Bang Por Beach is located in the northern part of the island, between Thong Plu Bay and Ban Thai Beach.
There are several vacant, undeveloped areas where the beach remains untouched, with some debris washed up in the tidal zone. Overall, Bang Por gives an impression of being well-maintained and civilized, without grand hotels.
Beach Overview
Bang Por stretches for about 3 km (1.9 miles) from east to west between the shoreline and the Ring Road. To the west, the road runs just 30-50 meters (98-164 feet) from the sea, while near the small hill in the middle of Bang Por, the road moves further away from the water, up to 200 meters (656 feet).
The beach is about 20 meters (66 feet) wide and remains fairly consistent in width and slope towards the water. There are two sections with built-up land where two drainage channels empty into the sea. These channels are dry during the dry season but turn into streams during the rains, washing debris onto the beach.
The beach is covered with coarse yellow sand, and the seabed is sometimes rocky and occasionally muddy, making it difficult to walk barefoot. Specialized footwear and a walk of about 50-100 meters (164-328 feet) are needed to reach waist-deep water.
Despite its less-than-ideal swimming conditions, many hotels and resorts maintain cleanliness in front of their properties.
Water Entry, Depth, and Waves
During low tide, the sea recedes about 10 meters (33 feet) from the shore, and coral reefs and shallow waters extend 150-200 meters (492-656 feet) along Bang Por. Entering the water, you’ll encounter small rocks and a sticky bottom.
In the left part of the beach, large boulders are visible even 100 meters (328 feet) from the shore. This section also has a brownish suspension and black patches on the seabed. The best time for swimming, especially for children, is in the morning before the tide goes out, when the sea covers the 10-meter sandy beach. Waves are generally absent, appearing only during bad weather and strong winds.
In autumn and winter, the water level is higher, making the beach slightly better as it becomes a bit deeper, and the coral zone extends an additional 10-20 meters (33-66 feet) out.
Sunbeds and Shade
Beach equipment consists of sun loungers placed on private hotel property, occasionally on the public beach. There are no rentals for sunbeds and beach umbrellas.
However, there are plenty of palm and leafy trees providing natural shade, allowing you to relax with just a straw mat.
Beach Photos
Amenities
Due to its shallow waters and low visitor numbers, Bang Por lacks beach entertainment like jet ski rentals, banana boats, and inflatable castles. There are occasional massage huts and kayak rentals, but the main activity at Bang Por is beachside relaxation.
Located between the popular Mae Nam Beach and the more secluded Thong Plu, Bang Por has minimal infrastructure. Along the road, you can find a couple of mini-markets, numerous Thai cafes, and food stalls.
There are a few sea-view restaurants, several laundries, and bottle refueling stations, providing the basics for a beach like this. Bang Por’s appeal lies in its seclusion from the island’s main hustle and bustle, without becoming as sleepy as Taling Ngam, but also without the lively vibe of Mae Nam. Hypermarkets are about a 30-minute drive away, and it takes about 15 minutes to reach Lomprayah and Seatran ferry piers by car. The airport is about a 40-minute drive, traffic permitting.
Traffic on the Ring Road along Bang Por is quite heavy, with cars moving faster than on Mae Nam. Nearby attractions include:
- A viewpoint gazebo at the highest point of the pass, offering views of Thong Plu, Bang Por, and neighboring Koh Phangan.
- A road leading sharply uphill to villas on the mountain, with a platform offering stunning sunset views.
- Zong Raue Waterfall, a lesser-known but charming spot located inland, closer to Nathon.
Accommodation
The coastline along Bang Por is densely built, especially in the eastern half of the beach, past the road turn. In the west, there are standalone restaurant buildings along the water, while the east is occupied by full-fledged resorts with 10-15 houses in private areas.
The main selection of houses starts beyond the Ring Road, with a significant price range. If you are not too demanding, you can easily find a one-bedroom house without renovations, with internet and electricity priced at 5 baht per unit, costing about 7,000 baht per month.
Although the selection is not very rich, you can still find hotels near Bang Por to suit any taste and budget, from luxurious to simple wooden bungalows.
These are all hotels with bungalows or standalone houses. Panalee Resort 3 is an example of a hotel with multi-story buildings, pleasant interiors, and green areas.
If you want to book a hotel here in advance or look for accommodation on other beaches, check out my list of top hotels on Samui with good ratings and reviews.
How to Find the Beach
The sea’s swimmability is consistent along its entire length, so if the exact spot isn’t important, head to the middle where there is a large vacant lot allowing you to get almost to the water by car.
In general, access to the beach is possible anywhere, including through resort properties.
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