The Ultimate Chaweng Beach Guide: Where to Stay & What to Do

Katrina Antonio

Last updated 10 Oct 2025

Sawadee kha, Chaweng Beach! 🧡

If you’re heading to Koh Samui in Thailand, chances are Chaweng Beach will be your base—and for good reason. This long, lively stretch on the island’s northeast coast has everything in one place: great hotels, soft sand, reliable weather, and easy access to restaurants, nightlife, and day trips. It’s the kind of destination where you can land, unpack, and be exactly where you want to be with no complicated planning needed.

Just ~10 minutes by car from Samui International Airport, Chaweng has grown from a quiet fishing area into the island’s main tourism hub. Today, it’s a booming resort town with beachfront cafés, boutique shops, and the hustle and bustle of locals and visitors alike.

If you’re after a mix of beach time, exploration, and comfort, start right here.

👀Psst..! Before you go, make sure you have a way to stay connected during your trip. If you’re still deciding on what WiFi device to get, an eSIM for Thailand is well worth considering. It’s installed via QR directly on your phone, so you don’t have to worry about having an additional item to carry around.

🌴 Where to Stay

Accommodation shapes your Chaweng experience. If you're the type of traveler who likes being in the center of things, The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort is one of the best-located options. The rooms are clean and contemporary, with a rooftop pool and direct access to both the beach and main street, perfect if you plan to explore on foot.

If you prefer a calmer base without leaving Chaweng’s orbit, Chaweng Regent Beach Resort offers tropical gardens, two pools, and direct beach access. It’s quieter, ideal for families or couples who want to enjoy Chaweng’s convenience but sleep in peace.

Those who like modern comfort will appreciate Hotel Ozo Chaweng Samui, which combines sleek design with good value. One of the most popular accommodations on the island, Ozo Chaweng Koh Samui is close enough to walk everywhere, with one of the best beachside pools in town.

Meanwhile, Sala Samui Chaweng Beach Resort caters to travelers who want privacy and luxury. This 5-star resort is just a 4-minute walk away from Chaweng Beach and offers gorgeous views from its spacious, modern rooms.

☀️ The Chaweng Beach Experience

Chaweng Beach itself stretches roughly seven kilometers, divided naturally into zones. The central section is the busiest, full of restaurants and water sports. The northern and southern ends are quieter, better for swimming or long walks.

Days here move at an easy rhythm, and there’s something for everyone, whether you prefer to kick back and relax or explore the island. If you’re keen to take a day trip from Koh Samui, many visitors book the popular Angthong National Marine Park Tour, which takes you to limestone islands, secret lagoons, and snorkeling spots just off Samui’s coast. This tour departs from Nathon Pier, just a ~33-minute motorbike ride from Chaweng Beach.

If you prefer to stay closer to town, plenty of resorts rent kayaks and paddleboards by the hour. There’s also the option to unwind at a local spa after the sun.

🧭 What to See Nearby

Being based in Chaweng puts you within 15–20 minutes of some of Koh Samui’s best landmarks. A quick ride north brings you to Wat Phra Yai, also known as the Big Buddha Temple. The 12-meter-high golden statue sits on a small islet and overlooks the sea, a great photo stop and a peaceful spot to start the day.

Next door, Wat Plai Laem features bright, colorful statues and a lake filled with fish. It’s one of the island’s most photogenic temples. For an easy scenic view, stop by Wat Khao Hua Jook, a small hilltop temple overlooking Chaweng Lake and the airport runway, which makes for a nice break from the crowds.

Klook Tip: Dress modestly when visiting temples! Shoulders and knees covered, and don’t forget to remove your shoes before entering.

Travelers who like guided sightseeing can book the Koh Samui Half-Day City Landmark Tour. It conveniently covers these key temples, a few local markets, and panoramic viewpoints—ideal if you prefer a structured way to see the highlights without driving yourself.

For something more offbeat, try the Koh Samui Just Jungle Safari Tour. It takes you deep into the island’s interior, past coconut plantations, waterfalls, and mountain lookouts, in an open-air 4x4. You’ll visit Na Muang Waterfalls, one of Samui’s natural highlights, where you can cool off in freshwater pools surrounded by rainforest.

🏝️ Activities to Fill Your Days

Once you’ve settled in, it’s easy to build your days around small adventures.

Start with the Pig Island and Koh Tan Snorkeling Tour, a half-day trip that lets you swim, snorkel, and meet the famous beach pigs on a small nearby island. It’s relaxed, fun, and family-friendly, which is ideal if you want something different from the typical boat tour.

For those who love a bit of adrenaline, the Tree Bridge Zipline Samui offers zipline courses through lush jungle canopy. Another option is the ATV Adventure Experience in Koh Samui, where you can ride through dirt tracks and jungle paths with views over the coast — great for breaking up your beach routine.

Animal lovers can visit the Elephant World Samui Experience for a half-day visit. You’ll feed and bathe elephants in a natural setting and learn how local sanctuaries work to protect them. It’s a memorable and responsible way to connect with the island’s wildlife.

If you’d rather stay near Chaweng, try the Eranda Herbal Spa Experience, a hilltop spa overlooking the sea with herbal treatments that help you recover from all the sun and salt.

🏮 Evenings: Food, Markets, and a Bit of Buzz

As the sun sets, Chaweng Beach lights up, and the nightlife scene begins. If you enjoy browsing and people-watching, make time for the Chaweng Night Market. It’s an 11-minute stroll away from Chaweng Lake and opens around 5 PM. Here, you can snack your way through grilled seafood, pad thai, mango sticky rice, and coconut pancakes, all at budget-friendly prices.

Klook Tip: Bring small cash bills as most stalls don’t accept cards!

Right next door is the Central Festival Samui, the island’s main shopping complex good for air-conditioned dining and souvenir browsing. It’s also an easy place to escape occasional rain showers during the monsoon season.

If you’re up for a livelier evening, Samui International Muay Thai Stadium hosts professional Muay Thai fights a few nights a week. It’s a cultural and adrenaline-filled local experience, popular with both visitors and residents.

Prefer something laid-back? You can book an Afternoon Tea Experience at W Koh Samui for a quieter evening with sea views and pastries, or grab a drink at one of Chaweng’s casual beach bars for sunset.

🌅 Best Times to Visit

Koh Samui’s weather follows three main patterns:

Dry Season (Dec–Apr): Blue skies, calm seas, and perfect beach weather. This is peak season with the most visitors.
Shoulder Season (May–Jun, Sep–Oct): Fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and occasional short rain showers.
Rainy Season (Nov): Heavier rainfall and quieter streets. It’s less ideal for water sports, but the island feels peaceful and green.

If you’re planning to explore both Chaweng Beach and other parts of Samui, the shoulder months are ideal since you’ll still get sunshine without the peak-season rush.

🚗 How to Get There and Get Around

Koh Samui’s airport is right next to Chaweng, so most travelers reach the beach in under 15 minutes. To skip taxi negotiations, you can pre-book a Samui Airport Private Transfer for a quick and fixed-price ride directly to your hotel.

Getting around town is simple. Central Chaweng is walkable, and most spots are within 10–15 minutes on foot. For short hops, jump on a songthaew (shared red taxi trucks that loop the main roads) as they’re cheap and frequent. Scooters are popular for day trips, but always wear a helmet and drive carefully.

If you want a comfortable way to see the rest of the island, you can opt for a Koh Samui Car Rental with Driver. You can combine sightseeing, waterfalls, and shopping in one day. It’s often cheaper than multiple taxis and easier than driving yourself.

🍹Before you go

The more time you spend here, the more you understand why travelers keep coming back. Chaweng Beach may be Koh Samui’s busiest strip, but it still captures everything people love about island travel — freedom, warmth, and that slow, sunny ease that follows you home long after you leave. If you’re planning to explore the rest of Thailand, you can check out our guide below!

Things To Do Eat & Drink

Explore the best of Thailand through food, film, festival, fight, and fashion!

Let your journey be Thai with this food, film, festival, fight, and fashion Thailand trip guide!

🏖️ FAQs about Chaweng Beach

Is Chaweng Beach worth visiting?

Absolutely! Chaweng Beach is the heart of Koh Samui for a reason. It combines soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and easy access to restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Whether you’re after lazy beach days, sunset cocktails, or spa breaks, Chaweng gives you a bit of everything without needing to travel far.

What is the most beautiful beach in Koh Samui?

Beauty is subjective, but Chaweng Beach consistently tops most travelers’ lists. It’s the island’s longest and most developed beach. If you’re after quieter options, nearby Lamai Beach and Bophut Beach also deliver beautiful stretches of sand with fewer crowds. For energy and atmosphere, though, Chaweng still wins.

Can you swim at Chaweng Beach?

Yes, and it’s one of the best beaches on Koh Samui for swimming. The water is calm and shallow for several meters out, making it great for families and casual swimmers. Just be cautious during the monsoon season (around November to January), when waves can get a bit stronger, but on most days, it’s perfect for a refreshing dip.

What is Klook?

Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.

Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.

✨ Follow us for more deals and inspiration for your upcoming travels

📸 Instagram | 📱 TikTok | ✏️ Blog | 🔴 YouTube

Koh Samui Thailand