Silver Beach Koh Samui: Complete Travel Guide 2025

Silver Beach Koh Samui, also known as Crystal Bay, is the kind of place you walk into and just know you’re going to like it.

We first stopped here while exploring the east coast of Koh Samui and instantly understood why so many travelers fall in love with this place.

It’s a small, tucked-away bay with soft sand, clear water, and just enough restaurants and beach bars to keep you there longer than planned.

Even during our shoulder-season visit, the water was calm and perfect for swimming. And while it’s one of the better places for snorkeling on Samui, we’ll be honest — Koh Tao is still our top pick for underwater adventures, with Koh Phangan coming second.

If you’re planning your trip and making a list of the best things to do in Koh Samui, this little beach definitely deserves a spot.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know — from how to get here and what to expect, to where to stay nearby and tips for making the most of your visit.

At a glance

Silver Beach Koh Samui quickly became one of our favorites on Koh Samui. It’s a small, quiet beach with soft sand and calm, shallow water — the kind of place where it’s easy to spend a few lazy hours without meaning to.

You can rent a beach chair for 100 THB, or just throw down your towel wherever you find some space — both options work, and no one will bother you.

A few restaurants are right on the beach, which we really appreciated. The best snorkeling spots are near the rocks on both ends of the bay.

If you’re looking for an easy beach day without much effort, this is a solid pick. But if you want nightlife or more of a scene, you’d be better off in Lamai or Chaweng.

Why we think it’s worth it

What makes Silver Beach stand out is how easy and stress-free it feels. You don’t need a plan — just show up, pick a spot, and stay as long as you like.

We liked that it wasn’t overrun with people, even during the middle of the day. It had just the right balance: quiet enough to relax, but not so quiet that it felt dead. There were a few couples, some families, and people reading a book or floating in the calm water.

For us, it was the perfect place to spend a slow afternoon — swimming, getting a quick Thai lunch, and then heading back into the water. We didn’t need to overthink anything.

If you’re looking for a beach that’s easy to enjoy, not too busy, and still has that “hidden gem” feel, this one’s definitely worth a stop.

Where is Silver Beach

Silver Beach is tucked between Lamai and Chaweng on Koh Samui’s east coast, just off the main ring road. It’s technically located in a small area called Thongtakian, but most people know it as Silver Beach or Crystal Bay.

It’s about a 5-minute drive north of Lamai and around 15–20 minutes from Chaweng, depending on traffic. Even though it’s close to both, it feels way more relaxed — like a small escape from the busier beaches just up and down the coast.

How to Get There

Silver Beach is easy to reach, whether you’re staying nearby or just visiting for the day — but you’ll need to plan a little since there’s no proper public transport system on the island.

By Scooter

For us, renting a scooter was the best way to get around Koh Samui, Thailand. We picked one up in Chaweng and kept it the whole week — rental prices are usually 200–300 THB per day. It gave us the freedom to visit beaches like this one without relying on taxis or drivers.

By Car

If you’re visiting with family or prefer more comfort, renting a car is a great option. We usually book through Discover Cars whenever we travel.

You can cancel up to 48 hours before pick-up, and full coverage insurance is way cheaper than what local agencies offer. It’s a smooth drive, and parking near the beach is usually fine as long as you arrive early.

By Songthaew (Shared Taxi)

We only used the songthaew once, and while it’s a cheap option, you might have to wait a while. They don’t run on a fixed schedule, so you’ll need to flag one down on the main road and hope it’s heading in the right direction.

Accessing the beach

Getting to the beach is pretty straightforward. The entrance is just off the main road, between a few resorts and restaurants — you’ll see signs for Crystal Bay Beach Resort and Silver Beach Resort, which both lead directly to the sand.

You don’t have to be a guest to enter — just walk through and no one will stop you. There’s also a small parking area nearby, and if you arrive early, you’ll usually find a spot without much trouble.

What to expect

Silver Beach is the kind of place where you show up with no real plan… and end up staying for hours, and we loved it so much that we had to put it on our list of the best beaches in Koh Samui.

We visited during low tide, so the water was quite shallow at first — we had to go out a bit further for a proper swim and to reach the better snorkeling spots near the rocks. Still, once we were out there, the water was calm and clear, and perfect for a slow afternoon.

There are sharp rocks hidden underwater, especially somewhere in the middle of the bay.

We set up our towels under the palm trees along the edge of the beach — there’s great natural shade in the afternoon when the sun drops behind them.

The beach isn’t big, but it has everything you need: a few beachfront cafes, cold drinks, sunbeds, and even beach massages.

We had one of the best massages of our trip here — Vibes Massage by Promtsukburi, right on the beach. No need to book in advance. We walked up, got a spot right away, and had an hour of pure bliss listening to the sound of the waves. Highly recommend it if you’re spending a few hours here.

We also snapped some beautiful pictures between the rocks at the edges of the beach — it’s one of the nicest natural backdrops we’ve seen on the island.

And if you’re lucky, you might catch a low-flying plane overhead. They pass by now and then and fly surprisingly low — makes for some amazing photos if you catch it at the right moment.

Overall, we spent a couple of hours here and didn’t feel the need to leave at all. Everything we needed was right there — relaxed vibe, clear water, food, shade, and that quiet feeling you get when a beach just works.

Facilities

Silver Beach Koh Samui is small, but it has everything you need for a comfortable beach day:

• Restaurants and bars – A few casual places right on the sand for drinks, lunch, or snacks.
• Sunbeds and umbrellas – Available to rent for around 100 THB, or you can just use your towel in the shade under the palm trees.
• Massage huts – Several options on the beach. We had an amazing hour at Vibes Massage by Promtsukburi.
• No public toilets or showers, but most cafés will let you use theirs if you’re a customer.

Where to stay at Silver Beach

There aren’t many places right on Silver Beach, but here are a few solid options if you want to stay directly on the beach:

• Crystal Bay Yacht Club Beach Resort – Bungalow-style resort with a big pool and direct beach access. Good mix of families and couples.
• Thongtakian Resort – Simple, affordable, and just a short walk to the beach. A quiet option if you don’t need anything fancy.
• Crystal Bay Beach Resort – Right on the sand with amazing views. Rooms are modern, and it’s hard to beat the location for the price.

Other places to visit nearby

If you’re spending time at Silver Beach, there are a few great spots nearby that are easy to add to your day:

• Lamai Viewpoint – A short drive away with sweeping views, a small hike, and a zip line if you’re up for it.
• Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks – Koh Samui’s famous “Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks,” just a few minutes south.
• Lamai Beach – Bigger and busier than Silver Beach, with a nice mix of swimming, beach bars, and more food options.
• Secret Buddha Garden – A peaceful spot in the hills with statues, greenery, and views over the island — worth visiting if you’ve got a scooter or car.
• Chaweng – For a livelier scene with nightlife, shopping, and more restaurants, it’s only about 15–20 minutes away.

Final thoughts

We came to Silver Beach without much expectation and ended up spending most of the day there. It’s small, easygoing, and has everything you need — calm water, a bit of shade, a few spots for lunch, and even a massage on the sand.

If you’re after a quiet beach day without overthinking it, this is one of the best places to just show up and stay as long as it feels right.

Planning your trip to Koh Samui? Have a look at our other beach guides to help you decide where to go next.