Chaweng is the beach on the east coast of Ko Samui and has a reputation for a pristine white beach and an excellent nightlife infrastructure especially on the northern end of the beach.
Chaweng is the largest and most popular of Samui's beaches, and is usually divided into three sections: North Chaweng, Central Chaweng and Chaweng Noi (Little Chaweng) around a headland to the south. Chaweng Beach is the longest beach on Samui Island's east coast.
The beach is beautiful here and local developers are finally cleaning up some of the trashy areas on the island. It attracts many young travelers and families alike, but still remains good value for money. The beach is approximately 7 km long with powdery white sand. It is bordered by emerald-blue waters and a coral reef where waves break, leaving the bay quite peaceful. Not far from the beach, there are two small islands near the reef.
After swimming, you can explore the nearest one by walking through shallow water or go for snorkeling and kayaking at the second island which is further out and larger. The central part of the beach is a bit more crowded than the quieter north. Many vendors pass by, offering beverages, fruit, ice cream and local Thai food for the more daring. A variety of local crafts and Thai souvenirs are also available.
The beach itself is usually accessed through the hotels, as there are no beach roads to disturb the peacefulness of the area. It is very relaxing but noticeably more touristy during the high season. The water is clean with usual temperatures between 25-28°C. Parallel to the beach, clustered in the middle of the strip, lies Samui's greatest concentration of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and of course, fast food and convenience stores.
GET IN
Chaweng is a few minutes ride south from the airport. Taxi drivers rarely use taximeter here.Most taxi drivers do not use the taximeter, so the price has to be negotiated in advance. The fare is usually 200-250 Bht or you may book a transfer with your hotel. This service usually costs 300 Bht.
You may opt to take other, more adventurous forms of transportation like the following:
Motorcycle Taxi are ordinary motorbikes and you sit behind the driver during the ride. Depending on the distance, the price ranges from 30-150 Bht.
Motorbike Rentals are available if riding solo is what you prefer. Most motorbike rentals in Chaweng offer 100-125 cc bikes such as Honda Wave, Honda Click, Suzuki Step, etc. Rentals cost 100-200 Bht per day depending on the lenght of the rental.
Bigger motorbikes like Harley Davidson and sport bikes like Kawasaki Ninja and Honda CBR are also offered. Be warned that bike accidents tend to be a regular occurrence in Ko Samui, so drive carefully.
If you are travelling in a large group, you may opt to rent a jeep. The rental usually ranges from 800 Bht per day. A private car will set you back 1500 Bht or more every 24hrs. There are many models to choose from: Honda Jazz, Isuzu Hi-Lander, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner, etc.
Established rental companies such as Avis and Hertz also offer insurance. It might be a good idea to get the insurance along with the rental as having no insurance during an accident could be expensive. And don't forget: vehicles here are left-hand drives.
Chaweng is the Samui's most popular
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Chaweng is the Samui’s most popular resort area and not only boasts the longest beach, but also the biggest shopping and entertainment zone on the island. In many ways it is just like any other major tourist hot spot with hundreds of hotels, restaurants and bars scattered along and behind its fine white sand.
You can choose to stay in five-star luxury or search out one of the few remaining budget bungalows, and when it comes to food there’s everything from top-end French fare to burgers and pizza, with a few Thai options thrown in for good measure.
Despite a recent upgrade, Chaweng still remains party central and has the highest density and widest selection of clubs, bars and restaurants on the island. If you’re looking to get away from it all this is perhaps not the beach for you, but if you want a fun packed beach holiday with options to suit all tastes and temptations,
Chaweng is certainly an experience not to be missed.
In some ways, Chaweng’s main road feels like a different part of the island from the beach it serves, sometimes even a different island altogether.
The five-kilometre strip is lined with shops and stalls selling every known holiday accessory interspersed with bars, supermarkets, tailor’s shops, pharmacies, opticians and of course fast food restaurants.
Like the beach, each section is quite distinctive from the next, with the smart Iyara Shopping plaza dominating the north end, along with popular venues like Prego; Samui’s coolest Italian restaurant and bar,, clusters of smaller family run shops around the centre and more up-market boutique style outlets further south.
Major landmarks for taxis and meeting points include Starbucks, Tropical Murphy’s Irish pub and The Islander.
South Chaweng beach, like the north, is becoming more high-end and exclusive. The beach is wide at this end but during the winter months from November to March the waves can be fearsome and a few people have drowned in the strong currents. The island’s largest hotel,
The Central Samui Beach Resort, dominates the southern scene and is also the venue for some of the island’s larger events such as the annual Samui Regatta.
Other beachside venues include Poppies, which is famed for its fine food, while even further south smaller resorts vie for beachfront space in a labyrinth of accommodation, food and services that stretches back to the road.
The central part of Chaweng beach is the most densely populated in terms of sunbathers, accommodation and nightlife. The beach here is packed with sun loungers during the day and beach sellers meander through the crowds selling fruit and soft drinks. There are also jet skis for rent and all kinds of other beach antics to join in with.
At night, some of the bars put cushions out for revellers to enjoy the beach between drinks and dancing, while many of the larger resorts offer live but gentle music and Thai dancing performances during dinner. The Ark Bar is a perennial favourite for the beach party crowd, while resorts like the Blue Lagoon Resort offer a more tranquil, family setting.
By night this area is a popular place for eating and drinking in impromptu restaurants set out with cushions on the sand, providing a fun atmosphere.
Get out
- Ko Pha Ngan - home of the infamous Full Moon Party in Haad Rin, but there are also near-untouched landscapes -- and detox centers
- Ko Tao - among the best places in Thailand to learn to dive, actually the biggest dive school on the planet. Apart from diving sailing is an option to go to the Ang Thong Marine National Park.
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Chaweng Beach 
