Eastern Thailand · Rayong

Koh Samet travel guide: white-sand bays close to Bangkok

Koh Samet is the nearest proper island beach to Bangkok, a narrow island of white-sand bays on the Rayong coast. It lies within Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park, declared in 1981, and its east coast is a string of bays, each with its own mood, from busy to quiet.

AsiaVela editorial teamUpdated 1 October 20263 min read

Sandstone ledges and white sand along a Koh Samet beach on a sunny day — A beach on Koh Samet's east coast.

Suggested time: 2–3 nights
Where to stay: East-coast bays
Season and timing: November to April for calm seas and sunshine; weekends and Thai holidays are busy.

The short answer

Stay two or three nights. Take the boat from Ban Phe, then choose your bay: Sai Kaew and Ao Phai for a lively beach, Ao Wong Duean for a crescent bay with both quiet and busy ends, or Ao Cho for peace. The island is part of a national park, so expect an entry fee. Go between November and April for the calmest seas.

Choosing a bay

Ao Phai, next to Sai Kaew Beach and an easy walk across the rocks, is a compact bay with clear water and inexpensive bungalows, bustling for most of the day, as the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' directory describes.

Ao Wong Duean is a crescent-shaped bay where boats drop off passengers; you can stay at the quieter end or join the bustle in the middle. Ao Cho is a peaceful bay with fine white sand and a jetty, good for swimming and kayaking.

The national park

Koh Samet is part of Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park, about 131 square kilometres, 94 per cent of it sea, which also covers several smaller islands, according to the directory.

Pay the park fee on arrival, keep beaches clean and avoid single-use plastic.

Beach umbrellas and bungalows under trees along the bay of Ao Phai — Ao Phai, Koh Samet.

The crescent of Ao Wong Duean in soft early-morning light — Ao Wong Duean in the early morning.

Make time for the local food

What to eat and where to look

Beach barbecue

Grilled seafood set out on the sand in the evening at many bays.

Where to look: Restaurants on Ao Phai and Ao Wong Duean.
Fit it into your day: Dinner by the sea.

Prices often by weight; check before ordering.

Thai seafood dishes

Stir-fried squid, prawn curries and spicy salads.

Where to look: Bay restaurants.
Fit it into your day: Lunch.

Ask about chilli.

Mainland snacks at Ban Phe

The directory notes many processed-food markets at Ban Phe, near the pier.

Where to look: Ban Phe pier area.
Fit it into your day: Before or after the boat.

Dried seafood is salty.

Getting there

Boats leave from Ban Phe on the Rayong coast, which the directory describes as the port for Koh Samet. Some boats go directly to bays such as Ao Wong Duean.

From Bangkok, travel by road to Ban Phe; the nearest airport is U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya.

Gentle waves on Hat Sai Kaew beach under a blue sky — Hat Sai Kaew, Koh Samet.

Turquoise sea seen through trees from a headland on Koh Samet — The sea from a headland on Koh Samet.

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Koh Samet; departs from Pattaya

Full-day on Koh Samet from Pattaya

A day trip with transport and boat from Pattaya. Check whether the park fee and lunch are included.

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Koh Samet and islands nearby; departs from Pattaya

Koh Samet and nearby islands by catamaran

A sailing day visiting several islands in the national park. Check the itinerary and sea conditions.

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Check dates, the final price, meeting point, guide language, inclusions, accessibility and cancellation conditions on Viator. The language of this website is not the language of the guide.