Chaweng is the Samui’s most popular resort area and not only boasts the longest beach, but also the biggest shopping and entertainment zone on the island.

In many ways it is just like any other major tourist hot spot with hundreds of hotels, restaurants and bars scattered along and behind its fine white sand. You can choose to stay in five-star luxury or search out one of the few remaining budget bungalows, and when it comes to food there’s everything from top-end French fare to burgers and pizza, with a few Thai options thrown in for good measure.

Despite a recent upgrade, Chaweng still remains party central and has the highest density and widest selection of clubs, bars and restaurants on the island.

If you’re looking to get away from it all this is perhaps not the beach for you, but if you want a fun packed beach holiday with options to suit all tastes and temptations, Chaweng is certainly an experience not to be missed.

Over the last few years, Chaweng beach has developed into three main sections. North Chaweng beach is perhaps the quietest part and also the chosen location for several boutique resorts, spas and up-market dining options.

The water is very shallow at this end of the beach so most places have their own pool, but despite the up-market development it’s still a very picturesque spot with a beautiful sandy headland at the northern end and a shallow channel separating the main beach from a small, attractive island known as Koh Matlang.

Bophut Beach sits between Maenam and Big Buddha Beach on Samui’s northern coast.

There is a slightly quieter and more laid back feel than the larger Chaweng and Lamai Beaches, and it is very popular with people who don’t want to be in the thick of Samui’s hedonistic nightlife areas.

Bophut is also known as Fisherman’s Village.

Fisherman’s village is considered the most traditional and well-preserved place on the island, and is a welcome sight for people who are not so keen on the heavier development on other parts of the island.

The village takes up the middle section of Bophut Beach and is lined with traditional Chinese, wooden shop houses. The modern buildings here blend in nicely, and certainly don’t spoil the traditional feel to the place.

Bophut Beach itself spans about two miles, and it is one of the most idyllic spots on the island, sporting beautiful white sandy beaches, dotted with coconut palms.

Bophut Beach tends to be quieter than the beaches on the islands east coast and there are also some great views out to Koh Pha Ngan. Historically, as the nickname suggests, this was a fishing village, and there are still a small number of local fishing boats continuing this traditional lifestyle.