Getty Images/Flickr RF

Ko Samet

Tiny Ko Samet (เกาะเสม็ด) has been attracting backpackers making the relatively short hop from Bangkok for years, but these days you'll find just as many Thais and Chinese tour groups. The sandy shores, cosy coves and aquamarine waters attract ferry-loads of Bangkokians looking to party each weekend, while tour groups pack out the main beach and many resorts. Fire-juggling shows and beach barbecues are nightly events on the northern beaches, but the southern parts of the island are far more secluded and sedate.

Despite being the closest major island to Bangkok, Ko Samet remains surprisingly underdeveloped, with a thick jungle interior crouching beside the low-rise hotels. Most of the southern coves have only one or two resorts.

Explore Ko Samet

A
Ao Thian
Ao Thian is a delightfully pretty beach punctuated by big boulders that shelter small sandy spots, creating a castaway ambience. It remains one of Samet’s…
A
Ao Wai
Ao Wai is a lovely beach far removed from everything else (though in reality it is only 1.5km from Ao Thian).
K
Khao Laem Ya/Mu Ko Samet National Park
Along with Ko Samet, Ko Man Klang, Ko Kudee, Ko Man Nok and Ko Man Nai to the west are part of this national park. The official status hasn’t kept away…
H
Hat Sai Kaew
In the island’s northeastern corner near the ferry pier, and an extension of Na Dan, Hat Sai Kaew – the 'town beach' – is the island’s widest, busiest and…
A
Ao Wong Deuan
Ao Wong Deuan ('Crescent Moon Bay') is Samet's second-busiest beach after Hat Sai Kaew, with a range of resorts and more modest guesthouses. It's a wide,…
A
Ao Phutsa
Cute, sandy Ao Phutsa (Ao Tub Tim), south of Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai, strikes a good balance between being relatively accessible but generally not too…
A
Ao Prao
On the west coast, Ao Prao is one of the island's prettiest beaches. It's secluded but backed by three high-end resorts, so it still gets quite busy and…
A
Ao Hin Khok
Less frenetic than its northern neighbour Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Hin Khok is a gorgeous bay attracting a younger crowd. Plenty of places to stay, eat and drink.
A
Ao Phai
A short walk west of Ao Hin Khok over a rocky headland, Ao Phai is a pretty bay with some worthy bars and eateries and a backpacker scene.

A
Ao Thian
Ao Thian is a delightfully pretty beach punctuated by big boulders that shelter small sandy spots, creating a castaway ambience. It remains one of Samet’s…
A
Ao Wai
Ao Wai is a lovely beach far removed from everything else (though in reality it is only 1.5km from Ao Thian).
K
Khao Laem Ya/Mu Ko Samet National Park
Along with Ko Samet, Ko Man Klang, Ko Kudee, Ko Man Nok and Ko Man Nai to the west are part of this national park. The official status hasn’t kept away…
H
Hat Sai Kaew
In the island’s northeastern corner near the ferry pier, and an extension of Na Dan, Hat Sai Kaew – the 'town beach' – is the island’s widest, busiest and…
A
Ao Wong Deuan
Ao Wong Deuan ('Crescent Moon Bay') is Samet's second-busiest beach after Hat Sai Kaew, with a range of resorts and more modest guesthouses. It's a wide,…
A
Ao Phutsa
Cute, sandy Ao Phutsa (Ao Tub Tim), south of Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai, strikes a good balance between being relatively accessible but generally not too…
A
Ao Prao
On the west coast, Ao Prao is one of the island's prettiest beaches. It's secluded but backed by three high-end resorts, so it still gets quite busy and…
A
Ao Hin Khok
Less frenetic than its northern neighbour Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Hin Khok is a gorgeous bay attracting a younger crowd. Plenty of places to stay, eat and drink.
A
Ao Phai
A short walk west of Ao Hin Khok over a rocky headland, Ao Phai is a pretty bay with some worthy bars and eateries and a backpacker scene.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Ko Samet.

See
Ao Thian
Ao Thian is a delightfully pretty beach punctuated by big boulders that shelter small sandy spots, creating a castaway ambience. It remains one of Samet’s…
See
Ao Wai
Ao Wai is a lovely beach far removed from everything else (though in reality it is only 1.5km from Ao Thian).
See
Khao Laem Ya/Mu Ko Samet National Park
Along with Ko Samet, Ko Man Klang, Ko Kudee, Ko Man Nok and Ko Man Nai to the west are part of this national park. The official status hasn’t kept away…
See
Hat Sai Kaew
In the island’s northeastern corner near the ferry pier, and an extension of Na Dan, Hat Sai Kaew – the 'town beach' – is the island’s widest, busiest and…
See
Ao Wong Deuan
Ao Wong Deuan ('Crescent Moon Bay') is Samet's second-busiest beach after Hat Sai Kaew, with a range of resorts and more modest guesthouses. It's a wide,…
See
Ao Phutsa
Cute, sandy Ao Phutsa (Ao Tub Tim), south of Ao Hin Khok and Ao Phai, strikes a good balance between being relatively accessible but generally not too…
See
Ao Prao
On the west coast, Ao Prao is one of the island's prettiest beaches. It's secluded but backed by three high-end resorts, so it still gets quite busy and…
See
Ao Hin Khok
Less frenetic than its northern neighbour Hat Sai Kaew, Ao Hin Khok is a gorgeous bay attracting a younger crowd. Plenty of places to stay, eat and drink.
See
Ao Phai
A short walk west of Ao Hin Khok over a rocky headland, Ao Phai is a pretty bay with some worthy bars and eateries and a backpacker scene.

Guidebooks

Learn more about Ko Samet

Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.