Bophut

Bophut under the coconut trees
Not far from the famous landmark of Big Buddha is Bophut Beach. The beach itself encompasses some two kilometers of white sandy shoreline fringed by coconut palms leaning over the sea. The calm waters of the bay make this a popular spot for simply relaxing. Stretched along the main road you will find many small shops and restaurants. Bophut is a good compromise between the super quiet places and the hustle and bustle of Chaweng. This is one of the few beaches on Samui where you can rent jet skis, as well as kayaks and snorkeling gear.


The Fisherman's Village

An old house in fisherman's village
At the west end of Bophut is perhaps one of the oldest places on the island, Fisherman's Village. The nostalgic wooden houses and small local shops here are a reminder of days gone by. The "main street" along the beach is not longer than a kilometre but is rich in style and variety of shops, from the oldest local shop selling just about anything, to the most elegant restaurant, but all of them have some kind of unique touch.

There are several seafront shophouses which have been converted into trendy restaurants with small and cozy terraces overlooking the Bophut Bay and the islands of Koh Phang Ngan and Koh Tao. Most of these restaurants offer an excellent selection of international dishes.

Angela's Bakery... mmm...
A few recommendations from residents include:

Angela's Bakery
Wide choice of sandwiches and salads, generous servings, plus cakes and pastries, and lemon cheese cake.
Starfish and Coffee: Trendy cafe serving Thai and international dishes with a stylish touch. Starfish and Coffee also has a shop with selected Thai handicrafts and a beautiful massage centre where you can have a relaxing foot massage on a quiet terrace facing the sea.

The Greek Restaurant located at the west end of the street along the beach is also a local favourite.
La Sirene: A French Restaurant with some seafood specials prepared with a touch of the South of France. Also offers tours (see below)

Try a foot massage
at Starfish & Coffee
For scuba enthusiasts there are also a few dive shops in the area offering lessons or day trips to the Ang Thong Marine National Park, Sail Rock or Koh Tao.

La Sirene also offers some selected tours to secret spots in the surrounding islands or some Jeep rides to places difficult to access for visitors not familiar with the island, mainly the Secret Buddha Garden. Try an elephant ride in the tropical forest or go for a fishing trip on a local fishing boat with a real fisherman to the waters of Koh Phang Ngan.


Maenam

The wide beach at Maenam
Maenam is located about 2 Km west of Bophut. It still remains very much a traditional Thai village in the true sense of the word. Some of the wooden houses and shops are over 70 years old and it's well worth taking a stroll down to the waterside to take in the character of the place. The 4 Km long beach here is clean with calm water. The sand is not as smooth as Chaweng's and the sea not as shallow, but it provides a quiet and remarkably tropical ambiance. Some dive shops and watersport facilities are available and it's a great place to go windsurfing, especially in November and December. Many speedboats going to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao depart from Maenam Pier. Along the main road is a small town with some restaurants and shops. If you want some action at night, just head on over to Chaweng, which is only 10 minutes away by car or motorbike.

The tranquility of the area has attracted some of the more expensive resorts on the island, as well as small bungalows dotted along the coastline. For those in need of some pampering and stress relief, there are some great spa centres. You can eat well too with many small restaurants offering excellent value for money. A good place to stay if your priority is not necessarily a busy nightlife.