Planning a Trip to Koh Samet?
This article is part of our complete Koh Samet travel guide, written by local hosts. It brings together transport tips, the best beaches, where to stay, food and nightlife, and practical local advice to help you plan your trip with confidence.
Overview
These two small bays sit side by side on Koh Samet’s northern coast, close enough to walk between but different enough in character to suit different types of traveller. Together they represent one of the island’s best balances – relaxed without being remote, social without being overwhelming.
Both beaches share the same physical appeal: a gentle curve of powdery white sand, calm sheltered water, and the kind of sea colour that reminds you why people make the trip to Koh Samet in the first place. They’re not the dramatic, untouched beaches you find further south, but for many visitors they’re the first beaches on the island that genuinely surprise them – quieter and more beautiful than expected, with a real island feel despite being just a short walk from Sai Kaew.
Ao Phai is the livelier of the two (See our guide to Koh Samet beaches by vibe). It’s home to Silversands – the beach club that doubles as the island’s main nightlife venue after dark – and some strong dining options, with Samet Villa Resort and the Silversands restaurant among the better places to eat on this stretch of coast.
Ao Tubtim sits just next door and operates at a slightly slower pace. Same beautiful bay, same calm water, fewer people. The Reef Bar and Tub Tim Resort both have good restaurants here, making it worth the short walk even if you’re staying on Ao Phai. Tubtim has a reputation as a gay-friendly beach, largely tied to its proximity to Silversands, but in practice it feels like any other relaxed Koh Samet beach – a genuinely pleasant place to spend a day.
The area as a whole is well connected – songthaew stops, scooter rentals, and a minimart on hand, with Sai Kaew, the pier, and the town’s pharmacy, clinic, and 7-Eleven all within easy reach.
Ao Phai and Ao Tubtim – Quick Facts
Koh Samet’s best balance of calm beach and central location
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Couples Families Nightlife Repeat visitors A calmer alternative to Sai Kaew without sacrificing convenience |
| Vibe | Relaxed and central Quieter than Sai Kaew but with good restaurants, nightlife nearby, and easy transport |
| Distance from pier | ~2km A short songthaew ride or scooter from Nadan Pier |
| From The Cocoon | ~1.5km Easy walk or quick scooter ride – we often end our nature trail here |
| Songthaew fare | ฿20 per person / ฿200 charter See our Koh Samet taxi guide for full fares |
| Sunbeds | Yes Available on both beaches at around ฿100/day – complimentary for resort guests |
| Nightlife | Active Silversands beach club and Gecko Bar are the island’s two main nightlife venues |
| Swimming | Calm and sheltered Both bays are well sheltered with calm water – good for all swimmers |
| Snorkelling | Worth trying Best near the rocks at the southern end of Ao Tubtim |
Getting There
Songthaews serve both beaches regularly and are the easiest way to arrive from the pier. For full details on routes, fares, and timings, see our Koh Samet taxi guide.
Scooter rental is available at both beaches, and taxis are well served from either end of the area.
If you’re coming from Sai Kaew, the walk is straightforward and worth doing on foot at least once. Head south and you’ll pass the Mermaid Statue – a well-known landmark at the southern end of Sai Kaew – before continuing along Ao Hin Khok, a quieter beach with some good bars and restaurants that most visitors pass through without stopping. It’s worth a look in its own right. From there, Ao Phai is just a short distance further south, with Ao Tubtim sitting directly next to it.
The Beaches
Ao Phai and Ao Tubtim are both compact bays, each around 200 metres of shoreline, with excellent sand and calm, clear water. On a good day the sea here is genuinely beautiful – the kind of thing that catches first-time visitors off guard if they arrived expecting something more ordinary.
Both beaches sit at a comfortable middle point in terms of crowds. Noticeably quieter than Sai Kaew but far from deserted, they have enough life to feel like you’re in the heart of the island without the density that can make Sai Kaew feel overwhelming in high season. If you want true quiet and isolation, the southern beaches like Ao Wai or Ao Cho are better options – but if you want that balance of calm and convenience, this area is hard to beat.
Sunloungers are available on both beaches and are typically complimentary for resort guests. Several bars and restaurants – including the Reef Bar and Tub Tim Resort on Tubtim – have beanbags and outdoor seating that you’re welcome to use while ordering food and drinks.
The one thing worth knowing if you’re a light sleeper: Silversands operates as a nightclub after dark and can generate some noise. Most of the accommodation in the area is set back far enough that it isn’t a serious issue, but it’s worth factoring in if noise sensitivity is a priority for you.
May and I got married on Ao Tubtim, so we’re not entirely neutral on the subject – but it remains one of our favourite stretches of beach on the island.
Food and Drink
The Ao Phai and Ao Tubtim area has some of the better dining on Koh Samet, with options ranging from casual beach Thai food to genuinely good special occasion restaurants.
Tub Tim Resort Restaurant sits right on the beach and runs an extensive menu. The Thai food is excellent – the massaman curry, som tam, and green curry with roti are all worth ordering. Stick to the Thai dishes and you’ll eat very well for 200-300 baht a plate, which is strong value for beachfront dining. The western dishes and snack items are less impressive, so it’s worth knowing where the kitchen’s strengths are.
Reef Bar is the most upmarket option in the area and one of the better restaurants on the island. It has a wood-fired pizza oven that it takes seriously, and the steaks are excellent – this is where May and I come for special occasion dinners. If you’re looking for somewhere to mark an occasion or just want a proper meal rather than beach food, Reef is the place.
Samet Villa Restaurant offers Thai, European, BBQ, and pizza alongside homemade cakes, with a vegetarian menu and one of the more romantic settings on the island – tables in a garden just off the beach and right on the sand itself. Prices are similar to Tub Tim Resort, making it good value for the location.
Silversands Restaurant occupies a terrace at the back of Ao Phai. The food is reasonable and the location is pleasant enough – nothing standout, but a decent option if you’re already there.
Nightlife
This area is the centre of Koh Samet’s nightlife, which is worth putting in context. The island is not Phuket or Pattaya – if you’re expecting purpose-built clubs with big production you’ll need to adjust expectations. What you get instead is a genuinely fun, low-key night out with a few different options depending on your mood.
Silversands is the closest thing Koh Samet has to a nightclub – a large beach bar with a dance floor and DJ that gets going later in the evening. It has a reputation as the island’s main gay venue and caters to that crowd, but the atmosphere is relaxed and inclusive. Younger crowd, decent energy, fun without being intense.
Gecko Bar is built into the rocks just off the road behind the beach and is hard to miss – large, loud, and decorated in neon paint, playing pop, dance, and hip hop through the night. It has real energy but still has tables and chairs if you want to sit with a drink rather than dance. Gecko has expanded over time and now includes a second, more relaxed section – formerly Nicky Bar – where there’s pool, a slightly calmer atmosphere, a dance floor, and laughing gas balloons if that appeals to you.
PS Bottle Bar sits just around the corner from Gecko – an old school Thai-style bar, off the beach, good for sitting back with a beer. They show football and have a comfortable, no-frills atmosphere that makes it a reliable option if you want something quieter.
Trio Bar near Ao Tubtim is worth knowing about for a more relaxed, local feel. It’s been a while since I visited but it’s always been a good time.
Where to Stay
Samet Villa Resort on Ao Phai is one of the better value resorts on the island. The villas are clean and comfortable, the food is good, and the location is excellent. It’s not a luxury property but it doesn’t need to be – it delivers consistently and is hard to fault at the price point.
Tub Tim Resort offers a range of room types that vary significantly in quality. The balcony seaview rooms built into the hillside at the southern end of the beach are genuinely excellent – worth the upgrade if the budget allows. The garden view bungalows are decent enough but fairly standard. May and I stayed here on our wedding day, so we have some personal attachment to the place.
Samed Tamarind is the most upmarket option in the area and relatively new. I haven’t stayed there yet but it consistently gets strong reviews. I’ll be staying there over low season and will update this guide with a proper review once I have.
There are budget options in the area too. Sky Cottage, just up past Trio Bar, comes with good word of mouth from people who’ve stayed there, though I haven’t visited personally.
If you’re staying at The Cocoon near the pier, both beaches are easily walkable. We often finish our nature trail walk with lunch at Tub Tim Resort before heading back – it’s a natural stopping point and a good excuse to linger longer than planned.
Practical Information
Cash and ATMs – There are no ATMs in the immediate area. The nearest machines are at Nadan Pier and around Sai Kaew. Neither is far, but it’s worth sorting your cash before you settle in rather than making a dedicated trip later.
Minimart – There’s a small convenience store next to Silversands covering the basics – snacks, drinks, alcohol, and beach supplies. Think of it as a compact 7-Eleven. It covers most day-to-day needs without having to go anywhere.
7-Eleven, pharmacy, and medical clinic – All located at Nadan Pier. Walkable but more practical by scooter. If you have ongoing medical needs or want easy access to a clinic, Sai Kaew is a slightly better base.
Beach massage – Well covered across the area. Madam Fon’s is just opposite PS Bottle Bar and is a reliable option. There are massage spots on the beach itself – the most visible is on the rocks along the walkway between Ao Phai and Ao Tubtim – and all the main resorts have their own massage facilities as well.
Who Is This Area For?
Ao Phai and Ao Tubtim suit a fairly wide range of travellers, which is part of their appeal. Couples, families, and anyone who wants a genuinely beautiful beach without the noise and density of Sai Kaew will feel at home here. It’s also the natural base if Silversands or Gecko Bar are on your itinerary – you’ll be walking distance from the island’s main nightlife without having to sleep next to it.
The most common choice readers will be weighing up is this area versus Sai Kaew. Both are good. The honest difference is that Sai Kaew is easier – more facilities, more food options, ATMs and a clinic on the doorstep – while Ao Phai and Tubtim are nicer to actually spend time on. Sai Kaew rewards convenience. This area rewards the people who sort their logistics in advance and prioritise the beach itself.
If you want total escape and don’t need nightlife or easy transport links, the southern beaches – Ao Wai, Ao Cho – are worth considering instead. But if you want that middle ground between calm and connected, this stretch of coast is probably your best option on the island.
One type of traveller this area doesn’t suit as well: anyone with significant medical needs or who relies heavily on daily access to a pharmacy or clinic. Nadan Pier is close but not on your doorstep, and for that reason Sai Kaew is a more practical base.
