Thailand Travel Information
Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Thailand

Chaweng Beach is the longest beach of Samui Island at 7km, located on its eastern coast. The fine white sands and aquamarine waters are highly enticing to tourists. There are exquisite coral reefs as well as two islands close to the beach. The smaller of the islands can be reached by crossing the shallow water on foot. The bigger and farther island is reachable only by kayaking or snorkeling.

The beach area is accessible only through hotels, as there is no approach directly from the road. The central section of the beach is always crowded with tourists and vendors selling fruits, drinks and Thai food. The road running parallel to the beach is cluttered with restaurants, bars, convenience stores and souvenir shops. Those looking for solitude can try the north and south ends of the beach.The presence of a young crowd due to the thriving nightlife has resulted in dirtying of the beach area. The initiative of local developers to clean up the area is a welcome change.

Transportation

Chaweng is located at a short distance from the Koh Samui airport. Bangkok Airways fly daily flights to Koh Samui. If traveling by train or bus, it will take you up to Surat Thani in mainland and you have to catch connecting ferry to Koh Samui.

To get around locally, there are a few options – motorcycle taxi, hiring motorcycle or a jeep and the omnipresent songthaews.

Accommodation

Chaweng offers the best deal for the package tourists and budget travelers. You should check the rooms and also whether there are any discos or clubs within earshot, before taking it.

Some of the budget hotels in Chaweng are Chaweng Pearl Cabana, BB Chaweng Beach Resort, Baan Chaweng Resort and Samui Plaza Hotel. The midrange resorts are Baan Samui Resort, Nora Lake View and Samui New Star. Amari Palm Reef Resort and Spa, Chaweng Cove Resotel, Nora Beach Resort and Spa and Poppies Samui are the ones in the luxury segment.

Dining

There are several restaurants offering dining facilities at the beach. Some of them have luxurious setting like Poppies Samui. Others like Khao San Road Restaurant and Sea Food Centre offer excellent food at affordable prices.

Chaweng is the nightlife capital of Koh Samui. Live music, dance floors and live sports are the trademark of the bars, pubs and clubs here. Green Mango Club and Disco, Reggae Pub, The PFC and Black Jack Pub are some of the famous Chaweng nightspots.

Things to do

Chaweng is the diving center of Koh Samui. It has an array of PADI-certified diving schools. 100 Degrees East, Salamander Dive Centre and Searobin Dive Center are the most famous.

Other water sports available are kayaking, snorkeling, surfing and catamarans rides. The beach area has many massage salas offering Thai massages, manicures, pedicures and hair braiding.

Other islands like Koh Tao and Koh Phangan are easily reachable from Chaweng. Angthong National Marine Park is also very popular with tourists visiting Chaweng.

Chaweng is a good place for bargain shopping for clothes, souvenir and handicrafts.