Lamai Beach hotels in Koh Samui, Thailand

Samui’s Lamai Beach is one of the island’s most popular holiday spots. It is situated along the eastern coastline, and stretches for more than four glorious kilometres. It is renowned for its great swimming opportunities and the rock formations at the southern end of the beach. Even though it is not as vibrant as Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach offers a fun-filled getaway experience, with a more relaxed atmosphere.

Tourists will find plenty of things to do and to see along and behind Lamai Beach.

There are several rock formations at Lamai Beach that tourists must not miss. At the beach’s southern headland, the famous Hin-Ta Hin-Yai Grandfather Stones can be found. These popular rocks are large replicas of male and female genitalia. The Overlap Stone, which stands some 150 metres above sea level, is a balancing rock that also provides great views of the nearby bay.

The beach is a great place for a swim too. Unlike other beaches around the island of Samui, Lamai’s shoreline drops sharply, making it deeper and better for swimming. Of course, there is plenty of water sport and beach equipment for hire, so visitors can always enjoy the water in different ways.

Lamai Beach is a popular spot for those interested in Buddhism. Several renowned temples are found here. Wat Lamai is the most popular, especially when religious festivals are being held. It’s also home to a cultural hall that boasts museum-like exhibits from Samui’s past.

A large range of dining venues greets tourists in Lamai Beach. Both Thai and international cuisine is available, including Mediterranean, French, Italian and traditional English food. There are also several fast-food restaurants operating along Lamai Beach. The nightlife is more subdued here than in Chaweng Beach, but there is still a variety of places to enjoy a drink. Most pubs offer live music on some nights. Dance clubs also operate along the beach road.

There is no shortage of places to shop in Lamai Beach, where visitors can buy all sorts of souvenirs, from pirated goods to handicrafts. The Lamai Night Plaza is one of the best places to pick up cheap clothing, accessories, handicrafts and other souvenirs, though you must be good at bargaining when shopping here. Every Sunday, head to the Lamai Walking Street market, which in addition to typical souvenirs also has stalls that sell local street food. There are also boutique shops dotted along Lamai Street for picking up more unique handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs.