Koh Samui
Area Guide
Samui is not one place. Each beach has its own weather pattern, pace and price. Here are the ten areas we operate in — with a clear-eyed take on who each suits.
All Ten Areas
Samui at a Glance
At a Glance
Samui by Character
Twelve neighbourhoods grouped into four character zones. Hover or tap a label to highlight a zone, then click through to its area page or current available villas.
North Coast — Vibrant Beach Villages
Walkable coastal villages, sunset dining, family beaches. The most popular zone for repeat visitors. Our office is here.
East Coast — The Action Side
Long beaches, lively nightlife, the highest concentration of luxury hillside villas. Best infrastructure, fastest internet.
South Coast — Quiet Coves & Cliffs
Rocky bays, coral reefs, almost zero crowds. For guests who want true privacy and an ocean horizon to themselves.
West Coast — Sunset & Stillness
Long flat beaches, the calmest swimming water on the island, undervalued real estate. Sunset views every night.
Where to Eat
Restaurants by Cuisine
Our team has been eating their way around Samui for over a decade. Here are our standout picks across nine cuisines — all open, all worth the trip. Ask our concierge to book any of them for you.
Thai & Seafood
- Sa Being LaeThe local seafood institution — fresh catch on the beach.Taling Ngam
- Pak TaiSouthern Thai specialities, top-rated on TripAdvisor.Bophut
- Krua BophutHonest Thai cooking in Fisherman’s Village.Bo Phut
Italian
- SalefinoAuthentic Sicilian-leaning menu, waterfront tables.Bo Phut
- Peppina (at Coco Tam’s)Wood-fired pizza in the heart of Fisherman’s Village.Bo Phut
- PregoWood-fired pizza and homemade pasta at Amari resort.Chaweng
- Il TempioLong-running classic Italian with serious wine list.Chaweng
Japanese
- HagiTeppanyaki and sushi inside Centara Grand.Chaweng
- ZazenHotel-quality Japanese with beach view.Bo Phut
- Sushi WabiLocal-favourite sushi spot, very fair pricing.Bo Phut
French & European
- Foxtrot BistroModern European with a light Asian touch.Bo Phut
- H Bistro (Hansar)Refined bistro on Bophut Bay.Bo Phut
- BarracudaMediterranean fine dining, white-tablecloth.Bo Phut
Steak & Grill
- The Shack GrillSamui’s longest-running steakhouse — since 2003.Bo Phut
- LarderModern grill house with great cocktail program.Chaweng
- Stacked SamuiAmerican-style burgers and ribs done right.Chaweng
Fine Dining
- Dining on the RocksSix Senses’ iconic cliff-edge tasting menu.Choeng Mon
- Tree Tops (Anantara)Treehouse pods, ocean views.Bo Phut
- Air Bar (InterContinental)Sunset rooftop with shared plates.Taling Ngam
Mexican & Latin
- Coco Tam’sBeachfront swings, fire shows, Latin-leaning menu.Bo Phut
- HabaneroMexican classics, generous portions.Chaweng
- Tacos LocosCasual, late-night street-style.Chaweng
Indian & Asian
- Royal Indian CuisineThe benchmark for North Indian on the island.Chaweng
- Le BayonCambodian and Pan-Asian, beautiful setting.Bo Phut
Vegan & Health
- Karma CakesPlant-based bowls, raw cakes, smoothies.Lamai
- The Larder Health HubCold-press juices and wellness plates.Bo Phut
- Vegan HeavenThai vegan classics, very affordable.Lamai
Our concierge can book any of these for you and arrange transfers. See concierge services →
Sand & Sundowners
Famous Beaches & Beach Clubs
Some beaches are made for swimming, some for sunset cocktails, some for dancing until midnight. Here’s the honest pecking order, split into beaches and beach clubs.
Chaweng Beach
LivelySamui’s longest white-sand beach (~7 km), strongest infrastructure, swimmable from end to end. The flagship.
Choeng Mon Beach
FamilySoft white-sand crescent, very shallow turquoise water, no boat traffic. The most family-friendly beach on Samui.
Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)
SwimTucked between Chaweng Noi and Lamai. Crystal-clear water over white sand and granite boulders. Snorkelling spot.
Lamai Beach
SwimLong, bright, less developed than Chaweng. Calmer atmosphere, growing wellness scene, and the iconic Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks.
Maenam Beach
Quiet4 km of north-shore sand facing Koh Phangan. Authentic local feel, sunset-facing, far from the crowds.
Lipa Noi Beach
SunsetThe flattest, calmest swimming water on the island. Spectacular west-coast sunsets every night.
Bang Por Beach
LocalThe local seafood strip, long pier views, almost no tourists. Best raw fish & grilled prawns on the island.
Taling Ngam Beach
PrivacySouth-west cliffs and quiet coves over the Five Islands. Almost zero crowds, dramatic sunset horizons.
Laem Set Beach
CoralCoral-fringed coastline, rocky pools, the most private beachfront villa stretch on Samui.
Nikki Beach
LuxeThe global luxury brand. Sunday Brunch is the famous one. Best west-coast sunsets, premium price tag.
Cha Cha Moon
SunsetBohemian Fisherman’s Village landmark — fire shows, hookahs, beanbags on the sand.
Coco Tam’s
IconicThe swing-bar that put Samui on Instagram. Nightly fire show at 8 pm. Bookings essential at sunset.
Chi Samui
PartyHigh-end luxury club with 25 m infinity pool, swim-up bar, international DJs and Sunday roasts.
79 Beach Club
DJsNewest big-name on the island, books international house DJs. All-ages, huge poolside setup.
The Deck
StylishFloating beanbags, murals, top sunset DJs. Sophisticated wine list, polished service.
Karma Beach
ChicBoho-chic, calm vibe, Thursday Thai dance show, Saturday jazz nights, Sunday live guitar.
Tembo Beach Club
FamilyColonial-style, blue & white decor, Spanish tapas, BOGOF happy hour. One of the most-loved.
Elephant Beach Club
Fire showsFree loungers and pool by day, full party venue by night. Nightly fire shows from 8 pm.
Cabanas
LuxeSleek ocean-facing pools, beautiful cabanas, sunset jazz on Chaweng Beach.
Seen
Retro1950s retro decor, neon and pop art, central infinity pool with swim-up bar, weekend fire shows.
Karma Two Palms
FamilyFamily-friendly Bang Por club with games room, foam parties, soft sand, fire shows Sat-Sun.
Explore
Pick a Neighbourhood
Bo Phut (Fisherman's Village)
Boutique charm, sunset dinners, and the island's most walkable beach village.
Explore Bo Phut →Choeng Mon
A crescent bay of calm water, boutique resorts and some of Samui's best luxury villas.
Explore Choeng Mon →Chaweng
The island's flagship beach — long, lively, and the best infrastructure you'll find on Samui.
Explore Chaweng →Chaweng Noi
Chaweng's quieter sister bay — hillside ocean-view villas with the action ten minutes away.
Explore Chaweng Noi →Lamai
Samui's wellness capital — a long, bright beach with a calmer, more European vibe than Chaweng.
Explore Lamai →Maenam
The north shore's quiet strip — authentic, affordable, and sunset-facing.
Explore Maenam →Plai Laem
A boutique cape between Big Buddha and Choeng Mon — serene bays and striking Thai-modern villas.
Explore Plai Laem →Bang Por
North-west Samui — the local seafood strip with real beachfront value.
Explore Bang Por →Lipa Noi
The west coast sunset belt — flat, quiet beaches and the longest stretch of calm water on Samui.
Explore Lipa Noi →Taling Ngam
Samui's south-west corner — clifftop ocean views over the Five Islands and almost complete privacy.
Explore Taling Ngam →Nathon
Samui's old-town ferry port — the island's only real working town, and its most undervalued west-coast address.
Explore Nathon →Laem Set (Leam Set)
Samui's south-east cape — a coral-fringed coastline with some of the island's most private beachfront villas.
Explore Laem Set →Not Sure?
Tell Us How You Want to Live
We’ll match you to the right beach and the right villa — whether you’re renting for a week or investing for a decade.