One of the Eastern Seaboard islands; Koh Samet located off the coastline of province 'Rayong' Gulf of Thailand. Travel from Bangkok by bus, with departures to Ban Phe (บ้านเพ) from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai bus station), travel time from Bangkok to Ban Phe Pier approximately 4 hours.
From Ban Phe, there are direct boats to Koh Samet. The boat fee costs 50 Baht for local people, and 100 baht per person for tourists. It takes about 15-40 minutes from Ban Phe to Koh Samet, depends on what kind of the boats and the weather conditions.
Koh Samet has wonderful beaches, the most well-known beaches on the island are Had Sai Kaew, Ao Phai, Ao Vong Duean, Ao Wai and Ao Klew Na-Nok on the East coast and Ao Prao on the West coast.
At Had Sai Kaew or Sai Kaew Beach; there is a national park office where you can get the tourist information; Koh Samet is also under the National park area (Khao Laem Ya - Moo Koh Samet National Park. This national park is just on the way you walk to Sai Kaew beach after dropped off the ferry. In front of this national park, you will see a fee office where you pay for the fee for coming to Koh Samet. As for tourists pay about 200 Baht per one adult and 100 baht for a children. For Thais pay 40 baht for adult and 20 baht for a children. This island also has 7-Eleven shop. And there are many small local shops and easy to buy. If you are at Sai Kaew beach that means you are 3 Km far from Ao Wong Duean, 2.5 Km far from Ao Prao and approximately 6 Km far from Ao Pra-karang. From the national park walk down to Sai Kaew beach takes only a few minute.
Had Sai Kaew which literally means Crystal Sand Beach is very beautiful beach. It is full of soft white sand. It is the place for sunbathing, chilling, relaxing, jet skiing, windsurfing, riding on a banana boat or even partying at night. This is something you can do when you'd like to get away from such busy town. Koh Samet is one of the ideal travel places for most tourists who wanting to chill-out with their families for a couple of day. Travel to Koh Samet on week day is better than weekend as there are more tourist on weekends.
Between Sai Kaew beach and Ao Pai you will see the Mermaid and Pra Aphai Mani statue, (รูปปั้นนางเงือกและพระอภัยมณี) it is a story of "Soon torn phoo" poets.
Ao Phai; Sea-Breeze, Silver sand and Samet Villa Beach, Ao Phai is a small bay on Koh Samet with restaurants and a disco bar just at the beach. Ao Phai offers good quality rooms for couples and families.
Ao Hin Khok; Located close to Had Sai Kaew, Ao Hin Khok is therefore quite crowded. For visitors interested in sunbathing, Windsurfing, with the crystal clear water this is the good place.
Ao Wong Duean; is the second largest beach on the island (the first being Hat Sai Kaew). Ao Wong Duean attracts tourist groups during both the high and low seasons due to its beach and good accommodation. On top of this, seafood restaurants with nice views are also available.
Ao Wai; located within a short walking distance of Candlelight Beach. Shaded by coconut trees, the beach is quiet and scenic good for relax.
Ao Prow; is one of the quietest beaches of Koh Samet. Located quite far away from the nightlife of Koh Samet; Ao Prow is preferred by travelers who quietly enjoy the sea, swimming and sand, And its also best sunset view point of Koh Samet.
Activities
Some activities you could find on Koh Samet;
Windsurfing with its rocky coastline and offshore winds. Hin Khok beach is a good location for windsurfing.
Motorbike Driving Get Motorbike rental nearby the pier goes for about 300 Baht a day for a decent bike, automatic with off road wheels. If you are paying more, you are being ripped off. You should be a decent driver to drive across the Island. Roads can be very bad and rocky especially near Ao Wai beach. ATV's are rented out at about 400 Baht an hour. It is worth a drive if you are a decent driver.
Boat Trips These are arranged to take tourists, mostly by speed boat around the island to snorkeling and diving spots.
Snorkeling / Diving The Koh Samet area is a populars for divers and snorkelers, due its close proximity to Bangkok and abundance or clear water :) Colorful coral and diversity of marine life. Two of the most favoured locations for diving around Koh Samet are Koh Thalu and Koh Kut. Tourists can take a tour around the island and go snorkeling off the rocky uninhabited western side, or around the reefs at the southern tip. Scuba diving excursions can be arranged at Ao Vong Duean.
Fishing Night fishing trips for squid are usually arranged oh Koh Samet.
Massage On the beach there are countless massage therapists offering their massage service. And off the beach on the main roads; there are massage shops around.
Nightlife There are beer bars at virtually every beach, nearly all of them on Had Sai Kaew have hostesses. Besides bars there isn't much else but restaurants are selling alcohol. You can even get the popular sand bucket full of your favorite drink.
Life-style Thai people's lives on Koh Samet and there are several temples around. Many of the folk on Koh Samet however, are not originally from the island, but they've moved to the island to make a decent living through tourism.
The weather on Koh Samet is normally good year around. Also during the rainy season, between June and October, people still come here because it's not generally raining that much during the rainy monsoon season here. Koh Samet is actually the island in Thailand that has the driest weather during the rain season.
