Looking for the best beaches on Koh Samet?
This guide covers Ao Phrao beach on the west coast. For a full overview of every beach on the island — including the east coast, quiet coves and hidden spots — see our complete guide:
Ao Phrao sits on the west coast of Koh Samet, and it feels like a different island entirely from the beaches on the east side. Where Sai Kaew has beach bars and the constant motion of a busy resort strip, Ao Phrao has calm, space, and the best sunset on the island.
The beach faces west across open water, which gives it a more rugged, dramatic quality than the sheltered bays on the opposite coast. The water moves differently here – there’s actual swell at certain times of year, enough that you’ll occasionally see surfers silhouetted against the late afternoon sky. It’s the only beach on Koh Samet where surfing is a realistic option, and the atmosphere reflects that slightly wilder edge.
Despite all that, it’s not a rough-and-ready kind of place. The beach is dominated by two upmarket resorts, and the crowd that comes here – mostly couples, resort guests, and travellers who’ve done their research – tends toward cocktails over buckets. The focal point in the evening is the Buzz Coco cocktail bar, which generates enough of a scene to give the beach some life without tipping it into anything rowdy.
Come for the sunset. Stay for the drink. If the conditions are right, you might even get a surf lesson – ask at The Cocoon reception and we can point you in the right direction.
The Honest Assessment
- The best sunset on Koh Samet – west-facing with an open horizon and nothing in the way
- A more dramatic, open-water feel than the east coast beaches – real swell, occasional surf, a different energy
- Relaxed but not dead – the Buzz Coco bar gives the beach enough atmosphere without it becoming a party
- A walkable stretch of beach with a path running the full length in front of the resorts
- The only beach on the island where a surf lesson is a genuine option
- The sand is harder and more compact than the east coast beaches – near the bars it’s good, but the tidal range is long and at low tide there’s a wide expanse of flat sand between the waterline and the resort area. It doesn’t make the beach ugly – if anything it adds to the rugged character – but don’t come expecting the softness of somewhere like Ao Wai
- Food and drink is resort pricing throughout – there are no cheap beach shacks here
- Sunbeds are primarily reserved for resort guests; if you’re visiting for the day, bring a beach towel
- Natural shade from trees at both ends of the beach, but the middle stretch is open
- Getting here requires a short journey along the main road and a descent down to the beach – taxis and motorbikes park at the top
Getting to Ao Phrao
Ao Phrao is on the west coast of the island, a short journey from the main beach road. It’s one of the more accessible beaches despite being off the main strip.
On foot
From The Cocoon, the walk is around 3km and straightforward to navigate. Head to the roundabout at Sai Kaew, turn right and follow the road through Ao Phai, continue past the reservoir, and at the end of the road turn right down to the beach. Allow around 30-40 minutes at a comfortable pace.
Songthaew Taxi
Ao Phrao is a regular stop on the island taxi network, which makes it easy to get to and from even without a plan. The shared rate is 30 baht per person; a charter is 200 baht. For full details on how the island taxi system works, see our Koh Samet taxi guide.
By Motorbike
Follow the same route as the walk – it’s a straightforward ride with parking available at the top of the beach descent.
By Boat
Guests staying at the main resorts may have access to a private boat transfer – check directly with your resort when booking. This is not a public service and cannot be arranged independently.
Food and Drink at Ao Phrao
Food and drink at Ao Phrao means resort pricing – there are no independent restaurants or beach shacks here. If you’re visiting for the day on a tighter budget, eat before you make the trip.
The focal point for drinks is Buzz Coco, the cocktail bar that sits on the beach and drives most of the atmosphere in the late afternoon and evening. It’s the place to be for sunset – settle in with a drink as the light drops and you’ll understand why people make the trip to this side of the island.
All three resorts – Le Vimarn, Kerela Coco and Ao Prao Resort – have restaurants that are open to non-guests and carry a good reputation on the island. A full review of the food at each is on the way once we’ve eaten our way through the menu properly. We’ll update this section when we can give an honest account rather than a guess.
For budget eating, the village near the pier has the widest range of options on the island
Where to Stay at Ao Phrao
Accommodation at Ao Phrao is resort-only and sits at the upper end of the island’s price range. There are three options, all on the beach.
Le Vimarn Cottages & Spa
Le Vimarn is one of two Samet Resort Group properties on the beach and carries a strong reputation on the island. A full review is on the way once we’ve had a proper stay – we’ll update this section with an honest account. Le Vimarn is one of the few resorts on the island with a fitness center which we discuss in this article about keeping fit on Koh Samet
Ao Prao Resort
Also operated by Samet Resort Group, Ao Prao Resort sits alongside Le Vimarn and is equally well-regarded.
Kerala Coco
The most affordable of the three resorts at Ao Phrao – though this is still a resort beach, so budget expectations accordingly. The restaurant has a Greek-Mediterranean style that stands out from anything else on the island and is worth a visit even if you’re not staying.
Visiting for the day: Ao Phrao works well as an afternoon trip from the east coast. The Cocoon is a solid base – central, close to the main taxi stops, and easy to get back to after dark.
Water Sports
Ao Phrao has a solid water sports setup, with surfboards, SUP boards, bodyboards, canoes and snorkelling gear all available from the resort beach stations. These are open to anyone on the beach – you don’t need to be a guest to hire. The prices below are a guide but check on the day as they can change. If you’re interested in a surf lesson, you can also ask at The Cocoon reception and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Water Sports at Ao Phrao
| Activity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Surfboard | 500 / hour 1,600 / full day |
Full day 08:00 – 18:00 |
| Surf lesson (under 12) | 1,200 / hour | |
| Surf lesson (adult) | 1,500 / hour | |
| SUP Board | 500 / hour 1,800 / full day |
Full day 08:00 – 18:00 |
| SUP lesson | 1,000 / hour | 90 minute session |
| Canoe | 300 / hour Free for members |
Free 1 hour / day for Friends of Samed members |
| Bodyboard | 400 / hour 1,000 / full day |
Full day 08:00 – 18:00 |
| Snorkelling mask | 150 / hour 300 / full day |
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Beach length | 200-300 metres, easy to walk end to end |
| Sunbeds | Resort guests primarily – bring a beach towel if visiting for the day |
| Shade | Natural tree shade at both ends of the beach |
| Toilets / showers | Public toilets on the left side of the bay. Resort facilities are for guests only. |
| Phone signal | Good coverage across the beach |
| Water sports | Beach stations open to all visitors – surfing available when conditions allow |
| Best time to arrive | 4-5pm – settle in before the sunset, grab a seat at Buzz Coco |
| Nearest ATM | In the village near the pier |
| Getting there | 30 baht shared taxi from main stops – see transport section above |
| Water sports | Surfing, SUP, bodyboard, canoe, snorkelling – open to all visitors, 08:00-17:00. See water sports section for full prices. |
Is Ao Phrao Worth It?
As a destination for a full day on the beach, there are better options on Koh Samet. The food and drink is resort-priced, the sand is harder and more tidal than the east coast beaches, and if you’re after cheap food and cold beers in the sun you’ll be happier at Sai Kaew or Ao Phai.
But between 4pm and 6.30pm, there is nowhere better on the island. The sunset at Ao Phrao is in a different league – west-facing, open horizon, nothing in the way. Get a seat at Buzz Coco, order a cocktail, and watch the light go. If the surf is up you’ll have silhouettes on the water as the sun drops. It’s a genuinely special couple of hours and well worth the trip from wherever you’re staying.
The formula is simple: don’t come for the day, come for the evening. Arrive around 4-5pm, stay for sunset and a drink, then head back to the village for dinner.
If you have the budget to stay here, it’s a different calculation entirely. Waking up to that view every morning, with well-run resorts and the beach to yourself in the early hours – for a honeymoon, an anniversary, or just a deliberate upgrade – it’s hard to argue with.
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.
