Choeng Mon Beach stretches across 0.6 miles (one kilometre) of Koh Samui’s coastline. This relatively sheltered bay is located on the northern appendix of the island, one of Koh Samui’s most densely populated areas.
From west to east, the beach width varies from 33 feet (10 metres) to 164 feet (50 metres). Throughout its length, the beach maintains consistent sand composition and amenities.
Beach Overview
The sand at Choeng Mon is greyish and very fine, turning into a liquid mush when wet. Within the shoreline, it’s so firmly packed by waves that you could ride a motorbike on it.
Cleanliness is maintained in areas where the beach runs along beachfront hotels. But Choeng Mon’s charm lies in sections without pretentious hotels, where local Thai restaurants and massage parlours have set up shop, and they couldn’t care less about beach cleanliness.
There are no mountains of rubbish, but small plastic items and paper are often scattered about. Choeng Mon is one of the most popular and crowded beaches. On this part of Koh Samui, it’s practically the only decent beach you can freely visit and swim properly.
Choeng Mon’s neighbours to the left, when facing the sea: Tongsai and Samrong – good beaches, but they’re on the closed territories of monopolistic hotels. Plai Laem, which is on the other side of the appendix, ten minutes from Choeng Mon – rather wild and shallow, not particularly suitable for swimming.
And Chaweng Yai, which is to the right of Choeng Mon – is overgrown with seaweed. That leaves only a smaller version of Choeng Mon – Tongson Bay, which you can also reach without unnecessary hassle. In case anyone’s interested in reading about other locations, I have a brief overview of all Koh Samui beaches to help you decide which beach to choose.
Swimming
A clean water entry, without stones and coral fragments, is located in the middle of the beach, between the Imperial Boat House Beach Resort and Sala Samui Chaweng Beach Resort.
In other areas of Choeng Mon, entering the sea is difficult due to rocks and corals that are almost at the shoreline and interfere with swimming.
The sea depth allows adults to swim 98 feet (30 metres) from shore without touching the bottom. After low tide, the sea recedes closer to underwater surprises by 33 feet (10 metres) and when entering, you must carefully choose where to place your foot. The water is somewhat murky. The sea becomes shallower at low tide, which delights preschool children.
But older people have to walk 100-150 feet (30-50 metres) further. At the peak of low tide, 164 feet (fifty metres) from shore, the water depth reaches an adult’s waist. Large waves are uncommon at Choeng Mon Beach and there are no seasonal underwater currents, unlike what’s observed at Lamai.
Sunbeds and Shade
At Choeng Mon, there are many places where you can rent a lounger with a plastic table for 50 baht. Natural shade is also excellent. Many very large trees grow along the shore. Some even have swings and hammocks attached.
Beach Photos
Photos of the beach opposite Ko Fan islands
Amenities
The beach offers kayak and jet ski rentals, massage parlours and restaurants. For active holiday enthusiasts, there’s a volleyball net. Within walking distance of Choeng Mon is a small satellite island, Fan Noi (Farn Noi), which you can reach on foot through knee-deep water if desired.
If you’re staying at one of the hotels located on Choeng Mon, each has access to road 4171. The section of this road passing through the Choeng Mon area is similar to the one-way road on Lamai.
Here you’ll find mini-markets, tourist shops, travel agencies, vehicle rentals, bottled gas stations, cafes, restaurants, laundries, massage parlours and a market. Banks, ATMs, bars, workshops and more.
In the evenings, it becomes a promenade street, and night markets are held on Wednesdays. These markets only take place in the busiest areas of the island: Maenam, Bo Phut, Choeng Mon, Chaweng and Lamai.
Choeng Mon has excellent infrastructure and provides everything necessary for a proper holiday and stay. The nearest attractions for those living in the Choeng Mon area:
- Plai Laem Sor temple;
- Wan Nuam Naran temple;
- Big Buddha.
Koh Samui’s airport is located 3 miles (five kilometres) from Choeng Mon. Planes can’t be heard on the beach itself, and no discomfort is felt from this proximity. Aircraft usually approach for landing or take off over Bang Rak and Chaweng beaches. However, taxi fare to the airport is low.
Accommodation
Along the shore, about a dozen hotels of various calibres are built along the beach. Despite the beach’s popularity and small size, Choeng Mon still has an area with jungle and vacant land opposite the satellite island.
Along road 4171, there are several private resorts offering houses for rent, but surprisingly, the area isn’t continuously developed. And 984 feet (300 metres) from the upscale Muang Samui SPA Resort, poor houses of low-income islanders stand in the jungle.
In the central part of the beach is Sala Samui Chaweng Beach Resort, a premium class hotel with Thai motifs in architecture and interiors.
Also in the centre of the beach is Choeng Mon Beach Hotel with accommodation options in both simply furnished rooms and bungalows. If you want to book a hotel here in advance or look for accommodation on other beaches, I have a selection of hotels on Koh Samui with good ratings and reviews.
How to Find the Beach
To avoid explaining yourself to hotel administration and security at Choeng Mon, you should travel as follows. Drive to Big Buddha, pass it and continue on the road for about ten minutes to a 90° turn near the Imperial Boat House Beach Resort.
Near it there’s a turn-off onto a cement road that runs along the fence of Muang Samui SPA Resort. Where the concrete road turns right, go straight and left onto an uneven dirt road that leads to a car park near Choeng Mon Beach.
