Choeng Mon beach is the calm, shallow bay on the north-east tip of Koh Samui, about 10 to 15 minutes by road from the airport. It suits families with young children, couples and anyone who wants a quiet base without being far from Chaweng. It does not suit you if you want nightlife on your doorstep or a cheap bungalow: most of the bay is lined with upscale resorts.
- Location
- North-east tip of Koh Samui
- From the airport
- About 10–15 min by car
- Beach
- About 1 km crescent bay
- Water
- Shallow, gentle slope
- Best for
- Families, couples, quiet stays
- Watch out for
- Plane noise, higher prices
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Is Choeng Mon Beach right for you?
This bay is the answer when the rest of the family says “somewhere calm, but not too far from everything”. The bay is sheltered, the sand slopes gently and the beach is quiet in the evening. Chaweng, with its restaurants, shopping and nightlife, is a short taxi ride south.
Choose it if you want
- Calm, shallow water for children
- A short transfer from the airport
- Upscale resorts with direct beach access
- Quiet evenings and an easy taxi to Chaweng
Look elsewhere if you want
- Bars and nightlife within walking distance
- Budget rooms on the sand
- Complete silence: planes approach overhead
- A long beach for walking: the bay is short
Travel guides that cover the beach agree on two trade-offs. Rooms on Choeng Mon beach cost more than the island average, and the bay sits under the airport approach, so you will hear planes several times a day (PlanetWare beach guide). Neither stops it from being one of the most relaxing bases on the island.
Swimming at Choeng Mon Beach: sea conditions by season
Choeng Mon beach has soft white sand and water that deepens slowly, which is why families pick it. In the dry months the bay is usually flat and clear. From late October to December the north-east monsoon brings rain and wind to Samui's east coast, and the sea can turn choppy for days at a time.
| Period | What the sea is usually like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| January to April | Calm to light chop, clear water | Best months for swimming and kayaking |
| May to September | Mostly calm, short showers | Good swimming; check the wind on boat days |
| October to December | Rainier, wind from the east, waves on some days | Swim in the hotel pool on rough days; follow the beach flags |
For rain and temperature averages month by month, use our best time to visit Koh Samui guide, then open the month you are travelling in, for example Koh Samui weather in April or December.
No lifeguards
Like most beaches on Koh Samui, the bay has no permanent lifeguard service. Keep children within reach, and stay out of the water when the red flag is up.
Walking to Koh Fan Noi from Choeng Mon Beach
The small islets at the end of the bay are the reason many visitors remember Choeng Mon beach. At low tide a sandbar appears and you can wade across to Koh Fan Noi; at high tide people paddle there by kayak instead. Several travel guides describe the walk, including Wikivoyage, which also notes that most of Ko Fan Yai is occupied by a private resort.
- Check the tide table before you go and start back before the water rises.
- Wear water shoes: there are rocks and coral fragments on the way.
- Respect the private resort land on the larger island and stay below the high-tide line.
- Take water and sun protection: there is no shade on the sandbar.
Where to stay on Choeng Mon Beach
Most hotels around the bay are four- and five-star resorts. Below are five options that cover the main budgets and travel styles. Facts come from the hotels' Agoda listings, checked on 13 November 2026; room types, child policies and prices change, so confirm them for your dates before booking.
SALA Samui Choengmon Beach
A 69-room luxury resort that opened in 2004, with private-pool rooms and villas and two-bedroom pool villas that work for small families. Agoda lists it about 3.3 km from the airport.
Pick it if you want a design-led, adult-feeling resort with your own pool. Note that the listing mentions a strict child policy with extra charges for children.
Check SALA Samui ratesListing facts: Agoda, checked 13 Nov 2026.
Melia Koh Samui
A large five-star resort opened in 2020 with around 200 rooms, several pools including a lagoon pool, and pool-access rooms. Guests on Agoda mention family stays and a strong breakfast.
Pick it if you travel with children and want lots of pool space and a full-service resort.
Check Melia Koh Samui ratesListing facts: Agoda, checked 13 Nov 2026.
Kimpton Kitalay Samui
A newer luxury resort on the bay, popular with both couples and families. Compare its room sizes, kids' facilities and pool layout with Melia before you choose.
Pick it if you want a contemporary resort and are happy to pay for it.
Check Kimpton Kitalay ratesCheck room types and inclusions on the listing.
SAii Koh Samui Choengmon
A resort on the bay that usually prices below the top luxury names. A sensible middle ground for families who want the beach without five-star rates.
Pick it if you want a beachfront room on a mid-range budget.
Check SAii Choengmon ratesCheck room types and inclusions on the listing.
Samui Honey Cottages Beach Resort
A small three-star resort with 26 rooms, a pool by the beach and family and triple rooms. Recent guest reviews mention kayaks for exploring the bay.
Pick it if you want to be on the sand without paying luxury prices.
Check Samui Honey ratesListing facts: Agoda, checked 13 Nov 2026.
Still deciding between areas? Our where to stay in Koh Samui guide compares every part of the island, and our Koh Samui family resorts guide shortlists the best options for children.
Find your Choeng Mon Beach resort
Compare every hotel on and near the bay for your dates.
Things to do near Choeng Mon Beach
The bay makes a good base for the north-east of the island. The places below are all a short drive from the bay.
| Place | What it is | From Choeng Mon |
|---|---|---|
| Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) | The island's best-known temple, on a small island linked by a causeway | Short drive west |
| Wat Plai Laem | Colourful temple on a lake with a giant Guanyin statue | Short drive west |
| Fisherman's Village, Bophut | Old shophouses, restaurants and the Friday night market | About 15–20 min |
| Chaweng | Restaurants, shopping and nightlife | About 10–15 min |
| Ang Thong Marine Park | Day trip by boat to 42 islands, kayaking and viewpoints | Pick-ups from most hotels |
The full-day trip to Ang Thong is the one excursion we recommend to almost everyone staying in this corner of the island. Most tours include hotel pick-up, kayaking and a climb to a viewpoint. Read our things to do in Koh Samui guide for more ideas, or go straight to the Ang Thong tours.
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price and pick-up area depend on the tour and date.
Choeng Mon Beach with children: practical tips
Families make up a large share of the guests on this side of the island, and the bay works well for them for simple reasons: the water stays shallow a long way out, the beach is short enough to keep everyone in sight, and the drive from the airport is short after a long flight.
- Pick a resort with a shaded pool. The sea is calm, but children still spend half the day in the pool when the midday sun is strong.
- Bring water shoes. They help on the walk to Koh Fan Noi and on the rocky patches at the ends of the bay.
- Plan outings for the morning. Temples and markets are cooler before 11 am, and you are back at the beach for the afternoon.
- Book a taxi or hire car for evenings out. Restaurants in Chaweng and Bophut are a short drive away, but walking there with children is not practical.
- Check the child policy. Some luxury resorts charge for every child or limit pool villas to adults; family rooms and connecting rooms sell out first in school holidays.
Our advice for a first family trip
Stay on this bay for the calm water and short transfer, and book one or two half-day trips rather than a full island tour: young children tire quickly in the heat.
Getting to Choeng Mon Beach
Choeng Mon beach is one of the easiest beaches to reach from Koh Samui Airport: the drive takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Use the airport taxi counter, a shared minibus, or a car you collect at the airport.
- Taxi: the fastest option for families with luggage. Agree the fare at the counter before you leave.
- Hire car: useful if you want to explore the island. You can collect it at the airport.
- Songthaew: the shared pick-up trucks run on the main roads, but not always to the resorts at the end of the bay.
- Grab: works on Koh Samui, with prices and availability that vary through the day.
Our Koh Samui transport guide lists fares by area, and our car rental guide explains what you need to drive.
Compare car hire at Samui Airport
Choeng Mon Beach vs Chaweng, Bophut and Mae Nam
| Beach | Water | Atmosphere | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choeng Mon | Calm, shallow | Quiet resorts | Families, couples |
| Chaweng | Longer beach, livelier sea | Busy, nightlife | First-timers, groups |
| Bophut | Calm, sandy | Village charm, restaurants | Couples, foodies |
| Mae Nam | Calm, long and quiet | Low-key, local | Long stays, families on a budget |
Read our guides to Bophut beach and the best beaches in Koh Samui to compare them in detail.
Choeng Mon Beach FAQ
Is Choeng Mon Beach good for swimming?
Yes, especially from January to September. The bay is sheltered and the water deepens slowly. From late October to December the east coast can be rough on windy days, so check the flags.
Is Choeng Mon Beach good for families?
It is one of the best beaches on Koh Samui for young children thanks to its calm, shallow water and quiet evenings. Check each resort's child policy before booking.
Can you walk to Koh Fan Noi?
At low tide a sandbar lets you wade across. Check the tide, wear water shoes and head back before the water rises.
How far is Choeng Mon from the airport?
About 10 to 15 minutes by car. It is one of the closest beaches to Koh Samui Airport.
Is Choeng Mon Beach noisy?
Evenings are quiet, but the bay sits under the airport approach, so you will hear planes during the day.
Is Choeng Mon Beach expensive?
Rooms on the bay cost more than the island average because most hotels are upscale resorts. Samui Honey Cottages is the main budget option on the sand.
Ready to book your stay on Choeng Mon Beach?
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About this guide. Written by the InsideSamui team, based on Koh Samui. Hotel facts come from the hotels' Agoda listings checked on 13 November 2026. Beach details are cross-checked with Wikivoyage and PlanetWare. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.