{"id":5659,"date":"2025-02-26T16:45:41","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T15:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conmochila.com\/en\/?page_id=5659"},"modified":"2026-04-14T15:24:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T13:24:23","slug":"koh-samet-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.conmochila.com\/en\/koh-samet-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Koh Samet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you\u2019ve come this far, it\u2019s because you want to know whether Koh Samet<\/strong> is really worth visiting. To help you understand our opinion, let me share something first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like most people, visiting beaches and islands is one of our favorite things to do when traveling. We love landscapes full of palm trees and enjoy sipping coconuts while lounging in a hammock. And when it comes to the underwater world, we can spend hours snorkeling, captivated by any coral reef.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve read any of our travel guides for Thailand<\/a><\/strong>, you\u2019ll notice that we\u2019ve explored nearly every country with a coastline. And of all the islands we\u2019ve visited, we prefer the secluded ones<\/strong>\u2014those with beaches where you can escape the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, during our travels through Southeast Asia<\/strong>, we\u2019ve sometimes come across destinations that, despite our love for beaches, have made us want to leave. One of those places is Koh Samet<\/strong>, which we\u2019ll talk about today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We arrived in Koh Samet after spending some idyllic and peaceful days on the islands of Koh Chang<\/a><\/strong> and Koh Kood<\/strong>, where we were impressed by the kindness of the people and the tranquility of the place, even after having visited many destinations in Thailand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We were traveling with some friends who were finishing their holiday in the capital soon, and we thought, “Well, since we\u2019re passing through, let\u2019s visit another island.” Maybe that\u2019s why, due to the contrast, we were disappointed right from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And so, we went to the famous beach near Bangkok<\/a><\/strong>, where locals are said to escape when they need a break from the chaos and stress of the city. But is it really worth it? Far from being an idyllic place, the high prices, crowds, and numerous boats docking at its beaches can overshadow its natural beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n Additionally, on windy days, the eastern beaches have such strong currents that they\u2019re not worth visiting. We were so disappointed that we\u2019d only recommend this island if you\u2019re really set on going to the beach and have ruled out all other options for one reason or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Koh Samet has a similar climate to Koh Kood<\/a><\/strong> and Koh Phangan. Here\u2019s a breakdown of the seasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nOn Thailand\u2019s islands and coastal areas, medical assistance often involves private hospitals, where costs can rise quickly depending on the situation. For a broader perspective on healthcare coverage and what it typically includes, you can consult travel insurance options for Thailand<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nAlthough many hotels and caf\u00e9s offer Wi-Fi, connectivity can vary on islands and beach destinations. Travelers who prefer consistent mobile data access often review eSIM options for Thailand<\/a> before arrival.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people travel from either Bangkok or from Koh Kood or Koh Chang. Here\u2019s how you can get there:<\/p>\n\n\n Bus + ferry: <\/strong>From Ekkamai Bus Station, take a bus from Bangkok to Ban Phe Pier in Rayong (about a 3-hour journey). From there, you can take a ferry to the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Boonsiri<\/strong> company sells combined bus + ferry tickets, which you can purchase through 12go Asia<\/strong>, and some agencies sell minivan + ferry tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also travel from Koh Kood<\/strong> or Koh Chang<\/strong> with the Boonsiri<\/strong> company. The ticket includes two ferry rides (one to Trat Pier and another from Rayong Pier) and the bus transfer between the two (there\u2019s no direct ferry to Koh Samet, so you have to travel by road between the two ports).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The busiest beach is Had Sai Kaew<\/strong>, located in the northeast. Upon arrival, you\u2019ll need to pay the National Park entrance fee, which is valid for several days and covers the entire island (200THB). However, despite the name “National Park,” the first thing you see is an asphalt street lined with shops that you need to cross to reach the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n Here, you\u2019ll find lots of people, especially groups taking photos on the sand. We didn\u2019t stay long and only spent enough time there to take a few pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I found Ao Wai<\/strong> to be one of the prettiest beaches because of its beautiful water color, even though the currents and waves that day weren\u2019t very inviting for swimming. However, more than the wind, what we didn\u2019t like was having to pass through a resort to access the beach. So, after a quick dip, we left.<\/p>\n\n\n Looking at photos of this beach online and comparing them with ours, I think the issue was that the high tide, caused by the currents, forced us to stay practically inside the resort. It\u2019s a shame we didn\u2019t experience this part of the island on a calmer day, as it must be stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n We stopped at Ao Kiu Na Nok<\/strong> out of curiosity since it was on our way, but the sea was so rough, and the beach was covered in foam, so we quickly moved on. The only photo we took is this one, and the experience was similar to the previous beach. I\u2019m sure it must be much better with calm seas.<\/p>\n\n\n Ao Prao<\/strong> is the beach where you can watch the sunset, and it\u2019s perfect if the wind is too strong on the east coast. However, as mentioned earlier, it\u2019s a bit overcrowded with resorts and packed with boats during peak hours.<\/p>\n\n\n As you can see from the photos, the water is crystal clear and clean\u2014something rare on many Southeast Asian beaches (definitely a plus!).<\/p>\n\n\n Once the boats leave, the beach becomes a much more enjoyable spot for swimming. But when the excursion boats arrive, the beach gets crowded with people stopping for lunch. At one end of the beach, agencies set up tables with food for the tourists who come to eat there.<\/p>\n\n\n In the southern part of Koh Samet, there are a couple of viewpoints where you can see the small island of Koh Chan. Other than taking a few photos, there\u2019s not much else to do there, so it\u2019s not worth visiting unless you have your own vehicle. The good news is that you don\u2019t have to pay to access these viewpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n After exploring the island and not finding any beach that truly stood out, we spent our time lounging around the restaurants near our accommodation in the north. They were expensive, but at least they had a pleasant atmosphere and great views.<\/p>\n\n\n You can also book a boat trip to visit other beaches or nearby islands around Koh Samet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for those who want to give back and help keep the archipelago clean, you can become a “trash hero<\/a><\/strong>” for a day. This initiative aims to keep the islands free of waste, with volunteers going out once a week to clean up. In return, they\u2019re rewarded with a meal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Accommodation on Koh Samet is generally more expensive than in other areas. As we\u2019ve already mentioned, the island is full of resorts, though there are some accommodations available for between 10 and 20 euros, but these are rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve listed accommodations by price range (from cheapest to most expensive), so you can choose the one that best suits your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exploring the underwater world is a fascinating yet sometimes daunting activity. Simply putting on a diving mask and peering beneath the surface reveals a whole new world of colors and unfamiliar life forms.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\tBEFORE YOU GO<\/h2>\n\t
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BEFORE YOU GO<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Koh Samet Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When to Visit Koh Samet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Travel Tip<\/strong>: Check out our article on the best time to visit Thailand<\/a><\/strong> for month-by-month climate information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSecurity and Travel Insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Internet & Connectivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Get to Koh Samet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Bangkok<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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From Koh Kood to Koh Chang<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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\n\tWHAT TO SEE\/DO<\/h2>\n\t
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WHAT TO SEE \/ DO<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Had Sai Kaew<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ao Wai<\/h3>\n\n\n\n



Ao Kiu Na Nok<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ao Prao<\/h3>\n\n\n\n




\n\n\n\n
\n\tTOURS<\/h2>\n\t
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TOURS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Viewpoints in Koh Samet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n



Boat Trips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\tSLEEP<\/h2>\n\t
\n\t
SLEEP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where to Stay in Koh Samet?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Budget<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Miss Tim House<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Sangthain Hills<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Runa Runa The Best Samed Island<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Mid-Range<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Lotto House<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Sundaze Samet<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Blue Moon Samed<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Star<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Baan Minnie<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Samed Villa Resort<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Banthaisangthain Resort<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\tTRAVEL TIPS<\/h2>\n\t
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TIPS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Responsible Snorkeling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
