Samet island in Thailand. Koh Samet is a great place for a relaxing holiday! Excursions and entertainment

The small resort island of Thailand - Samet, with an area of ​​5 sq. km is known and popular among tourists from different countries. Part of the territory located just 6 km from the mainland of Samet is part of the National Park. So, in addition to beautiful beaches with crystal clear water, vacation on the island of Koh Samet, Thailand is an opportunity to spend time in the bosom of untouched nature.

As such, there is no territorial zoning on the island, but tourists who have been here at least once divide Samet into 4 parts:

Samet is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, which is included in the Rayong province. Its area is 13.2 km2. There is a small settlement - the village of Nadan, where tourist ships most often arrive.

The main attraction of the island is Khao Laem Ya National Park. Most travelers come here to get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna, virgin forests and their inhabitants.

• Language: Thai;
• Currency: Thai baht (THB) - 1 baht = 2 rubles;
• Religion: Buddhism - over 95%, up to 4% - Islam, Christianity.

Samet on the map:

Climatic conditions

The weather on Koh Samet is constant throughout the year.
The air temperature fluctuates between 28 -31 degrees. Rainfall is much less than in other resorts of the country. Conventionally, the rainy season falls on the period from May to July. However, even in these months, the rains are not prolonged and fall mainly at night.
Water warms up within 28-29 degrees.

Monthly average temperatures:

Month	Jan	Feb	mar	Apr	May	june	july	aug	sep	oct	but I	dec
min	22	24	26	27	27	27	26	26	25	24	23	22
max	33	32	33	34	34	33	33	32	32	32	33	32

The abundance of precipitation is typical for September and October. There are 15 out of 30 rainy days.

Ecology

Few people know that since November 1, 2018, it is forbidden to import plastic and polystyrene here. Even plastic bags are no exception! So the Thai government takes care of the ecological state of the national park and its environs.

Those who disregard this rule will be forced to say goodbye to all plastic things they have with them at the entrance, and violators will be punished with a fine of 1500 THB.

The Thai government also plans to completely abandon plastic on Koh Samui in the near future and by the end of 2021, the whole country should move to a new ecological level.

How to get there?

The fact that you can only get to Koh Samet by boat does not make the island less popular. The apparent difficulties of the transfer are more than offset by the purity of the sea and the variety of beaches. Some remoteness also attracts lovers of "wild" recreation. Samet will appeal to even sophisticated travelers who know a lot about island holidays.

Many people buy tours in advance, one of the stopping points of which is Koh Samet. This option already includes a transfer to all points of the route and you don’t have to worry about vehicles. This method is chosen by those who have already settled in one of the hotels or, but do not want to sit still or are tired of a lazy beach holiday. In one day, travelers are given the opportunity to travel around dozens of beaches and expand their geographical knowledge.

If you decide to spend more than one day on the island or stay here for a long time, plan your route in advance.

The starting point to the island will be Pattaya airports or, depending on the individual preferences of tourists.

From the airport we go directly to the small village of Ban Phe, which, by the way, is famous for being the main starting point for Koh Samet and its National Park.

We get to Ban Phe in the most pleasant way for us: it can be a bus, taxi, rented scooter or car. You don’t need to worry about where to leave your scooter or car: next to the pier, you can easily find paid guarded parking.

From Bangkok

Buses from Bangkok to the pier depart from Ekamai Bus Station. The first bus leaves at 5 in the morning, the next - with an interval of 40 minutes each. The last one departs from the stop at 20:30. A one-way ticket will cost a tourist 157 baht. Public transport is attractive because the fare is significantly lower than in a taxi, but in Bangkok there is a great alternative: renting a scooter.

By using a bike, you can combine business with pleasure: see the surroundings and save on travel. In addition, you will not be dependent on the schedule. Of course, you will have to spend money on gasoline, but this expense instantly pays off: fresh air and stunning views will make anyone forget about the difficulties of the transfer.

From Pattaya

In terms of economy, getting to the island from Pattaya is more profitable than from Bangkok. True, you will have to make one stop, as the bus will only go to the administrative center of Rayong. Next, songhteo will deliver the shaft straight to the pier for only 30 baht. In total, it turns out: 1.5 hours on the road, about 70 baht to Rayong, 30 baht to Ban Phe pier, plus a boat trip to Na Dan pier with a symbolic statue of a huge woman, sung by the Thai poet Suthon Phu, and you are there!

There are two types of water transport between Ban Phe and Koh Samet: ferries and speedboats.

Ban Phe Pier is literally teeming with touts who are trying in every possible way to offer their services. The only thing that cannot be changed is the high price of such trips. Regardless of which way you decide to get to your destination, you will have to purchase a standard ticket from a representative of one of the hundreds of companies that manage the transfer of passengers from the mainland to the island.

Experienced recommend not to peck at the bait of the first person you meet, but to take a walk along the pier for some time. Going a little further than inexperienced tourists do, you can come across very advantageous offers at a lower price.

Entry prices

Visiting the island itself is free. However, you will have to pay 200 baht for an adult visitor and half the full price for a child to enter the national park.

Many people manage to avoid visiting fees by using the same private carriers from Ban Phe Pier, which have slightly different itineraries. By bypassing the toll collection point and delivering their customers straight to the beach, near which the travelers are going to stay, carriers make it possible to get into the territory "hare".

One way or another, you should be prepared for the fact that even before sailing you will be required to pay an entrance fee to the territory of the National Park. By the way, be careful: a ticket bought for 200 baht is valid for 5 days. After the expiration date, you must purchase a ticket again. But, most tourists note that Koh Samet is not as fun as they would like, so 5 days of peace and quiet are more than enough.

Beaches

In total, the island has over 15 beaches scattered throughout the coastal area. Among them, there are 8 most colorful and occupying TOP lines in the ratings.

Ao Phai

The infrastructure of Ao Phi is 4 small beaches, united under one name:

• Ao Pai;
• Hin Kok;
• Ao Put San;
• Ao Nuan.

Despite the fact that these are the most visited beaches (due to the low price tag for accommodation, the presence of cheap bars and cafes), every year the reviews left by tourists about these places are getting worse. Many say that the area is not protected in any way and is unsafe, some do not like the surroundings, some do not like the quality of the water, etc.

One way or another, Ao Phi is still in the top of the most popular beaches of Samet.

Haad Sai Kaew

Sai Keu (or Diamond Beach - diamond beach) is a favorite place for all party-goers. It is here that all the entertainment activities of a small island are concentrated. Those who want to have a fun evening, dance, eat delicious food, try local drinks and exotic cocktails, definitely need to visit the diamond beach!

In addition, this place is incredibly popular among the Thais themselves: Bangkok residents on Diamond Beach are regular guests. Such a neighborhood only plays into the hands of foreign tourists, since the presence of local vacationers on the island is a guarantee that you will be able to taste real Thai cuisine.

Ao Cho

Ao Cho is an unremarkable calm beach with a gentle entrance and clear water. Here, relatively low housing prices and a lot of tiny stalls with souvenirs. Ao Cho is suitable for families with children, as there are practically no waves here, and it is not popular with noisy companies.

Ao Thain

The most romantic beach, whose name can be translated as "by candlelight". This also proves its lyrical focus. The smallest, but at the same time, the coziest and cutest beach on the island. People come here for wedding ceremonies, anniversaries and family holidays.

Ao Phrao

Ao Phra is an incredibly beautiful beach on the west coast. The coastal area is strewn with expensive hotels with luxurious rooms and first-class service. This is a kind of elite of the island.

Wong Deuan

Wong Deun is in the top three beaches of the island. Large selection of hotels, huts and bungalows, calm, down to earth atmosphere. Suitable for both families and single travelers.

There is an opportunity to choose a hotel according to the possibilities of your wallet. You can stay both in expensive apartments and in modest bungalows.

Ao Tubtim

Less hyped neighbor Ao Phai. This place does not differ in something special and will not be able to please tourists who are hungry for entertainment either. Here you can relatively calmly swim and sunbathe with children.

A boring coastline is adorned with a bizarre composition of stones stacked on top of each other.

Kiu Na Nok

This is a private beach on the territory belonging to the most expensive hotel in the southern part of Samet. If you dream of being in a place that looks like a picture from an advertisement, with sky-blue water, white, clean beach and rare palm trees, then this is the place.

Outsiders are not allowed on Kiu Na Nok (the area is fenced and guarded) and in order to visit this beach, you need to rent one of the local villas. There are only about 20 of them. The cost of rent, in comparison with the northern regions, is prohibitively high, but such is the price for comfort and privacy.

Where to stay?

The hotel infrastructure of the resort is represented by hotels of various comfort levels and price categories. There are inexpensive guesthouses, separate bungalows and more familiar rooms in buildings.

The minimum room rate is 1000 baht. There are cheaper options, but the price in this case will fully correspond to the quality of accommodation.

In accordance with the pricing policy, there are 4 categories of hotels, or 4 zones, in which these hotels are better to look for:

1. Expensive;
2. middle class;
3. Budget;
4. Cheap.

You can easily find expensive hotels in the area of ​​Wong Deuan, Sai Kae, Ao Kiu beaches. The last beach is a private area belonging to the Paradee Hotel and is considered the safest place on the island.

Middle-class hotels can be found everywhere, without being tied to any particular territory. On almost any beach, there is an opportunity to comfortably accommodate in rooms of an average price category.

It is better to look for budget and cheap places in the Ao Phai area, on one of its 4 beaches.

Important. When deciding what to take with you to the island, do not forget to grab a fumigator or mosquito net. Especially if you are going to Samet for more than one night.

Almost every standard hotel has massage rooms, swimming pools, air conditioning and in-room amenities.

Attractions

As such, it will not be possible to meet sights or ancient monuments on the island. The only thing for which lovers of walking on excursions come here is Khao Laem Ya National Park. Moreover, it is not entirely clear what attracts tourists more, the island itself or the national park on which it is located.

The only temple located on the Na Dan pier near the village of the same name is notable for a giant white Buddha statue about 5 meters high.

If you are completely bored, you can go to Sai Keo Beach, where a sculpture of a mermaid with a baby is erected. The locals dubbed her the phrase "True love". The poem that prompted the sculptor to create it was about a sailor who abandoned a mermaid with a baby in his arms because he got bored with her and sailed away on the nearest ship.

Entertainment

The choice of entertainment on the island is also limited. There are no water parks, dolphinariums and amusement parks here. People come here to enjoy a lazy beach holiday away from the noise, and for exciting experiences it is better to go to the mainland, for example, Pattaya.

observation decks

For lovers of sunsets and sunrises, special viewing platforms are equipped. It will not be difficult to find them: it is enough to meet a sign with a special designation on your way.

Windsurfing, water skiing, quad biking

Those who are not indifferent to active sports can rent special equipment available in almost every hotel and spend time with benefit.

Fishing

Fishermen will be able to try their hand at deep-sea fishing and even catch squid, which will then be cooked for you by local chefs. Of course, for a fee.

Thai boxing

One of the novelties of the island is the opportunity to learn from local Thai boxing masters. Of course, most classes are held as demonstration performances by pupils, but for lack of a better one ...

If there is a desire to take this type of wrestling seriously, then you should choose in other places in Thailand.

Fire show

Every evening, the coastal area becomes a real platform for fiery tricks. Vacationers can enjoy an enchanting performance performed by professional stuntmen.

Massage and spa

On the island, private masses are widely practiced. It is made on beaches, in cafes, in hotels and even in the market. You do not have to look for a massage therapist, he will find you!

shopping

If you go to Samet in order to buy something interesting and exotic, you will be in for a great disappointment. All products are delivered here from the "mainland", which means that its range is very limited, and the price tags are too high. Many stalls are full of boring souvenirs and necessary beach paraphernalia: mosquito sprays, sunscreen, panama hats, ducks for swimming and other cheap knick-knacks.

Samet for children

The beaches of Koh Samet are ideal for families with children. It is difficult to assess which of its advantages is the main one: there are so many of them.

Firstly, the environment, which is given great attention here. The ban on the import of plastic is just one item from a long list of what is being done to preserve the purity of nature on the island.

Secondly, blinding beaches with white sand and emerald water. The pictures that the imagination once drew materialize here. The sea is calm and there are almost no strong waves. Most of the beaches have a gentle entrance, fences are installed for vacationers. The coastal stalls are full of inflatable balls, circles, ducks and other children's protection.

Thirdly, having had enough of the sun and the sea, you can go to Pattaya for entertainment: water parks, a dolphinarium, amusement parks, parties, shopping, etc. The convenience lies in the fact that you do not need to spend a lot of time and money on the road. After walking and having fun, you can return to the quiet island life with peace of mind. And parents who come here with small children do not need to worry that someone or something will prevent their child from sleeping at night.

Samet Island is a great opportunity to get away from the noisy atmosphere in the resort of Pattaya and spend time on snow-white beaches with clear clear water.

Video about Koh Samet:

It is located just a few kilometers from the mainland of Thailand in the eastern part of the country and is part of the Khao Laem Ya National Park. It is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Koh Samet is a popular holiday destination not only among Thais (especially on weekends), but also among tourists from all over the world. People come here for white sand beaches, tranquility and relaxation.

The nearest major city to the island is Rayong, and boats and ferries leave from Ban Phe Pier (sail only 6.5 km to the island).

The distance to Ban Phe Pier from Bangkok is 200 km, Pattaya is 90 km, Rayong is 38 km. As you can see, there is not much to go, which is why Samet is popular as a day trip from Pattaya.

Koh Samet on the map of Thailand

If you go from Bangkok to the border with Cambodia, then the island will be just halfway, in the Gulf of Thailand.

I made a Google map of Koh Samet and plotted on it all the interesting points that you might need.

Samet map with beaches

You can download a picture in good quality by .

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Koh Samet (Thailand) is a small but very comfortable island with wonderful hotels and beaches.

How to get to the island

Samet Island is located a short distance from the mainland. And its size is quite small. From here you can immediately say that you can get to it only by sea, that is, by ferry or boat. From the shore, on which the pier of departure of boats and ferries is located, carrying passengers every 20-40 minutes, travelers in half an hour set foot on the land of Samet. But you can get to the pier from Bangkok by bus of different comfort and spend 3.5 hours on the road. In addition to the bus, you can use the services of a minibus. You can also get from Pattaya. Minivans depart in the morning at 7 and 9 o'clock. They can pick up their passengers right at the hotel and deliver them to the island of Samet, unless, of course, the passengers pay for the ferry. But from Phuket you can only get by plane. The bus ride is too long - more than half a day.

Hotels in Koh Samet

Since the island of Samet is not very large, there are not very many hotels here either, but what comfort they have!

Club Koh Samet

This is a whole 3-star estate, consisting of 3 dozen rooms with an outdoor pool. Each room has air conditioning, refrigerator, minibar, bathroom with shower and toiletries. Served in rooms and bottled water. It offers water skiing, babysitting, if available, luggage storage. Or you can go canoeing or boating and look at the island from the sea.

Sunrise Villas Resort

This hotel has a private beach, free parking for rental cars, bike rentals and water activities. All hotel rooms are equipped with the most advanced furniture and appliances. Bathroom, shower, refrigerator, and gourmet breakfast in the morning. In the restaurant, chefs will offer you not only Thai, but also European and Mediterranean cuisine. Directly from the hotel, you can contact family and friends via the Internet and express your delight about how you are spending your vacation.

Silver Sand Resort

There is a garden next to the hotel, where you can spend an evening with your family and children if you are not here alone. Rooms at the hotel are family-run with air conditioning and a sun deck. You can order additional room service at the discretion of the residents. The rooms are equipped with tea, coffee and water facilities.

There is also satellite TV with internet. The proximity of the hotel to Sai Kaew Beach allows customers to easily reach the main cultural and recreational sites on foot and attracts many tourists here. In the restaurant and cafe you can enjoy dishes of any cuisine you wish.

Island beaches

Ao Prao

This is the most beloved and most beautiful beach on Koh Samet. Only near this beach are the most expensive hotels and hotels. It seems that it was created only for visiting its white sand by rich respectable vacationers. It has perfect cleanliness with lawns and tropical gardens. It is, as it were, isolated from all other places by coral reefs. And what beauty can be enjoyed by going to the observation deck or directly from the shore. And you can also swim on a yacht or catamaran and see marine life.

Wong Duan

In the form of a crescent, it curved along the sandy spit for 500 meters. Along it are also expensive hotels with their sophistication and desire to invite you to rest. Lush tropical vegetation is spread along the entire beach, which provides its shade to vacationers in hot weather. It is protected from wind and waves. Surprisingly fine white sand is a beach attraction. Amateur fishermen can go out to sea with the locals for a walk and try their luck at their hobby. The beach is very quiet and calm. And there are so many corals in the water!

Ao Noina

The cleanest and quietest beach on the island. Conducive to silence and solitude. The absence of stones in the coastal water and the shallow depth allow both children and adults to swim without fear of drowning. There are no discos or bars on it, but if you want to escape from the silence, then you can get to entertainment venues very quickly.

Ao Phai beach

This beach is intended for lovers of nightlife, but within reason. The beach during the day is quite calm and quiet, although many bars, restaurants and cafes are concentrated on it. White sand and the complete absence of stones on it is its main advantage.

Ao Klang beach

This beach can compete with any beautiful area, because many coconut palms and other lush tropical vegetation grow on its territory. He seems to be hidden from prying eyes and gazes. The extraordinary beauty of coral sand is able to bribe vacationers with its color. There are very few tourists on the beach.

Sights in Koh Samet

The island is a nature reserve and its main attraction is the beaches and nature itself, which can only be found directly here. There are no historical sites here. Is it only possible to single out the statue of the Big White Buddha, located in a small temple. Around the temple is a pond with fish. On the territory of Ao Putsa beach, you can see a whole set of stones of various shapes, which stand in an incomprehensible way, lie on top of each other and somehow keep their balance. This is a very interesting sight. Unusually beautiful underwater world of the island. This is where the breath is taken away from the color, type and shape of corals. Anyone who has not seen this has lost a lot in life. From the observation decks of the island you can see such beauty that you will dream for a long time on frosty winter nights and call to you.

Holiday prices

The price of a holiday on Samet closely depends on the date of the trip, the length of stay, the comfort of the hotel where the tourist is going to stay. If your stay on the island is short, then you can get by with 30 thousand rubles. And again, it is almost impossible to give the exact amount that you need to reserve in your budget for this purpose. And if you buy a last-minute tour, then the above amount should be enough for a good rest.

Excursions

• Due to the small area of ​​the island, which you can get around on foot, there are practically no excursions. It is worth highlighting a visit to fish farms, boating around the island, an excursion to neighboring islets, also included in the national reserve.
• Visiting floating restaurants, where they will offer to taste freshly prepared dishes from the inhabitants of the deep sea.
• Journeys to the “bottom of the sea”, where the palette of colors of corals and fish will be presented to your attention. Here expanse for lovers of recreation on the water.

Weather on Koh Samet

Although the island is close to the mainland, the weather on the island can be said to be much better than on the mainland. There are a lot of sunny days here, the temperature is from +30 to +40. Dry and sunny on Samet from October to February. Heat - from March to May. Showers come here mainly in September. Tourists are especially comfortable here from November to February and from June to early September.

Located twenty kilometers southeast of the city of Rayong, standing on the northern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. This is a narrow piece of land seven kilometers long. From a bird's eye view, it looks like a heron's beak, stretching from north to south. You can get to it by booking a combined route on.

It is part of the national park Khao Laem, that's why holidays on the island of Koh Samet sure to appeal to lovers of calm, seeking to communicate with almost virgin nature. The entertainment industry is practically not developed on it. On this island, residents like to spend weekends.

The most famous Koh Samet beaches are located on its east coast. The largest of them is Hat Sai Kaew, in the European way called Diamond Beach. The sandy strip of this beach has a width of 25 to 30 meters. Tourists can get windsurfing lessons (read more about), rent a boat for water skiing. The main number of restaurants and bars is concentrated on this beach.

Very beautiful beach Ao Wong Deuan. It is located on the shore of the bay, almost closed in a circle. There you can also find interesting nightlife and a full range of beach services. The main diving centers are located on this beach, but excursions to nearby islands, where you can go snorkeling, are organized everywhere.

The beach where you can find expensive hotels offering the most peaceful vacation is called Ao Phrao. It is located on the western coast of the island, it is the only one there, and therefore unique.

Shopping on Koh Samet limited to the sale of beach accessories. Baht is worth spending in the restaurants of the island for the most delicious and fresh seafood of all that is in Thailand.

There is no airport on Koh Samet, so the journey to the fabulous island begins with the first step taken on the southern land of Thailand, regardless of the chosen flight and the city indicated on the boarding pass. There are several options for building a route, you need to start from the desired type of travel - on your own and with adventures or reliably and quickly. The difference is only in the amount of the budget planned for the road. The path to Samet includes several types of vehicles, in addition to the plane: a bus or a taxi and, of course, a ferry from the pier. There are no big difficulties with the transfer in Thailand, since the schedule is respected with almost no errors.

If you prefer the most comfortable vacation without the need to run with suitcases from the stop to the port, spend time waiting for the next transport and learn to navigate the map in record time, then there is a great option - you can use the transfer services of any travel company. The very first search query in the browser gives a lot of options, depending on the starting point - for example, a trip from Pattaya will cost 5-10 USD (200-300 THB, Thai baht), which includes a transfer from your place of residence to the pier of Rayong Province and a fast boat or ferry to the wonderful Koh Samet. The cost is indicated taking into account the round trip - you will be taken from the island jungle to civilization on any convenient day!

Well, I chose the adventure option, of course, so the story of the trip turned out to be extremely entertaining.

By plane

So, first of all, you need to get to the Kingdom. As you know, this direction is in great demand among tourists, so the choice of airlines and possible routes is surprisingly large. It is great if the vacation is planned in advance, because it remains to decide on the dates of the trip, and the search for profitable tickets is carried out automatically. You can compare ticket prices. The easiest way to get to Ko Samet is from Bangkok or Pattaya, let's see what options there are?

Flights from Moscow

Direct flights to Bangkok fly daily from the capital, the average cost of which is about 500 USD (28,000 RUB, the price is for a round-trip ticket). Passengers are transported to the Cote d'Azur by such airlines as Aeroflot, S7, Jet Airways, Thai and several other little-known companies. The selection is quite impressive!

While getting to Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) is a 9-hour flight and you can enjoy year-round summer drinking coconut juice, getting to Pattaya is not so easy. Alas, on the way to U-Tapao (Pattaya) you have to overcome up to 3 transfers, which stretches the range of travel time for an unlimited number of hours and automatically makes the trip almost twice as expensive!

Therefore, I recommend catching the excellent offers of numerous airlines for Moscow-Bangkok flights. And then there is a wonderful opportunity to see the famous capital of the Kingdom, and before the long-awaited vacation on the paradise island, get to know the colorful Bangkok! Or stop in no less colorful Pattaya, which is located halfway to the coveted Koh Samet, which, in general, we did - it was decided to stay for a week in Pattaya.

So, depending on the city of arrival, we will build a further route.

By train

I automatically want to write about the fact that you can’t get on the train, but ... There is such an option, and, moreover, it is quite real. Why not? - not an island, let's try to trace.

One of the possible transport lists will look like this: - Chita - Zabaikalsk - Manchuria - - Kunming - Jinghong - Thailand. As a result, we need to apply for a Chinese visa and spend about 200 hours of our precious time on the road. Accordingly, for travelers from the northern capital, the road will be extended by a couple of hours. It is also worth noting that this trip will not differ in cheapness. Let's go back to the best option.

By bus

So, we found out that it is most convenient to get to the miracle island from Bangkok or Pattaya. Well, or include both of these wonderful cities in the itinerary, consistently moving towards Samet. But, despite the chosen option, the starting point is the same - we need the port of Ban Phe, which is in the province of Rayong. A map with all the marks of the cities and the port we need is above.

• From Bangkok. Finding a bus station in Thailand is not difficult: at least there are stops at the exit from the airport, at bus stations or on the main street of Bangkok, Sukhumvit Road. The required bus departs from the Ekamai bus station. The easiest way to get to it is by elevated metro BTS SkyTrain, the station of the same name is literally a hundred meters from the station. The advantage of the metro is that heavy traffic is not related to this type of transport. The trip will cost no more than 2.5 USD (80 THB). Buses from the bus station run every 40 minutes, it is enough to indicate the final stop when buying a ticket - Rayong province, Ban Phe port - and spend 2.5–3 hours in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. A ticket will cost around 3.5–5 USD (122–170 THB).

• From Pattaya. The bus to Rayong departs daily from the fairly large North Station (Nua Bus Station). It can also be caught at any stop on Sukhumvit Road (in Thailand, it is customary to simply go to a convenient section of this main highway and take a bus at the nearest stop). in the direction of travel, the ticket price is about 2 USD (70 THB), and, of course, we will be at the port much faster - the trip will take about 2 hours.

• From Rayong. The pier can be reached from anywhere in Rayong province by local tuk-tuk for a nice price of 1 USD (30 THB).

Transport with the funny name "Tuk-tuk" (also called songteo) is an analogue of the Russian minibus, only adapted to the local climate. Outwardly, this most budgetary (trip from 0.3 USD (10 THB)) public transport resembles a small truck, with benches along the body. Catching a songthaeo is very easy - you need to vote at the roadway, but in general, drivers have a habit of honking at the sight of pedestrians, inviting them to ride. There are no specific stops, you need to warn about them yourself by pressing a special bell (as a rule, they are located above your head, under the roof). You can ride not only in the back, sitting on the benches, but also standing on the steps.

By the way, it is worth remembering that in the evening a tuk-tuk turns into a taxi and the cost will be much higher - from 3 USD (100 THB)!

By car

Many travelers prefer to travel on vacation by rental car or taxi. Of course, both options can serve as a way to quickly find yourself on the pier, where we are so eager to get.

• A little about car rental - the cost depends on the chosen company, on average - 28 USD (1000 THB) per day. You can view offers from world famous companies or compare prices. But, of course, you should, well, think very carefully about the decision to drive in Thailand. The advantages here are obvious - the minimum number of required documents, a fairly reasonable price and freedom in choosing a route. But the cons are sometimes hidden, like the fact that Thai drivers are not the most accurate people, which is worth the only rule of parking wherever your heart desires and the generally accepted ignorance of some signs! Well, left-hand traffic is not the most convenient thing for Russian drivers. In general, it is not enough to be an experienced driver, the utmost caution and a great desire not to make adventures in this part of the journey are important. And you need to take into account the fact that in Thailand there are segments of the so-called "toll roads" - 0.2-1.6 USD (5-40 THB). Although, the quality of these roads more than compensates for this possible inconvenience. The road from Bangkok will take up to 3 hours, I marked several routes on the map. In this case, it will not be difficult to get to the pier on your own, for ease of movement, you should stick to the movement along the main highway Sukhumvit Road.
• Well, if you have an impressive amount of luggage, a number of children that is not inferior to it, or comfortable conditions are a priority, then it makes sense to opt for a taxi that will drive up to Bangkok airport and air-conditioned will take the whole company to the pier for 40-70 USD (1500 -2500 THB) or to your residence in Pattaya for 30-40 USD (1000-1500 THB) - and the same 2-3 hours on the way. There are an unprecedented number of taxi services, cars differ in color and level of comfort (which of course affects the price). Keep in mind that it will be cheaper to use an online application or choose a taxi yourself (congestion and official parking lots are everywhere - at shopping centers, at bus stations and at airport exits).

By ferry

We are at Ban Phe Pier, half an hour drive from the unearthly beauty of the island. From Rayong to Koh Samet can be reached by ferry or speedboat. You can buy a ticket right there at the pier. If you have chosen the aforementioned option of traveling with the help of a travel agency, then most likely the ferry is included in the price and will be waiting for its tourists at the pier at the specified time. Ferries run daily from 06:00 to 17:00, the cost pleases - 1.5-2 USD (50–70 THB). A high-speed boat will reach the end point twice as fast, but will cost those who wish 30-40 USD (1000-1500 THB). Although the picture that opens up from the ferry is mesmerizing, so, in my opinion, you can take your time.

The price range is indicated depending on the beach you need on the island. The ideal option would be to get around Samet on your own and choose a place you like. Given the small size of the island, it will take a couple of hours to explore the main beaches. But in the company of children or suitcases, it will not be very comfortable to make long walks. In this case, it would be wise to decide in advance on the place where the ferry will take you.

On the map, I marked the route of the upcoming trip, and the dotted lines lead to all the available piers of the island.

I remind you that Samet is a national park, therefore, a fee is charged at the entrance - 6 USD (200 THB).

Clue:

Samet - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow - 4

Kazan − 4

Samara − 3

Yekaterinburg − 2

Novosibirsk 0

Vladivostok 3

When is the season. When is the best time to go

It is believed that Samet is the most comfortable island in terms of temperature and weather conditions. It really is! The weather is always fine here, and possible rains are notable for their short duration. So do not pay attention to the frightening statements about the low season - you can safely go to conquer the island. After all, at a time when the Andaman coast can really flood in the summer months, a bright sun shines over Samet, the temperature is around 28–32 C °, and the sea pampers guests with warm water - 27–29 C °.

So, the conclusion is as follows: the weather is always good, and the long rainy season, typical for Thailand, bypasses this place. And I was convinced that this is true! The only sign of bad weather is waves and, as a result, sand rising from the bottom, due to which the water loses its inherent transparency. There is a possibility of jellyfish appearing in the sea at the end of September, but not necessarily. Apparently, the marine inhabitants act according to their mood, as happened in my case. By the will of fate (or because of a great desire to see the sea surface as soon as possible) I ended up on the island of dreams in that very rainy season - we were met by dark clouds and a ten-minute drizzle and this is a single manifestation of the so-called off-season. But look at the photo, doesn’t such a landscape compensate for slightly soaked clothes?

Ko Samet is recognized as one of the most beautiful islands of the Kingdom (which is very easy to see), therefore it is quite popular among the local population. Thais go to the island on Friday evening and stay all weekend to take a break from industrial Bangkok and bustling Pattaya. It is worth considering this fact when choosing days for a trip. And in view of the fact that in the "off season" (from May to October) and the tourist influx is significantly reduced, there is a great opportunity to enjoy the surrounding beauties in almost complete solitude, believe the traveler who has seen a lot of deserted beaches - an indescribable spectacle of masterpieces of nature!

Koh Samet - monthly weather

Clue:

Koh Samet - monthly weather

What are the prices for holidays

Everywhere on the net there is information that prices are higher on Koh Samet than on the mainland. And this is true, which is quite logical, given the cost of transportation. For example, a taxi on Samet costs from 6 USD (200 THB), Tuk-Tuk from 2 USD (60 THB), the cost depends on the distance.

As for housing, the same cannot be said - again, returning to our story of renting a wonderful bungalow (we did not expect such a pleasant price tag!). The cost, of course, depends on the beach, the time of your trip (remember the well-established concept of “season / off season”) and various promotions that come with early booking. The average cost of housing on different beaches of the island is as follows:

• East coast (beaches of Had Sai Keaw, Ao Phai, Ao Wong Duean, Ao Cho) - 850 USD (30,000 rubles) for 7 nights for 2 adults (breakfast included);
• South of Samet (beaches of Ao Karang, Ao Wai and Ao Kiew Na Nok) - 830 USD (29,000 rubles) for 7 nights for 2 adults (breakfast and a view of a flowering garden are included);
• North of the island (Na Nai Pier, Nah Dan Public Pier, Ao Pa Cha, Laem Yai beach) - 830 USD (29,000 rubles) for 7 nights for 2 adults (here, by the way, they will also feed for the specified amount);
• West coast (Ao Prao beach) - 900 USD (31,000 rubles) for 7 nights for 2 adults (breakfast and the right to tell everyone on their return about a wonderful holiday on the steepest beach of the island);

I also did not notice a significant difference in the cost of food - the problem is in an extremely limited number of supermarkets (hint - you will find a couple in the northern part of Samet). But there are cafes and restaurants under every palm tree (in the literal sense) and you will find any - from cheap traditional Thai pancakes for 1 USD (30 THB) to oysters in white wine sauce with truffles, which will cost more. My friend and I, who managed to find the freshest Seafood in all establishments, gave no more than 6 USD (200 THB, main course and ice drink) for lunch.

By the way, I was very surprised by the lack of ATMs, the search was successful only on the territory of local residents - all in the same place, in the north of the island. Quite frankly, the best advice for travelers is to withdraw and exchange money in advance before traveling to the island paradise. Since in shops, souvenir shops and some cafes they prefer not to get involved with such an achievement of modern society as a terminal, and they shake their heads in preparation at the sight of an outstretched plastic card.

As for the numerous excursions, there are quite a lot of companies offering to diversify your vacation - information about them is available in any hotel, since there are no agency offices on the island. You can also choose an excursion to the beaches, on the very eastern shore. They are easy to find - we carefully look at the signs with picturesque photographs that demonstrate all the advantages of various marine activities. Agencies offer similar options with a slight difference in details, the cost will be the same almost everywhere:

• Study trip around the island - 10 USD (400 THB);
• Meeting the sunset, including visiting several beaches and observation points, will cost the same 10 USD (400 THB);
• Night fishing will cost a little more - 15 USD (500 THB), but you will definitely take the catch with you!
• And for 17 USD (600 THB) you will be taken to 6 islands close to Samet (the duration of this excursion, which, by the way, is popular with tourists, is as much as 5 hours).

Main attractions. What to watch

Although I expected only calmness and tranquility from the trip, which you get immediately when you see the local beauties, I still decided to find out about the sights. While searching for information about this, I mainly came across confident reviews of my predecessors that there was nothing to look at on Samet. I can honestly say that it is not!

Of course, when compared with Samet, for example, the capital of Thailand, the result seems obvious. Endless museums, markets and architectural monuments of Bangkok, few cities can outshine. But we are only looking at an island in the Gulf of Thailand, and there are a lot of interesting things here: a Buddha temple, observation platforms (am I tired of my sunsets yet?), a local village, the famous statue of a prince and a mermaid - the small island has its own secrets.

Top 5

On the glorious Samet, there are many opportunities to make your day unforgettable, without having to incur significant financial expenses.

Beaches. Which is better

The pride of Ko Samet is, of course, the beaches. During the rest on this wonderful land, I never had to doubt my choice of the island. All beaches, without a single exception, delight, the differences are entertainment and the number of vacationers. The map shows all the beaches, and I will tell you about the main ones.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Almost every corner of the Kingdom has a statue of a Big Buddha, and Samet is no exception to the rule, although here the Buddha is relatively small. In front of him is an altar, where they bring incense and make offerings in the form of wreaths.

The Buddha is located on the territory of the temple complex, so you can admire the two-story temple. There is also a small fish pond in the fenced area.

It will not be difficult to find this entertaining place, you should take Had Sai Keaw beach and one of the piers where ferries come from the mainland - Nah Dan Publik Pier as a landmark.

An ordinary asphalt road leads to the complex, on both sides of which there is a real village of local residents. It was quite interesting to look at the life of the islanders.

nearby islands

Not far from Samet are even smaller uninhabited islands, which can be reached by speedboat in 10 minutes. As a rule, tourists are brought here for a variety of recreation and water activities. This tour is one of the most popular among the guests of the island of Samet and its cost is approximately the same in all travel agencies - around 17 USD (600 THB) per person for a 5-6 hour trip to the small wonderful islands. As a rule, for such a trip you will be shown as many as six different islands, most of which are famous for their clean beaches and untouched nature, but Ko Kudi and Ko Ta Lu have distinctive features, because they are more famous.

• Ko Kudi- an uninhabited island, part of the National Park, therefore the entrance for visitors from Samet will not require an additional fee. Snow-white beaches, the absence of stones near the shore and a convenient entrance to the water make Kudi attractive for beach relaxation. The purpose of the visit is definitely snorkeling - the opportunity to swim with a mask and snorkel. As a bonus, there are several observation points from where a wonderful sea panorama opens.
• Ko Ta Lu- is paired with Kudi, most often excursions are held to both islands. A distinctive feature of this lovely place is an interesting natural feature - a stone arch washed by sea waves. The underwater world is distinguished by its richness, the fish swim almost near the shore, especially in rocky areas.

Both islands are worthy of a couple of hours, at least for blissful lying on the beach under palm trees and enjoying the amazing clear water.

Food. What to try

On Ko Samet, the gastronomic issue is taken very seriously, otherwise it is not clear why the number of establishments exceeds the number of tourists. There is no clear division into budget and expensive restaurants. The price range is about the same - 6 USD (200 THB) for two will make you full and satisfied. Popular beaches abound with all sorts of cafes - from Ao Karang to Ao Pa Cha itself, the question of finding food will definitely not arise. Each hotel on the coast has its own restaurant, and even in an empty hotel complex you will be well fed - I checked it for myself.

If you prefer to buy food in stores and cook yourself, then you will have to get to the local village or Na Nai Pier, where the two largest supermarkets are located. And basically, only small shops and fruit stalls come across all over the island.

Seafood is absolutely everywhere, a lot, tasty, inexpensive. And traditional Thai pancakes (these are pancakes made from rice flour with a crazy variety of toppings that are cooked in front of you) will not have to be looked for for a long time - during the daytime baking pancake carts hide under palm trees along the coast, and after dark they drive out onto the sand. To be honest, we were delicious everywhere, you can find everything your heart desires - freshly brewed coffee, desserts, fish and other delicacies. Probably, any food will seem tastier if you look at the water surface.

In general, on this island, the service and gastronomic diversity fully justifies the opinion that the local cuisine is original. You will definitely find your favorite among something very traditional, for example:

• Few people have not heard of Thai tom yame- the unique taste of this spicy soup will be remembered for a long time. There are a lot of varieties of this dish, for those who prefer meat or vice versa - a vegetarian option, there is something of their own.
• Of course, incomparable fruit! I believe that tasting an endless list of fruits should be part of the program. They can but buy in any shop by the road, on the beach (here they will be chopped and in a convenient cup), in supermarkets and restaurants.
• Seafood grilled, as part of salads, along with noodles or rice - the freshest and most delicious in any form. It was Thailand that made me a fan of squid and shrimp.

Read more about Thai cuisine at.

Safety. What to watch out for

You should not expect any special dangers on Samet - I traveled in the company of my fearless girlfriend, with whom we went around the island up and down. And night walks were a familiar ritual for us. Thais are a welcoming people who are accustomed to sleeping in a hammock outside. So I looked rather strange with my habit of bolting the bungalow door and hanging the windows at night.