Beach of Koh Samui

Clockwise from Nathon on the west coast, the main beaches are :

1. Nathon - Samui's port and administrative center, but with little to attract the tourist
2. Mae Nam - a quiet and beautiful beach on the northern coast
3. Bophut - known for its Fisherman's Village, laid-back but growing fast
4. Bang Ruk - at the northeastern tip, home of the Big Buddha
5. Choeng Mon - quiet North shore beach
6. Chaweng - the largest and most-developed beach, with a curious mix of luxury hotels and backpacker guesthouses and a hopping nightlife
7. Lamai - Samui's "second" beach south of Chaweng, more backpackery than Chaweng
8. South Coast - the small beaches of Ban Hua Thanon, Na Khai, Laem Set, Bang Kao and Thong Krut