Thailand resorts are very popular with tourists. The most famous island visited by tourists is Phuket. However, you can also have a great rest on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. In our article we offer you information about one of its beaches.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, 25 kilometers long and 21 kilometers wide. It is located 700 kilometers south of the capital. If you are going to visit the island, you must take into account its climatic features. From early October to December, monsoons dominate the region, so there are regular showers and minor storms. According to experienced tourists, the best time to visit the island is from January to February, as well as the second half of July and the whole of August. Despite some climatic nuances, the resort is suitable for visiting throughout the year. The air temperature on the island ranges from +28 °C to +32 °C, and the water temperature in the sea does not fall below +27 °C. Thinking about where to go in the summer in Thailand, it is quite possible to consider the island as a possible option. Samui. There are many wonderful beaches with clean sand and clear waters of the sea. All of them are quite sparsely populated, so no one and nothing will interfere with your vacation.
Lamai Beach
Among the beaches of the island, it is worth highlighting Lamai (Koh Samui), which can safely be called the second most popular after Chaweng Noi beach. Its length is about four kilometers. Lamai (Koh Samui) is located a little south of Chaweng. It is not as party-like as its counterpart, but its infrastructure is excellently developed. The sea near the coast is incredibly clean and beautiful, and the sandy beach makes it convenient for families with children. In the vicinity, you can choose accommodation for every taste, as there are quite a lot of offers. Not only tourists settle on the coast, but also those who live here on a permanent basis or winter.
Central Lamai
Long Lamai Beach (Koh Samui) is officially divided into two parts. However, in fact, three parts are distinguished in its structure: southern, central and northern.
The central part is the most developed. It is here that the best hotels on Lamai Beach (Koh Samui) are built. Each establishment has its own sunbeds and awnings on the beach. There are not so many holidaymakers in the off-season, but from December to February there is an influx of vacationers.
From the north, the beach is separated from the rest of the coast by a stream. The central part ends at the Aloha Resort hotel. Since the beach is very wide (30-40 meters), you can always find a free place on it, especially if you move away from the bars.
For the central partcharacterized by a rather steep entry into the sea. The depth starts literally five meters from the water's edge. Ebb and flow in this place is completely invisible. This part of the coast is considered ideal for swimming. Hotels and beach bars are located along the coast. From here, the closest to get to the village of Lamai, which has mini-markets, shops, banks, banks, cafes, restaurants and other infrastructure.
Northern Lamai
The northern part of Lamai Beach on Koh Samui borders Chaweng Beach. This area is very calm. However, the sea here is shallower, and the ebbs and flows are felt more strongly. In shallow water you can see many stones of bizarre shapes. The length of the northern part is about two kilometers, and the width varies from 5 to 30 meters. The width of the coastal strip is significantly affected by the ebb and flow.
The northern part of Lamai Beach is shallow at the water's edge, which is very convenient for kids. Therefore, couples with children prefer to relax here. For the convenience of swimming, it is necessary to use special shoes so as not to injure your feet. At low tide, the sea "leaves" for about a kilometer, which causes certain inconveniences. On the coast you can ride banana boats and jet skis.
In the northern part of the beach you can find accommodation for every taste, from luxury hotels to modest apartments. All hotels have sun loungers on the coast, which allows you to comfortably spend time by the sea.
South Beach
The southern and central parts of Lamai Beach (Koh Samui) are divided by the Beal Resort Hotel. The length of the beach is approximately 0.5 kilometers. It ends at a local attraction - the stones "Grandfather" and "Grandmother". In the northern part, the width of the sandy strip reaches forty meters, and to the south it narrows to ten meters.
Entering the sea here is convenient, but there are stones at the bottom. In windy weather, strong waves appear on Lamai (Koh Samui). The low tide here is almost imperceptible, and therefore you can swim at any time.
The south coast is preferred by tourists who crave a relaxing holiday. However, the beach is completely unsuitable for kids, since there is practically no shallow water here. In addition, there are stones in the water. There are no beach parties in this region. There are several small supermarkets, restaurants and shops nearby.
Entertainment
Many tourists ask which beach is better on Koh Samui, Chaweng or Lamai. It is difficult to give a definite answer to this question. The first beach is considered a real center of fun and entertainment, as well as the most developed region. Relaxing on Lamai Beach is also fun. There are bars and restaurants here, but there are not many places of entertainment, so they do not interfere with tourists who want peace. We can confidently say that Lamai is a quieter place. Therefore, lovers of beach parties may find it boring here.
On the coast, tourists have a great opportunity to go diving. There are a number of companies operating in the region that organize diving excursions. They all offer roughly the same trips.to the island of Khao Tao.
Near the village of Lamai there are several fitness centers offering sports. They are equipped with everything necessary for active classes. Each center has professional instructors to help you decide on the training program.
For a detailed acquaintance with Koh Samui in Thailand, you can rent a bike. A local tour company offers to explore the island on bicycles in the company of an experienced guide. Such amazing walks will be of interest to all outdoor enthusiasts.
Lamai for kids
If you come to the resort with children, then the best place to visit is Coco Splash Water Park. It is located on Lamai Beach and has seven water attractions of different difficulty levels. There is also a small pool for kids in the water park. In the amusement park, you can not only have fun with the whole family, but also relax in the shade of gazebos while children play on the playgrounds.
If the sea does not please you with calmness, but you want to swim, you can go to the Pink Elifant water park. In it you will find a wave pool, a paddling pool for kids and water attractions. The park is more designed for children.
Karting is a popular activity for children at the resort. The pride of Koh Samui is football golf - a new but very popular pastime.
Communicating with animals
A safari park is no less popular among tourists of all ages. On histhe territory twice a day shows are organized with the participation of monkeys, elephants, birds, crocodiles. The smallest guests can visit the mini zoo.
The safari park is located next to the waterfall. The most intrepid travelers can climb to its source to a height of more than 80 meters to take amazing photos.
You can also visit traditional crocodile and snake farms on Koh Samui. Such places are visited not only because of the entertainment program. Here you can buy leather goods and see exotic animals up close.
Local Attractions
According to reviews, Lamai (Koh Samui) is interesting for recreation in many ways, including entertainment and attractions. The latter include the Hin Yai and Hin Ta rocks, which are popularly known as the Grandfather and Grandmother stones. They are located on the south side of the beach. You can watch them completely free of charge at any time.
Tourists will certainly be interested in the Buddhist temple and local pagodas. To complete the experience, vacationers recommend visiting the tiger show and the SPA center. In the south of Lamai, you can climb to the observation deck to admire the surroundings.
Shopping
Lamai village is a great place for shopping. On its main street there are numerous shops and shops with souvenirs and other goods. Here you can buy popular Thai things and cosmetics. It is customary to bargain in the markets. Sometimes the cost of goods can be significantly reduced.
Tourists recommend to definitely go to the nightLamai Night Plaza Market. It is located in the very heart of the village. In this market, you can buy absolutely everything, from small souvenirs to modern electrical equipment. Many tourists buy smartphones and famous brands here for very cheap prices.
Traffic during the market is blocked, the street turns into a large pedestrian area. Thai products for massage and baths, incense are also in demand in the village.
Hotels
Thinking about where to go in the summer, you probably choose not only a resort, but also a hotel where you will have a comfortable rest. In the Lamai beach area, the range of hotels of different levels is quite large. Among them you can choose status establishments and the most modest bungalows. The best establishments include:
- "Silavadi Pool Spa Resort", located just 9 minutes walk from the sea. This 5-star hotel offers chic Thai-style accommodation, spa access, good food and a high level of service.
- "Banyan Tree Samui" - a luxurious complex with a private beach and comfortable villas.
- Royal Beach Resort Spa is a modern five-star complex equipped with a spa, restaurants and several swimming pools.
- Lazy Days offers bungalow accommodation with all amenities.
From inexpensive establishments, tourists recommend paying attention to:
- Marina Beach Resort. This hotel is located right on Lamai Beach andoffers rooms with sea or garden views.
- Samui Beach Resort. This is a hotel built near the rocks "Grandma" and "Grandfather".
- Complex "Cottages Koh Samui" is located on the coast. It offers accommodation in small one-story buildings.
Reviews of tourists
Lamai Beach is valued differently by tourists. Some people really like the local coast, others are not very happy with it. Complaints are caused by stones that fall under their feet, jellyfish, ebb and flow. In general, holidays on the coast are suitable for older people and families with children. For young people, more party regions can be recommended, although experienced holidaymakers note that there is no fundamental difference between Lamai and Chaweng beaches. The convenience of hotels on Koh Samui is that they are all located very close to the sea, so you are almost always on the coast.
If you compare Phuket and Koh Samui, the first one will offer you a higher level of service and an excellent coastline. The second island does not have any outstanding sights or interesting places. All entertainment is concentrated in the beach area. In general, Lamai, like the rest of Koh Samui, is ideal for a measured beach holiday. Some tourists note that the water off the coast is not always clean. Very often it is quite muddy, it shows greasy fuel stains left by local motor boats. They are used in recreational water rides.
All holidaymakers note that Lamai is less crowded than Chaweng. A significant drawback of the beach is that there are jellyfish in the water, which leave very unpleasant burns. There are even signs on the coast warning tourists of the danger.
In addition, tourists who come to the resort not for the first time note that the coast is getting dirtier. Rubbish is not taken out very often. But this is a problem for many resorts in Thailand.
Instead of afterword
In general, Lamai and Koh Samui are recommended for a relaxing holiday. If you are looking for active entertainment and night parties until the morning, then you should choose Phuket. The infrastructure of Koh Samui is less developed and not as diverse as in Phuket. However, the resort has its fans who visit it with pleasure.
