Thong Yang is one of the two most famous beaches on Koh Samui that position themselves as “wild and deserted” for connoisseurs of true island solitude, tranquillity and contemplation. The second wild beach is usually called Taling Ngam, which is located on the same side of Koh Samui.
Beach Overview
The toponym “Thong Yang” is the name of the bay where the beach is located, which incidentally has another, more common name – Lipa Noi. Although actually Lipa Noi is the village that stretches along the bay’s coastline.
The beach begins from Ko Samui Hospital’s waterfront, known for its humane medical service rates. It stretches along Thong Yang Bay for two and three-quarter miles (4.5 kilometres) to the Naval Base with its checkpoint, barrier and machine gunner.
Before reaching the checkpoint, the road running along the beach turns left, and Lipa Noi continues around the island’s corner for another four-fifths of a mile (1,200 metres). From Thong Yang Beach you can see the chain of islands from Ang Thong National Marine Park.
Along its entire length, Lipa Noi Beach boasts enviable consistency in its width – about sixteen feet (5 metres). Moreover, this isn’t the widest beach on Koh Samui, especially during high tide.
The sand at Lipa Noi is very fine and clingy, yellow with a strong mixture of black sand, which overall gives the effect of a grey beach. Lots of shells. Cleanliness on the beach is only maintained opposite hotels, villas and resorts, which stand at decent distances from each other. Northern Thong Yang is dirtier than the centre.
The central part is relatively clean, but in the south, closer to the base, you’ll find deposits of marine and human rubbish. The beach becomes completely abandoned after the Naval Base, in the area of Raja Ferry pier, also called Lipa Noi Pier.
Swimming
Water entry with an even sandy bottom exists on most sections of Lipa Noi, but only in the beach’s centre is the bottom gradient steeper than other places. Shallow water is present here too, but still after 160-330 feet (50-100 metres) you have a chance to lift your feet off the bottom and swim properly.
The sandy bottom here has a slight silty coating where small molluscs live. Scooping up a handful of sand and washing it, you can get a handful of shells of various sizes and colours. Sometimes you step on stones invisible underwater.
The water at Thong Yang is murky and doesn’t please with scenery in cloudy weather. During low tide the sea retreats no more than 16-23 feet (5-7 metres) in the beach’s central part.
This distance increases in northern and southern Lipa Noi, where serious shallow water begins. In the evenings many locals with children come to shore – an ideal beach for children.
Sunbeds and Shade
Lipa Noi doesn’t have exotic boulders like Lamai, but has lots of trees. There are plenty of sections with natural shade on the beach. In places the beach is blocked by strongly protruding stone foundations of some villa or bar. But these same villas and bars offer sun loungers for tanning.
Beach Photos
Amenities
The Lipa Noi area sits on the edge of island civilisation but isn’t such a forsaken place. Many foreigners live here, and even more locals. Of course, Lipa Noi loses out in life activity compared to Chaweng, Nathon or Lamai.
Main entertainment is represented by kayak and jet ski rental, plus several bars and one large Nikki Beach club. But people don’t come here for parties, shopping and noisy companies – they come seeking solitude.
So for goods from the nearest mini-market you’ll have to drive to the Ring Road or neighbouring Nathon. Makro and Big C hypermarkets are strictly on the opposite side of Koh Samui – about sixteen miles (25 km) and an hour’s drive.
The nearest large shopping centre to Thong Yang is Lotus at Lamai – eleven miles (18 km), about 40 minutes’ drive. Nearest Koh Samui attractions:
- Hin Lad and Wanorn waterfalls;
- Hin Lad and Ko Samui temples;
- Chinese temple in Nathon;
- Samui Cultural Centre.
Accommodation
Since Lipa Noi Beach is indeed one of the least built-up sections of the island, guests of coastal hotels still have the amazing opportunity to see palm groves around the territory rather than neighbouring hotel walls. Distances between hotels are about 650-980 feet (200-300 metres).
Development is interspersed with wastelands and truly deserted shore sections. Inland you can find masses of options for independent accommodation rental. Lots of new buildings and jungle-cleared land plots being prepared for development.
Considering the island administration’s plans and financial investments in its development, there isn’t much time left for those wanting to visit an island rather than a noisy, crowded resort.
Among shore hotels, you can highlight luxury cottages and resorts with excellent reviews:
- Kanok Buri Resort & SPA 4
- Rajapruek Samui Resort 3
- Nikki beach resort 5
- Sea Valley Hotel & SPA 4
- Lipa Lodge Beach Resort 4
- @Samui Haus 3
- Think & Retro Cafe Lipa Noi Samui 4
How to Find the Beach
There are multiple options for reaching the beach. Thong Yang is too long and sparsely populated for its infrastructure to create any obstacles to reaching the sea.
The most convenient option is the smooth tarmac road 4174, which goes from Ring Road straight to the water, ending at the walls of Lipa Bay Resort 3 with large parking for vehicles.
