Most Koh Samui visitors split between Chaweng’s nightlife strip and Lamai’s budget guesthouses. Choeng Mon has neither. What it does have: a 600-metre crescent of white sand where you can actually hear the waves, shallow water that stays calm most of the year, and enough space that you’re not dodging beach vendors every five minutes. As one of the best areas to stay in Koh Samui, surprisingly is flys below the radar.
It’s the north coast option for people who want Thai island scenery without the crazy nightlife energy. Families like it because toddlers can wade out 20 metres without needing to swim and the fact the loudest noise at night is usually just restaurant chatter. While Couples come for the sunset beach clubs and the romantic resorts.
This Choeng Mon guide covers where to stay, what to do, and whether Choeng Mon fits your trip.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Koh Samui Essentials
Travel Insurance: I recommend True Traveller for EU/UK citizens and World Nomads for anyone outside of here.
Airalo is a super convenient e-sim that you can just download to your phone for mobile data! Prices start from $4.50. Please note that e-sim packages are data only and you will not get an international number.
12Go is the easiest way to book any buses, trains, or ferries around Thailand. It’s also super handy to have your tickets on your phone.
Best Tours: Samui Zipline with Jungle Cafe & Waterfall, Mu Ko Ang Thong Park Cruise, Pig Island Snorkeling and Koh Tan
Where To Stay In Choengmon
- Cape Fahn Hotel for ultimate luxury on a private island directly joined to Choengmon Beach by a sandbar. All rooms feature a private room. Hotel includes a gym and spa. check availability >
- Kimpton Kitalay for beach vibes with an infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. There is so much to do here with a gym, spa, water sports centre, yoga classes and a kids club. All rooms have a balcony and are modern and spacious. check availability >
- SALA Samui for a traditional luxury Thai experience. Rooms feature private balconies or terraces and outdoor bathrooms, some ever have a private pool. You also have access to a private beach and 2 beachfront pools. Facilities include a spa and gym. check availability >
- PS Thana Resort for budget friendly rooms in the heart of Choeng Mon, just 2 minute walk from the beach. Bright, spacious rooms are surrounded by tropical gardens and come equipped with a balcony. Hotel also has an outdoor pool. check availability >
Things To Do In Choeng Mon Koh Samui
Choeng Mon Beach
A white, fine powdery sand beach stretching 0.6 kilometers along Choeng Mon’s crescent-shaped bay, seamlessly connecting to Cape Fahn Beach, where a sandbar leads across to the small private island of Ko Fan Yai. At low tide, you can actually walk across it. It is one of the nicest beaches in Koh Samui, it’s so tranquil and picturesque.
You can swim here, the beach is shallow sloping which makes it perfect for children. You can walk out quite a distance before you need to swim. The bay shape ensure the water is generally calm for most of the year. However, there are also a few rocks which can make swimming difficult in parts.
Lining the bay are many beach bars and massage facilities under a canopy of palm trees. You can rent sun loungers for about 200 baht.
At the end of the beach is Cape Fahn beach, this feels even more secluded than Choeng Mon beach.
The beach is easily accessible, with ample free parking here. Jet ski’s, paddle boards and banana boats are available for rent.
Carnival Beach Bar
The best beach bar in Choeng Mon (in my humble opinion of course), we kept coming back here during our time in Koh Samui. It’s a laid back beach club with a brilliant open air restaurant, an air conditioned cafe, and a pool that features a swim up bar (ultimate holiday vibes). There is even a super cool treehouse style seating area nestled above palm trees, over looking the beach.
Carnival offers free parking and no minimum spend to enjoy their facilities, a rarity in Koh Samui! Just buy drink or food and you can use the beds and pool. However, no towels are provided, so bring your own.
The food is also excellent, offering a wide ranging International menu, which includes Japanese, Western and of course Thai. The burger and chicken katsu roll were my personal favourites.
Prices are very reasonable, especially when you consider everything you get. Most meals cost between 200 – 300 THB, cocktails 180 – 200 THB, beers 100 – 250 THB, and coffee 130 – 200 THB. The strawberry latte is amazing btw! It’s one of the best places to relax in Koh Samui
Cocktail At Pi
Possibily the best place to watch the sunset in Koh Samui. Pi Samui Beach Club is on the higher end of the price scale, but it is worth every baht.
Located at the end of the beach, across from Ko Fan Yai, Pi is a peaceful retreat that feels secluded from the rest of Choeng Mon Beach. Its large circular open air design, with rustic wooden elements create a cosy and luxurious ambiance.
You can book sun loungers along with a romantic dining experience during sunset on the beach under a glam chandelier surrounded by candles. The perfect honeymoon experience in Koh Samui. You can book this and other premium tables here.
Some nights they have a fire show at 7:30 pm, while others there is live music.
The menu is a variety of Western and Thai food with pizza’s, steak, pasta, many curries and fresh fish.
The prices are high with a typical main dish costing between 450 – 600 THB, beer 150 – 250 THB, cocktails 400 – 780 THB, coffee 90 – 160 THB.
SOL Bake.Brew.Bites
So good we went three days in a row! Such a beautiful and comfortable cafe with homemade sourdough bread.
The grilled sandwiches are so good, I recommend the Reuben. Two fresh slices of sourdough, generous portion of salted beef, cheese, pickles and sauerkraut – heavenly! The salads are also a top choice, the kale salad with orange, chimichurri and feta is such a good combo.
If you’re looking for good coffee you will not be disappointed. Along with the classics there are signature lattes like “Daddy’s Cheeky Treat” with vanilla and maple syrup, “Lemon drop” with a shot of lemon and espresso, and “Tiramisu” which is a thick creamy latte served with ice cream.
The cafe is spacious, it’s a popular spot for digital nomads in Koh Samui.
The prices are high with grilled sandwiches 220 – 320 THB, salads 300 – 400 THB, pastries 70 – 150 THB, coffee 90 – 150 THB.
Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha)
This temple is one of Koh Samui’s most iconic landmarks, home to a 12-metre golden Buddha that you can spot from far away. built in 1972 and sits on a small rocky island called Koh Faan, which is connected to Koh Samui by a short causeway. It was constructed to represent steadfastness, purity, and enlightenment, and it shows the Buddha in the Mara posture ; a position symbolising the moment he resisted temptation to reach enlightenment.
The staircase leading up to the Big Buddha is flanked by beautiful serpent (naga) sculptures, and it’s worth taking your time to admire the details as you climb.At the base, there’s a small monastery where a monk can offer you a blessing if you’re into spiritual experiences or just want to embrace local tradition.
The views from the top are calm and beautiful, overlooking the northeastern coast of Samui. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a plane landing at the nearby airport. You’ll find a row of bells that visitors can ring; each one makes a slightly different sound, some sweet, some sharp, a little like life itself. Entrance is free, but it’s nice to leave a small donation at the shrine.
Around the temple, there are small shops selling souvenirs and light clothing, perfect for a quick browse before you go. And if you’re a cat lover, you’ll be delighted, there are plenty of friendly strays wandering around the grounds. Locals seem to care for them, but bringing a little kibble to share is always a kind gesture. The temple is just a seven-minute drive from Choeng Mon, so it’s an easy stop to add to your day.
Wat Plai Laem
Wat Plai Laem is one of Koh Samui’s most colourful and photogenic temples, located just a few minutes from the Big Buddha. It’s a relatively modern temple, built in the early 2000s, but it draws heavily on ancient Buddhist and Chinese traditions. The first thing you’ll notice is the massive 18-armed statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, sitting gracefully over a lake. Nearby, there’s also a huge laughing Buddha that seems to radiate happiness. The whole place feels peaceful yet lively, with shimmering golds, reds, and greens everywhere you look.
The temple sits on a lake filled with fish, which you can feed as an offering (you can buy fish food there), it’s believed to bring good luck. Even though it’s a popular spot for photos, it’s still a working temple, so you’ll often see locals lighting incense or making offerings. I loved wandering around slowly, taking in the details and the reflections on the water.
It was designed by Jarit Phumdonming, a famous Thai artist known for blending traditional Buddhist art with modern techniques, which gives the temple its unique look. Wat Plai Laem is often visited together with the Big Buddha Temple, since they’re only about a five-minute drive apart.
Visit The Secluded Phai Laem Beach
Closeby is a beach even quieter than Choeng Mon; Phai Laem Beach. At 2.6 kilometre it’s more than 3 times the length of Choeng Mon Beach and is quite narrow in parts. It runs from the Big Buddha temple to the the rockier northern part of the island.
There are no large resorts, just a few villas and smaller exclusive resorts like Skye Beach and Allure Resort.
It really is beautiful with palm trees and a real quietness that is difficult to find in Koh Samui.
Plailaem is a family owned restaurant nearby run by the loveliest people just a few minutes walk from Phai Laem Beach. The meals are generous, affordable and so tasty.
How To Get Around Choeng Mon Koh Samui?
Distances & Travel Times from Choeng Mon
- Samui Airport: 4 km, 10 minutes by car/taxi
- Chaweng Beach: 6 km, 15 minutes
- Fisherman’s Village (Bophut): 3 km, 8 minutes
- Lamai Beach: 15 km, 25 minutes
- Big Buddha: 2 km, 7 minutes
- Nathon Pier (for ferries): 16 km, 30 minutes
Most destinations are easily reachable by scooter in under 20 minutes, making Choeng Mon one of the best areas to stay in Koh Samui for exploring but also maintaining a level of tranquility you don’t get in the bigger towns.
Scooter
The best way to explore Choeng Mon and Koh Samui as a whole is to rent a scooter. This is the cheapest and most flexible option you have. There are many amazing things to see on this island, many are off the beaten track that are too difficult to get to alone.
If you’re planning to just relax on the beach and visit the main towns, you can easily get by without one. But if you want to explore beyond Choeng Mon, renting a scooter is absolutely worth it. Prices are usually around 200–250 THB per day, with discounts if you rent for several days or longer. Most shops will ask for a deposit of around 2,000–4,000 THB or your passport, and it’s always a good idea to check the scooter carefully and take photos before riding off.
In Choeng Mon JP Rental Group and Sabai Motorbike are good options.
To drive in Thailand you need an International drivers license. You can easily apply for this online. Also, double check with your insurer that your policy allows you to ride a bike.
Songthaews
A songthaew is basically a converted pickup truck with a roof and two benches in the back that fit about ten people. They run on semi-fixed routes around the island but don’t follow a strict schedule. You just stand by the road, wave one down, and hop in. When you’re ready to get off, press the bell and the driver will stop for you.
There aren’t as many songthaews around Choeng Mon compared to other parts of Koh Samui, but you’ll still see them passing through occasionally. Most run along the main ring road, connecting popular spots like Chaweng, Lamai, and Fisherman’s Village. If you’re heading somewhere off that route, the driver might charge you a bit more, usually similar to taxi prices. Fares are typically around 100–150 THB per ride, but it’s always smart to agree on the price before you get in. I’d heard a few horror stories about overcharging, but personally, I had no issues at all.
Grab
Koh Samui’s taxi situation is… tricky. The island has a bit of a “taxi mafia” — local companies that control the market and charge very high, unmetered rates. Don’t be surprised if you’re quoted 300 THB for a three-minute ride. Because of this, many travelers try to use Grab, but it’s not always straightforward. Local taxis often discourage Grab drivers from picking up passengers in certain areas. When we used it, our female driver was visibly nervous and asked us to meet her away from the main taxi stand to avoid confrontation.
Is Choengmon Beach For Digital Nomads
Choeng Mon is an excellent location for digital nomads to base themselves in Koh Samui. it’s a peaceful town that’s not too far from Lamai, Fishermans Village or Chaweng,if you want some liveliness. Being so close to the beach ensures you’ve a good work/life balance, encouraging you to leave your screen for sunset or just to read a book.
Along with SOL Bake.Brew.Bites there is a large cafe Amazon where you’ll find lots of remote workers with laptops in the day. The closest large grocery store is in Chaweng, while there is also BM Grocery in Bo Put, which has many imported goods from UK, US, and Australia. There are also many smaller shops like Tops Daily and Lotus Fresh that you can find some goods but probably cannot do a full weeks shop there.
Choeng Mon Is Not For You If…
- You want nightlife: No clubs or late-night party scene. Head to Chaweng or Fisherman’s Village instead.
- You’re on a tight budget: Dining and accommodation skew mid-range to luxury. Lamai offers cheaper options.
- You need walkable everything: You’ll need transport to reach supermarkets, ATMs, and most restaurants outside the beach strip.
- You want pristine swimming everywhere: Rocky patches in the water make some sections awkward for swimming.
- You prefer a backpacker vibe: This is couples and families territory with a more polished, quieter atmosphere.
FAQ
How many days is enough in Koh Samui?
5 days is a perfect amount of time to see Koh Samui and take a day trip or two. It will also allow you time to relax on the beach and enjoy the island rather than rushing to see the top towns and sights.
How crowded is Choeng Mon Beach?
Compared to Chaweng beach, Choeng Mon beach is so peaceful. Of course there are many people but it doesn’t feel crowded, if you want your own isolated nook you can certainly find it here.
Is Choeng Mon Beach better than Chaweng Beach?
Yes, it feels more like an island beach rather than a place to party. Where Chaweng beach draws a party crowd, Choeng Mon beach draws couples and families looking to relax. Choeng Mon beach is also prettier with a sandbar and crescent shape. Whereas Chaweng is just a long beach with resorts and restaurants taking up a lot of space.
Is Choeng Mon Beach family-friendly?
Absolutely, the shallow calm water and peaceful atmosphere make it a perfect place for families. The nightlife is more mature with restaurants rather than clubs.
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