The island's second beach and a more relaxed alternative to Chaweng — Lamai, with a lovely long stretch of sand, calmer good swimming, a decent (if smaller) run of bars and restaurants, and better value, plus the quirky Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks at its end. Beachy, easygoing and well-serviced; the base for travellers who want a proper beach with some life and dining but less of Chaweng's intensity. Samui's laid-back beach-resort base. Comfortable and good value.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€65–160
typical per night in Thailand
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Koh Samui — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Lamai and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Chaweng nightlife20 min taxi6.8 km
- Chaweng Beach23 min taxi7.7 km
- The Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)35 min taxi11.6 km
- A spa day & Thai massage36 min taxi11.9 km
- Bophut Fisherman's Village37 min taxi12.2 km
- A night walking street market37 min taxi12.2 km
- Wat Plai Laem37 min taxi12.2 km
- Ang Thong National Marine Park129 min taxi43.1 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 5.Lamai Beach & the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks — Samui's second beach and a more relaxed rival to Chaweng — Lamai, a long, lovely curve of golden sand with good swimming, a calmer vibe and better value, backed by an easygoing strip of bars and restaurants. At its southern end sit the island's cheekiest landmark, the Hin Ta and Hin Yai ('Grandfather and Grandmother') rocks — natural formations of decidedly rude shapes that everyone comes to giggle at. Spend a laid-back beach day here, then walk to the rocks. A wonderful, relaxed beach with a fun quirk. Easygoing and pretty.
- 9.Fresh Samui seafood — An island meal you'll remember — fresh Gulf seafood, grilled or wok-fried Thai-style, eaten with your toes near the sand. Pick your catch (prawns, crab, squid, whole fish) at a beachfront seafood restaurant and have it cooked to order with garlic, chilli and lime, alongside southern Thai classics and the island's own coconut-rich curries. Lamai, Bophut and the fishing villages do it beautifully and often cheaply; a candlelit seafood dinner by the water is a quintessential Samui evening. Delicious, fresh and unforgettable. Come hungry.
- 10.Na Muang Waterfalls — A refreshing escape into Samui's jungly interior — the Na Muang Waterfalls, two cascades tumbling over purple-tinged rock into pools you can swim in, set in the lush green heart of the island. The lower falls are an easy stroll; the taller upper falls a steeper jungle walk or a bumpy 4x4/quad ride (the area is a small adventure park). Cool off with a dip beneath the cascade, away from the beaches; it's a pretty, easy half-day and a taste of the island's wild interior. A lovely, refreshing highlight. Bring your swimmers.
- 14.Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) — For a quieter, prettier swim than the main strips, seek out Silver Beach (Crystal Bay), a small, gorgeous cove tucked between Chaweng and Lamai — a crescent of soft white sand framed by big granite boulders, with clear, calm, turquoise water that's superb for swimming and snorkelling. It's more sheltered and scenic than the big beaches, with a couple of relaxed restaurants; come for a laid-back day in one of the island's loveliest little bays. A beautiful, low-key beach highlight. Peaceful and picture-perfect. Go early for a good spot.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Lamai; flights via Google Flights.