Lamai Beach Koh Samui: Travel Guide + Extra Tips 2025

We spent about a week on Koh Samui, based near Chaweng, and visited Lamai Beach twice. Unfortunately, both times the skies turned grey on us — classic shoulder season luck.

But honestly, we couldn’t complain. Even without perfect sunshine, we still enjoyed the calm energy and water. If it’s your first time visiting Koh Samui, we definitely recommend coming during the dry season to get the full beach experience.

Lamai Beach has a completely different vibe to Chaweng — and honestly, that’s what makes it worth checking out. It’s quieter, more laid-back, and feels less polished in a good way.

If you’re trying to decide between the two (which most people do), we’ll compare them later in the post. But first, here’s everything you need to know.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know before you go — from how to get there and what to expect, to the best time to visit, where to stay, and how it compares to Chaweng.

At a Glance

Lamai Beach Koh Samui feels like the more relaxed version of Chaweng. The beach is wide and sandy, with calm, clear water that’s perfect for swimming or running.

During shoulder season, it didn’t feel busy, but during the high season, there might be more people around. But since it’s quite long, you can always find some place away from crowds.

It’s the kind of place where you don’t need a plan — show up, maybe get a beachfront massage, grab a coconut, and let the day unfold.

Are you travelling with kids? It’s perfect for families — calm enough for kids to play safely, yet with plenty of restaurants and activities nearby.

Why We Think It’s Worth It

What really makes it stand out is the balance — it’s not just another pretty beach. There’s space to stretch out, calm water (when the weather is good) for a swim or floating in the water, and just enough life around you to keep it interesting without ever feeling chaotic.

One of the things we noticed is that there are several beachfront hotels, so you can literally stay right on the sand.

We didn’t do that on our trip — we were traveling on a budget, and beachfront hotels on Chaweng are more expensive. However, Lamai has more affordable options if you want to wake up with an ocean view.

Where Is Lamai Beach

Lamai Beach is on the southeast coast of Koh Samui, about 15–20 minutes south of Chaweng by scooter or taxi. It’s close enough to the island’s busier areas for easy access but far enough away to feel more relaxed.

The main road runs just behind the beach, so getting in and out is simple, and there are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops within walking distance.

How to get there

If you’re staying nearby, walking to the beach is the easiest option — many small hotels and guesthouses sit right along the main road with direct access to the sand.

There’s no public bus system on Koh Samui, so your realistic options are scooters, cars, taxis, private drivers, or songthaews.

By Scooter

Renting a scooter is the most convenient way to get around Koh Samui. We rented ours in Chaweng for our whole stay, and it made exploring the island effortless. Daily rentals average 200–300 THB, depending on the scooter type and season.

Make sure to bring an international driving license — it’s required for driving in Thailand, and if you don’t have one, you can get a fine when the police stop you.

Most places also keep a deposit, usually your ID card or passport. We always left our ID instead of our passport to be safe.

By Car

If you’re traveling with kids or prefer more comfort, renting a car is a great option. We always use Discover Cars on trips where we need one, and it’s been reliable every time.

The biggest advantage? You can cancel up to 48 hours before pickup for a full refund, which is perfect if your plans change.

We also recommend adding full coverage insurance through Discover Cars — it’s typically more affordable than what local agencies offer and provides comprehensive coverage for peace of mind.

By Songthaew (Local Shared Taxi)

Songthaews — the island’s open-air shared taxis — are a budget-friendly option if you don’t mind waiting. We only used one once and had to wait quite a while since they don’t run on a fixed schedule. They pass by main road regularly, but you might need to wave one down.

Accessing the beach

Getting down to the sand here is really straightforward. Most areas have direct access from the main road, and if you’re staying at one of the beachfront hotels, you can walk out of your room and be on the sand in seconds.

If you’re visiting for the day, there are plenty of small paths between restaurants and resorts that lead straight to the beach.

We parked our scooter right next to the 7-Eleven (Google Maps location) and walked down the rest, which took us no more than 2 minutes.

What to Expect

The vibe here is relaxed but never boring. It’s busier than the small coves like Silver Beach, but it doesn’t have the constant buzz of Chaweng, which we really appreciated.

Our favorite time to be here was during the day, when it felt lively without being overwhelming.

During our visit, we enjoyed swimming, and the sea remained calm despite storms approaching in the distance. That was also the reason we left before sunset, even though the sunsets here can be beautiful.

The beach doesn’t face west, but the sky often puts on a dramatic show — we caught a few sunsets from Chaweng instead, and they were absolutely amazing, so we are sure they were amazing here too.

For snorkeling, the northern end of the beach is the most suitable thanks to its rocky seabed and slightly deeper water.

Still, we have to admit Silver Beach is better for snorkeling, and honestly, the best spots are on Koh Tao, with Koh Phangan coming second. Koh Samui doesn’t compete when it comes to underwater life.

If you want to hide from the midday sun, you can easily find shade under the palm trees along the edge of the beach — especially in the afternoons when the sun goes behind them.

You can also grab a paddleboard or kayak for a bit of fun, relax with an affordable beach massage, and then settle in at one of the bars as the light changes in the evening.

Facilities

There’s everything you need here for a comfortable beach day:

• Plenty of small restaurants and cafés where you can grab fresh coconut water, Thai iced tea, or a quick plate of pad thai without leaving the sand for too long.
• Sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent if you want a bit more comfort.
• A few water activities like jet ski rides and banana boat rides for when you want something more exciting.
• Massage huts scattered along the beach — perfect for an hour of relaxation between swims.
• Convenience stores just off the main road for snacks, drinks, or sunscreen.
• No public showers or toilets, but most beachfront restaurants will let you use theirs.

Best restaurants on the beach

If you’re spending the day here, you won’t have to go far for good food. These are a few places we really liked (and think you will too):

• Baobab Restaurant – A cozy, beachside spot perfect for a relaxed lunch. Great Mediterranean dishes, fresh juices, and a calm vibe with your toes in the sand.
• The Bamboo – Known for its Thai seafood dishes and unbeatable views right on the beach. It’s a great place to grab dinner and enjoy the evening atmosphere.
• No.11 Café & Bar – A laid-back café with excellent coffee, brunch options, and cocktails later in the day. Ideal if you’re looking for a casual spot to chill for a while.

Lamai vs. Chaweng — Where to stay

We stayed near Chaweng during our week on Koh Samui, and like most first-time visitors, it felt like the obvious choice. The area is lively, packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and everything you could need.

We picked a cheap but decent hotel close to the beach, thinking we’d have easy beach access through a small alley or side street. What we didn’t realize is that Chaweng Beach has very limited public access points — most of the prime spots are taken up by beachfront hotels.

That meant every time we wanted to hit the beach, we had to walk almost 10 minutes.

The beachfront hotels in Chaweng are beautiful but more expensive compared to what you’ll find along Lamai.

Lamai Beach Koh Samui has more options for mid-range stays that sit right on the sand, so you can literally step out of your room and be on the beach without spending a fortune.

Chaweng is perfect if you want constant energy — music playing from the beach clubs, busy streets full of restaurants and shops, and a party vibe that really picks up at night.

On the other hand, Lamai Beach feels more laid-back. There’s still enough going on — beach bars, casual restaurants, and a relaxed vibe during the day — but it never feels overwhelming.

If you’re traveling as a family, Lamai is definitely the better choice. The vibe is calmer, the water is easier for kids to enjoy, and you’ll have more space to relax without worrying about loud beach parties nearby.

For couples or solo travelers looking for nightlife, shopping, and a livelier scene, Chaweng might still be the better fit — just be prepared for crowds and higher prices, especially if you want to stay right on the beach.

In short:

• Choose Lamai if you want a quieter atmosphere, easy beach access, and better value for beachfront hotels.
• Choose Chaweng if you’re after a lively vibe, nightlife, and don’t mind the higher prices or a bit of a walk to the sand, unless you stay in a beachfront hotel.

Other places to visit nearby

If you’re staying in Lamai or just visiting for the day, there are plenty of spots nearby worth checking out:

• Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks – Also known as the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks, these natural rock formations are just a few minutes away.
• Silver Beach – A small, beautiful cove with clear water and better snorkeling than Lamai. Great for a couple of hours in the morning.
• Lamai Viewpoint – Offers a zip line, a sky walk, and a cafe with sweeping views over the beach and ocean.

Final thoughts

Lamai Beach turned out to be exactly what we needed — relaxed, easy to access, and just busy enough to keep things interesting.

Even though we visited during shoulder season and missed out on the perfect blue-sky days, we still enjoyed its calm vibe, great swimming, and the convenience of having everything close by.

Planning your trip? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Koh Samui to help you make the most of your time in this part of Thailand.