BEACH
While Ko Samet’s northeastern beaches are getting busier every year, some other beaches have yet to be discovered by the masses. Ao Tubtim is the closest eastern beach to the pier of Ko Samet with a relaxing atmosphere.
The beach features soft, powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounded by lush greenery and tropical vegetation. The calm and gentle waters at Ao Tubtim are great for swimming.
The pleasant bay is perfect for sunbathing, eating and watching people stroll by. At Tubtim you can find one of the nicest beachfront restaurants at the island that serve a variety of Thai and international cuisine. Having your meal or drink with an ocean view is a delightful experience. You can also buy fresh fruit from one of the vendors and just enjoy the beach life.
WHERE TO STAY
It is a beautiful bay with 2 places to stay. We love Tubtim Resort with its elegant wooden bungalows in different price ranges with nice verandas. That’s all we need. We come back here almost every year to start or finish our trip! Samed Tamarind is a great excellent alternative.
Some alternative budget accommodations are within a 10-minute walk of the beach. All accommodations have their own restaurant and the bays north of Ao Tubtim offer good alternative places to eat, drink or dance.
ISLAND
Ko Samet is a popular island in the Gulf of Thailand. We see Ko Samet as a good place to start or end your holiday. It is located close to the airport, has numerous good beaches for sunbathing, and various entertainment and nightlife options. It is one of the closest and most accessible islands from Bangkok, making it a popular weekend getaway for both locals and tourists.
WHAT TO DO
Although the main draw of Ko Samet is its pristine beaches and relaxed ambiance, the island offers various activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, and beachside massages. You can sign up for yoga, boxing, and cooking classes. Keep in mind that the nature of the island itself is not quite special. So if you wish to explore a scenic island, we recommend choosing a different place.
Na Dan, located in the northeast of the island, is the only village and a nice variation if you are tired of sunbathing. You can visit some of the many restaurants and souvenir shops. Finally, the temple complex at the pond is definitely worth the visit.
The entrance fee to Ko Samet is 200 baht, as the island is part of a national park. Upon arrival on the beach, don’t miss people passing by with fresh fruit, barbecued chicken and papaya salad: our favorite lunch!
TRANSPORT
From the airport, a taxi to Ban Phe takes about 2.5 hours and costs between 2,000 and 2,500 baht. From Bangkok a taxi costs 2500 baht, including the toll for the highway. It is possible to take a bus or minibus in Bangkok from Ekamai Bus Station or the Victory Monument for 250 baht. From the city it takes about 3 hours to get to Ban Phe.
Eventually, for the last leg of the journey, catch a slow boat, catamaran or speedboat in Ban Phe at Tarua Phe Pier, directly in front of the 7-Eleven. A one-way ticket costs 200 baht for a shared speed boat, 50 baht for the slow boat, and 150 baht for the catamaran. The catamaran departs at 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:15 PM, and 5:00 PM.
Passengers are dropped off at the pier, which means you’ll need to hire a pick-up to drive to Tubtim. This will cost you around 20 baht for a shared pick-up taxi and 200 baht for a private pick-up taxi. It is easy to rent scooters, and exploring the small island only takes a few hours.
