Chaweng provides everything
within a short distance. A choice of restaurants,
a great beach, some interesting shops,
and a the best nightlife in Samui. During
the day, life revolves around the beach.
You can relax, walk to the nearest offshore
island at low tide, go canoeing, go sailing,
have a Thai massage or a pedicure, eat
a wonderful lunch overlooking the beach,
or simply snack on your beach mat with
some fried chicken. It's relaxing and
friendly, which attracts families, singles
and couples year after year.
Although rapidly developing
with the old rustic charm of a few years
ago replaced with McDonalds, Boots (the
Chemists) Starbucks and the like, Chaweng
still retains its local flavour. Lots
of excellent restaurants, small shops
to browse, and of course, seven kilometres
of white sand beach.
Many hotels are located directly on the
beach, along with restaurants and small
bars, some independent, some attached
to the hotels. So once you've settled
in your spot, you don't have to walk very
far to eat or drink. If you really don't
want to move, there are vendors serving
fruit, fried chicken, ice cream and drinks.
You can also buy your sarong, and souvenirs!
Although it gets busy during the high
season especially in August, along this
long sandy beach, there's room for everyone.
The water is clean, with average temperatures
between 25-28 degrees Celsius.....
Just offshore from
the beach is a reef and a some small islands
close by. The nearest one can easily be
accessed by walking through the shallow
water. The second island, further out
and larger, provides the perfect venue
for snorkeling and kayaking. Bring shoes
if you plan to walk around the islands,
as they are made of sharp coral sands.
Where to stay
Chaweng has a wide
range of accommodation from basic bungalows
to luxury resorts. Many of the hotels
are located literally on the beach, with
no roads to cross, so you can step out
of your room and have breakfast by the
sea. Most other accommodation is situated
within easy walking distance of the of
the beach.
Daytime
activities
Kayak rentals can be
found in front of many hotels at reasonable
rates. Paddle to the islands near the
reef with or without a guide, and don't
forget your snorkeling gear.
Windsurfing and Sailing
in catamarans is also on offer. The wind
is at its best from December to February.
Chaweng is an excellent place for beginners
as the bay is quite shallow and you can
always just walk back to the beach. Lessons
are available for around 800B per hour.
For advanced windsurfers, it's better
outside the reef and in the early morning
when the winds are stronger.
If you really want
to relax, why not treat yourself to a
Thai massage which can be found almost
everywhere on the beach, under a shady
tree, or in a little open air wooden pavilion.
Also on offer are manicures, pedicures,
hair braiding and other body treatments
which will leave you both relaxed and
refreshed.
Nightlife
Chaweng has the best
in Samui. The main entertainment area
can be found around in the centre of town
around the Green Mango disco, which draws
partygoers every night with its excellent
DJ's and live bands. Outside are lots
of smaller outdoor bars, offering an alternative
scene to the Green Mango.
Chaweng also has a
number of smaller bars and music clubs
where you can chill out to jazz, rock
and reggae. The well-known Reggae Pub,
established more than 14 years ago, is
still popular, especially after midnight.
New government regulations for all venues
have not managed to dampen the party atmosphere,
despite 2am closing.
Chaweng has lots of
Songtaews, which run regularly through
the night. These converted pickups are
very cheap and an excellent way to travel
to your hotel after a night's partying.
Much better than a motorbike....
Shopping
Travel and tour offices
can be found all along the main street,
as well as Internet cafes. There are plenty
of vendors selling everything from imitation
sunglasses to watches and Louis Vuttion
(as spelled on the bags). Many CDs, DVDs
and video games can be found at amazingly
cheap prices, but be aware that some movies
are actually shot with a standard video
camera directly in the cinema, don't be
surprised if you see the silhouettes of
the audience at the bottom of the screen
Chaweng also has some
very trendy handicraft and fashion boutiques,
with new shops opening all the time. A
3 storey shop on the south end of Chaweng
has all the Thai handicrafts you could
wish for, but it can be more expensive
than smaller shops.
As everywhere in Thailand,
Tailor shops are flourishing absolutely
everywhere, mainly run by the local Indian
community. Armani suit or a Chanel dress?
Made in 24 Hours. Results vary. You'll
get better results if you take an original
item to copy which will usually be fine.
Tailored items seem to come out better
than more fluid designs, so choose your
style and material carefully. Better expect
48 hours and don't hesitate to ask for
adjustments (and discount) if not satisfied
with the first result.
Eating
Out
Chaweng offers a tantalizing
variety of local specialties and continental
menus. Most of the hotels serve a wide
selection of local dishes, some of them
while sitting in your own pavilion directly
on the beach with a relaxing view of the
bay. Unless you specifically ask for your
dish to be spicy, most restaurants will
serve your food milder than the locals
prefer it.
Probably one of the
most unique features of Koh Samui evenings,
is the dinner right on the beach, bordered
by the quiet waters of the lagoon. Many
bars have cushions with mats to end the
evening with a romantic cocktail... but
don't forget mosquito repellent.
On both sides of the
main street there's a huge choice of restaurants.
Samui Seafood offers a menu featuring
delicacies from the sea in an original
setting, reclined on cushions Thai-style,
for a real tropical feeling. Excellent
Italian dinners await you at Juzz'a Pizza
in the Green Mango Square. And of course,
if you feel a need for western fast food
there's always Burger King and Pizza Hut.
Some Recommended
Restaurants:
Budsaba -
Thai and Asian cuisine - Muang Kulay
Pan Hotel, Chaweng north end- 077 422
305
The Islander
- Good International and Thai food
at reasonable prices
Andaluz - Tapas
Bar with authentic food. Run by the
same folks as Budsaba
Poppies -
Beach dining at its best.
Juzz'a Pizza
- Italian specialties - Green Mango
Square - A must try!
Betelnut
- California/Thai fusion - south part
of Chaweng - 077 413 370
Upstairs
- Smooth dining and stylish interior
- Chaweng South 077 413370,
Chaweng Villa
- Thai and Seafood, right on the beach
For reviews and more information about
eating out, please click here
How
to Get around
Songtaew, covered pick-up
trucks which hoot their horn about every
10 metres are an excellent taxi service.
Prices can vary depending on the mood
of the driver, but it should be around
20 Baht/person within the Chaweng area.
You can also use a motorbike taxi, easily
recognized by the drivers' colored vests,
for 10-20 Baht depending on the distance.
If you rent a car and
are not familiar with Thai style driving,
you will realize that driving and parking
here can be difficult. While renting a
motorbike is the easiest way to get around
the island, it is also the most dangerous.
Don't forget to carry your driver's licence
and wear a helmet as the number of bike
accidents is high. Also be aware that
insurance is minimal - in some cases you
are not insured at all when you hire a
motorbike. Big bikes can also be found
in Chaweng, though only experienced riders
should consider renting them given the
dangerous driving conditions. Prices vary
depending on the model and your bargaining
skills.
