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

Chaweng is Koh Samui's main beach, a roughly 7 km long stretch of fine, white sand on the east coast, just 10 to 15 minutes from the airport. It's the busiest beach on the island and home to most of the hotels, from hostels to five-star resorts. The beachfront promenade behind the beach is lined with restaurants, shops, and bars. If you want to walk directly from your room to the beach and then on to dinner, this is the perfect place for you.

The beach is essentially divided into three sections. The northern section is the quietest and ideal if you want to be close to Chaweng's restaurants but escape the noise. The central area around the ARKbar is the liveliest, with beach clubs, water sports, and fire shows. In the streets behind, around Soi Green Mango, clubs and bars line up until late at night. At the southern end, beyond a rocky promontory, the sandy beach merges into Chaweng Noi, a separate bay that is significantly quieter.

Swimming is the best thing about Samui's lively beaches. The sand slopes gently, without large rocks or seaweed, and the water remains shallow, making it easy to swim out. Sun loungers, kayaks, jet skis, and banana boats are available for rent along the coast, and a small reef just offshore offers excellent snorkeling with a few fish. The catch is the northeast monsoon. From October to December, high waves and strong currents build up, red flags are raised – and this warning should be taken seriously.

Your choice of accommodation follows the same three sections. In the quieter north, Baan Haad Ngam is located directly on the beach, about a five-minute motorbike ride from the busier section. Nearby are ARKbar, Marasca, Muang Samui, and Socialtel, all beachfront, with bars within walking distance. Buri Rasa is an adults-only resort on the same lively beach area, with the pedestrian zone behind it. In the south, on Chaweng Noi, is Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection resort. Prices on Chaweng fluctuate significantly between high and low season, so I recommend comparing different dates before deciding on a section.