Bang Po

The neighborhood of Bang Po Beach sits on the northwest coast of Koh Sumai boasting a 3.5-mile long beach lined with palm trees and a laid-back atmosphere. This area is quiet and secluded making it the perfect setting for relaxing and lounging on the beach or taking a walk along the sand. The beach is also a great place for swimming and snorkeling, with crystal clear waters and the vibrant reefs of the Gulf of Thailand. This neighborhood is undeveloped, it has a few restaurants situated along the shore serving some of the best seafood on the island. Accommodations in Bang Po feature luxury resorts and villas in a tropical setting, which makes this a great place to escape the crowds.

Bo Phut

Bo Phut Beach is the original fishing neighborhood set on the northern coast of the island of Koh Sumai. This neighborhood has a laid-back original island atmosphere and the beach here stretches for about 2 miles from the Big Buddha to Maenam beach. Featured in the center of the village is the popular Fisherman`s Village with historical wooden shop houses, restaurants and galleries lining the narrow streets, this is one of the oldest areas on the island. This quiet neighborhood features hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, cafes, shops and bars along with a small pier and day trips to Ang Thong Marine Park and Koh Tao Island. The beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, jet skis and Thai massages. The main attraction in Bo Phut is the night street walking market, held here every Friday night where the streets are filled with stalls selling food, goods and merchandise. This is an excellent location featuring hotels and resorts.

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng is largest town on the island, divided into three sections (North, Central, and Chaweng Noi) set on the east coast of Samui. This is a major beach and entertainment destination, one of the busiest places on the entire island. Samui`s best beach stretches for 4 ½ miles and is decorated with soft white sand and crystal clear waters. A vibrant coral reef and small island sit just offshore. The area features the most accommodation options on the island, with luxurious hotels and guesthouses that run along the beach and a large selection of restaurants, shops, and bars running parallel to the beach. Nightlife in this area is lively and concentrated around the center of town and along the famous `Green Mango Strip` offering many options for dining and entertainment along with wide array of beer bars, girly bars, clubs and pubs. Dining and shopping are also big attractions in the neighborhood with international cuisine, street food, large shopping malls, boutiques and souvenir stalls and the popular Chaweng walking street market.

Cheng Mon

Cheng Mon sits on the north shore of Samui, a quiet secluded beach area in between Chaweng and Mae Nam. This beach neighborhood is made up of a series of bays and white sandy beaches with upscale resorts and family-friendly accommodations. There is a small island just offshore that is accessible when the tide is low and rock formations form at the end of the beach. Restaurants line the beach and the main street in the village features shops, fine dining and fresh seafood. The beach is known for swimming, snorkeling, diving and water sports with kayaks to rent during the day. It is the perfect spot for an evening stroll or to just sit back and relax at the beach bars with music and entertainment.

Laem Set

The area of Laem Set is situated on the southeast coast of Koh Sumai, a beautiful beach destination set in a stunning natural setting. The beach is shaded with trees and a vibrant coral reef sits just offshore, where snorkeling and kayaking are popular. The neighborhood offers luxurious beach resorts and some big names including the Samui Orchid Resort which features 3 restaurants and 3 resort pools, Kamalaya and the Shasa Resort and Residences with `The Z` restaurants and butler services. The Samui Aquarium and Tiger show are featured here where visitors can feed sea turtles and Bengal tigers and The Butterfly Garden where thousands of butterflies fly around in a tropical jungle setting.

Lamai

Lamai is set on the east coast of Koh Sumai, a beach village decorated with soft white sand and lined with hotels, restaurants, and upscale resorts. This is the second largest resort area and the second most popular beach after Chaweng on Koh Samui, with rock formations at each end of the beach and spectacular sunrises. Tamarind Springs is a retreat set on the beach which offers a spa, yoga and detox retreats. In the center of the village, there are plenty of restaurants and bars offering a wide variety of food and entertainment. The Walking Street Market is one of the main attractions in Lamai, held every Sunday evening featuring great street food, clothing, souvenirs, and music. Hin-ta and Hin-Yai the islands interesting rock formations can be found just south of Lamai.

Tailing Ngam

Tailing Ngam means `beautiful shore`, a picturesque beach destination on Koh Sumai that was once a busy port. The area provides spectacular views of the Angthong Marine Park, set among tropical jungle surroundings and tranquil tropical beaches. Luxurious hotels and accommodations can be found here and the Conrad Hotel sits on the southwestern corner. The neighborhood is filled with traditional wooden style houses and the land is full of coconut groves and banana plantations. The main temple Wat Kiri Wongkaram sits in the center where the mummified monk can be seen. The beaches are secluded and the water is calm and perfect for sunbathing and relaxing, sunsets are spectacular here and there are a few beachside restaurants.