Traveling to Koh Samet is easy. It takes about 2 hours and a half to drive from Bangkok (about 175 kilometers) and only 1 hour from the popular beach resort of Pattaya. The travelers have to travel to Ban Phe, a port near Rayong Town, in order to catch the boat or ferry to cross to Koh Samet. The boat rides takes about 30 minutes.

The most popular pier on Koh Samet is locally called "Na Dan" which evolves into a small village - generally known as Koh Samet Village. It is the closest point from Ban Phe, so no doubt it is most popular. Other piers are also available on the island such as that on Vongduern and Ao Prao Beach. At "Na Dan", there are several pick-up trucks, ready to transport visitors to the different beaches on the Island. The cost varies depending upon the beach that you would like to go since the distance counts. Although the vehicles look very basic, the truck operators here are more or less well organized with the pricelist clearly posted at "Na Dan". You may complain to the authority if you were ripped off; but this is unlikely to occur.

The closest beach from "Na Dan" is Haat Sai Kaew or Saikaew Beach which is about a kilometer away. (Meaning: Haat = Beach; Sai = Sand and Kaew = Crystal). As the name suggests, Sai Kaew means crystalline sand as the beach is shiny, glittering with white sand. Moreover, the sea water is very clear and warm. Haat Sai Kaew is the longest beach on the island. Travelers can hop over from one beach to the next either by foot or by the pick-up trucks that run around the island.

These beaches are namely:- Sai Kaew Beach, Ao Phai, Ao Vong Duern, Ao Wai, Ao Kui Na Nok, Ao Kui Na Nai, Cape Khut, Ao Toei, and Ao Prao. There is a small unpaved road connecting these beaches in the above order.

Accommodation:-
On the island, there are many small hotels and guesthouses with basic standard. Some guesthouses on less popular beaches provide only the lodging. It is ONLY lodging with a cushion, a pillow, a mosquito net and perhaps a blanket. That's all, nothing else - not even electricity nor water supply. The guests have to purchase their own water charged per tub for toilet or bath.

Many hotels do provide electricity, but only partially, not 24 hours as the electricity can be off at midnight. Lantern is perhaps the only choice. For those who prefer comforts, you should check with your hotel or your agent if the electricity is supplied 24 hours a day as well as the water supply. This is due to the fact that the resources on Koh Samet is limited. Although it is only 30 minutes away from the mainland, every supply on the island, except fish, has to be imported.

Recently more hotels with higher quality are gradually developed. At the time of this writing, there are only two hotels on the island that can be rated at 3-star level and these are Ao Prao Resort and Sai Kaew Beach Resort. Just in 2001, the first boutique resort at 4-star level appears on the island and that is Le Vimarn Cottages.