Samet island in Thailand. Koh Samet is a great place for a relaxing holiday! When is the season

Koh Samet (Thailand) is a small but very comfortable island with wonderful hotels and beaches.

How to get to the island

Samet Island is located a short distance from the mainland. And its size is quite small. From here you can immediately say that you can get to it only by sea, that is, by ferry or boat. From the shore, on which the pier of departure of boats and ferries is located, carrying passengers every 20-40 minutes, travelers in half an hour set foot on the land of Samet. But you can get to the pier from Bangkok by bus of different comfort and spend 3.5 hours on the road. In addition to the bus, you can use the services of a minibus. You can also get from Pattaya. Minivans depart in the morning at 7 and 9 o'clock. They can pick up their passengers right at the hotel and deliver them to the island of Samet, unless, of course, the passengers pay for the ferry. But from Phuket you can only get by plane. The bus ride is too long - more than half a day.

Hotels in Koh Samet

Since the island of Samet is not very large, there are not very many hotels here either, but what comfort they have!

Club Koh Samet

This is a whole 3-star estate, consisting of 3 dozen rooms with an outdoor pool. Each room has air conditioning, refrigerator, minibar, bathroom with shower and toiletries. Served in rooms and bottled water. It offers water skiing, babysitting, if available, luggage storage. Or you can go canoeing or boating and look at the island from the sea.

Sunrise Villas Resort

This hotel has a private beach, free parking for rental cars, bike rentals and water activities. All hotel rooms are equipped with the most advanced furniture and appliances. Bathroom, shower, refrigerator, and gourmet breakfast in the morning. In the restaurant, chefs will offer you not only Thai, but also European and Mediterranean cuisine. Directly from the hotel, you can contact family and friends via the Internet and express your delight about how you are spending your vacation.

Silver Sand Resort

There is a garden next to the hotel, where you can spend an evening with your family and children if you are not here alone. Rooms at the hotel are family-run with air conditioning and a sun deck. You can order additional room service at the discretion of the residents. The rooms are equipped with tea, coffee and water facilities.

There is also satellite TV with internet. The proximity of the hotel to Sai Kaew Beach allows customers to easily reach the main cultural and recreational sites on foot and attracts many tourists here. In the restaurant and cafe you can enjoy dishes of any cuisine you wish.

Island beaches

Ao Prao

This is the most beloved and most beautiful beach on Koh Samet. Only near this beach are the most expensive hotels and hotels. It seems that it was created only for visiting its white sand by rich respectable vacationers. It has perfect cleanliness with lawns and tropical gardens. It is, as it were, isolated from all other places by coral reefs. And what beauty can be enjoyed by going to the observation deck or directly from the shore. And you can also swim on a yacht or catamaran and see marine life.

Wong Duan

In the form of a crescent, it curved along the sandy spit for 500 meters. Along it are also expensive hotels with their sophistication and desire to invite you to rest. Lush tropical vegetation is spread along the entire beach, which provides its shade to vacationers in hot weather. It is protected from wind and waves. Surprisingly fine white sand is a beach attraction. Amateur fishermen can go out to sea with the locals for a walk and try their luck at their hobby. The beach is very quiet and calm. And there are so many corals in the water!

Ao Noina

The cleanest and quietest beach on the island. Conducive to silence and solitude. The absence of stones in the coastal water and the shallow depth allow both children and adults to swim without fear of drowning. There are no discos or bars on it, but if you want to escape from the silence, then you can get to entertainment venues very quickly.

Ao Phai beach

This beach is intended for lovers of nightlife, but within reason. The beach during the day is quite calm and quiet, although many bars, restaurants and cafes are concentrated on it. White sand and the complete absence of stones on it is its main advantage.

Ao Klang beach

This beach can compete with any beautiful area, because many coconut palms and other lush tropical vegetation grow on its territory. He seems to be hidden from prying eyes and gazes. The extraordinary beauty of coral sand is able to bribe vacationers with its color. There are very few tourists on the beach.

Sights in Koh Samet

The island is a nature reserve and its main attraction is the beaches and nature itself, which can only be found directly here. There are no historical sites here. Is it only possible to single out the statue of the Big White Buddha, located in a small temple. Around the temple is a pond with fish. On the territory of Ao Putsa beach, you can see a whole set of stones of various shapes, which in an incomprehensible way stand, lie on top of each other and somehow keep their balance. This is a very interesting sight. Unusually beautiful underwater world of the island. This is where the breath is taken away from the color, type and shape of corals. Anyone who has not seen this has lost a lot in life. From the observation decks of the island you can see such beauty that you will dream for a long time on frosty winter nights and call to you.

Holiday prices

The price of a holiday on Samet closely depends on the date of the trip, the length of stay, the comfort of the hotel where the tourist is going to stay. If your stay on the island is short, then you can get by with 30 thousand rubles. And again, it is almost impossible to give the exact amount that you need to reserve in your budget for this purpose. And if you buy a last-minute tour, then the above amount should be enough for a good rest.

Excursions

• Due to the small area of ​​the island, which you can get around on foot, there are practically no excursions. It is worth highlighting a visit to fish farms, boating around the island, an excursion to neighboring islets, also included in the national reserve.
• Visiting floating restaurants, where they will offer to taste freshly prepared dishes from the inhabitants of the deep sea.
• Journeys to the “bottom of the sea”, where the palette of colors of corals and fish will be presented to your attention. Here expanse for lovers of recreation on the water.

Weather on Koh Samet

Although the island is close to the mainland, the weather on the island can be said to be much better than on the mainland. There are a lot of sunny days here, the temperature is from +30 to +40. Dry and sunny on Samet from October to February. Heat - from March to May. Showers come here mainly in September. Tourists are especially comfortable here from November to February and from June to early September.

Two years ago, at the same time, I already wrote in the format “one day -, but I never had a chance to post it.
I'm correcting the omission. Today is about the beloved island of Samet, which we haven’t been to for a long time, but it turns out to be just as beautiful.
So, February 15, 2015.

I wanted to leave at 8 in the morning, but going to bed at 3, it’s stupid to expect that you can easily get up at 7.
It's hard to get up in the morning, the alarm clock has been ringing several times.

Samet Island is only 85 km from Pattaya. The road towards the city of Rayong, along the Sukhumvit highway to Bangkok.
It makes no sense to talk about how to get from Pattaya by car, because if you are driving yourself, it’s easier to turn on the navigator, since
turns are not so obvious that I'm afraid to simply confuse you.

We leave the house, on the clock 9:43

On the way we stop at the gas station, which I wrote about. There is a good one, but today we only need coffee + gas station.

I had to make one more stop, Dasha vomited. Shouldn't have eaten ice cream. I already forgot that she can get sick in the car, this happens extremely rarely.

We drove up to Banpe Pier, from which ferries go to. There are several of them in Rayong, but everyone needs Banpe, because ferries run regularly from it, and from the rest -
just a couple of times a day.
The ferry runs every hour, according to the schedule. But in reality - how it will turn out. Arriving at 11:17, we left immediately, in splendid isolation, because at this time people are gathering on the way back.
Extract from hotels, etc.

Here is the pier from which ferries go to Samet and back on the map:

A ferry ticket to Samet Island costs 50 baht one way, they sell it both ways, it's easier. Car parking right there. Also 50 baht, only per day.

We moored. We are met by such a terrible aunt-monster:

I decided for a long time which beach to go to, this time we got to Samet for the day, without spending the night.
As a result, at the last moment I decided to go to Ao Prao, the same beach we usually visit. It also has a hotel about which I wrote.
The beach is wonderful, the bay, crystal water and almost zero people, but I still regretted it a little, because it was probably worth walking along other beaches that I had been on for a long time or had not been at all.
By the way, the beaches on Koh Samet are ALL good.

To the right of the exit from the pier, there is a parking lot for regular tuk tuks that will take you to any beach.
Here are the prices:

from 10 to 70 baht per person, depending on the distance. Prices are nearby - this is if you rent a tuk tuk as a whole. Do not forget that you will most likely have to pay the whole tuk tuk back, because such a flow of people
as, for example, on Koh Lan - no, the people simply will not gather.

excursions on Koh Samet and tour bureau - vizarans from Koh Samet and buses to Bangkok photo

Another sad story is the entrance fee to the island of Samet. Since this is a national reserve, you need to pay for entry. The prices are here:

If not for the Thai rights, it would have come out quite weighty, 200 baht per person. And so, they took us like Thais, and the children are generally free.
According to Thai rights, the entrance to Samet is 40 baht per adult and 20 per child.

It makes no sense to shove like me into the very distance, you can easily plop down on the nearest one.
There are obvious advantages in the form of developed infrastructure, lower prices and transport accessibility. The bay of Ao Prao Beach is, of course, a dead end. Walk from there
it will not be possible to reach other beaches with a stroller and children - sharp stones hug the bay from both sides.

What to do on the beach? Swimming and sunbathing of course!

Masha lay in the shade and still burned out, such was her skin. Well, Dashon and my husband and I sculpted castles and wandered along the beach.
We stumbled upon such a huge starfish:

Rolling down the slide on the playground:

Of course, we rode on a swing, how could we do without them ???

The cafe at the hotel has the same prices as 2 years ago. But there have been changes for the better in the hotel itself: a swimming pool appeared, the buildings were updated, they painted there, they decorated it here,
in general - good!
Deal of the Day - Cocktail of the Day for 109 baht plus 3 for free. Cocktails are not God knows what, but it will do in the heat!

Samet Island (Ko Samet, Koh Samed) is located in Thailand on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, 200 km from Bangkok, 80 km from Pattaya and 6 km from the mainland (Rayong province). Total area - 13 square meters. km. The length is 7 km, the width is from 4 km to 200 meters (it varies in different areas).

Koh Samet is a great place for those who want to combine lying on the sand, among almost untouched nature, with a tour of the main attractions of the capital of Thailand - Bangkok, which is only 2.5 hours drive from the island.

There are about a dozen beaches, and they are all similar - sandy, rather small, there are several hotels and restaurants on the coast, and nothing else. The exceptions are the beaches closest to the pier - and where there are many bars, restaurants and are generally quite lively.

Samet Island is located on the territory of the National Park, so the water in the sea is very clean. In addition to sparsely populated beaches, there are practically no sights, except that the temple is not far from the pier, several viewing platforms, and a couple of sculptures.

It is worth bearing in mind that there are no banks on the island, but there are several ATMs near the pier and at the entrance to the National Park. You can also exchange currency, although there are few places.

Just like anywhere else, holidays on the island have advantages and disadvantages.

Samet Island on the map of Thailand

Island National Park

Often on the Internet you can read that the entrance to the island of Samet is paid. This is not entirely true. When you land on a ferry from the mainland, no one will take money from you. You can safely visit several beaches located to the right of Na Dan Pier for free, and also walk 5 minutes to the left and end up on Luk Yon Beach. From it you can get to Sai Kaew. All these beaches are free.

In principle, mooring at the Na Dan pier and walking around the surroundings, you can rent a house by the sea and live in it all your vacation. In fact, this is a very good option, because. the entire infrastructure is concentrated between the pier and Sai Kaew: bars, restaurants, hotels. The cheapest guest houses can also be rented in this area (these are 1-2-storey buildings 500-1000 meters from the sea). It is quite possible to find decent housing for 600 baht per day. Here is the only temple on the island of Samet.

The fee (200 baht) for visiting Koh Samet will be charged only at the entrance to the National Park. It is located at the very end of the road leading from the pier to Sai Kaew. But there is one subtlety here - the money is taken mainly from tourists who come to the entrance to the songteo.

If you come on foot, then no one will ask you to pay - they will just think that you have been here for a long time. By the way, next to the entrance there is a path along which you can also get to the park on foot or on a motorbike (about 50 meters to the left of the entrance). And one more observation - often they don’t take money from tourists on a motorbike, thinking that they have already been here for a long time and paid earlier.

Who should go

A trip to the island of Koh Samet will really appeal to lovers of leisurely relaxation, who prefer to sunbathe and swim in the morning and afternoon, and in the evening to dine in a restaurant on the seashore or sip beer in a bar and watch the water surface. But if you are a fan of vibrant nightlife, clubs and bar girls, then this place is not for you, since all this is simply not on Koh Samet.

Of course, you can take a girl with you from Pattaya, but you can’t take the whole party from there. However, such people can visit the island for 2-3 days to relax a bit, swim in the clear sea and recharge their batteries for new exploits in discos and clubs in Pattaya and Bangkok.

The lack of entertainment on the island is explained very simply - it is part of the Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park, and therefore the main priority here is ecology, the preservation of natural wealth, flora and fauna. Some places look really wild. There are bungalows and villas on the coast, usually on each beach there are several restaurants and bars, which are also located 50-100 meters from the sea. And behind them begins the forest.

Our advice to you: if you want complete privacy, then go to Koh Samet on Monday. All week you will enjoy loneliness on uncrowded beaches. The end of this will come only on Friday, when the Thais from Bangkok arrive. Weekends are not the best time to visit Samet. However, there are few people on the beaches remote from the pier even on Saturday and Sunday.

You can buy tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible with the help of special search engines that collect data from all airlines.

From Bangkok, you can take a bus from the Eastern Bus Station (Ekkamai Bus Station) and Khaosan Road. If you're flying into Thailand's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, take the Airport Express Bus AE3 to Ekamai Bus Station or a metered taxi. In general, you can take a taxi from the airport to the pier in Ban Phe, the fare will be about 2500-3000 baht. In addition to Bangkok, you can get to Samet from different places in Thailand, including Pattaya and Phuket. The best solution would be to buy a ticket to the pier at any travel agency or.

Ferries depart from the pier at Ban Phe on the mainland to Samet every hour from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. They moor on Koh Samet either on Nadan or on Wong Duan beach.

Transport

The only road that runs along the island of Samet, from which there are branches to the beaches. Since 2015, asphalt has been laid across the entire island - from the northernmost beach to the southernmost point.

You can move around the island on motorbikes and songteos (tuk-tuks).

In the past, quad bike rental was popular, but after the asphalt is laid, this transport is now almost never seen.

The cost for songthaews is fixed and is shown on posters at many beaches. The price ranges from 10 to 70 baht and depends on the distance.

Songteos can be rented as a taxi, that is, you will go immediately and completely alone and will not feel the shoulder of a neighbor on the right and left (route songthaews do not depart until they have a full passenger compartment). In this case, the price will vary from 100 to 700 baht.

Some nightlife is present near Sai Kaew and other beaches closest to the pier. On all the rest, with the sunset, life stops, and the southern beaches are generally almost “wild”, where there are no shops or ATMs.

Overview of Koh Samed

We tell you about the island from our own experience. We have twice rested on Samed. The first time we stayed for 3 days, the second time for 5 days. We swam on all the beaches several times, visited all the lookouts, walked between the beaches on foot and rented a motorbike. We explored the entire island on our own.

I can’t even believe that after one year (in total) of living in Pattaya, we just now got to Samet. Every third tourist, on a package trip, visited Samet, and we all postponed our trip. It is for the best, because today we found Koh Samed in season and in sunny weather.

Hotels on Koh Samet

• Larissa Samed Resort
• Lima Coco Resort
• Sidewalk Boutique Hotel
• Blue Moon Samed
• Samet Ville Resort
• Vongdeuan Resort

All hotels in Ko Samed

Paid entrance to the island: how to get in for free

The Khao Laemya National Park is located on the island, so the entrance fee is 200 baht per person (children 100 baht). The ticket is valid for 5 days. But consider that the entire time of your stay on the island, since the dates are not particularly looked at.

Payment is not at the pier, but closer to SaiKeo beach. Tribute is collected by soldiers in this arch in the photo below. The checkpoint is located at the end of the main street near two 7-Elevens.

By what logic they stop tourists and check tickets, we did not understand. If you are traveling with luggage or taking a tuk-tuk taxi, then with a probability of 99% you will have to pay for the entrance. Also, everyone who arrives on a speedboat pays for entry, controllers are suitable to pay for tourists right on the beach.

There are at least 3 ways how not to pay. Read on!

This place collects an entrance fee

How not to pay for the entrance to the national park on Koh Samet

• Option 1. Pass with a smart view of the beach, like you've been here for a long time. We did this all 3 days on our first visit to the island and did not pay for entry. But it's like a lottery, they can make you pay at any time.
• Option 2. Bypass the checkpoint on the left. There is now a road blocked for travel, but you can go on foot. Just before the checkpoint, turn left and go around it from behind. In this case, you will not be noticed.
• Option 3 - how to pass a checkpoint on a bike and not pay. You need to drive behind the checkpoint, and not through it. To do this, from the pier, go not along the main road, but into a detour. We drove like this for 5 days and the soldiers never noticed us. Google maps doesn't show this road, but it's there.

The beaches of Koh Samet

The beaches on Koh Samet were liked even by picky people like us

There are downsides, of course, but in general, swimming is super. And if you are lucky with the weather, it will be a perfect island vacation! And we agree with many opinions that Ko Samed takes its blue water. Of course, it is not as blue as it is on, but it is seriously different from the nearest islands of Pattaya.

All sights of Samet are free. See points on the map below:

Koh Samet Map

Map of Koh Samet in Russian with beaches, attractions and other useful points:

Ko Samet on the map

Prices for Koh Samet

Prices for Koh Samet practically do not differ from prices in other cities of Thailand. At 7-Eleven, some products cost 2-5 baht more. For example, a small bottle of water is not 7 baht, but 10. Beer Chang and Singha are also 3-4 baht more expensive than on the mainland. In general, do not go broke on products

As for restaurants, food prices do not differ from tourist cafes in Pattaya. We had lunch and dinner in different restaurants and always fit in 350-400 baht for two for 2-3 dishes and 2 drinks. That is, for $ 10 together you can eat a hearty meal here.

Our lunch on Ao Phutsa beach for 390 baht

There are also more expensive restaurants. For example, on Ao Prao beach we had lunch for 700 baht. But there are no ordinary cafes, only restaurants.

For the most budget travelers there is also something to eat. In the central village there are several macaroons with kebabs for 10 baht. There are soup and noodle shops where prices are around 50 baht per dish. Well, in 7-Eleven you can always eat inexpensively on Ko Samet (ready-made meals for 30-40 baht, which will be warmed up at the checkout).

On the central beaches you can see fruit and chicken vendors. They walk with a yoke with a barbecue. You can eat delicious and inexpensive food right on the beach. The prices are acceptable.

Coconut on the beach - 50 baht

Where can I order a transfer from the airport?

We use the service - KiwiTaxi
Ordered a taxi online, paid by card. We were greeted at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You have already talked about your experience in this article

Is it worth going to Koh Samet

Already now there is a ready answer to this question. And here's what we'll tell you. If you are in Pattaya and just want to swim in the sea, while being delighted with, then you don’t have to come to Samet.

We read reviews of tourists that Koh Samet is the same Koh Lan, only further and more expensive. This is not entirely true, of course, but there is some truth in this. The main beach of Sai Keo is very reminiscent of Lan. I think such reviews are written by tourists who never went further than Sai Keo.

But if you want even bluer water, even whiter sand and the possibility of solitude without crowds of tourists or Chinese, then you are on Samet. Samad has its own atmosphere and it's good here. The main thing is not to go to the central beach, but to go swimming to distant ones - Ao Cho, Ao Wai, Ao Prao.

• Read our latest review:

One of the beaches on Samet

Infrastructure and photos of streets

Koh Samed is now a fairly developed island. Public transport is available in the form of green tuk-tuks. However, they most often operate as taxis. Several 7/11 shops, local mini-shops, cafes and restaurants.

You can rent a bike from 300 baht per day. About the experience of riding a bike around the island. The roads are now well paved. There is even a sidewalk on the main street!

Staying here for 2-3 weeks is generally easy.

How to get to Koh Samet

Most tourists come to Koh Samed from Pattaya. The distance from Pattaya to Samed is about 70 km. The easiest way to get there is with a group transfer. Such a transfer costs from 550 baht per person round-trip. The price includes a minibus from the hotel to the ferry and a ticket for the ferry.

It is more convenient to travel from Bangkok on your own. You will need to take a bus from the Ekkamai bus station, which will take you directly to Ban Phe Pier. At the station, tickets are sold at the window with the inscription "Koh Samed".

• Read more:

Koh Samet reviews

Having studied Koh Samet, we concluded that it is much better than Koh Lan and does not look like him at all. Crowds of tourists and Chinese only on the central beach. But if you just walk 300 meters to the side, behind the mermaid statue, you will already find yourself on a less crowded beach.

And if you go to distant beaches, such as Ao Prao, Wongduen or Ao Wai, then you will see a completely different Ko Samed.

Write in the comments if someone was on Koh Samet, which beach did you like the most? And which of the islands near Pattaya do you think is better - Ko Samed, Koh Chang, Koh Lan?

Hotels on Koh Samet

Where to stay on Koh Samet with a good beach? We have already told you about the beaches in the article, so choose from your preferences. If you want to be quieter, see the distant beaches of Ao Prao, Ao Wai, Tien. If you want more fun and crowds of tourists do not bother, check in at Sai Keo and Ao Hin Khok.

Our selection of hotels will help you choose a good hotel on Koh Samet: - Hotels on Koh Samet from 2200 THB

• Round-trip transfer for two 500 * 2 = 1000 baht
• Hotel for 2 nights - 2200 baht
• Meals in a cafe - 1800 baht
• Food at 7-11, water, something to eat - 650 baht
• Other expenses for trifles - 30 baht

TOTAL: 5680 baht ($170)- so much we spent for two for a trip to the island for 3 days and 2 nights. Meals in the cafe 2 times a day. We had breakfast on the way to the beach with warmed food from 7-Eleven and coffee (150 baht for two for breakfast).

The small resort island of Thailand - Samet, with an area of ​​5 sq. km is known and popular among tourists from different countries. Part of the territory located just 6 km from the mainland of Samet is part of the National Park. So, in addition to beautiful beaches with crystal clear water, vacation on the island of Koh Samet, Thailand is an opportunity to spend time in the bosom of untouched nature.

As such, there is no territorial zoning on the island, but tourists who have been here at least once divide Samet into 4 parts:

Samet is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, which is included in the Rayong province. Its area is 13.2 km2. There is a small settlement - the village of Nadan, where tourist ships most often arrive.

The main attraction of the island is Khao Laem Ya National Park. Most travelers come here to get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna, virgin forests and their inhabitants.

• Language: Thai;
• Currency: Thai baht (THB) - 1 baht = 2 rubles;
• Religion: Buddhism - over 95%, up to 4% - Islam, Christianity.

Samet on the map:

Climatic conditions

The weather on Koh Samet is constant throughout the year.
The air temperature fluctuates between 28 -31 degrees. Rainfall is much less than in other resorts of the country. Conventionally, the rainy season falls on the period from May to July. However, even in these months, the rains are not prolonged and fall mainly at night.
Water warms up within 28-29 degrees.

Monthly average temperatures:

Month	Jan	Feb	mar	Apr	May	june	july	aug	sep	oct	but I	dec
min	22	24	26	27	27	27	26	26	25	24	23	22
max	33	32	33	34	34	33	33	32	32	32	33	32

The abundance of precipitation is typical for September and October. There are 15 out of 30 rainy days.

Ecology

Few people know that since November 1, 2018, it is forbidden to import plastic and polystyrene here. Even plastic bags are no exception! So the Thai government takes care of the ecological state of the national park and its environs.

Those who disregard this rule will be forced to say goodbye to all plastic things they have with them at the entrance, and violators will be punished with a fine of 1500 THB.

The Thai government also plans to completely abandon plastic on Koh Samui in the near future and by the end of 2021, the whole country should move to a new ecological level.

How to get there?

The fact that you can only get to Koh Samet by boat does not make the island less popular. The apparent difficulties of the transfer are more than offset by the purity of the sea and the variety of beaches. Some remoteness also attracts lovers of "wild" recreation. Samet will appeal to even sophisticated travelers who know a lot about island holidays.

Many people buy tours in advance, one of the stopping points of which is Koh Samet. This option already includes a transfer to all points of the route and you don’t have to worry about vehicles. This method is chosen by those who have already settled in one of the hotels or, but do not want to sit still or are tired of a lazy beach holiday. In one day, travelers are given the opportunity to travel around dozens of beaches and expand their geographical knowledge.

If you decide to spend more than one day on the island or stay here for a long time, plan your route in advance.

The starting point to the island will be Pattaya airports or, depending on the individual preferences of tourists.

From the airport we go directly to the small village of Ban Phe, which, by the way, is famous for being the main starting point for Koh Samet and its National Park.

We get to Ban Phe in the most pleasant way for us: it can be a bus, taxi, rented scooter or car. You don’t need to worry about where to leave your scooter or car: next to the pier, you can easily find paid guarded parking.

From Bangkok

Buses from Bangkok to the pier depart from Ekamai Bus Station. The first bus leaves at 5 in the morning, the next - with an interval of 40 minutes each. The last one departs from the stop at 20:30. A one-way ticket will cost a tourist 157 baht. Public transport is attractive because the fare is significantly lower than in a taxi, but in Bangkok there is a great alternative: renting a scooter.

By using a bike, you can combine business with pleasure: see the surroundings and save on travel. In addition, you will not be dependent on the schedule. Of course, you will have to spend money on gasoline, but this expense instantly pays off: fresh air and stunning views will make anyone forget about the difficulties of the transfer.

From Pattaya

In terms of economy, getting to the island from Pattaya is more profitable than from Bangkok. True, you will have to make one stop, as the bus will only go to the administrative center of Rayong. Next, songhteo will deliver the shaft straight to the pier for only 30 baht. In total, it turns out: 1.5 hours on the road, about 70 baht to Rayong, 30 baht to Ban Phe pier, plus a boat trip to Na Dan pier with a symbolic statue of a huge woman, sung by the Thai poet Suthon Phu, and you are there!

There are two types of water transport between Ban Phe and Koh Samet: ferries and speedboats.

Ban Phe Pier is literally teeming with touts who are trying in every possible way to offer their services. The only thing that cannot be changed is the high price of such trips. Regardless of which way you decide to get to your destination, you will have to purchase a standard ticket from a representative of one of the hundreds of companies that manage the transfer of passengers from the mainland to the island.

Experienced recommend not to peck at the bait of the first person you meet, but to take a walk along the pier for some time. Going a little further than inexperienced tourists do, you can come across very advantageous offers at a lower price.

Entry prices

Visiting the island itself is free. However, you will have to pay 200 baht for an adult visitor and half the full price for a child to enter the national park.

Many people manage to avoid visiting fees by using the same private carriers from Ban Phe Pier, which have slightly different itineraries. By bypassing the toll collection point and delivering their customers straight to the beach, near which the travelers are going to stay, carriers make it possible to get into the territory "hare".

One way or another, you should be prepared for the fact that even before sailing you will be required to pay an entrance fee to the territory of the National Park. By the way, be careful: a ticket bought for 200 baht is valid for 5 days. After the expiration date, you must purchase a ticket again. But, most tourists note that Koh Samet is not as fun as they would like, so 5 days of peace and quiet are more than enough.

Beaches

In total, the island has over 15 beaches scattered throughout the coastal area. Among them, there are 8 most colorful and occupying TOP lines in the ratings.

Ao Phai

The infrastructure of Ao Phi is 4 small beaches, united under one name:

• Ao Pai;
• Hin Kok;
• Ao Put San;
• Ao Nuan.

Despite the fact that these are the most visited beaches (due to the low price tag for accommodation, the presence of cheap bars and cafes), every year the reviews left by tourists about these places are getting worse. Many say that the area is not protected in any way and is unsafe, some do not like the surroundings, some do not like the quality of the water, etc.

One way or another, Ao Phi is still in the top of the most popular beaches of Samet.

Haad Sai Kaew

Sai Keu (or Diamond Beach - diamond beach) is a favorite place for all party-goers. It is here that all the entertainment activities of a small island are concentrated. Those who want to have a fun evening, dance, eat delicious food, try local drinks and exotic cocktails, definitely need to visit the diamond beach!

In addition, this place is incredibly popular among the Thais themselves: Bangkok residents on Diamond Beach are regular guests. Such a neighborhood only plays into the hands of foreign tourists, since the presence of local vacationers on the island is a guarantee that you will be able to taste real Thai cuisine.

Ao Cho

Ao Cho is an unremarkable calm beach with a gentle entrance and clear water. Here, relatively low housing prices and a lot of tiny stalls with souvenirs. Ao Cho is suitable for families with children, as there are practically no waves here, and it is not popular with noisy companies.

Ao Thain

The most romantic beach, whose name can be translated as "by candlelight". This also proves its lyrical focus. The smallest, but at the same time, the coziest and cutest beach on the island. People come here for wedding ceremonies, anniversaries and family holidays.

Ao Phrao

Ao Phra is an incredibly beautiful beach on the west coast. The coastal area is strewn with expensive hotels with luxurious rooms and first-class service. This is a kind of elite of the island.

Wong Deuan

Wong Deun is in the top three beaches of the island. Large selection of hotels, huts and bungalows, calm, down to earth atmosphere. Suitable for both families and single travelers.

There is an opportunity to choose a hotel according to the possibilities of your wallet. You can stay both in expensive apartments and in modest bungalows.

Ao Tubtim

Less hyped neighbor Ao Phai. This place does not differ in something special and will not be able to please tourists who are hungry for entertainment either. Here you can relatively calmly swim and sunbathe with children.

A boring coastline is adorned with a bizarre composition of stones stacked on top of each other.

Kiu Na Nok

This is a private beach on the territory belonging to the most expensive hotel in the southern part of Samet. If you dream of being in a place that looks like a picture from an advertisement, with sky-blue water, white, clean beach and rare palm trees, then this is the place.

Outsiders are not allowed on Kiu Na Nok (the area is fenced and guarded) and in order to visit this beach, you need to rent one of the local villas. There are only about 20 of them. The cost of rent, in comparison with the northern regions, is prohibitively high, but such is the price for comfort and privacy.

Where to stay?

The hotel infrastructure of the resort is represented by hotels of various comfort levels and price categories. There are inexpensive guesthouses, separate bungalows and more familiar rooms in buildings.

The minimum room rate is 1000 baht. There are cheaper options, but the price in this case will fully correspond to the quality of accommodation.

In accordance with the pricing policy, there are 4 categories of hotels, or 4 zones, in which these hotels are better to look for:

1. Expensive;
2. middle class;
3. Budget;
4. Cheap.

You can easily find expensive hotels in the area of ​​Wong Deuan, Sai Kae, Ao Kiu beaches. The last beach is a private area belonging to the Paradee Hotel and is considered the safest place on the island.

Middle-class hotels can be found everywhere, without being tied to any particular territory. On almost any beach, there is an opportunity to comfortably accommodate in rooms of an average price category.

It is better to look for budget and cheap places in the Ao Phai area, on one of its 4 beaches.

Important. When deciding what to take with you to the island, do not forget to grab a fumigator or mosquito net. Especially if you are going to Samet for more than one night.

Almost every standard hotel has massage rooms, swimming pools, air conditioning and in-room amenities.

Attractions

As such, it will not be possible to meet sights or ancient monuments on the island. The only thing for which lovers of walking on excursions come here is Khao Laem Ya National Park. Moreover, it is not entirely clear what attracts tourists more, the island itself or the national park on which it is located.

The only temple located on the Na Dan pier near the village of the same name is notable for a giant white Buddha statue about 5 meters high.

If you are completely bored, you can go to Sai Keo Beach, where a sculpture of a mermaid with a baby is erected. The locals dubbed her the phrase "True love". The poem that prompted the sculptor to create it was about a sailor who abandoned a mermaid with a baby in his arms because he got bored with her and sailed away on the nearest ship.

Entertainment

The choice of entertainment on the island is also limited. There are no water parks, dolphinariums and amusement parks here. People come here to enjoy a lazy beach holiday away from the noise, and for exciting experiences it is better to go to the mainland, for example, Pattaya.

observation decks

For lovers of sunsets and sunrises, special viewing platforms are equipped. It will not be difficult to find them: it is enough to meet a sign with a special designation on your way.

Windsurfing, water skiing, quad biking

Those who are not indifferent to active sports can rent special equipment available in almost every hotel and spend time with benefit.

Fishing

Fishermen will be able to try their hand at deep-sea fishing and even catch squid, which will then be cooked for you by local chefs. Of course, for a fee.

Thai boxing

One of the novelties of the island is the opportunity to learn from local Thai boxing masters. Of course, most classes are held as demonstration performances by pupils, but for lack of a better one ...

If there is a desire to take this type of wrestling seriously, then you should choose in other places in Thailand.

Fire show

Every evening, the coastal area becomes a real platform for fiery tricks. Vacationers can enjoy an enchanting performance performed by professional stuntmen.

Massage and Spa

On the island, private masses are widely practiced. It is made on beaches, in cafes, in hotels and even in the market. You do not have to look for a massage therapist, he will find you!

shopping

If you go to Samet in order to buy something interesting and exotic, you will be in for a great disappointment. All products are delivered here from the "mainland", which means that its range is very limited, and the price tags are too high. Many stalls are full of boring souvenirs and necessary beach paraphernalia: mosquito sprays, sunscreen, panama hats, ducks for swimming and other cheap knick-knacks.

Samet for children

The beaches of Koh Samet are ideal for families with children. It is difficult to assess which of its advantages is the main one: there are so many of them.

Firstly, the environment, which is given great attention here. The ban on the import of plastic is just one item from a long list of what is being done to preserve the purity of nature on the island.

Secondly, blinding beaches with white sand and emerald water. The pictures that the imagination once drew materialize here. The sea is calm and there are almost no strong waves. Most of the beaches have a gentle entrance, fences are installed for vacationers. The coastal stalls are full of inflatable balls, circles, ducks and other children's protection.

Thirdly, having enough “eating” the sun and the sea, you can go to Pattaya for entertainment: water parks, dolphinarium, amusement parks, parties, shopping, etc. The convenience lies in the fact that you do not need to spend a lot of time and money on the road. After walking and having fun, you can return to the quiet island life with peace of mind. And parents who come here with small children do not need to worry that someone or something will prevent their child from sleeping at night.

Samet Island is a great opportunity to get away from the noisy atmosphere in the resort of Pattaya and spend time on snow-white beaches with clear clear water.

Video about Koh Samet: