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Is Bangrak good for families and couples?

Is Bangrak good for families and couples?
Quick answer

Yes, if you want great sunsets, cafes and beach clubs. Bangrak (also written Bang Rak) is the ferry port for Koh Phangan and is often overlooked. The beach is fine but not the best on Samui. There are roadworks, and roadside parking is harder here than in other places on Samui.

In this article

    Bangrak: the overlooked ferry port with great sunsets

    Bangrak (also written Bang Rak) is the ferry port for Koh Phangan, and it is often overlooked. It does have great sunsets, cafes and beach clubs, and it is home to Big Buddha. The beach is fine, but it isn't the best on Samui, so it suits people who want the sunsets and the places along the seafront more than a big beach day. Kohpac and Suk Por Farm are inland and well worth a visit.

    Bangrak: who it suits, and where to look if it doesn't

    Good for

    Families and couples who want sunsets, cafes and beach clubs, without the crowds of the busier northern beaches.

    Think twice if

    You want the best beach on Samui, or an easy drive and park. There are roadworks, and roadside parking is harder here than elsewhere on the island.

    If Bangrak isn't quite right:

    • Want somewhere quieter and more laid back? Try Bang Por.
    • Want more choice in the evenings? Try Fisherman's Village / Bo Phut, for couples or families.

    Where to stay in Bangrak: a boutique beach club resort or a budget sunset view

    Tembo Beach Club & Resort is the boutique pick, with a beach club on site. Sea Sun Bed & Beyond is the budget pick, with a sunset view. For more, see where to stay in Bangrak.

    Tembo Beach Club & Resort, Bangrak

    Tembo Beach Club & Resort

    Bangrak

    Best for a genuinely personal, founder-run boutique stay · Pool day beds looking onto the beach · Bangrak

    Check prices
    Sea Sun Bed & Beyond, Bangrak

    Sea Sun Bed & Beyond

    Bangrak

    Best for a genuine sunset view at a properly budget-friendly price · Dorm option available · Bangrak

    Check prices

    Eating and drinking in Bangrak: date night and a family sunset dinner

    Nahm is the date night pick for couples, and Sea Sun is the family pick for a sunset dinner. Tembo Beach Club and Cafe KOB by the Sea are also worth a look for a drink or a bite by the water. For more, see the best sunset spots near Big Buddha.

    Nahm, Bangrak

    Nahm

    Bangrak

    Best for date night and sunset drinks · Soiree, the new adults-only (18+) upstairs bar

    Sea Sun, Bangrak

    Sea Sun

    Bangrak

    Best for families at sunset · Space between tables, steps down to the beach

    Beyond the beach in Bangrak: Big Buddha, Kohpac and Suk Por Farm

    Big Buddha is the island's best-known temple and is right here in Bangrak, so it is well worth a stop. Kohpac and Suk Por Farm are both inland, and both are worth the trip. Kohpac is the pick for couples, and Suk Por Farm is the pick for kids.

    Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), Bangrak

    Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

    Bangrak

    Best for the island's most iconic temple · Reached by a flight of steps, with sweeping views at the top

    Kohpac, Bangrak

    Kohpac

    Bangrak

    Best for a jungle-set dinner, unlike anywhere else on the island · Tapas Thu, 10-course tasting menu Fri & Sat

    Suk Por Farm, Bangrak

    Suk Por Farm

    Bangrak

    Best for a relaxed, unstructured stop · Animals, pedalos, bouncy castle, pay-as-you-go

    Getting around Bangrak: easy by Grab, walkable, but expect roadworks

    Grab is easy to get to nearby places, and Bangrak itself is walkable. There are roadworks, so allow extra time, and roadside parking is harder here than in other places on Samui. It is about 15 minutes from the airport.

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