Ko Samaesan in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district is a great one-day excursion from Bangkok. Beautiful, clean sandy beaches and clear water are guaranteed thanks to the regulations imposed by the Royal Thai Navy, which has jurisdiction over the island.
Ko Samaesan is one of the nine islands in the Plant Genetic Conservation Project, a royal initiative of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, to promote the island as a place of learning and ecotourism. Visitors can go snorkelling, ride in a glass bottom boat, go kayaking and biking around the island, but overnight stays are not permitted. Please note that to gain admission to the island, foreign visitors who cannot communicate in Thai need a Thai citizen to accompany them. So get your Thai friends on board!
You can book a ticket to Ko Samaesan in advance here https://www.samaesarnisland.com/index.php/booking/ and collect the ticket at the Thai Island and Sea Natural History Museum (or you can simply buy the tickets at the Museum). You can get the boat to Ko Samaesan from Khao Ma Cho Pier, which is nearby.
- Boat schedule:
- to the island:
- 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.
- from the island:
- 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. (Sat & Sun 4:30 p.m.)
- Fee (round-trip)
- 600 Baht (both adult and child)
- The maximum number of passengers is 70 persons.
The ticket to the island can be used to gain admission to the Thai Island and Sea Natural History Museum.
You can visit Ko Samaesan all-year round to enjoy the two beaches of Tian and Luklom. The travel time between the mainland and the island is about 10 minutes and on arrival at Hat Tian, visitors will be given the necessary information (in Thai only) by the officials.
From the landing, a shuttle cart will take you to Luklom Beach in about 5-10 minutes. You can also walk if you want. Many fun activities are organised for visitors, and you can reserve your place at a table nearby. Small shops selling snacks and drinks are also available.
How about kayaking your way around the island? Up to 3 persons can be on board, and it costs only 100 Baht per hour. . Glass bottom canoes are also available for rent.
Snorkelling, including equipment costs 50 Baht per person. Qualified instructors are on hand to help beginners. The site is about 400 metres from the shore.
For those who are not in the mood for snorkelling, hop on a glass bottom boat (20 Baht for 20 minutes; capacity of 6 persons).
To enjoy the views of the island from a vantage point, hike the 450-metre trail up to the viewpoint. Make sure though you can return in time to catch the last boat from the island at 4:00 p.m.
There is limited freshwater supply for visitors to clean up at Luklom Beach, but you can take a proper shower later at Khao Ma Cho Pier on the mainland. The pier to and from the island is Tian Beach, where you can buy some simple food from a navy welfare shop.
- Please note that pets, alcohol, and styrofoam containers are not allowed on the island. And foreign visitors must be accompanied by a Thai citizen if they are unable to communicate adequately in Thai.
To have a pleasant and smooth trip, make sure to check the weather forecast and manage your time well. Ko Samaesan is especially popular on weekends and holidays. The island usually sees many repeat visitors, thanks to its easy access, plenty of things to do, and of course beauty.
Tambon Samaesan, Amphoe Sattahip, Chon Buri.
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
0 3843 2475, 0 3843 2473, 0 3843 2475 (Ko Samaesan PR)
https://goo.gl/maps/Dag5TjbhVYW38Sx26
