Mae Nam beach Samui Thailand
It’s hard to believe as you drive along the Ring Road in Maenam that just a few hundred metres away there is one of the prettiest beaches that Koh Samui has to offer. Once you're off the road, it’s an amazingly tranquil spot, fringed the whole way along by majestic palms. It’s also here that you find some of the cheapest accommodation deals on the island, as well as a few up-market resorts.
The sand, though not postcard white powder, is a fine yellow colour, with a turquoise sea stretching away. In the distance you can see Koh Pha Ngan, Samui’s sister island, and on a clear day distant Koh Tao. For those who know it, Maenam represents a largely unspoilt beach and when you sit on the sands here, and look along it in either direction, it’s hard to see the development, most of which consists of small collections of bungalows, the main exception being the impressive Santiburi Dusit resort half way along the sands, one of Samui’s first luxury hotels and still going strong.
Starting from the beach’s west end, an old temple called Wat Na Pralarn makes for some wonderful photos. A great place to see shortly before sundown, the temple has a slightly dilapidated feel to it, and while it could do with some fresh paint in places, it definitely has an evocative quality. Right by the beach, there are some simple food stalls under the shade of the trees, and the beach here is much favoured by locals. It’s next to the Lomprayah Pier, and from here you can take fast boats to Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao.
On the road that leads away from the temple, you will find John’s Garden, which is probably the most romantic spot in the area for a meal. The garden is amazingly beautiful and diners sit out in a wonderfully lush spot. To find the temple, simply turn off the Ring Road when you see the large temple gate, at the far end of Maenam.
Maenam Beach, unlike Chaweng, is never crowded, and very often you will come across only a handful of people sunbathing. As you walk further along you come to Harry’s Bungalows, which is more up-market than the name suggests, and some distance later the Santiburi, which offers a plethora of water sports as well as fine dining opportunities.
Half way along Maenam Beach, there’s a public road that comes down to the sea from the Ring Road at the junction with the approach to the temple Wat Pukhao Tong and here you will find a cluster of shops and diving schools, including the excellent Penguin Divers. On the beach itself there are many places to eat and drink, and one that’s favoured by many is the Café Talay, with simple interior, friendly service and great food. Grand Sea Discovery is located at the sea end of the road and runs ferries to Koh Pha Ngan and its east coast on a daily basis.
Towards the end of the bay that cradles Maenam Beach, you come to the comfortable but still affordable Paradise Beach Resort. Blessed with two swimming pools, and what’s said to be one of the best restaurants on Samui, the Roma, this makes for a great place for a sundown drink and one of their justly renowned Italian dishes.
- See a list of hotel and resort rooms on Maenam Beach and book
- Find this beach on the Samui map
