Lamai is a seriously underrated beach. A wide strip of sand, clear water, and plenty of space—there are noticeably fewer people than at Chawenga, and the views are so stunning that you don’t even need to edit your photos. And now, the Zephyr Beach Club has recently opened on this beach—and it seems to fit right in.Zephyr isn’t about “partying until dawn.” It’s a different story here: a calm, sophisticated spot right on the shore. A white-and-blue coastal-style interior, nothing superfluous, the sea right in front of you. There’s a seawater pool and lounge chairs—you lie there, shifting your gaze from the pool to the bay and back, with no need to rush anywhere.They nailed the food: the menu features both Thai and European cuisine, so there’s plenty to choose from for tom yum lovers and those who want a familiar breakfast or pasta. Vegetarians will find something to order, too.A special plus is the music. During the day, they play unobtrusive mid-tempo tunes, perfect for chatting or dozing off on a lounge chair. On Fridays and Saturdays, there are live performances and DJ sets—the atmosphere livens up in the evening without turning into a disco.It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., so you can come here for a late breakfast or sit with a cocktail until dark. You won’t see a sunset as such on Lamai—the sun sets behind the island—but in the evenings, the sky over the sea sometimes turns so pink that half the beach pulls out their phones. Catching an evening like that at Zephyr is a special treat.If you’re in Lamai, stop by. It’s a new spot, not yet overrun with tourists, and that’s part of its charm: you can fall in love with it before everyone else finds out about it.

Zephyr Beach Club—a new spot in Lamai that you’ll want to come back to

If Koh Samui had a heart, I would point right here without a second thought. A twelve-meter-tall golden Buddha sits on a small island off the coast of Bang Rak and is visible even from the plane as you come in to land. Many people first see him that way—through the airplane window.The temple is called Wat Phra Yai; it was built in 1972, which means the statue is older than most of the hotels on the island. Climb the staircase adorned with dragons to the top—and there he is, the Buddha, with the sea and the entire bay spread out before you.Monks often sit at the foot of the statue. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a mini-ceremony: a monk recites a prayer and ties a thin string around your wrist. Then you walk around the island and notice—there are plenty of these strings everywhere, on tourists, on locals, on the barista at the coffee shop. Some wear it as a wish they’ve made, some for good luck, and some to ensure a safe journey home. Everyone has their own truth, and that’s the beauty of it.Around the temple, there’s a scattering of souvenir shops and cafes—you can easily hang out here for a couple of hours. And in the evening, people flock here for the sunset: this part of the island is one of the favorite sunset spots for both visitors and those who have lived on Samui for years. Nearby are two cafes with telling names—See Sun and Sun Set. Grab something cold, sit facing the sea, and just watch the sun dip below the horizon.Here’s a simple tip: come closer to evening, climb up to the Buddha, get your string, take a couple of photos as a keepsake—and stay for the sunset. You’ll understand why you won’t want to leave.

Big Buddha in Bang Rak—the place where Koh Samui begins

Samui is divided into two distinct islands. The eastern part—Chaweng and Lamai—is all neon lights, traffic, and crowds. And the western part—quiet, almost rural, where the bulk of tourists simply don’t venture. It is there, on Lipa Noi Beach, that Nikki Beach is located—the Koh Samui branch of the legendary beach club chain that once began in Miami.From the outside, you’d never guess what lies behind the gates. Inside—snow-white lounge beds with neatly rolled towels, a winding pool that flows through the entire club like a river, a stone amphitheater, coconut palms twenty meters tall, and an open deck right above the sea—from which you can see the silhouettes of the Ang Thong Archipelago islands on the horizon. Everything is done in white and wood, meticulously maintained down to the smallest detail; the staff appears before you even have a chance to ask for anything.The main surprise is that it’s peaceful here. Nikki Beach has a reputation as a party spot, and during peak season, that’s exactly what it is: Saturday is for the dance-filled Saturdance, Sunday is for the famous Amazing Sundays brunch with live cooking stations (from 12 to 4 p.m.). But on a typical weekday, this is a place for slow relaxation: the DJ plays soft daytime sets, there are more loungers than guests, and between the pool, the sea, and coffee, no one is in a hurry to go anywhere. The club is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.Now, let’s be honest about what you should know in advance. To get there from Chaweng or Bophut, you have to cross the entire island—you can’t get there without a bike or a car. Beds come with a minimum deposit: you pay an amount that you then “spend” on food and drinks, and it’s not cheap. The sea at Lipa Noi is shallow—it recedes far at low tide, so you won’t be able to swim properly; this is a beach for “wading knee-deep with a drink.” The pool, however, is for adults only (16+). And you won’t find complete silence here either—music is always playing, albeit unobtrusively.But it’s precisely this balance that makes it worth the trip: lively enough to keep you from getting bored, quiet enough to unwind. And the main draw of the west coast is that the sun doesn’t rise from the sea here—it sets into it. Come after lunch, grab a lounger by the water, and stay until sunset—it’s the best on the island at Lipa Noi.

Nikki Beach: The West Coast's Understated Luxury

Every Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on Samui, there’s one more reason to stay out late. We gather as a team, split into tables, and spend over an hour racking our brains over questions you can’t just Google—you have to remember, figure it out, guess, and shout “I know!” a second before the round ends.It’s a game of wits where the winner isn’t the smartest table, but the friendliest one. Logic, knowledge, creative moves, and a dash of luck—that’s the formula that turns ordinary evenings into exciting ones.Come with a group or on your own—we’ll find you a team right there. All you need is a sharp mind, a good mood, and the desire to prove that your table is the smartest on the island.Saturday. 7:00 PM. Once a week. Brains warmed up—let’s go.

Brain Teaser Every Saturday

Want to learn how to dance or find a place to dance on the island?Yansa Studio, a professional ballroom dance school, has been operating in the Bo Phut area of Koh Samui for over five years, offering daily salsa and bachata classes for all skill levels—from beginners to experienced dancers.And if you already dance, dance parties are held regularly on the island 3–5 times a week. It’s a great way to meet people, enjoy an evening out, and experience the atmosphere of Latin dancing in Samui.For more details, contact professional instructor and party organizer Dmitry

Social Dance (Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba) on Koh Samui

Just a reminder that on Mondays we go to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/gwW486dYBkY98NF87">Samui Hill</a> sauna from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.Let’s warm up with herbal brooms from Russia. We’ll go in as a group, but you’ll also have the chance to steam individually with the best steam master—Dima Mishlanov.

Bath treatments every Monday

Things to do on Koh Samui: beaches, restaurants, parties, tours and attractions. An up-to-date island guide for expats and tourists by Samui 3.1.

Samui Guide