Eastern Thailand · Island destination
Koh Samet
Koh Samet is a small island off Rayong province, reached by boat from the mainland pier town of Ban Phe. Sai Kaew is the main, social beach with the widest choice of restaurants and activity; quieter alternatives such as Ao Wong Duean and Ao Nuan sit further along the coast.
Overview
Overview
Koh Samet is a small island off Rayong province, reached by boat from the mainland pier town of Ban Phe. Sai Kaew is the main, social beach with the widest choice of restaurants and activity; quieter alternatives such as Ao Wong Duean and Ao Nuan sit further along the coast.
The island sits in a rain-shadow microclimate with notably lower rainfall than islands such as Phuket or Koh Samui, which keeps it usable through parts of the mainland's wet season.
Stay
Where to stay
See how the main beaches on Koh Samet differ in atmosphere and pace.
Sai Kaew
The island's main, social beach -- long, lively, with the widest choice of restaurants and activity nearby.
Ao Wong Duean
A quieter curved bay with a relaxed atmosphere.
Ao Nuan
A small, tucked-away cove reached by walking down a slope from the main road.
Plan your visit
Plan your visit
When to go
Tourist seasons run roughly November–February and June–August, when finding vacant accommodation can be harder.
Getting there & around
Getting there
The slow passenger ferry to Na Dan pier (roughly 40 minutes, then a songthaew to the beach) is the common way in, versus a speedboat, which is faster and can drop closer to the beach at a materially higher price. On the mainland side, the public bus from Bangkok's Ekamai terminal to Ban Phe is one option, versus a minivan from Victory Monument, which is a nicer vehicle with a more direct pickup but a bumpier ride with mid-route stops, taking about the same overall time.
Getting around
A shared songthaew (per-beach fare, no self-driving) covers the island, versus a rented motorbike, which is flexible and self-driven but on basic island roads.
Your trip
How Koh Samet fits your trip
May suit travelers who want a Bangkok-adjacent island trip, with a choice between a social main beach and quieter coves further along the coast.
Dates, other stops, and what matters on this trip can make this fit clearer.
Add dates and other stopsInformation used
Information used
Wherely research — This page covers Sai Kaew versus quieter Ao Wong Duean and Ao Nuan, arrival boat and mainland-transfer choices, internal mobility, and seasonal timing. Exact ferry, speedboat, bus, and motorbike-rental fares aren't included because they change too often to publish as fact.
Photo credit
Hero photograph: Hat Saikaew, Koh Samet by Adam, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
What to do next
What to do next
Return to Eastern Thailand when you want the wider geography, or save this Place when it still fits.