5 Best Sights in The Gulf Coast Beaches, Thailand

On the southern end of Koh Samet, this beautiful and secluded beach has crystal-blue waters and fine white sand that lend the strand a picture-postcard feel. If you're looking to relax, Ao Kiu is an ideal choice. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude.

This crescent-shaped stretch of sand is the only real beach on the western side of the island, and it's a beauty. Quieter than the beaches in the island's northeast, it's a hit with couples who come for candlelit dinners on the sand, a real highlight for many. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: sunset.

This beautiful shoreline of a half-moon bay is packed with resorts and restaurants, so food and drink are never far away. Ao Vong Duan is the epicenter of water sports on Koh Samet, with Jet Skis and speedboats operating from the beach. The white sands and crystal-blue waters make the beach worth a visit, and the beaches of Ao Cho to the north and Ao Thian to the south are an enjoyable five-minute stroll away. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: sunrise; walking.

This beach on Koh Samet's northeastern edge is the island's longest and busiest one. The sand is white and the water is clear, though in the rainy season the sea does get a little rough. A few boats operate from the beach, but Haad Sai Kaew is a better place to relax than the crowded beaches of Pattaya. All manner of food and drink is available from the nearby resorts and restaurants. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: partiers.

The government has been unable—or unwilling—to control development on some parts of Koh Samet despite its protected status as a national marine park, but its fine sand and smooth water is still serene and beautiful in many places. Development is greatest in the main village and northern beaches. Other irritants involve Jet Skis, which can be heard roaring away in some places. Trash is also an increasingly vexing issue. All the beaches have licensed ladies offering one- and two-hour Thai massages, which generally cost B300 an hour, not including tip.