Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Bangrak Beach is better suited for getting to the airport and ferries than for swimming. It stretches for about 3 km along the north coast of Samui between the fishing village of Bophut and the Big Buddha, the 12-meter-high golden statue on the island of Koh Fan to the east. Hence its nickname, Big Buddha Beach. Samui Airport is a five- to ten-minute drive away, and the fishing village is about five minutes away.

Many boats depart from here to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The Lomprayah pier (for the Lomprayah and Lomlahkkhirin catamarans), the Seatran pier (for the Seatran and Boonsiri piers), and the Petcherat Marina (for the Songserm Express and Echo Travel speedboats) are all located just a few hundred meters apart, right on the beach. The Haad Rin Queen to Haad Rin departs from the Big Buddha Pier at the eastern end. If you have an early boat or flight, an overnight stay here will save you the drive from Chaweng or Lamai. For a short stopover between the islands, I would recommend this location over both.

Swimming here is unfortunately not recommended. At both ends, the beach is shallow with a muddy bottom and rocks that are only visible when you're standing directly on them. The deeper central section contains the piers and anchored boats, and the water is murky, especially in April and May. Reviewers have also reported glass shards in the sand, so you should keep your shoes on. For swimming, Choeng Mon, located ten minutes east, is a much quieter option.

Bangrak is particularly charming in the evenings. The restaurants set up their tables right on the sand along the beach; after nightfall, the bay is bathed in bright light, and it's quieter than Chaweng. Beach vendors offer their wares, and some are quite persistent – ​​so a firm "no" the first time will save you from a third.