The EditPlace Round-up

Which sunset experiences are worth it for couples in Koh Samui?

Which sunset experiences are worth it for couples in Koh Samui?
Quick answer

Three ways to do sunset as a couple in Koh Samui: a sunset horse ride on Lipa Noi beach followed by dinner at Eat by the Sand just along the sand, a full sunset dinner cruise on a traditional sailboat with hotel pickup included, or a DIY, no-facilities picnic with wine and snacks from Tops at Laem Yai Beach, no booking required.

Sunset only lasts so long, so make it count. These are the three ways to spend it properly as a couple, on land, on the water, or without spending a baht on tickets.

Sunset shifts more than you'd expect for an island this close to the equator.

Which sunset ride can you turn into a whole evening?

Fisherman's Horse Riding runs a sunset ride along Lipa Noi's quiet west-coast sand, then it's a short walk further along the beach to Eat by the Sand for dinner.

Which boat trip is worth it for a full sunset dinner?

The Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise puts you on a traditional wooden sailboat for three hours.

What if you'd rather not book anything?

Laem Yai Beach, the quiet stretch below the Four Seasons, faces west and suits the DIY, bring-your-own approach. Prefer something more catered for? We've mapped the best sunset dinner spots near Big Buddha as well.

All three tested personally. Book the horse riding and the boat trip ahead, especially in high season, the beach needs nothing but a good bottle of wine.

Want to make a full evening of it? Pair any of these with dinner at one of our picks for a special occasion, or if you'd rather watch the sunset from your room too, see where to stay for the sunset view on Koh Samui.

Fisherman's Horse Riding, Lipa Noi

Fisherman's Horse Riding

Lipa Noi
Best for a sunset ride along the beach
Booking Required

On Lipa Noi's quiet west coast, suited to riders of all levels: a gentle walk if you're new to it, or the option to canter and gallop along the beach if you're experienced. Time it right with the tide and you can even canter out on a sand bar in the sea itself. It's a message-ahead operation rather than a walk-up one, contact them on Instagram or by phone to lock in a sunset slot, especially in high season.

Worth knowing: Despite the name, it's based in Lipa Noi, not Fisherman's Village, they'll send you a location pin once you've booked rather than a fixed address to turn up to.

Stay nearby:

Lipa Lodge Beach Resort | IDA B Domain

Eat by the Sand, Lipa Noi

Eat by the Sand

Lipa Noi
Best for relaxed beachfront dining with sunset views
Good for Sunset

Relaxed dining right on the beach, with a good, varied menu and genuinely peaceful surroundings. The sunset views from the tables are the real draw, worth timing your booking for golden hour and letting dinner run into it.

Stay nearby:

Lipa Lodge Beach Resort | IDA B Domain

Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise, Departs Petchrat Marina (Bangrak), hotel pickup included

Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise

Departs Petchrat Marina (Bangrak), hotel pickup included
Best for a full evening on the water, hotel pickup included
Booking Required

Three hours aboard a traditional wooden sailboat, hotel pickup and drop-off included. A welcome drink, buffet dinner and a swim stop before the boat settles in for sunset as it passes Choeng Mon Beach.

Book now →
Laem Yai Beach, Maenam

Laem Yai Beach

Maenam
Best for a no frills, chilled afternoon or DIY sunset picnic
Good for Sunset

A quiet, no-frills stretch of beach below the Four Seasons headland, west-facing so the sun drops straight over the water. There's very little in the way of facilities here, so it suits a DIY, bring-your-own approach rather than a full set-up: grab a bottle of wine and some snacks on the way (Tops will be better for wine than 7/11), no reservation and nothing to spend beyond the shop.

Worth knowing: Certain times of the year the tide is far out. Nothing that will spoil your trip here but just worth knowing.

Stay nearby:

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

What to read next