Thong Tanote beach — Samui's quiet southwest corner by scooter (2026)

Getting there by scooter

From Chaweng the beach is on the opposite side of the island. I take the ring road south through Lamai and on along the south coast. At a relaxed pace I plan about an hour each way, more if traffic in Lamai is heavy. From Taling Ngam, the nearest beach area on the west coast, it is a short ride south along the coast.

The last part leaves the main road on smaller local lanes. There is an unpaved lane near the beach, so assess the surface before continuing. I don't recommend this stretch for a first ride on a scooter.

Parking: leave the scooter off the sand on firm ground and lock the steering. Check on site whether the land at the end belongs to a resort.

What you get and how long to stay

The reason to come is the remoteness. It's a palm-fringed corner of the coast, well away from the busy east-side beaches, and it feels like a different island from Chaweng. Don't expect a promenade. Facilities here are limited and can change, so bring water and don't count on finding food or a toilet until you have seen what is open.

I would allow an hour or so: a swim if the water and tide allow, some time to rest, then back on the road. On a south-west day it fits between the temples at Laem Sor and the sunset at Taling Ngam.

• Take cash and a full tank. I fill up before leaving the ring road.
• Swimming depends on tide and season. Look at the water before you go in and stay out if it looks rough.
• Phone signal may be weak in this corner. Save the emergency numbers before you ride: 1669 for an ambulance, 1155 for the Tourist Police.

When to go

Morning is my preferred time for the ride itself. The south coast road is cooler and quieter before 10, and the lanes at the end are easier to read in good light. By midday the heat on an open scooter is tiring, and you still have the long ride back.

Late afternoon brings softer light on this side of the island, which faces roughly south and west. The catch is the ride home. I would rather be back on the main road before dark than ride unfamiliar local lanes at night.

Rainy season, October to December: showers are often short, but they turn the smaller lanes slick and can leave sand and mud on the turns. If the morning looks heavy, choose a nearer beach and save this one for a dry day. My notes on riding in rain and after dark are on rain and night riding.

Combine it with

Thong Tanote is a stop on my south-west route (36.3 km: Taling Ngam, Lipa Noi, Laem Sor). That is the natural way to see it, as one quiet day on the side of the island most visitors skip.

• Laem Sor Pagoda stands by the sea at the southwest tip, very close by. Combine the two in one stop.
• Wat Khao Chedi (White Temple) is on the hill above Laem Sor and has a view over the coast. Go up before the beach while it is cooler.
• Taling Ngam Beach is north along the west coast. End the day there for the sunset.

If you want a different kind of beach on another day, the full list is on Samui beaches by scooter.

Questions