KOH SAMUI BEACHES

Koh Samui is mainly visited by travellers and holiday goers who just wants to "get away from it all". The no 1 appeal for Samui is its beach communities filled with white beaches and clear warm seas. Today, Samui has grown to become a cool and bustling international island resort. Most parts of Samui's northeast coast is known as Chaweng Beach. It also normally has the most crowded and tourist saturated area among other parts of the island. The beach sometimes suffers from seasonal overcrowding as more and more visitors discover the island's true natural beauty. Lamai's beaches are located south of Chaweng and boasts clean and occasionally less crowded than the ones found at Chaweng. Originally, Lamai used to be the main destination gateway for tourists travelling to Samui.

Comparing Chaweng with Lamai, Lamai has a more low budget in terms of food and accommodation. However it still remains its own distinct charms. Greater Lamai is a large and beautiful valley and has a picturesque landscape. Lamai do offers a few 'social' bars right in the middle of Lamai town, and there is a once a week all girl Muay Thai boxing matches which seems to draw an eclectic crowd.

Maenam is located on the north coast of Samui island and a traveller can have spectacular views of Ko Phangan to the North, and the Ang Thong National Marine Park to the East. The sea waters at Maenam are generally calm as it is being protected from the North Easterly currents by Ko Phangan. As the sands in Maenam are rather golden in colour rather than white, Maenam spots a much lesser crowd as compared to Lamai or Chaweng. Maenam's restaurants and bars are reasonably priced and inexpensive and they still retain much of the local Thai flavor. A traveller will expect Maenam to be a much quieter, more relaxed and less commercialised with local Thai community still in place.

Santiburi Resort is located in Maenam and is a luxury premier hotel on the island. Maenam also features a major golf course on the island.

Bophut beach is located to the east of Maenam and features a more traditional and relaxed lifestyle and more commonly referred to as the Fisherman's Village. The laid back Bhophu is however well known among the chic sort of travelers. Bophut also features some expensive but very good French owned cafes and restaurants. Bang Rak is located to the east of Bhophut and is considered as a part of Bhophut 'province'. It is also commonly referred to as the Big Buddha Beach. Located nearby the airport, Bang Rak has one of the calmest beaches in Samui. Bang Rak also acts as the the jump off point or gateway to its sister island Ko Pha Ngan. There are ferry services daily.

Choeng Mon is considered to be one of the smallest beaches of Koh Samui. It is located in a secluded bay on the northeastern tip of the island which makes it an excellent choice for holidaymakers wanting a rather peace and quiet getaway. There are a some restaurants and shops besides the luxurious hotels surrounding the bay. Choeng Mon is only 5 minutes away from the bright lights of Chaweng.

Ao Tong Takian is a tiny cove situated just north of Lamai beach. Better known as Silver Beach, Ao Tong Takian is a rather famous beach in Samui among stoners and hip tourists for its appealing white sands. There are 5 exclusive luxury resorts here :-

•   La Mer Samui Resort
•   Samui Yacht Club (with no yachts or sailors at all)
•   Tong Ta Kian Villa, Silver beach
•   Crystal Bay

Ao Tong Takian used to be a relatively unknown spot. However the place is great for swimming without the fishing boats. Be alert and careful of the sharp rocks underneath the seabed should you be walking in the water.

Nathon beach is located on the Southwestern coast of Koh Samui and is the island's main port of destination. The beaches here however do not have the beauty found on other parts of the island. There are great shopping with competitive prices being offered in the city of Nathon. Also there are few good local restaurants in the city. For inexpensive and fresh local produce, head down to the open-air food market. For travellers, there are Banks and Travel agencies available here and port for ferry departure to mainland.

Lipa Noi is perhaps the only remaining useful swimming beach found on the west coast of Koh Samui. It's wide sweep of sand is the island's last ultimate quiet place ever found on the island. Lipa Noi faces due west where one can have a stunning sunset view of Thailand. Lipa Noi is one of the few places in Samui where one can get away and free from the bustling tourist hot spots. The place is rather romantic and there is not much things to do here. Tong Krut is located on the South West of Koh Samui and the place is the proposed site for the