Bang Khao Beach is located in the south of Koh Samui. Just as Maenam is the benchmark beach of the north, Chaweng and Lamai are the most popular beaches of eastern Samui, and Taling Ngam in the west, Bang Khao is the most characteristic beach in the south.
Bang Khao’s length isn’t small – two and three-quarter miles (4.3 km). This is perhaps the most inconvenient beach for swimming, the most littered and unpopular beach on the island, yet the most beautiful in southern Samui.
Beach Overview
The sand on the beach is light yellow, divided into two strips. Closer to the water, the finer sand has been washed by waves and compressed, whilst the coarser sand with shells and coral fragments has been washed up along the shore. The beach stretches from east to west, from the mouth of Ban Thale river to the island’s famous Laem Sor Pagoda.
Closer to the pagoda, sand gives way to large stones and corals, turning the seabed into Martian landscapes at low tide. Cleanliness at Bang Khao is partially maintained opposite the rare villas and hotels, but the main part of Bang Khao’s two and three-quarter miles is a perfectionist’s hell.
Rubbish lies in layers and patterns where there are more stones, getting stuck in them. Rubbish accumulates at the boundary between sand and grass cover, thrown up by waves. Rubbish gets stuffed into grass and exposed tree roots. Rubbish remains to dry on shore when water gradually recedes. In short, the beach is utterly wild.
Thanks to its rocky, muddy bottom, shallow water and neglect, the beach isn’t popular. Only locals and unpretentious connoisseurs of island solitude come to relax at Bang Khao.
Mostly it’s young people with large backpacks and older folk who aren’t frightened by coral mounds in the water and fishing boats nearby.
If you find a section of beach with a more or less clean water entry – and such sections exist – this would be a wonderful option for holidays with children. But local stray dogs roam the shore, some of which seem to belong to resorts.
But the main pack lives near Lameso pagoda, where kind-hearted people have fed them, and they impose their own order on the beach.
Swimming
Opposite Ban Thale river, the shallow seabed width reaches 1,300 feet (400 metres), gradually narrowing to 100 feet (30 metres) near Lameso pagoda. During low tide this seabed section remains in the sun, and until high tide begins, there’s no sea at Bang Khao.
Except for some deeper places near artificial channels for fishing boats, where you can splash about in waist-deep water. Thanks to protection from coral thickets, which created this bottom structure, Bang Khao doesn’t get very strong waves.
Sunbeds and Shade
Beach accessories might occasionally be brought to shore at large hotels or villas, but I walked all two and three-quarter miles along the shore on foot and saw nothing but sand, stones, mud and dense vegetation along the sea.
There’s plenty of natural shade at Bang Khao – anyone wanting it will find a spot on shore.
Beach Photos
Amenities
The area around Bang Khao Beach is quite removed from main roads and the island’s active life. There are no large clubs, discos or noisy venues. The area isn’t heavily built up with houses yet – lots of green areas, palm groves and farming fields.
Shops are mainly so-called “Thai shops” with a modest selection of the most essential products and household items from a Thai perspective.
So you can always buy ice, energy drinks, water, beer and crispy snacks without problems, but for more serious food you’ll have to travel further. The nearest mini-markets are on the Ring Road and in Hua Thanon, two miles (3 kilometres) from Bang Khao. The nearest hypermarket is Lotus at Lamai.
Nearest Koh Samui attractions at Bang Khao:
- Lameso Pagoda;
- Buddha Jaidee Chedi;
- Rum Distillery;
- Samui Aquatic Animal and Tiger Zoo;
- Wat Pradoem Temple;
- Butterfly Garden.
Accommodation
If you don’t mind sitting down with maps and using their ruler tool, you can discover that Bang Khao’s built-up part totals about seven-tenths of a mile (1.1 km). The remaining two and six-tenths miles (4.2 km) are wastelands and undeveloped forest areas. About ten resorts and villas stand on shore, some of which aren’t yet completed.
The main accommodation available for rent is inland within a one to two-mile (2-3 km) radius. This area’s building density is very low, but the area itself isn’t small, so if you fancy Bang Khao you can always find a house.
From the small number of hotels directly on shore, you can highlight a quiet place with houses around a pool – Laemsor Residence 3 and Samahita Retreat Koh Samui 3 with comfortable modern cottages.
How to Find the Beach
To reach Bang Khao you need to drive along Koh Samui’s Ring Road to the exit onto road 4173, which then intersects with road 4170. This road, 4170, is semi-circular and passes near Bang Khao, Tong Krut, Tong Tanot, Pang Ka and Taling Ngam beaches.
Once you’re on 4170, choose any left turn as you drive. For swimming there’s one decent section of Bang Khao beloved by local European pensioners, and these gentlemen always know where it’s good.
