Ranked second most popular beach on Koh Samui, Lamai is situated on the East Coast of the island. The beach features white sand and warm seawater – great for swimming and sunbathing. Other than the inviting waters, Lamai also plays host to Samui popular landmarks featuring majestic rock formations. The area offers everything tourists require including numerous choices for accommodations with international standard facilities. Additionally, Samui Airport is just a 30-minute drive from Lamai.
Beach Options
Lamai Beach
Set on the east side of Koh Samui, Lamai boasts of a nice sandy beach. The northern part of the beach might be a bit rocky, although there is a shallow area where kids can enjoy swimming. Lamai offers all facilities needed by tourists – from hotels, resorts, restaurants to nightlife destinations. The unique rock formations known as Hin Ta and Hin Yai are situated between Lamai and Hua Thanon. Having numerous similarities in terms of facilities, Lamai has been referred to as the little sister of Chaweng Beach.
Chaweng Beach
Located 16 minutes away from Lamai, Chaweng Beach is the most popular and the largest beach in Koh Samui. The thick white sand of the wide beach and the warm blue sea water make the beach perfect for water sports and other beach activities. Chaweng is a 13-minute drive from the Samui Airport. To find out more about Chaweng, click here.
Hotel Accommodations
There are over a hundred hotels in Lamai area. Just like most accommodations in Samui, the options range from expensive luxury hotels and resorts dotting the beach to affordably cheap yet decent rooms. Two Lamai resorts that travelers gave great reviews are the Banyan Tree Samui and the Silavadee Pool Spa Resort. These retreats exude a romantic ambiance and offer a secluded beach area for guests who prefer a quiet getaway.
Vacation Rentals & Villas
There are over 70 vacation rentals guests can choose from, in Lamai area. These luxury holiday homes offer private and high-end facilities such as an infinity-edge pool and even direct access to the beach. Some of the villas even boast an amazing view of Samui landmarks such as the Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rock formations, hence these luxury villas are called Villa Hinta and Villa Hinyai.
Day Attractions & Activities
Lamai is a fun place to stay in. There are many attractions on Lamai Beach that visitors can enjoy.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks
These two unusual rocks have long stood as must-see landmarks in Koh Samui. Every tourist – Thai or international – visiting Samui never misses a chance to see and take photos of these bizarre rocks. Hinta means Grandpa Rock and Hinyai means Grandma Rock. These names were derived from the shapes of the rock formations which look like male and female sex organs. A market selling local goods and food is conveniently situated around this uniquely-looking tourist attraction.
Coco Splash Adventure & Water Park
For those who travel with their kids, Coco Splash Water Park is a great destination for the entire family. The water park is located on the Samui Ring Road, offering a long list of activities and attractions including the Air Bag Jump and the Bungee Trampoline.
Lamai Night Plaza
Lamai Night Plaza features various dining and entertainment outlets such as the food center, cafe, market and even a pub. This night bazaar is the equivalent of Patpong night market in Bangkok but smaller. Visitors will enjoy shopping for a lot of affordable fashion products, local goods and many more. The market opens daily from 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon.
Dining & Shopping
Shopping
Lamai has a lot of street markets including the Night Market which opens from 6:00 o’clock in the evening until midnight, and Lamai Walking Street which opens only on Sunday from 4:30 in the afternoon until midnight. Other markets such as the Lamai Fresh Market and Hinta and Hinyai Stalls are also famous among shoppers.
Dining
There are many dining options in Lamai area. Over 80 restaurants operate in Lamai to serve every visiting traveler looking for an opportunity to taste local Thai cuisine and the usual Western dishes. Kob Thai Restaurant is a great choice for travelers craving for. authentic Thai cuisine. There’s also a wide selection of restaurants that serve international dishes like Emporio Caffe Samui and Food Lab.
Nightlife
Apart from Chaweng, Lamai is another area in Samui that offers a nightlife scene that’s exciting but a lot less noisy. The place has about 20 pubs and bars where travelers can enjoy a fantastic night out while having some refreshing drinks. Some of its most popular nightlife spots are Central Lamai Beer Bars Plaza, Swing Bar, and Lava Lounge.
