Ko Samet

Island Popular Thai island known for white sand beaches

Ko Samet, a protected island in Rayong province, is a popular weekend escape from Bangkok for sandy beaches, seafood shacks, snorkeling and simple beachfront bars.

Ko Samet (Ko Samed) is an island in Rayong province in the Gulf of Thailand known for its sandy beaches and tourism development. It is a compact island with a string of popular beaches along its coast and several small settlements and guesthouses.

The island’s shoreline features multiple beaches with white to light-golden sand and shallow nearshore waters suited to swimming and snorkeling. Hospitality and beach-oriented services are concentrated near the main landing points and the busier beaches.

Historically a fishing and coastal community, the island developed into a recreational destination during the 20th century and is administered as part of Rayong province.

Geographically it lies off the Rayong coast in the eastern Gulf of Thailand and is reached by regular boat services from the mainland ferry piers at Ban Phe and other nearby coastal towns.

Access: Regular ferries and speedboats run from Ban Phe and Rayong; transfers typically take under an hour depending on the service used.
Why go: Popular for sandy beaches and nearshore snorkeling rather than large-scale resorts, making it a common day-trip destination from nearby coastal towns.

How to Get to Ko Samet #

Ko Samet is off the Rayong coast and is reached from the mainland piers at Ban Phe in Rayong province. From Bangkok drive east on Route 3 (Sukhumvit Road) to Ban Phe (roughly a 3-4 hour drive depending on traffic, about 200 km) and take the regular ferries or speedboats from Ban Phe pier to Ko Samet (ferries ~30-45 minutes; speedboats shorter). On the island the main beaches and settlements are a short walk from the piers.

Tips for Visiting Ko Samet #

Take an early ferry on weekdays from Ban Phe and head straight to quieter beaches such as Ao Phai or Ao Nuan to avoid the mid-day influx to Sai Kaew (Haad Sai Kaew), which is the main day-tripper landing.
If you want to escape the busiest stretches, stay overnight or visit in the shoulder seasons (May-June or September) when island accommodation is more available and day-trip traffic is lower.