Family Guide
The Best Beaches on Koh Samui for Families (2026)
Long, shallow, easy parking, decent shade — the four beaches we send families to. And the ones we politely steer them away from.
Samui has dozens of beaches. For families with young kids, only a handful actually work — the rest are either rocky, steep, or too crowded with longtail boats.
1. Lipa Noi (west coast)
Our top pick for under-fives. Calm shallow sea, long sandy strip, sunset views, easy parking, multiple beach restaurants where you can sit with a buggy. From Bophut it's a 30-minute drive across the island.
2. Choeng Mon
A small horseshoe bay in the north-east. Calmer than Chaweng, walkable, and lined with cafés that don't mind a small child. Five minutes from many of our north-side villas.
3. Maenam
Long, quiet, lined with palms. Less developed than Bophut or Chaweng. The sea is shallow for a good 20m out. Good for families who want fewer crowds. Beach restaurants are spread out — bring water.
4. Bophut Beach (east end)
Quieter than the Fisherman's Village stretch. Shallow water, decent shade from trees, and an easy walk to the village for lunch or an ice cream.
Beaches we'd skip with very young kids
- Silver Beach — small, pretty, but the rocky entry isn't ideal for toddlers.
- Lamai (central) — long beach but the waves can pick up; better for older children who can body-board.
- Chaweng main strip — fine in the morning, busy and noisy by afternoon.
- Coral Cove — beautiful, snorkel spot, but the entry is sharp coral. Older kids only with reef shoes.
What to pack for a beach day
- Reef shoes (especially for east-coast bays)
- Long-sleeve UV top — sun is stronger than it feels
- Water bottle each — beaches charge 50–80 THB for a small bottle
- A small bag of sand toys (we keep a bag at most villas, but ask)