Koh Samet is rapidly becoming one of Thailand's hottest new destinations and, thanks to its proximity to Bangkok, is an ideal stopover. Thatraveller blogger Holly O'Sullivan recently discovered the island and its many charms. Just a short ferry ride from the southern tip of Rayong and about a three-hour drive from Bangkok, Koh Samet offers a relaxing alternative for a Bangkok layover. A short distance from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok's city center, you'll find the white sandy beaches of one of Thailand's most eco-friendly destinations.

Due to its proximity to Bangkok, Koh Samet is very popular with locals for weekend getaways and short breaks. During my visit, we saw very few international tourists; it was perfect, the island still seemed like a hidden gem.

Tourists welcome – plastic prohibited

Koh Samet was one of the first islands in Thailand to implement a complete ban on plastic bags and polystyrene packaging. At the end of 2018, the island launched a campaign to encourage visitors to avoid plastic. All hotels have now eliminated single-use plastics, and locals can be fined 1,000 baht.

Before the campaign began, a study found that the 1,500 tourists who visit the island daily use an average of eight plastic bags each – that's 12,000 bags thrown away every day. The ban has therefore made a significant difference to the amount of waste the island produces.

The picturesque beaches and diverse resort life of this island are its main attractions. Most of the larger resorts are located on Sai Kaew Beach, where you can also enjoy numerous activities: jet skiing, canoeing, parasailing, diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing. The sea is calm and inviting for swimming at most beaches, and most resorts also have swimming pools.

Just a short walk south of Sai Kaew Beach lies Ao Hin Khok. This beach is equally popular and offers the most affordable accommodation and restaurants on the island. In the evenings, the coastline transforms into a vibrant nightlife hub. Restaurants set up their tables right on the beach and serve all kinds of Thai dishes, from papaya salad and Panang curry to fresh seafood.

Besides the many popular karaoke bars that stretch all the way to the beach, a visit to Koh Samet is not complete without an evening at Ploy Talay.

Ploy Talay is a restaurant by day and a nightclub by night, featuring daily fire shows. On busy nights, the shows last up to 45 minutes, starting around 8 pm. The fire show begins on stage before the dancers enter the water – the glowing sparks and flames are particularly impressive in the water.

Visitors can rent scooters and bicycles throughout the island to explore it. Thanks to the flat terrain, the island can also be easily explored on foot along its open beaches.

Koh Samet is accessible from the mainland pier in Ban Phe. The pier has a large lounge area with a café and other amenities – the souvenir shop also sells everyday essentials such as sunscreen and waterproof bags (ideal for water sports enthusiasts).

At check-in, staff are required to check visitors for plastic, although tourists are unlikely to be penalized (but that doesn't mean it can't happen...).

The route from the pier to the lounge can be covered on foot, but the included open-air shuttle bus is a much-appreciated innovation to avoid carrying all your luggage in the hot sun.

All ferry companies charge the same fare:

The crossing takes about 40 minutes and the ferries run hourly from 8 am to 5 pm.

Speedboats are also available, and these excursions are included in most resort stays:

The journey takes approximately 15 minutes, but may take longer depending on stops along the way. For speedboat trips, you can specify your beach destination.