Updated on August 22, 2025

Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui is a 7-kilometer stretch of soft white sand and clear waters, offering the ultimate tropical escape with exciting activities from water sports to vibrant nightlife. It is the island’s most iconic and sought-after location. Chaweng is more than just a beach—it’s the island’s heartbeat. The beach also has a bustling nightlife, with plenty of bars, pubs, and discotheques that provide the perfect party atmosphere. If you’re planning to stay for the weekend, or even for a short while, it’s always a good idea to spend time on and near the shores of Chaweng during your stay in Koh Samui.

Koh Samui stands as one of Southeast Asia’s premier island destinations, renowned for its striking natural landscapes and world-class amenities. This tropical jewel in the Gulf of Thailand is celebrated for its powdery beaches, swaying coconut palms, and emerald-hued interiors, offering an ideal blend of tranquility and sophistication. Beyond its idyllic scenery, Koh Samui has evolved into a global hotspot, with luxury accommodations, acclaimed wellness retreats, and a culinary scene that rivals any in the region.

The Best Things to Do On and Off The Beach in Chaweng

Getting to Koh Samui is refreshingly easy, with direct flights from major Asian cities arriving at its centrally located airport, just minutes from the island’s key destinations. reaching Chaweng Beach is effortless—only a short drive from the airport and perfectly positioned near many of Koh Samui’s highlights. Its accessibility ensures you can dive straight into the island’s beauty and energy the moment you arrive.

Chaweng is one of the most lively and one of the most popular beaches on Koh Samui, offering leisure activities, some of it actually close to the beach, if not on the beach itself. The latest attractions in Chaweng include something for almost everyone, from shopping and temple tours to the most adventurous sports. Here are the best activities you can do on and off the beach in Chaweng Beach:

1. Relax and Sunbathe on the Beach

The 7-km beach is the main attraction of this resort town, and it’s the focal point of the tourism industry. Lie on the beach under the tropical sun, enjoy the warm waters, and get to experience first-hand luxuries of hotels and cafes that are only a few meters from the white sands.

2. Get Adventurous in The Water

Photo by Koh Samui Watersports

If lying down on the beach to sunbathe is a little too laid-back for you, you can try your luck with a sport that lets you ride the waves. Jet skiing is a popular activity, but so are parasailing and banana boat rides. During monsoon season, you might even see a few surfers in the waves.

3. Try a Hybrid Sport

Think parasailing is too wild for you? Try football golf, a sport that is exactly what it sounds like: a combination of soccer and golf that’s at once fun and challenging. Chaweng is not too far from Samui Football Golf, where the thrill of both sports is integrated into a nature walk through a tropical botanic garden with hundreds of plant species.

4. Hang Out at The Mall

A mall in the middle of an island paradise like Koh Samui may sound like a contradiction, but trust us when we tell you that Central Festival Samui is worth a visit. Like its sister mall in Phuket, Central Festival Samui hasmore than its fair share of high-end boutiques, but there’s also a lot of dining options, Instagram-worthy photo stops, and even a virtual reality club for kids.

5. Check Out The Night Market

If, on the other hand, you’re burnt-out from spending too much time (and money) at the mall, you can cross the street from Central Festival Samui to the Chaweng Lake Night Market, where fresh food is plentiful. The market operates in the evenings on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of every week and offers small inexpensive souvenirs alongside the usual Thai food offerings like pad thai and papaya salad.

6. Test Your Culinary Skills With a Cooking Class

Photo by The Daily Meal

Think you’ve got what it takes to be a top chef? Let the professional experts at SALA Resort in Chaweng show you a lesson or two about authentic Thai cuisine. You will be given a choice of delectable dishes to learn how to cook, from soups and curries to stir fried main dishes. Once you’ve mastered the basic dishes, you can approach your cooking with even more confidence than before.

7. Choose Refined Dining

Still hungry for more? The fine dining scene at Chaweng continues to grow, and the choices are more refined than ever.  The Page sits on Chaweng’s beachfront and offers extraordinary takes on every meal from breakfast to dinner, with a never-ending menu of cocktails at the nearby Beach Bar. Meanwhile, the family-friendly Prego Samui specializes in Italian meals that can be shared with large groups.

8. Get A Relaxing Spa Treatment

Nothing beats the indulgence of spending time at the spa, and Eranda Herbal Spa is one of the best on the island. Here you will find many signature treatments to ease tired muscles as well as improve skin conditions. For guests who have spent too much time under the sun, the Eranda Cha Cha treatment involves an aloe and cucumber wrap followed up with Eranda’s special massage and a facial treatment for sunburnt faces. You’ll be sure to glow from head to toe!

9. Check Out The Golden Pagoda

Perched on a hill north of Chaweng Lake and overlooking the entire island of Koh Samui, Wat Khao Hua Jook is home to the Golden Pagoda. The pagoda itself is a breathtaking example of Buddhist art in Thailand, combining architecture and art in one structure. The temple has a replica of Buddha’s footprint kept within the walls of the temple itself as well. You’ll have incredible panoramic views of the island from the pagoda during the daytime, and lights shining over the golden pagoda at nighttime.

10. Feel the Excitement of a Muay Thai Match

Witness Thailand’s national sport by watching Muay Thai fight matches at the Chaweng Stadium or Phetch Buncha Stadium. The former is a newly opened event center hosting many local and foreign fights twice a week while the latter is the foremost venue for Muay Thai events. Watch this fascinating sport with hypnotic Sarama music and enjoy the skill and beauty of the movements of the martial arts fighters.

Find Your Favorite Pastimes in Chaweng

Whatever you’re looking for, expect to find it on Chaweng. The district is a short drive away from many luxury villas in Koh Samui and accessible through many of the main roads on the island. The options for entertainment, sports, and even shopping are nearly endless, and with all the activities you can think of, every hour and every day in Chaweng will be an experience you’ll never forget.

Discover your next adventure in paradise with our Koh Samui Travel Guide.

Related Article: Beaches of Koh Samui

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Featured Photo: kosamui.com