Chaweng Beach is one of the three most popular beaches on Koh Samui island. It’s precisely this beach that travel agencies recommend to those who want active nightlife, noise, parties and beautiful beach relaxation.
Chaweng stretches for just over 1.2 miles (2 km) from Ark Bar to the rocky cape bordering Chaweng Noi. And it truly is the most beautiful beach on Koh Samui.
Beach Overview
The beach width is roughly the same along its entire length β from 130 to 165 feet (40-50 meters) of very soft and loose sand. The sand at Chaweng is the finest and whitest on Samui; you won’t find anything like it elsewhere.
It’s this sand that gives the sea its deep, azure colour, which people love to use as desktop wallpaper. Nowhere else on Samui will you find sea with such colour as at Chaweng.
The entire beach is occupied by hotels and establishments that maintain cleanliness and order in their areas. Rubbish is only noticeable after storms. There isn’t a single drain on the whole beach that usually spoils both the landscape and the air.
Chaweng is one continuous entertainment area, noisy, crowded, cheerful and tipsy. So lovers of desert islands shouldn’t settle nearby.
One of Chaweng Beach’s peculiarities is its geographical location. More specifically β its position opposite one end of the runway of Samui Airport.
Depending on the wind, you’ll observe aircraft taking off or landing approximately every half hour. In case anyone is interested in reading about other places, I have a brief overview of all Samui beaches which will help you decide which beach to choose.
Swimming
From the beginning to the end of Chaweng, entering the water isn’t hindered by anything. The sandy shore transitions into a sandy bottom that gradually deepens. This is an ideal beach for swimming; you can be chest-deep after walking 65-130 feet (20-40 meters) from the shore.
Thanks to this, low tides have minimal impact on Chaweng Beach’s characteristics, allowing full enjoyment even during peak low tide hours. The sea recedes by 16 feet (5 m), but the depth and quality of the bottom remain unchanged. There are no large stones or seaweed on the beach.
The rocky area at the border with Chaweng Noi begins abruptly, without rocky shallows. And in the north, where the shallow Chaweng Yai is adjacent, the bottom rises to the surface, creating small sandy shallows β a perfect spot for children’s entertainment.
Sunbeds and Shade
The entire beach along the trees is lined with sun loungers, umbrellas and plastic tables for drinks. Finding a sunbed to rent is no trouble at all, with average prices around 100 baht.
Natural shade is far from the water and rustles with leaves on hotel grounds. Only in a few places can you find enormous deciduous tree crowns under which you can toss your beach mat.
Beach Photos
Amenities
Chaweng is considered the epicentre of island life. All Samui distances are measured from here. That’s why Taling Ngam or Pang Ka are seen as the back of beyond, although one might think all places on an island are equally distant from the centre.
Chaweng concentrates all types of island pleasures and modern conveniences, and it’s close to: the airport, two hospitals and the Bang Rak pier.
On the beach you can rent kayaks, boats, jet skis, inflatable mattresses and banana boats, and there are restaurants, bars and cafes. For children, there’s an inflatable water complex in the sea. Chaweng’s main attractions include:
- Chaweng Lake (reservoir);
- Phra Phuttabat Chamlong Khao Hua Chuk Pagoda;
- Samui Crocodile Farm.
Accommodation
The entire coastline of Chaweng Beach is occupied by either hotels, resorts or large entertainment venues. This is Samui’s most expensive land, so you’ll need to look far from the shore for house rentals.
There’s very high building density on both sides of the Ring Road, so the main difficulty won’t be finding a house, but choosing one suitable option from the enormous number available.
Among hotels with good reviews on the beach, these stand out:
- Centara Reserve Samui – Sha Extra Plus 5
- Sans Souci Samui 3
- Samui Paradise Chaweng Beach Resort & SPA – Sha Extra Plus 4
- Bhundhari Chaweng Boutique Resort 3
- Chaweng Cove Beach Resort 3
How to Find the Beach
Access to Chaweng Beach is unrestricted; you can walk down any alley leading to the sea. For example, through the grounds of The Library.
