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

Lamai is Koh Samui's second largest beach, a roughly 4 km long stretch of sand on the southeast coast, about 6 km south of Chaweng and 25 to 30 minutes from the airport. It offers the same resorts, beach bars, and restaurants as Chaweng, but at a more relaxed pace with fewer visitors and more affordable rooms. For a longer stay, it's perfect for me.

Choosing the right section of beach is more important here than on most other beaches. The northern part is quieter and lined with resorts rather than bars. However, the seabed there is shallow and strewn with rocks and coral fragments, so you have to wade out quite a way at low tide. The central section, beyond which the town's bars, restaurants, and water sports rentals are located, is ideal for swimming, as the sand drops off steeply and you're in deep water just a few meters from the shore, regardless of the tide. The southern part is the least developed. Here, fishermen's houses stand on the sand, rocks stretch along the waterline, and at the tip are the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks.

Don't bring a snorkel. There's almost nothing to see underwater, as the reviews confirm. Lamai is located on the east side of the island, so it's a beach where you can enjoy the sunrise, not the sunset. February to April are the driest months on Samui, and July to September offer a good second time to visit. October to December is the wettest period on the island, with November seeing around 445 mm of rainfall, and the sea is roughest along this coast. Red flags are raised on days when swimming is too dangerous.

In the evenings, the town's life unfolds behind the beach, and the Sunday market takes place there from approximately 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. For accommodation, the town center is recommended, as it's closest to the pool and restaurants. The Pavilion Samui Villas & Resort is located directly on the beach next to a night market. If you prefer to avoid the quiet of the bars, I would recommend the Beluga, an adults-only hotel on the Maret side.

This is a public beach with no entrance fee and no set opening hours. Google Maps will guide you to a public access point with free parking (if you can find any). It's much easier to get there by bicycle than by car. Red songthaews run along the ring road from Chaweng; agree on the fare before boarding.