Lipa Noi Beach

Lipa Noi Beach is unanimously considered Koh Samui's finest sunset beach. The west-facing orientation provides dramatic, unobstructed views across the Gulf of Thailand as the sun dips below the horizon in spectacular fashion.

The 3.5-kilometer beach features soft, pale sand along most of its length, though some stretches can become muddy at the shoreline, particularly after the monsoon season. The cleanest sand is found along the central and southern sections. The extremely shallow water extends up to 100 metres from shore at low tide — you can wade far out while barely reaching waist depth. While ideal for families with young children, swimmers looking for deeper water should time their visit around higher tides.

The Raja Ferry Pier at the northern end of the beach serves ferries to the mainland (Surat Thani/Don Sak). This is convenient for arriving or departing travellers, though the pier area can bring occasional noise from ferry traffic.

Several beach clubs and restaurants with beachfront seating cater to sunset viewers, making it perfect for romantic evenings. Lipa Noi is one of Koh Samui's quietest beaches for most of the day, though it draws more visitors in the late afternoon for sunset — particularly on weekends. The area near the Raja Ferry Pier can also be busier during peak travel times.

There are no lifeguards on this beach — swimming is at your own risk. Swimming conditions are calm for most of the year, but during the low season (May–November), occasional westerly swells can affect the west coast. Observe red flag warnings and avoid swimming in rough conditions.