Koh Samet Travel Guide: Bangkok's Weekend Island
A guide to Koh Samet — the closest island to Bangkok, the best beaches, getting there from the capital, and what to expect in and out of peak season.
Guides for Koh Samet
What Koh Samet is
Koh Samet is a 6km-long island 200km southeast of Bangkok in Rayong Province, almost entirely contained within a national park. The national park status (entry fee: ฿200 for foreigners) has limited development compared to similar-distance weekend destinations — no high-rise hotels, controlled beach vendor numbers, and forest covering the interior.
The island’s beaches face east and northeast, protected from the southwest monsoon — making it one of the few Thai islands with reliable weather almost year-round. The water is clear and the sand (fine white quartz) is among the best in the Gulf of Thailand.
The main limitation is proximity to Bangkok: on long weekends and holidays, the island becomes extremely crowded with Thai visitors.
Beaches
The beaches run down the east coast of the island from Na Dan pier in the north. The further south, the quieter.
Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach) — The widest and most developed beach, 1km from the pier. The largest concentration of beach bars, restaurants, and accommodation. Good swimming. Busy at weekends.
Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai — The next two bays south. Narrower than Hat Sai Kaew, quieter, with a more budget-friendly accommodation strip and decent snorkelling at the rocky points.
Ao Phutsa (Ao Tub Tim) — Mid-island. A small, quieter bay with clear water and basic bungalows. Good for families.
Ao Cho — Further south. Reached by a short forest trail. Quieter, fewer facilities, good snorkelling.
Ao Wai — The best beach for isolation on the east coast. A small curved bay with clear water and limited accommodation. No road access — arrive by longtail from Na Dan (฿50–80).
Ao Kiu (southwestern tip) — The furthest point, only accessible by longtail. The most pristine beach on the island, with excellent snorkelling. No overnight accommodation.
Getting around the island
Songthaews run from Na Dan pier to Hat Sai Kaew and further south (฿30–80 depending on destination). Motorbike taxis along the main dirt track. Longtail boats travel the coast between beaches (฿50–100 per trip). The interior road is unpaved — scooters can be hired but the track requires care.
Practical notes
National park entry: ฿200 per person, collected at the pier or park checkpoints. Valid for the day of entry.
Accommodation: Budget bungalows from ฿600–1,200 on the less developed southern beaches. Mid-range from ฿1,500–4,000 on Hat Sai Kaew and Ao Phai. No luxury resorts — the national park status prevents large-scale development.
Weekdays vs weekends: The difference is significant. On a Tuesday, Hat Sai Kaew is relaxed; on a Saturday during a Thai long weekend, the island is severely overcrowded. Plan mid-week if possible.
Snorkelling: The rocky points between beaches and the southern coves have the best accessible snorkelling. Renting a mask and fins from beach shops: ฿100–150/day.
See also: things to do on Koh Samet for a full activities guide.