Table of Contents
Introduction
The beauty of Koh Samet extends beyond its well known beaches. For photographers, the island offers unique, less explored locations perfect for capturing stunning images. This post guides you to one such hidden gem, an old Koh Samet pier that provides an ideal setting to practice long exposure photography. The black and white image above suits the pier’s weathered character; however, you might like to learn more about this photograph and see a colour version.
Directions
Getting to Koh Samet
To get to Koh Samet (or Samed) you need to get to Ban Phe on the Thai mainland. This is a two to three hour drive from Bangkok. Ferries and small speedboats go from here to Nandan port on Koh Samet. There are different options depending on where you are staying on the island. You may find a hotel provides a complimentary boat transfer or will organise it for you.
Where to Stay
I stayed at the Green Bay Samed Resort on Ao Hin Khok which is ideally placed and also the staff there were very helpful organising a speedboat. The old Koh Samet pier is located at Ao Cho (or Chor) and it would definitely be best to stay on the east coast particularly if you wish to catch the scene at sunrise. There are many beautiful beaches and plenty of hotel options on this side of the island.
The Walk to the Pier
Starting from Ao Hin Khok there is a lovely coastal path which follows the beaches and headlands south. It took me about 30 min walking in the dark to reach Ao Cho.
Exploring Further on Koh Samet
I did venture a bit further south along the coastal path as far as Ao Wong Duean where there is a floating pontoon pier but obviously this is no good for this type of long exposure. That’s as far as I went but some maps do indicate there are more piers of some kind at beaches continuing on south.
Map
The map below shows part of the north east coast of Koh Samet. Here’s a guide to the icons in the map header. Click these icons in the map header to either view the legend or follow the route in Google Maps.
Wrapping Up
I hope you found this post helpful and you get a chance to explore the area, and capture some great long exposure photographs. Feel free to share your own experiences in the comments below.
Koh Samet FAQ
The drive from Bangkok takes about 2 1/2 hours. Then there’s a short boat journey of about 15 minutes.
There is definitely a laid-back, chilled island vibe. There are beach bars and restaurants on some beaches. Away from the main beach, it can be quiet and relaxing.
Koh Samet is about 7 km long and 4 km wide at its widest point.
Hiring a motorbike is one option. Another efficient choice is the Songthaews, which are shared pickup vans with clearly displayed prices at the main stops. Additionally, the distances on the island are such that you can easily walk around many parts of it.
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