Your essential guide to Koh Samui's beaches

With plentiful resorts, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, Chaweng Beach is Koh Samui's most popular beach.  The southern and middle stretches of the five-kilometer beach have the deepest waters, best for swimming and water sports; however, in a more child-friendly setting, the northern portion is fairly shallow with an offshore reef.

Lamai Beach is calm and relatively shallow, except for the water sport-focused central portion with sufficient depth.  It is not as congested as Chaweng but a great deal of dining and shopping options lie just off the sand, which can bring in quite a bit of crowds.

Bophut is within a close proximity to the airport; a beach decorated with shops and restaurants, this area has kept its unspoiled charm, all the while offering a high caliber of shopping, dining and entertainment.  Much of this is attested to the area formerly acting as the main French outpost.

Maenam still possesses a great deal of the island's backpacker charm - quaint, natural and discreet.  Whilst sitting on the sand, a beach-goer has an excellent view of Koh Phangon, the home of the ever infamous Full Moon Party.

Choengmon Beach has mystical secluded bays, quiet back roads and breaking surf on huge granite rocks.  Home to many upmarket resorts, Chongmoen is an exclusive area in the north of Samui.

Taling Ngam is as far remote as you can get on the island.  The serene atmosphere and crisp white sand is undeniably breathtaking, as this beach is one of the few unspoiled and untouched beaches on Koh Samui.  This beach is ideal for an extremely relaxing day in the sun.

Lipa Noi is a flawless beach, void of rocks and coral.  The drive to Lipa Noi is one of serenity, as the tropical feel comes alive with the coconut plantations on either side of the road.  This beach provides one of the island's best sunsets.

Hua Thanon/ Bang Kao offers the island one last chunk of beach that appears to have been unaffected by tourism, despite the beach's resorts.  The Muslim village offers an organic beach experience.

Big Buddha is a quiet and peaceful stretch of sand.  Its location allows for easy access to Chaweng and Fisherman's Village in Bophut, making this the ideal stop for a visitor seeking tranquility with the option of amusement.

Source: Samui Lifestyle Magazine