The island of Koh Samui is smaller than most cities, and yet it is not as easy to navigate as you might think. Visitors who are not used to hot weather or rainforest terrain may find it difficult to walk around the island as a sole means of transportation, and not all tuk-tuks or songthaews visit the same destinations.
For guests of Koh Samui villas who want to drive or be driven around, getting to different points on the island can be a little easier, thanks to the 52-km ring road that covers all coasts. Driving on Route 4169 makes it easier to follow the coastline of Koh Samui, and if you drive non-stop it will be possible for you to circle the entire island in at least 90 minutes.
Enjoying the attractions of Koh Samui, on the other hand, takes time. To make the most of your visit to Koh Samui, it’s best to get to know the island coast by coast, beyond the confines of the typical tourist haunts.
Curious about the best ways to go around Koh Samui? Get to know tuk-tuks, songthaews, and other options in Getting Around Koh Samui: A Guide to Island Transportation Options.
Koh Samui, Coast by Coast
It’s important to note that most villas and luxury accommodations in Koh Samui are located on the northeast part of the island, with less developments in the south and west coasts. For this reason, we will use the tourist-friendly district of Choeng Mon as a reference point for driving distances to popular destinations on different coasts of Koh Samui.
1. East Coast
If you’re merely going up and down the eastern coast of Koh Samui, it’s easier to get to more familiar destinations. Choeng Mon is a short (5.1 km) drive away from Koh Samui Airport via the Chaweng-Choeng Mon Road, and going to Lamai Beach further south (17.3 km) would take more than half an hour on Route 4169.
The drive to Lamai should take visitors not just to the beach but also to the Instagram-friendly Lamai Viewpoint, which is home to a few breathtaking views of the coast and the neighboring islands.
2. South Coast
Going even further south on Route 4169 can lead you to Bang Kao Beach, which is 26.7 km from Choeng Mon and takes a nonstop drive of less than an hour. Bang Kao is one of the safer hidden beaches of Koh Samui, with peaceful waves and a quiet community surrounding the area.
The serenity of Bang Kao makes it perfect for a solo yoga retreat or an intimate family picnic, where you can just sit and watch the fishing boats pass by.
Some of the most secluded beaches in the south and west coast are also home to Koh Samui’s best snorkeling spots. Read on for the Best Snorkeling Spots in Koh Samui.
3. West Coast
Since Route 4169 is a ring road around Koh Samui, it takes even longer to drive to the other side of the island. For example, the 30.3 km drive from Choeng Mon to Lipa Noi will take a little longer than the drive to Bang Kao, but it will pass through the towns on the southern coast.
The vibe on Lipa Noi is much more different than in Choeng Mon; it’s not as “tourist-y” but still serene enough to draw visitors, with a few high-end dining options in the area.
4. North Coast
The part of Route 4169 that covers the north part of the coast makes it easy to get from one point to the other. For example, driving from Mae Nam to Choeng Mon (15.1 km) using the ring road would take more than half an hour if you’re going by the usual GPS coordinates.
This drive to Mae Nam may be short, but it will take you to a wide range of restaurants and a family-friendly beach away from the usual tourist haunts.
If you have a taste for fine dining, try a few of the Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Koh Samui.
Explore Koh Samui On Every Coast
The best way to enjoy Koh Samui is to spend a generous and intentional amount of time in each destination that you wish to visit. It’s not enough to rush through a “road trip” on Koh Samui, since the attractions on each coast of the island deserve to be enjoyed to the fullest.
If you want the safest yet most intentional way to enjoy the unique charms of Koh Samui, you can consult with our Guest Experience services to plan out an ideal itinerary that will take you to where you need to go. They may also be able to arrange for a car and driver to take you around the island and stay with you the whole day.
Regardless of which coast you end up visiting or staying on, you can never go wrong with a thoughtfully planned trip to Koh Samui. Book a luxury private villa on Koh Samui now and experience the benefits of thoughtful planning with our Guest Experience staff.
Read on for more About Koh Samui.
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Featured Image by 12go
