Koh Samet is the closest beach island to Bangkok, and the easiest to visit without flying. It is small, about 7 km from end to end, and lies off the coast of Rayong province. The whole island is part of Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, so every visitor pays a park fee. Beaches of fine white sand run down the east coast, with quieter coves further south. It suits a short break from the capital, couples and families. Thai weekend crowds are part of the picture, so it is calmer from Monday to Thursday.
Where should you stay on Koh Samet?
Most rooms are on the east coast, between the pier and Ao Wong Duean. The further south you go, the quieter and less developed it becomes.
| Beach | Best for | What it is like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hat Sai Kaew | Convenience, nightlife | The main beach, about 1 km of white sand with shallow water | Closest to Na Dan pier; busiest at weekends; has ATMs |
| Ao Hin Khok & Ao Phai | Budget travellers, evenings out | Smaller bays just south of Sai Kaew, calm by day | Fire shows on the beach at night |
| Ao Wong Duean | Families, couples | A long, curved bay with calm water | Restaurants and shops, but quieter than Sai Kaew |
| Ao Prao | Quiet stays, sunsets | The main west-coast beach, with a few upmarket resorts | Few independent places to eat; the island's best sunsets |
| Ao Wai & Ao Kiu | Seclusion | Small southern coves with little development | Limited facilities; further from the pier |
Rooms are mostly cheaper and more varied around Sai Kaew and Ao Phai. Expect higher prices at weekends and on Thai public holidays.
How do you get to Koh Samet from Bangkok?
The trip has two parts: road to Ban Phe pier on the mainland, then a boat to Na Dan pier at the north of the island. Allow four to five hours door to door.
- Bus: Cherdchai buses leave Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai and take about three to four hours to Ban Phe. The fare is about 190 baht. Minivans also run, for about 200 to 300 baht.
- Bus and boat from the airport: a combined service leaves Suvarnabhumi and Khao San Road in the morning and reaches Na Dan in about five and a half hours, for 750 baht.
- Private car: about two and a quarter hours to Ban Phe in light traffic. From Pattaya, Ban Phe is about 81 km away, a little over an hour by car.
From Ban Phe, the wooden ferry takes about 40 minutes and runs roughly hourly through the day, for 50 to 70 baht one way. A catamaran takes about ten minutes for 150 baht. Shared speedboats take about 15 minutes and can drop you at some beaches, for 200 to 500 baht depending on where you go. Boats stop in the late afternoon, so aim to reach Ban Phe by early afternoon.
How do you get around Koh Samet?
Green songthaews, shared pickup trucks, wait at Na Dan pier and run to the beaches. Shared rides to Sai Kaew and Ao Phai cost about 20 to 60 baht. Hiring one to a southern beach costs about 200 to 600 baht. The east-coast beaches are joined by a coastal path, so you can walk between them. Scooters cost about 300 baht a day, but some inland roads are partly dirt and speed bumps are hard to see at night.
What are the best things to do on Koh Samet?
- Walk the east coast: follow the path south from Sai Kaew through Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai, with small coves and headlands along the way.
- Sunset at Ao Prao: cross to the west coast in the late afternoon. There is also a hilltop viewpoint that looks over both sunrise and sunset.
- Snorkelling: the rocks around Ao Prao are the main snorkelling spot. Ao Wai is shallow and quieter.
- Island-hopping by boat: day trips of about six hours visit nearby islands such as Koh Kudi and Koh Thalu, with snorkelling stops. Tours are cancelled in bad weather.
- Short forest walks: informal trails link Ao Wai, Ao Thian and Ao Pakarang in the south.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet?
November to April is the driest period, with calm seas and the most sunshine. November to February is the high season. March and April are hot and good for swimming. May to October is the rainy season. Seas can be rough at times, but Koh Samet gets less rain than the Andaman islands, so it can be visited all year. Jellyfish sometimes appear in the rainy months.
The timing within the week matters as much as the month. The island fills up on weekends and Thai long holidays, and is noticeably quieter and cheaper from Monday to Thursday.
What should you know before you go?
- Park fee: foreign adults pay 200 baht and children 100 baht, in cash, at the checkpoint after landing. Thai nationals pay 40 baht. Keep the ticket, as it is sometimes checked again.
- Bring cash: you need it for the park fee and boats. Sai Kaew has ATMs, but the southern beaches have few services.
- Book weekends early: crowds peak on weekends and Thai public holidays.
- Watch the last boat: ferries stop in the late afternoon, and timings change, so check before you set out.
Tip: go between Monday and Thursday if you can. The island is quieter, rooms are cheaper and the beaches near the pier are less crowded.
Facts checked October 2026. Bus times, boat fares and the national park fee can change; check with operators and at the pier before you travel. Weather varies from year to year.
Sources
Discover Thailand · Islands Edition
Every island, in one book.
The Islands Edition covers the Andaman and Gulf islands in depth, with ferry routes, beach maps and which coast to pick in each month. Leave your email and we will tell you the day it launches.
Notify me at launch
