Lamai Beach is a large, popular beach on Koh Samui’s east coast. Located directly south of Chaweng, Lamai gets fewer visitors than its bigger brother to the north but still has a fantastic selection of hotels, restaurants, attractions and nightlife.
Lamai Beach, Koh Samui © irumge
Decades ago, Lamai Beach was the centre of backpacker life on Koh Samui. Today, Lamai is rapidly becoming more upmarket, with resorts like The Renaissance replacing the bungalows that once lined the beachfront.
Lamai has a more laid back atmosphere than Chaweng, with less package tourism and more options for travellers that like to do their own thing. Despite the recent development boom, it’s still easy to find cheap and simple accommodation in this part of Koh Samui.
The beach here is long, clean and fairly quiet, with several distinct areas. At the northern end of Lamai Beach, you’ll find its backpacker hub, with cheap beachside bungalows and bars. At the far north of the beach, several exclusive luxury hotels are hidden away from the crowds.
The central part of Lamai Beach is the best spot for swimming, with surprisingly deep water and several beautiful rock pools at the far south of the beach. Aside from the bars and jet skis, both of which are plentiful on Lamai, it’s one of the island’s most peaceful large beaches.
If you’re searching for a beach on Koh Samui that offers the convenience of Chaweng with less of the hustle and bustle, Lamai is a great choice. Although it’s far from undiscovered, Lamai has a great mix of natural beauty and tourist infrastructure that make it a great base for discovering Koh Samui.
Top Hotels on Lamai Beach
- Banyan Tree Samui
Banyan Tree Samui is a five star resort located on a small headland separating Lamai Beach from Chaweng. One of Koh Samui’s most luxurious hotels, the Banyan Tree Samui has direct access to the beach and a selection of upmarket villas with incredible sea views. - Beluga Boutique Hotel
The Beluga Boutique Hotel is a small, stylish four star hotel located at the south end of Lamai Beach. Decorated like a hotel from 1980s Miami, the Beluga Boutique Hotel is aimed at solo travellers and couples that want to be away from the crowds in a quiet, secluded location. - Laem Sila Resort
Located on the headland between Chaweng and Lamai, Laem Sila Resort has a quiet location that makes it a great choice for people looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of Samui. Many of the hotel’s villas have beautiful sea views. - i-Samui Lamai Beach
i-Samui Lamai Beach is a new three star hotel located just five minutes from Lamai Beach. The hotel has 19 spacious and modern rooms, an outdoor swimming pool in a garden setting and a quiet location away from the noise of Lamai but still close to local restaurants and cafes.
