Chaweng Yai Beach: Shallow Waters and Rocky Shores

North Chaweng, Nora Beach Resort, Chaweng Yai – these are all names for the same beach located north of the main Chaweng Beach. Chaweng Yai spans almost 2.5 miles (4 km) and can be divided into two halves.

The first half stretches from Muang Samui Spa Resort to Laem Song Cape and the satellite island of Matlang (Koh Matlang). The second half extends from Matlang Island to Kanda Residence.

Beach Overview

The characteristics of Chaweng Yai are so diverse that it would be fair to consider it as two separate beaches. However, we will describe it in two parts for clarity.

From Muang Samui SPA Resort to Matlang Island

The sand here is fine and powdery, mixed with light yellow grains and shells. Closer to the island, the sand becomes coarser and darker. This section is about 1.2 miles (2 km) long and 65-130 feet (20-40 meters) wide. Cleanliness varies; the water and beach have debris, seaweed, and plastic bags.

Proximity to Chaweng means this half of Chaweng Yai is often crowded with families and groups.

From Matlang Island to Kanda Residence

The sand is coarser and dark brown, mixed with rocks and coral fragments. There are many sharp stones. This section is also about 1.2 miles (2 km) long and 16-50 feet (5-15 meters) wide. The beach suffers from seaweed growth close to the shore. Near Matlang Island, the beach is intersected by piles of rocks hiding drainage pipes.

These characteristics make this half of Chaweng Yai less popular, attracting mainly fishermen and nudists who find secluded spots between the rocks and uneven terrain.

Swimming

From Muang Samui SPA Resort to Matlang Island

Entering the water is difficult due to rocks, muddy bottom, and debris. The water is shallow; it barely reaches 3 feet (1 meter) even 300 feet (100 meters) from the shore. At low tide, the water recedes significantly, exposing many hazards like coral fragments and marine life. However, this part of Chaweng Yai is free from waves due to the rocky barrier created by locals cleaning the seabed.

From Matlang Island to Kanda Residence

This half is overgrown with seaweed. The water is deeper but entry is obstructed by grass and rocks. At low tide, the water retreats 10-16 feet (3-5 meters), leaving piles of brown leaves. The reinforced stone parapets along the shore indicate that waves can reach the beach edge during bad weather, though large waves are rare on normal days.

Sunbeds and Shade

Both halves of Chaweng Yai have well-developed beach infrastructure. There is more variety in the shallow section, but sunbeds and umbrellas are available everywhere, sometimes for a fee. Natural shade is only found in the shallow part, where the entire shore is lined with leafy trees and palms. The other half has no natural shade; all greenery belongs to the hotels.

Beach Photos

From Muang Samui SPA Resort to Matlang Island

From Matlang Island to Kanda Residence

Amenities

Both halves of Chaweng Yai are remote from the main Chaweng but within a five-minute reach of its amenities. There are no large clubs or noisy entertainment, making it appealing for families, seniors, or affluent visitors. Along the road, there are mini-marts, small shops, laundries, and bottle refueling stations.

Nearby attractions include:

• Chaweng Lake
• Phra Phuttabat Chamlong Khao Hua Chuk Pagoda
• Samui Crocodile Farm

Accommodation

From Muang Samui SPA Resort to Matlang Island

This part of the beach is lined with luxury hotels and resorts. Across Chaweng-Chongmon Road, there is a wide range of rental housing available for all budgets and preferences.

Recommended hotels:

• Muang Samui SPA Resort 5
• Iyara Beach Hotel & Plaza 4
• Papillon Resort 3

From Matlang Island to Kanda Residence

This less populated area is partially mountainous and mainly built up with expensive hotels and villas. It is more convenient to find rental houses closer to Chong Mon Beach.

Recommended hotels:

• Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort 5
• Coral Bay Resort Bo Phut 3
• Pawanthorn Samui 4

Chaweng Beach Hotels →

How to Find the Beach

To reach the virtual border between the two halves of Chaweng Yai, drive along Chaweng-Chongmon Road until you find a sudden, inconspicuous turn into a small lane.

This leads to a shaded clearing near a fisherman’s shelter, where you can park and decide which part of Chaweng Yai you prefer. This spot offers some of the most breathtaking bounty landscapes of the entire Chaweng area.

Google Reviews

Papillon Resort

4.3

Based on 219 reviews

Gabriel Piquer

04:19 08 Sep 24

ชวลิต เหงี่ยมไพศาล

14:35 12 Aug 24

Francesco Zernone

12:45 12 Aug 24

karen Frederiksen

10:39 04 Aug 24

Nice place

Ahoun Pinguet

15:49 14 Jul 24

Very nice boss and very good service

nathalie Estevez

14:23 12 Jul 24

I suggest it 100/100

Anas Tayeb

08:28 12 Jul 24

Peter Thomas

11:18 10 Jul 24

Price-performance ratio very good. Optimal place to start a beach walk. In my opinion, top location.

Charlotte Mériat

06:00 09 Jul 24

Perfect service, it’s a dream place to rest

Kevin Hancox

17:49 15 Apr 24

I stayed there in October 2022 just after the island opened back up, I didn’t expect too much, it’s a small resort and privately owned. So I wanted to support small companies during my stay.I had a fantastic time, and all the staff were extremely helpful. I was going to stay again last October while is was on the island but the time we where due to stay I ended up house sitting for partners family instead. But will definitely be visiting again. I love the place. And think it’s cheap enough to overlook a few of the flaws of a small struggling business after Covid.

Explorer X

01:02 08 Apr 24

Located on sea front which is already a strong added value , as you can dine , have breakfast and lunch on an amazing view of chaweng bay .Food is ok and service so and so ... but the set up and view just justify all .

Trescard

15:34 14 Feb 24

I don't really like to give bad reviews but I was quite disappointed. After having read all these positive reviews I had expected something much nicer. The service and staff were very friendly (therefore 2 instead on 1 star) but I am afraid that's the only positive thing about this place. It's called resort but very misleading as it's very small and at an abondened and not get clean part of the beach with actually no real sand beach. The rooms are very old and you can notice that owner hasn't invested anything the last couple of years. Even simple small things are not replaced eg the plastic "not disturb sign". Could be simply and at little cost be replaced by a nice wooden sign. But instead keeping an old fainted plastic piece where the film peels off. The rooms are not cleaned properly, the walls and ceilings full of insect cadavers. Almost only French tourists, surprised that french people going to Thailand want to hang around French people only.

Saurabh Sharma

04:23 10 Jan 24

Rooms looked good but there were no facilities insideBonus: there was a scorpion in my room which jumped on my hand out of nowhere. It then ran and they couldn't find it. We slept hoping it wouldn't come again

Jerome Lemieux

09:43 05 Apr 23

Sorry but this is not a resort. I want to avoid giving a horrible review because everyone is just trying to do their best and survive but how can a business do better without some good direct feedback…? Old very rundown property with old outdated cabanas off the back alley. Beach is just a concrete retaining wall overlooking a very littered beach. Pool looks nothing like the pictures (much smaller and dated) and property (furniture and landscaping) all needs to be ripped and replaced. Ladies working the bar / resto were sweet and helpful. Despite the condition, the rooms had good housekeeping and had all the necessities (AC and bar fridge). They sprayed some very strong industrial air freshener that made it very difficult to stay in the room. Would be fine if it was a budget backpacker hostel or « eco retreat » but it was quite expensive at over $130 per night. I would definitely not go back.

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