Chaweng Beach Koh Samui
Chaweng is the longest and most developed of Samui’s beaches. The soft white sands attracts thousands of visitors all year round and there is a vast choice of accommodation and food both on the beach and all along the main shopping street behind it. Chaweng is the resort capital of the island, which gives the area a very international flavour and means that much of the best shopping and entertainment is also found here. The beach stretches some six kilometres and most businesses describe their location based on the position along it: either in North, Central or South Chaweng.
The Northern and Southern ends of the beach tend to be quieter with seafront resorts dominating the scene, while central Chaweng beach is a lively blend of bars and restaurants that often bustles until the early hours. The main street is some way back from the beach, behind the hotels and resorts. Here there are stalls selling every kind of gift and souvenir plus innumerable bars, clubs and restaurants. Even the big international fast food and retail chains have outlets in Chaweng, so anyone who stays or visits the place certainly won’t be lacking the comforts of home.
Chaweng also has a ‘Thai quarter’, which stretches between the main beach strip and the main island ring road further inland. This area includes the recently developed Chaweng Lake, and one of Samui’s biggest markets, Lam Din, a traditional local market that sells fresh food and dry goods. The contrast between this area and the tourist-oriented beachfront provides an interesting cultural experience. Lam Din is also a good place to try Thai street food such as delicious barbecued chicken and the unique Thai rice sausages.
You might find Chaweng a bit crowded and overdeveloped, but it remains the most popular of the resort areas largely due to its perfect beach. Chaweng North is a bit more exclusive and it will take at least 30 minutes to walk the full spam of this beach, so there’s plenty of room for all, even if the main street seems chaotic. In the evenings there are restaurants set out on the beach at the Northern end. Read a more detailed page on Chaweng in our beach section.
