Mae Nam Beach is a beautiful expanse of sand on Koh Samui, renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. Known by various names such as Menam, Maenam, Mae-Nam, and Mae Nam, it is often mispronounced as “MaE-nam” instead of the correct “Mae Nam.” It is considered a family-friendly beach.
Beach Overview
The entire length of Mae Nam Beach is equally beautiful, with the eastern part being almost twice as wide. The sand on Mae Nam, similar to Lamai Beach, is very loose and resembles golden-yellow sugar. It’s soft and forms small dunes, making it difficult to run barefoot as your feet sink in up to your ankles.
The beach is mostly clean, except for three wild sections:
- at the eastern end near an abandoned resort;
- in the middle near Buddha Beach, where there’s also a halted construction;
- at the very western end near the Black Rose bar.
On stormy days, you might find some sea debris on the beach, and the morning after the Thai festival Loy Krathong, it’s best to wear shoes. During the festival, people launch homemade boats with candles, incense, and food into the water. These boats are made from palm leaves, bamboo, and pins, which quickly break apart in the open sea.
By morning, the shores of Bang Rak, Bo Phut, and Mae Nam are littered with these leaves, often with needles sticking out. Mae Nam is a popular beach. From May to December, it’s as deserted as other Samui beaches during the low season, but from December to May, it gets quite crowded.
Finding a secluded spot on Mae Nam Beach is easier in the wilder sections, ensuring you won’t be crowded by others. The beach has three small, smelly river mouths, so it’s crucial to check that your accommodation isn’t near one. By March, these rivers dry up, leaving only one that’s knee-deep.
For those interested in other places, I have a brief overview of all Samui beaches to help you choose the perfect spot.
Swimming
Mae Nam Beach is one of the few that remains relatively unchanged by the tide, contributing to its popularity. The sea recedes about 16–23 feet (5–7 meters), revealing a smooth sandy area under the palm trees.
The shoreline slopes steeply, with chest-deep water just 16 feet (5 meters) from the shore. There are no rocks or coral fragments, ensuring a clean and smooth entry into the water. Waves can be strong during the rainy season.
In strong winds, the sea can reach the roots of the first row of palm trees, gradually eroding them. Children should use inflatable armbands and not venture too far, especially in the evening when marine life approaches the shore.
Sunbeds and Shade
From the east of Mae Nam to the Lomprayah pier, the beach is lined with a palm grove, providing plenty of natural shade. This is another reason for its popularity among families with children.
There are sunbeds in front of the hotels, but they are only for guests. At Buddha Beach, there’s a bar with several bamboo pavilions where you can sunbathe and order a cocktail. I highly recommend this spot for its old island atmosphere and the lack of fellow countrymen.
Beach Photos
Amenities
Unlike the bustling Chaweng, life on Mae Nam quiets down after dark. Most establishments and shops close, leaving only cafes, restaurants, and street food vendors open. Taking a night walk on Mae Nam is not an option—it’s dark and dull.
However, it offers all the conveniences and services of Koh Samui. Banks, ATMs, laundries, equipment rentals, auto and motorcycle services, gas stations, markets, night markets, cafes, restaurants, water dispensers, water pumping stations, Thai shops, and large hardware stores, furniture, and leather workshops—Mae Nam has it all.
This also adds to its appeal for many visitors. There are stand-alone bars on the beach, but most are on hotel premises. You can rent kayaks and jet skis, but not in the same quantities as on Chaweng and Lamai, likely due to the family-friendly nature of the beach.
Nearby attractions include:
- The Chinese temple in Ban Mae Nam;
- Secret Falls waterfall;
- Pagoda on the rock at the western end of the beach with a view of Mae Nam;
- The Mae Nam-Lamai road starting at Soi Mae Nam1 and crossing the island to Lamai;
- A golf club.
Accommodation
There are plenty of rental houses along the beach, both within and beyond the Ring Road, catering to all tastes, from simple rooms for 3,000 baht a month to luxurious villas on the hillside.
How to Find the Beach
Access to Mae Nam Beach is unrestricted; you can turn down any street leading to the sea. The Mae Nam area is marked by Buddhist gates, beyond which is the road to the Lomprayah pier and the Family Mart mini-market (on the left side of the village).
On the main road, near the Family Mart, there is a banner with the name of Theeparatpittaya School, under which the road to W-Retreat Samui begins.
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