Ao Phrao

Ao Phrao is the best beach on Ko Samet's west coast and the only one with proper beach facilities. It faces west, giving it the island's best sunsets, and is sheltered from the prevailing wind — which means calmer water than the east coast beaches on breezy days. It tends to attract a slightly more upscale crowd, with higher-end bungalow operations and fewer backpacker hostels.

Getting here from the east coast requires a walk across the island on a forest path (about 20 minutes) or a motorbike ride along the road. The relative effort involved keeps numbers down — it's measurably calmer than Hat Sai Kaew even on a busy weekend.

things to do sight
A story
Ao Phrao is the only developed beach on Ko Samet's west coast, which is why it catches the sunset while every other beach on the island is in shadow by late afternoon. On a clear evening the light across the Gulf of Thailand turns the water a deep orange before fading to grey — a reliable spectacle that draws people across the island for it.