Mae Nam Beach is one of the quietest beaches in the north of Koh Samui. If you're looking for a combination of a long sandy beach, minimal noise and views of Koh Phangan, you've come to the right place.

Unlike the busier Chaweng, Mae Nam is more about quiet and morning walks than beach bars.

A quick overview

This is Maenam beach in a nutshell.

🌊 Water entry: quite fast, good for swimming
🏝 S and: rather coarse yellow-brown
👨‍👩‍👧 People: fewer than on the main beaches
🌅 View: panorama of Koh Phangan
🌙 Nightlife: minimal

Best beach hotels on Koh Samui

What is the beach like in reality?

Mae Nam is not your typical "instagram" beach with white powdery sand. The sand is more coarse and yellow-brown and the sea tends to be a darker shade than on the east coast of the island.

The big advantage is the ample space. Even in high season you can find a spot here without lying a metre away from other people's towels.

Nicer for me is the eastern part further away from the marina and closer to the W Koh Samui hotel.

Mae Nam Beach

Who is Mae Nam ideal for?

Mae Nam fits more for those who want quiet, to read under a palm tree or stay longer in one place.

For couples looking for quieter accommodation
For families who want more space
For digital nomads - the north of the island has a more relaxed vibe
Not really for those who want nightlife (look for that more on Chaweng)

Does Mae Nam have any cons?

Honestly, yes.

If you're looking for the iconic turquoise colours and 'postcard' white sand, other parts of Koh Samui will be more visually appealing.

👉 You might like Crystal Beach or Choengmon Beach

Also, the infrastructure is more dispersed - restaurants and shops are not as concentrated as on the main beaches.

Transportation and parking

At Mae Nam Beach, you don't have to make complicated transport plans in advance.

🚗 Car: parking is informal and normally along the coastal road or in the large car park at the boat dock (see map). There is usually plenty of space.
🛵 Scooter: the most practical way to move between beaches. You don't have to worry about parking, you can leave your scooter anywhere.
🚕 Grab / Bolt: they work reliably, the price is predetermined and you don't have to haggle.

From Mae Nam you're roughly a 20 minute drive to Fisherman's Village and a 35-45 minute drive to Chaweng.

Read more about how we traveled around the island - Transportation on Koh Samui.

Accommodation at Mae Nam Beach

Mae Nam makes sense especially for quieter stays. You'll find a mix of smaller resorts, boutique hotels and villas with a pool right on the beach.

I would recommend these accommodations:

Baanfah Resort Samui *** - a cheap local resort with bungalows right on the beach and good ratings
Coco Palm Beach Resort *** - the cheapest budget local resort in a quieter part of Mae Nam Beach
The Flow Samui Beach Resort - a luxurious and well rated resort at the eastern photogenic end of the beach