This is the last in my series of blogs about my visit to Koh Samet and Rayong. I did enjoy myself during this trip to this beautiful tropical island in Thailand. It was a shame that my time was limited. I really want to make a return trip though I will make sure it is during the week to avoid the crowds. In this blog I want to tell you a bit about some of the activities you can do on this island other than sunbathing and swimming.

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I recently spent some time exploring the beaches along the coastline of Rayong. This area is only two-three hours from Bangkok and counts as some of the most beautiful and exotic locations in Thailand. I spent the first two days on the mainland and you will find that the beautiful beaches there are often deserted during the week. However, if you want the white sand and crystal clear water then you need to take a boat to nearby Koh Samet. The island is only 40 minutes away and is a popular tourist destination for both Thais and foreigners. The island becomes so busy that during high season and long weekends it might be difficult to find a room for the night. However, as it is a national park you can camp there in your tent for free!

Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach) on Koh Samet

Last week I went to Koh Samet for the very first time. So many people have been telling me to go that I thought I should make an effort. Everyone said it is a tropical paradise and one of the best islands in Thailand. Before I caught the boat to the island, I decided to stay on the mainland for a couple of days. The island is only 40 minutes away by regular boat (much faster in a speedboat) and I wanted to compare beaches on the mainland to the ones on the island. (You can read my Rayong beach reviews at Thai Travel Blogs.) I think one of the reasons I was hesitating to go was the fact that Koh Samet is now a popular island destination. It can get very crowded, particularly during long weekends. Plus, I like beach holidays where I can turn up in the car with everything including the kitchen sink. To catch a boat to an island you can only take as much as you can carry.

To have a good beach holiday, most people also need to have entertainment other than just the sand and surf. During my recent holiday in Rayong, I stayed on Mae Ramphung Beach. I did enjoy myself there but as I had a car it made sense to explore the area a bit more. From our beach, it took us about ten minutes to drive to Ban Phe which is the nearest town. For most backpackers, this is the jumping off point for ferries to the nearby Koh Samet island. You can catch a bus from Bangkok all the way to this busy fishing port. It will take you at least three hours by bus. There are no beaches along the waterfront here and that is why most foreign tourists don’t think there are good beaches on the mainland. Their guidebook also tells them that there isn’t much to see in the town so they spend their time waiting for the ferry on the pier. They are missing so much.