Visit Koh Samet: A Dreamlike Thai Island Vacation

When we think of holidaying in Thailand, some of the most attractive destinations in the kingdom are its fantastic tropical Thai island getaways. Islands such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Lanta, and Phi Phi are some of the most desirable. However, if you wanted to explore a tropical Thai holiday island that is more off the beaten track and affordable, Koh Samet is a stunning choice.

 

Getaway from the hustle and bustle in destinations such as Bangkok and Pattaya. And even Phuket to a certain degree, by visiting a Thai island such as Koh Samet.

Thai Island Getaway - Visiting Koh Samet

Koh Samet is oneof the most perfect Thai Island holiday destinations

Tropical Thai Island Getaways

Koh Samet is located in the dreamy waters of the Gulf of Thailand, which is a 30-minute ferry ride from Rayong (4 hours from Bangkok). Koh Samet is the ultimate tropical Thai island getaway destination.

 

Are you are looking for a peaceful place with stunning beaches to sit at Oceanside and relax or you want to get a bit active? If so, Koh Samet is the perfect destination. From speedboat tours and watersports to simply exploring the island on foot or by motorbike or bicycle, Koh Samet has so many angles to offer, affordable or high-end.

 

Let us give you a few pointers on the best things to see and do on Koh Samet.

 

Things to See and on Koh Samet

As Koh Samet is a relatively small island in the middle of the Gulf, it doesn’t particularly have any purpose-built attractions. However, what it does offer is total tranquility and a place where you can really relax and get back to nature.

 

Koh Samet Beaches – Thai Island Getaways

Koh Samet is all about beaches and watersports. This picturesque Thai island has some real dreamlike beaches, some of which are more commercialized than others. Some of the most popular beaches on the island are Ao Phai, Ao Vong Duen, and Sai Kaew. But if you are looking for somewhere a bit more peaceful, we would recommend Ao Lukyon, Laem Yai, and Ao Hin Khok. These beaches are very popular with backpackers.

Koh Samed Thai Island Experience - Enjoy the Best Thai Holiday

Koh Samey has some amazingly tranquil beaches to explore

Getting Active on Koh Samet

If you want something to do when on holiday in Koh Samet and don’t want to relax on the beach all day, most of the island’s activities revolve around water sports.

 

Samet is a great place to hire a boat. You can do some snorkeling or scuba diving around some of the outlying islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Jet skis are also available at the island’s main beaches. If you are a fisherman, there is also the option to hire out some rods and do a spot of fishing or even go sea fishing on the open seas.

 

If you are a fan of combat sports, Koh Samet is a great place to do Muay Thai training. They have two main Muay Thai boxing gyms called Suan Son Muay Thai Boxing Camp and 7 Muay Thai Gym. Both are set up for longer stays on the island to learn the ancient fighting art.

 

Getting Around this Thai Island – Renting a Motorbike

Koh Samet is a relatively small Thai island at 13km squared. So it’s better to explore the island on wheels instead of on foot. Although strolls along the dreamy beaches are great, if you want to explore the island, we would highly recommend you hire a motorbike or bicycle.

 

The island’s roads can be a bit rugged. But you have to remember that there are no tuk-tuks and almost no cars on Koh Samet. From the main pier in the top of the island to the bottom is only 6.5km, and in some places on 200 meter wide.

 

You could rent a quad bike for approximately 2,000 THB per day. But if you are on a tight budget, we would suggest you rent a motorbike. A motorbike rental will cost in the region of 200 to 300 THB per day and can be obtained from hotels and other tourism-based businesses on the island.

Camping on Koh Samet

Although there are no official camping sites on Koh Samet, nothing is stopping you from finding somewhere and setting up your tent. However, camping isn’t usually allowed on beaches across Thailand., except on Samet. Because Koh Samet has a national park status, you can camp here free of charge, which is great for backpackers who want to turn up with their tents and get the cheapest possible accommodation option. Imagine waking up directly on a tropical beach in Koh Samet!

 

Where is Koh Samet and How to Get There?

As a Thai island, Koh Samet is mainly reached via the ferry terminal in Rayong, which is located in Eastern Thailand past Pattaya. If you are arriving in Thailand via Bangkok and want to get to Rayong, it’s approximately a 2 to 4-hour drive depending on the option you take.

 

If you get a taxi, it will take just over 2-hours and can cost you in the region of 1,500 THB to 2,000 THB. If you take a bus from one of the main bus terminals in Bangkok, the same journey can take up to 4 hours. But here’s the best part is the bus from Bangkok to Rayong will only cost in the region of 150 to 250 THB. This is depending on which bus service you take from the station in Bangkok.

 

The ferry from Rayong to Koh Samet is via Bang Phe and can cost between 50 to 100 THB for a one-way ticket. And 100 to 200 THB for a return ticket. The ferry ride is only 30-minutes to Samet.

 

Koh Samet is not just a great Thai island experience, but can also be a very affordable one. Especially if you want to camp on the beach. If you don’t want to camp, there are other resorts and bungalows directly on the beach. Come to Koh Samet to relax and absorb the stunning tropical island experience that makes Thailand one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. You won’t regret it.