, snorkeling, diving.It takes 2-3 hours to explore one island. |
Holidays with children
Koh Samet in Thailand is a great place for families with children. The island is good in many aspects – clean water that warms up quickly, comfortable climate, lots of entertainment. The conditions of accommodation in a hotel or bungalow are quite suitable for traveling with a child. Mattresses and vests can be found all along the coastline – equipment is available for rent.
Useful to know! Not all hotels are equipped with a playroom for children.
Related article: Bambu — how to visit a beautiful uninhabited Thai island.
Accommodation and meals
Hotels can be found all over the island, the price category is approximately the same, in the western part of Koh Samet in Thailand there are more expensive hotels. In the west of the island there is the only five-star hotel, a double room will cost about 18 thousand THB per day.
- Accommodation in a 4-star hotel starts from 2200 THB. These hotels have a swimming pool and spa facilities. A stay at the three star hotel costs about 1800-2700 THB.
- You can rent a house by contacting local residents. The cost is about 350-500 THB.
- Accommodation in a 4-star hotel starts from 3500 THB. These hotels have a swimming pool and spa facilities. A night in a three-star hotel costs about 2500 THB.
Many restaurants are located on the beach, which is undoubtedly convenient – you can order various goodies, drinks, comfortably sit on the beach, admire the local beauty. In the evening, establishments put tables in the fresh air, right at the edge of the sea. Imagine how relaxed you feel when you sip a cocktail, and at the same time dip your feet in the sea.
Interesting fact! Instead of traditional chairs, low deck chairs are used, and in some establishments, mats are used.
Most establishments offer a variety of dishes, from traditional Thai to fine European cuisine. Dinner in a similar restaurant will cost 250-500 baht per person.
You can buy groceries at the market located near Sai Kaew Beach. Wong Duan Beach offers a lively shopping experience. There are 7/11 minimarkets on the island, which can be found on Nadan Beach.
Beaches
There is no shortage of beaches on Koh Samet. There are only about a dozen places where you can stay on the beach. Sai Keo Beach is considered the most crowded-excursion groups from Pattaya are brought here. The biggest mistake is to stay on one beach and spend your vacation only on Sai Kaew. The island has many places to suit all tastes-beaches with excellent infrastructure or wild beaches where you can retire.
Useful to know! The island is part of a National Park in Thailand, so visiting all the beaches of Samet is paid-200 THB.
Sai Keo
The beach is located in the central part of the island, it is the main and most popular place on Koh Samet. It’s always noisy and full of tourists. The coastline is long, which allows you to swim freely without touching other people with your foot or hand. A big drawback of the beach, in addition to the large number of tourists — is the accumulation of boats, boats, scooters. You can’t relax in such an environment.
Interesting fact! If you move to the right, along the sea line, behind the monument to the Mermaid begins another beach-deserted and quiet.
The sea on Sai Keo in Thailand is calm (there are minor waves, but they do not interfere with swimming), clean, blue color. The coastline is quite clean, the sand is white, fine. As for the water temperature, it is quite cool, not everyone is comfortable to swim in such a sea. The descent into the water is gentle, smooth, the bottom is clean, clearly visible.
There are vendors along the shore, but they are unobtrusive, selling beach accessories, treats and drinks. There are many cafes all along the coastline where you can eat.
In the evening, the beach is transformed – music can be heard from all the restaurants, life is in full swing, lanterns glow and you can even get to the fire show.
Ao Hin Hok
This is the right side of Sai Kaew Beach in Thailand. In fact, there are similar recreation conditions here, with one difference-there are much fewer tourists.
Photo: Koh Samet, Thailand.
Prao Jsc
The beach is located in the west of the island and is considered one of the best. Here the sea is calm, there are no waves, the beach is surrounded by mountains, the coast is well-groomed and clean, there are practically no tourists. Residents of local hotels come to the beach to enjoy beautiful sunsets.
There are three beautiful hotels on the beach, the territory is clean, well-groomed, everyone can relax here. The territory adjacent to the sea is strikingly different – a different level of hotels, different landscapes. The sand on the shore is yellow, fine, the bottom is clear and sandy, and the descent into the water is gentle.
Useful to know! Chinese tourists are brought here, but not so often and are dropped off only on a small part of the beach.
You can have a snack here in the restaurants located on the territory of the hotels. The price level is medium and higher. The bill for two people is from 500 to 700 baht. Free parking is available near the beach.
Ao Cho
The beach is located 2.5 km from the center of the island and can also compete for the title of the best place to relax. There are no boats or boats near the shore, the water is clear-perfect for swimming. There is a pier here. On the shore there is a hotel with a good restaurant – you can eat for 200-300 baht. A shower and toilet are installed by the sea. The hotel also has free parking, where you can park your transport.
If you don’t want a big meal, check out a small mini market or cafe. If desired, you can pay for a massage, it is done right on the beach, the price is about 300 baht.
Advantages of the beach:
- no tourists are brought here;
- there are no boats near the shore;
- the sea is calm;
- beautiful nature.
Useful to know! On the shore you can walk to another beach – Ao Wong Duan, and a small path leads to the wild beach.
Ao Wong Duan
A small beach, only 500 meters long. There is clear, blue water, hotels on the shore, peace and quiet. In the evening, they hold a fire show, and put it right by the sea.
The beach is located in a secluded bay in the eastern part of the island and has the shape of a crescent. The width of the coastline allows you to comfortably sit by the sea and get a portion of sunbathing. The sand is similar in consistency to flour.
Useful to know! Walking along the beach is best to start on the left side, from Ao Cho. The road leads through the mountain and the hotel complex with bungalows.
In addition to restaurants and cafes on the beach, there are makashnits where you can buy inexpensive Thai food. A full portion can be purchased for only 70-100 baht.
The road from the center of the island and from the pier is long and not easy – you will have to overcome the ascents and descents. It is best to take a taxi or rent a moped.
There are travel agencies on the beach, and you can rent equipment for diving and sea fishing. In addition, ships depart from the beach to the mainland of Thailand. There are massage parlors, but there is no nightlife on the beach.
Ao Wai
Many people call this beach the best on Samet. And here are the reasons:
- the purest, turquoise water;
- fine, white sand;
- lots of shade that trees create;
- sparsely populated.
The only drawback is that it is quite difficult to get there, since the beach is located far from the central areas-5 km. To get to your destination, rent a motorbike or taxi. Another way to get to the beach is by speedboat transfer.
The beach is small, the length of the coastline is only 300 meters. You can explore it in just 7 minutes. Approximately in the center of the beach in the sea there are platforms where you can swim and comfortably stay. On the left side there are trees that create a nice shade.
Interesting fact! If you arrive at the beach before 9 am, you can swim right under the trees, because the tide begins to rise and the water gets to the branches.
On the left side of the beach there are rocks, there is a small cape, you can sit on benches. There is only one hotel on the beach, it has a restaurant, food prices are moderate – you can eat for 300 baht.
Weather and climate
If we consider the whole of Thailand, Koh Samet is the most attractive holiday destination in terms of weather conditions. The climate on the island is special – the rainy season, of course, happens, but precipitation is rare and ends quickly. That is why you can safely buy vouchers in the low season and go on a trip.
Useful to know! The sun is almost always bright over the island, the air warms up to +29…+32 degrees, and the water-up to +29 degrees.
The only sign of bad weather, which is supposed to be present in the low season, is waves, at this time sand rises from the bottom and the sea becomes muddy.
A holiday on the island in low season – from mid-spring to mid-autumn-has its advantages:
- no tourists;
- prices for housing, food and entertainment are being reduced.
How to get there
In fact, the road to Koh Samet is quite simple and tireless. The route is as follows:
- fly to the capital Bangkok or Pattaya;
- drive to Ban Phe village and take a boat ride to the island from here.
Koh Samet from Bangkok
By public transport — by bus with a ferry connection.
Transport takes you from Ekamai Bus Station (Ekkamai Metro Station):
- frequency of flights-every 40-60 minutes;
- departure schedule to Sribanphe pier in Rayong – first flight at 5-00, last-at 20-30, and in the opposite direction – from 4-00 to 19-00;
- package ticket price – 350 baht;
- the route is designed for 3.5 hours.
Taxi.
The cost of a trip from Bangkok is approximately 3.5 thousand baht, if you go from Suvarnaphumi airport, you will get several hundred baht cheaper. You will also have to change to a ferry or speedboat at Sribanphe Pier.
By car.
Follow Highway 3, which leads directly to Ban Phe. The journey takes about three hours.
How to get to Koh Samet from Pattaya
There are several ways to get to Koh Samet from Pattaya.
Bus + ferry.
From Pattaya, there is public transport to Rayong and the same Sribanphe Pier. The fare is 450 baht. Travel time is about 4 hours.
Taxi.
The trip from Pattaya to Ban Phe village takes from one and a half to two hours, the price starts from 2500 baht.
Motobike
An option for adventurous travelers and romantics is to rent a scooter or motorbike, stock up on fuel and take the Sukhumvit road to Rayong Province.
The most convenient way to get from Pattaya to Samet is to purchase a transfer package from a travel agency to Ban Phe and then to Koh Samet. The cost is slightly more expensive than traveling by public transport, but much more comfortable and faster. You can also purchase a similar package of services in the opposite direction.
How to get from Ban Phe to Koh Samet
There are two options – to go by ferry, and if you have sufficient finances, – to make a trip by speedboat.
Ferries run daily. The first one is at 8-00, the last one is at 16-30. The frequency of flights is from one to two hours. The duration of the trip depends on the beach where the transport arrives-from 25 to 45 minutes.
Useful to know! The ferry does not dock directly to the shore, and a boat of very dubious appearance takes tourists to the beach.
If you want to arrive directly at the pier, rent a speedboat to reach Nadan Pier on Koh Samet in just 15 minutes. Price-from 200 baht.
Useful tips
- Before going to Koh Samet in Thailand, tourists pay a fee of 200 baht – a fee for visiting the National Park.
- The only place on the island where you can see rhinoceros birds is Ao Prao Beach.
- By the end of the tourist season, around September, jellyfish appear, they are few and small.
- To ensure that your holiday is not overshadowed by anything, be sure to bring a fumigator and insect repellent products.
- Please note that the hotel room must be booked in advance. Please check the availability of the necessary services.
Koh Samet Island is an amazing and unusual place for many people, where you can get acquainted with a completely different Thailand – calm, measured.
