Chaweng Beach (Chaweng) is one of the three most popular beaches on Koh Samui. Travel agencies often recommend it to those seeking an active nightlife, bustling parties, and a beautiful beach.
Chaweng stretches for just over 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Ark Bar to the rocky cape bordering Chaweng Noi. It’s truly the most stunning beach on Koh Samui.
Beach Overview
The beach is consistently wide, ranging from 40 to 50 meters (130 to 165 feet) of very soft and loose sand. The sand on Chaweng is the finest and whitest on Samui, unparalleled elsewhere on the island.
This sand gives the sea its deep azure color, a favorite for desktop wallpapers. Nowhere else on Samui will you find such a sea color as on Chaweng.
The entire beach is lined with hotels and establishments that maintain cleanliness and order on their premises. Litter is only visible after storms. There are no drainage outlets on the beach, which typically spoil both the view and the air.
Chaweng is a continuous hub of entertainment: noisy, crowded, fun, and lively. Those who prefer deserted islands should not stay nearby.
A unique feature of Chaweng Beach is its location, specifically its proximity to one end of the runway of Samui Airport.
Depending on the wind, you will see planes taking off or landing approximately every half hour.
Swimming
From one end of Chaweng to the other, entering the water is easy. The sandy shore transitions to a sandy bottom that gradually deepens. This makes it an ideal beach for swimming, with the water reaching chest depth about 20-40 meters (65-130 feet) from the shore.
Low tides have minimal impact on Chaweng’s beach characteristics, allowing for a full beach experience even at peak low tide. The sea recedes by about five meters (16 feet), but the depth and quality of the bottom remain unchanged. There are no large stones or seaweed on the beach.
The rocky area bordering Chaweng Noi starts abruptly, without any rocky shoals. To the north, where it meets the shallow Chaweng Yai, the bottom rises to the surface, creating small sandy shoals—great for kids to play on.
Sunbeds and Shade
The entire beach, along the trees, is lined with sunbeds, umbrellas, and plastic tables for drinks. Renting a sunbed is easy, with prices averaging 100 baht.
Natural shade is far from the water, provided by the trees on hotel grounds. Only in a few places will you find large leafy canopies where you can lay your beach mat.
Beach Photos
Amenities
Chaweng is considered the epicenter of island life. It is the reference point for all Samui distances. Hence, Taling Ngam or Pang Ka are considered the outskirts, even though everything on the island is equally distant from the center.
Chaweng has all types of island pleasures and modern conveniences, including proximity to the airport, two hospitals, and a pier at Bang Rak.
Available amenities include kayak, boat, jet ski, inflatable mattress, and banana boat rentals. There are also restaurants, bars, and cafes. For children, there’s an inflatable water park.
Key attractions in Chaweng:
- Chaweng Lake (reservoir);
- Phra Phutthabat Chamlong Khao Hua Chuk Pagoda;
- Samui Crocodile Farm.
Accommodation
The entire shoreline of Chaweng is occupied by hotels, resorts, or large entertainment venues. This is the most expensive land on Samui, so rental houses must be sought far from the shore.
There is high-density development on both sides of the Ring Road, so the main difficulty will not be finding a place but choosing from a vast number of options.
Hotels with good reviews on the beach include:
- 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 enter through any alley leading to the sea. For example, through the grounds of the Library Hotel.