Koh Samet

Koh Samet is an island off Rayong Province with beaches on both coasts, forested hills and a ferry ride of about 40 minutes from Ban Phe. Bangkok residents use it as a weekend getaway.

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Koh Samet is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, off Rayong Province on the eastern seaboard, about 220 km southeast of Bangkok. It is the largest and westernmost island in a small cluster close to the coast. Most of it lies within Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, apart from the port village of Na Dan. Ferries leave from Ban Phe on the mainland and take about 40 minutes to reach Na Dan. Speedboats can take you straight to individual beaches in around 10 minutes.

Beaches are the main draw. Most face the east coast, which is the most developed, and Hat Sai Kaeo, also called Glass Sand Beach, is the longest on the island. The west coast has more secluded, upscale resorts. Forest covers up to 80 percent of the island, and the poet Sunthorn Phu set part of his epic poem Phra Aphai Mani on its shores. The rainy season runs only from May to July, and rainfall stays lower than on most other Thai islands. A weekend suits a first visit from Bangkok, and a week lets you split time between both coasts.

Koh Samet in five

Take the ferry from Ban PheFerries and speedboats to the island leave from Ban Phe in Rayong Province. The ferry takes about 40 minutes to Na Dan, and speedboats can take you to individual beaches in around 10 minutes.Getting around
Pay the park fee on arrivalMost of the island lies in Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park. Foreign visitors pay a one-off entry fee on arrival, which is higher than the rate for Thai nationals.Money and costs
Leave single-use plastic on the mainlandPark authorities bar single-use plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers from the island. The island has no natural freshwater source, so bring a reusable bottle and bags.
Check your stay is legalAuthorities have demolished or closed illegal resorts inside the national park, and land ownership on the island is unclear. Ask the owner to confirm the building is legal before you pay.Where to stay
Use songthaews or walk the east coastSongthaews are the main shared transport, alongside rented motorbikes. Private cars are uncommon, and many visitors walk between the east-coast beaches.

Things to do in Koh Samet

See all attractions in Koh Samet

Park · Koh SametAo Prao beach

woman in red and white floral shirt raising her hands

Sight · Koh SametAo Phutsa

Beach · Koh SametAo Wai

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Koh SametPut the places you like in Koh Samet on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Baht (THB)
Entry: Visa-free entry for many passports; check yours on the Thai immigration site Read more
Emergency: 191 police, 199 fire; Na Dan has a clinic and a police station
Tipping: Ask staff before you leave a tip
Time: UTC+7, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Poor

JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Outside rainy season
FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Outside rainy season
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Outside rainy season
AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh31°Low28°Outside rainy season
MayRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low28°Rainy season
JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Rainy season
JulyRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rainy season
AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Outside rainy season
SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Outside rainy season
OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Outside rainy season
NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Outside rainy season
DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Outside rainy season

Average daily high and low in Ko Samet, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Koh Samet

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 32°
Humidity: 70%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Koh Samet

05:39 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today30°26°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed29°25°91%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 91%.
Thu30°25°95%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 95%.
Fri30°25°86%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
Sat29°25°75%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 75%.
Sun31°24°65%Sunday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 65%.

Updated 03:09 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Ban Pheabout 40 min by ferry to Na DanThe mainland port for every ferry and speedboat to the island.
Ko Chan, Ko San Chalam and Hin Khaoshort boat trip; ask at the pier for timesThree small rock islands just off the southern tip, reached by boat.
Bangkokabout 220 km awayThailand's capital, about 220 km northwest of the island.

Before you go to Koh Samet

eSIM for Ko SametMaps for walking between beachesRead the guide

Insurance for scooter and boat tripsCheck what a policy covers before you rideRead the guide

Money on Ko SametPark fee and costs to plan forRead the guide

Where to stay on Ko SametConfirm the building is legalRead the guide

Rules for Koh Samet, checked

Many passports enter Thailand visa-free, but the rules change. Check your entry requirements on the Thai immigration website before you book.Source
Park rules bar single-use plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers on Ko Samet. Check the current rules with the national park office before you travel.
Camping is permitted within the national park area. Ask park staff where you may pitch a tent.
Authorities have demolished or closed illegal resorts inside the national park. Check that your accommodation is legal before you book.

Plan around Koh Samet

All of Thailand

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Thailand trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa for Thailand and how to check your passport

Read the guide Getting around

Ferries, speedboats and mainland transfers from Ban Phe

Read the guide Where to stay

Beach areas, guesthouses and resorts compared

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical prices for beach stays

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Data for maps on the walk between east-coast beaches

Read the guide

Koh Samet FAQ

How do you get to Ko Samet from Bangkok?

Take a ferry or speedboat from Ban Phe in Rayong Province. The island lies about 220 km southeast of Bangkok, and the ferry takes about 40 minutes to Na Dan.

Is Ko Samet worth a day trip from Bangkok?

It is possible, but the island is about 220 km from Bangkok. One or two nights give you more than one beach, since many visitors walk between the east-coast beaches.

Do I have to pay to enter Ko Samet?

Yes if you are a foreigner. Most of the island is in a national park, and foreign visitors pay a one-off fee on arrival that is higher than the rate for Thai nationals. Check the amount with park staff.

Which beach on Ko Samet is best?

Hat Sai Kaeo is the longest beach and sits near Na Dan. For quieter, upscale resorts, look at Ao Phrao, the main beach on the west coast.

Can you drive a car on Ko Samet?

Private cars are uncommon. Songthaews and rented motorbikes are the main transport, and many visitors walk between the east-coast beaches.

Is there drinking water on Ko Samet?

The island has no natural freshwater source apart from its central reservoir. Drinking water is brought from the mainland or collected from rain, so bring a reusable bottle.