Lamai Beach
Best for. Travellers who want Chaweng's beach energy at a slightly calmer pace and better value, with good central swimming and the island's most famous rock formations a short walk south.
Best spot. The wide central stretch in front of the bigger resorts, where the sand is broadest and the water deepens evenly for a proper swim.
Know this. The strip behind Lamai has a rowdier, more adult edge after dark than Chaweng, so families tend to base themselves on the beach and keep clear of the late night blocks.
Lamai is the island's number two beach and it knows it, which works in its favour. It carries much of the same appeal as Chaweng, a long golden bay, warm swimmable water in season and a full run of resorts and bars, but the pace sits a notch lower and the prices tend to follow. For a lot of returning visitors that trade is exactly right, the beach day without quite the crush, and it is the honest reason Lamai keeps its regulars.
The sand is golden rather than the pure powder white of Chaweng, and a shade coarser underfoot, but the central stretch is broad and the swimming there is good, with the water deepening evenly for a real swim. The southern end turns rockier, which is where you find the island's most photographed curiosity, the Hin Ta and Hin Yai stones, known as the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks for their suggestive shapes, a quick and genuinely fun walk from the main beach. The northern end is quieter and shallower.
Where Lamai asks for honesty is after dark. The strip set back behind the beach has long had a rowdier, more adult edge than Chaweng, with a cluster of late bars, so couples and families generally pick a hotel on the sand and simply steer around the noisier blocks at night. By day none of that intrudes, and the beach is sociable and easy. For the full club picture and to book through our enquiry form, the Koh Samui beach clubs guide has the current lineup.
Clubs on this beach
Lamai's beach scene is more relaxed than Chaweng's, anchored by a well known club at the southern end and a run of beach bars along the sand. The full picture and booking sit in our Koh Samui beach clubs guide.
Photo: Beach Republic via GoogleBeach Republic
A long established beach club toward the southern end of Lamai, known for an infinity pool, daybeds, a deck over the sand and regular pool parties and Sunday sessions. Day access, lounger or daybed use and any minimum spend are set by the venue and are to be confirmed before you go.
Beach bars along the sand
Beyond the main club, a string of beach bars and resort fronts run along Lamai, with sunbeds, casual food and sunset drinks. The lineup shifts year to year, so for the current picture and to book through our form, see the Koh Samui beach clubs guide.
East coast, Koh Samui
Lamai sits on the east coast of Koh Samui, roughly twenty five to thirty five minutes by road south of Samui Airport depending on traffic, and about fifteen minutes south of Chaweng.
Most visitors arrive by taxi, a private transfer or scooter. The beach road has plenty of access points, so aim for the central stretch for the widest sand and the best swimming.
Pair Lamai with a short walk south to the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks, or head north to Chaweng and the quieter coves for a fuller read of the east coast.
Photo: Virgilios Tsioulli via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a club near Lamai Beach. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Lamai Beach
Is Lamai better than Chaweng?
It depends on what you want. Lamai is calmer, a little cheaper and keeps the same long golden bay and good central swimming, which suits travellers who find Chaweng too busy. Chaweng has whiter, broader sand and a denser beach club scene. Many people prefer Lamai for value and a slightly slower pace.
Can you swim at Lamai Beach?
Yes, especially along the central stretch in the dry season, where the sand shelves evenly into clear water. The southern end near the rocks and the northern end turn shallower and rockier, so the middle is the spot, and patrols are limited, so judge the water yourself.
What are the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks?
They are the Hin Ta and Hin Yai stones at the southern end of Lamai, two natural rock formations whose suggestive shapes earned them the Grandfather and Grandmother names. They are a short, fun walk from the main beach and one of the island's most photographed sights, free to visit.
Is Lamai good for families?
By day, yes. The central beach is sociable and easy, with calm season swimming and plenty of food nearby. The honest caveat is the nightlife strip behind the beach, which has a rowdier, more adult edge after dark, so families tend to pick a hotel on the sand and steer around the late night blocks.
When is the best time to visit Lamai?
December to April is the driest and calmest stretch, with the most reliable sun and the best swimming. Koh Samui runs on a different weather pattern from the Andaman coast, and its wettest period tends to fall around October and November, so plan around that if you can.
