🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Koh Samet sits inside Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park in Rayong province. Its real draw is how close and easy it is — perfect whether you only have a weekend or want to settle in for a few nights. The island is small enough to cross by car or songthaew (shared pickup truck) in no time. Most of the beaches run down the east coast toward the south, while the west side has Ao Prao, the best sunset spot on the island.
How to get to Koh Samet: ferries from Ban Phe
Almost everyone boards at Ban Phe pier, about 20 km from Rayong town. From Bangkok it's roughly a 3-hour drive, or you can take a van or coach to Ban Phe and catch a boat from there. The pier has private parking lots charging by the day, since cars can't cross to the island — you leave the vehicle on the Ban Phe side. There are two main types of boat: the passenger boat (a large wooden ferry) and the speedboat.
Passenger boat (large wooden ferry)
The cheapest and most popular option — comfortable enough, just a bit slow. It takes around 40 minutes to Na Dan pier, the island's main jetty, where you switch to a songthaew to your beach. Boats run from about 8am until the evening, more frequently on weekends. Check the time of the last boat back before you head over.
Shared speedboat (join trip)
Much faster — only about 10–15 minutes — and it drops you right at your beach, so there's no songthaew to catch. The price depends on which beach you're going to; the farther south, the more it costs. Best for anyone staying far from Na Dan, like Ao Wong Duan or Ao Prao.
Private speedboat charter
Worth it for groups or if you want to travel outside the regular schedule. You charter the whole boat to your beach of choice for around ฿1,800–2,500 per boat — cheaper once split among a few people, and you can still call one even after the last passenger ferry has gone.
Book your stay first, then ask about the boat
Many resorts, especially on the southern beaches, offer a boat pickup or can recommend a speedboat that lands right at the beach. If you've already booked, message them first — it saves you dragging your luggage across the island on a songthaew.
Want more out of Rayong? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Koh Samet national park fee
Koh Samet is inside a national park, so everyone pays an entry fee at the Na Dan checkpoint when arriving on the island. The rate is 40 THB for Thai adults and 20 THB for Thai children; foreign adults pay 200 THB and children 100 THB. It's charged once per entry no matter how many nights you stay — keep your ticket in case staff ask to see it.
- Thai visitors — 40 THB adult, 20 THB child (bring your ID card)
- Foreign visitors — 200 THB adult, 100 THB child
- Songthaew on the island — 20–100 THB per person shared, by distance; chartering the whole truck to a far beach can run into several hundred. Always ask the price before getting on.
Sai Kaew Beach — the main, liveliest beach
Sai Kaew is the longest and busiest beach on the island, and the closest to Na Dan pier — a short walk or songthaew ride away. The sand really is fine and white, true to its name (Sai Kaew means 'crystal sand'), and the water in front is shallow and easy for swimming. There are water sports by day, and by night it's the liveliest spot on the island, with beachfront restaurants, bars, and fire shows at various venues. If you want everything within reach — restaurants, convenience stores, all a short walk away — this beach delivers, at the cost of more crowds and noise than the others.
At the northern end of Sai Kaew there's a statue of Phra Aphai Mani and the mermaid, drawn from Sunthorn Phu's classic poem tied to this island — a favourite photo stop. If you're staying at Sai Kaew and want to escape the buzz for a while, a short walk south brings you to coves that get progressively quieter.
Ao Phai, Ao Tubtim, Ao Nuan — quieter beaches heading south
Heading south from Sai Kaew, the beaches get smaller and quieter one after another. Ao Phai and Ao Tubtim still have a fair few restaurants and a range of places to stay — a nice middle ground, not too quiet but nowhere near as busy as Sai Kaew, good if you want balance. Ao Nuan is a small, tucked-away cove with just a handful of bungalows, reached by walking down a slope from the main road — one of the quietest and most private beaches on the island, best for people who really came to switch off rather than chase activities.
Ao Phai + Ao Tubtim
Mid-sized beaches that still have restaurants and a choice of stays — not too quiet, but with fewer people than Sai Kaew. You can walk between them along the shore.
Ao Nuan
A small, tucked-away cove with just a few bungalows — quiet and private, ideal if you genuinely want to get away from the crowds.
Ao Wong Duan — a pretty curved bay with stays and food
Ao Wong Duan is the island's second-largest beach. Its name comes from the bay's shape, curved like a half-moon. It's a well-rounded choice for anyone who wants both convenience and calm: there are stays at every level, from bungalows to beachfront resorts, and seaside restaurants to choose from — though the nightlife isn't as full-on as Sai Kaew. Speedboats from Ban Phe can land right at Wong Duan, which is handy if you'd rather not switch to a songthaew at Na Dan.
- Swimming — white sand and clear water, with gentle waves in the high season, fine for swimming with family
- Seaside dining — seafood spots and restaurants line the beach, easy to find a dinner with a sea view
- Getting there — speedboats land directly on the beach, or take a songthaew from Na Dan, about 15–20 minutes
Ao Prao — the west coast, best for sunsets
Ao Prao is the main bay on the island's west coast and the best place for sunsets, since it faces west out to sea. In the evening the golden light spilling across the water is genuinely lovely. The water here is calm and it's less crowded than the east coast, with only a handful of resorts, mostly at the higher end. If you're staying on the east coast and want to come over for sunset, a songthaew can take you across — but check the return times, as there are fewer trucks after dark.
How to get back after sunset at Ao Prao
If you're not staying at Ao Prao, sort out the return trip with your songthaew driver before you get off, or allow time to walk up to the main road to flag one down — after sunset trucks get scarce and the price goes up.
Where to stay on Koh Samet: which beach?
Accommodation on the island ranges from budget beachfront bungalows to seaside resorts costing several thousand baht a night. The simple way to choose is to decide what atmosphere you want: the closer a beach is to Na Dan, the livelier and easier to reach; the farther south or over on the west coast, the quieter and more private. On long weekends places fill up fast and prices rise, so book ahead.
Convenient and lively
Sai Kaew — close to the pier, with restaurants and convenience stores nearby and plenty of life at night. Great for groups of friends and first-timers.
Best of both
Ao Wong Duan and Ao Phai — restaurants and a choice of stays, but fewer people. Speedboats land right at Wong Duan. Good for families.
Quiet and sunsets
Ao Prao and Ao Nuan — quiet and private; Ao Prao has the best sunsets. Pricier than the other beaches. Ideal for couples and anyone who really wants to unwind.
When to visit Koh Samet
The best time is the dry season, roughly November to May, when the sea is calm and clear and swimming is easy. The rainy season, May to October, is still doable — Koh Samet gets less rain than many Thai islands — but some days bring rough seas, and boats may not run if the water gets too choppy. On long weekends and Saturdays–Sundays it's crowded and stays cost more, so if you want the island quiet, try a weekday instead.
Plan a full Rayong trip — islands, beaches and local food
See the Rayong travel guide →