In the south-eastern part of the island there are two beaches that are sometimes confused with each other, or even combined into one, dropping one of the names. These are Na Thien Beach and Laem Set Beach.
Beach Overview
Na Thien Beach begins in the west with a huge rock, next to which stands a house belonging to Laem Set Beachfront Villa hotel. The beach then passes by Centara Villas Samui 4 and ends with a beautiful shore curve that runs into Na Thien islet.
Na Thien Beach is just over 1,600 feet long (500+ metres), thirty to fifty feet wide (10-15 metres). Roughly in the middle the beach is divided by a pile of boulders and small rocks extending sixty-five feet (20 metres) into the sea. The sand consistency is very fine, greyish in colour with a mixture of coarse yellow sand and masses of stones and corals in the water.
The beach is located on an isolated part of the island where it’s not easy to build. Only one hotel and one small resort stand on shore, so cleanliness on the beach is maintained partially and periodically.
Overall, Na Thien gives an impression of being uninhabited and wild.
Swimming
Water entry along the entire length of Na Thien Beach is hindered by stones. There are no sections on the beach free from boulders and large stones. At low tides, the nearest 330 feet (100 metres) of sea becomes one big puddle, and to reach depth you’ll have to wade about sixty-five feet (20 metres) in special shoes.
A canal for boats has been dug along all of Na Thien, which can be used for swimming. The beach is far from ideal for holidays with children, though older kids would find it interesting to poke around in the sea puddle.
Due to shallow water, Na Thien has no problems with waves – they only occur in serious bad weather. What’s also remarkable about Na Thien is that it never gets crowded. Access to it is almost invisible, the sea here isn’t suitable for swimming, tour agencies don’t advertise it, so people on the beach are Centara hotel guests.
And there aren’t that many of them. The shallow water is more than compensated by water clarity and scenery – one of the most charming and peaceful on Samui. At high water the sea approaches the very edge of shore, leaving a ten-foot (3-metre) strip of sand for walks.
Sunbeds and Shade
Na Thien Beach still has wastelands where you can drive to the water for wild relaxation. The hotel is unlikely to let you in for longer than five minutes, and there’s not much point when there’s a public road. No sun lounger rentals or other beach pleasures – just sand and sun, pure hardcore.
But unlike neighbouring Laem Set, Na Thien is packed with trees – sources of natural shade. For independent relaxation you’ll only need a beach mat and water bottle – no need to bring an umbrella.
Beach Photos
Amenities
The beach itself has no rental of beach pleasures like inflatable mattresses, kites and kayaks. The area around Na Thien is very isolated – it’s situated on low mountains and represents one big green patch of jungle that becomes more or less populated closer to Bang Kao.
5-10 fishing longtail boats are constantly parked near shore. There are no shops within a one and a quarter mile (2 kilometre) radius. The nearest mini-market is in Hua Thanon, whilst the nearest hypermarket is at Lamai, six miles (10 km) to the north – about 30 minutes by car.
Local attractions near Na Thien:
- Kitesurfing School at Nahai;
- Samui Aquatic Animal and Tiger Zoo;
- Butterfly Garden.
But Na Thien Beach has Cool Bar restaurant with authentic island atmosphere and bamboo furniture.
Accommodation
On the seashore at Na Thien Beach stands only one hotel – Centara Villas Samui 4, one semi-ruined hotel and all the rest of the shore is wasteland with palms and a lonely resort near Na Thien islet. More diverse choice of rental houses begins closer to Na Hai Beach area.
How to Find the Beach
To reach the beach near Centara Villas Samui 4 hotel, you need to turn off the ring road onto road number 4170 near Hua Thanon and follow signs to Butterfly Garden.
Before reaching the butterfly garden, there’ll be an exit onto a dirt road where a Cool Bar & Restaurant advertising poster hangs – that’s your way. This is the only free access to Na Thien Beach.
