The best sunset bars in Koh Samui give you the opportunity to discover the lesser-known beaches on the west coast of the island – as well as the chance to enjoy them with a few beverages. Among these beaches are Taling Ngam, Lipa Noi and other small coves that are not yet as famous or busy as Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast of the island. They feature a great choice of beachfront dining opportunities under the coconut trees most of them are fringed with.

Standalone businesses or part of a hotel, these top sundowner spots in Koh Samui will add a memorable exotic touch to your vacation in the Gulf of Thailand. What could be more romantic than to sip a skillfully mixed cocktail in a pleasantly warm environment, caressed by the tropical breeze while watching the sun sink under the horizon?

  • 1

    Air Bar Koh Samui

    Air Bar Koh Samui
    • Nightlife

    Belonging to the InterContinental Koh Samui Resort, Air Bar is a top-notch venue to enjoy a sundowner at. Settled on a large wooden terrace overlooking the sea, Air Bar serves delicious cocktails, as well as tapas and snacks such as sushi and sashimi in a refined yet, natural setting. The stunning panoramic view features islands and islets in the background. Note that rates are pretty steep, as quality comes at a price.

    Location: InterContinental Koh Samui Resort, 295 Moo 3, Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 5 pm to midnight

    Phone: +66 (0)77 429 100

    Map
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    Nikki Beach Koh Samui is the premier high-end beach club and resort on the island. Located on the pristine Lipa Noi Beach on the west coast, it’s the only club of its kind to enjoy stunning sunsets. They’re best viewed from the luxurious poolside sun loungers and cabanas.

    The beach club is part of the exclusive 48-room Nikki Beach Resort Koh Samui and has been the island's top V.I.P. chill-out beach experience since its opening in 2009. Reservations are recommended.

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    Location: Nikki Beach Resort Koh Samui, 96/3 Moo 2, Lipa Noi, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 8 am to 1 am

    Phone: +66 (0)77 914 500

    Map
  • 3

    Woobar

    Woobar
    • Nightlife

    Woobar is part of the stylish W Koh Samui, a modern upscale resort located on the small cape separating Bophut from Maenam. Featuring a large outdoor deck with a bathing pool, the bar has a stunning contemporary style enhanced by the panoramic view over the sea. It’s a view that encompasses the northeastern part of Samui and Koh Phangan, some 12 km away out to sea.

    Even though the bar doesn’t directly face the sunset, it offers a pleasant sundowner spot due to its amazing view. Note that there’s an entrance fee applied between 11 am and 6.30 pm, which can be redeemed against food and beverages.

    Location: W Koh Samui, 4/1 Moo 1, Maenam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84330, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 12 am

    Phone: +66 (0)77 915 999

    Map
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    Jahn is an award-winning restaurant at the stylish Conrad Koh Samui, located in the Taling Ngam district at the southwestern tip of Samui Island. Perched on a hill above Phang Ka Bay, it features a wooden terrace offering stunning views of 5 islands lying off the coast of Samui. It’s a great view at any time of day, but especially at sunset, when the warm colors of the sky reveal the magnificence of tropical seaside neighborhoods. While the menu varies from time to time, it focuses on contemporary Thai flavors.

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    Location: Conrad Koh Samui, 49/8 Hillcrest Road, Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 5 pm to 11 pm

    Phone: +66 (0)77 915 888

    Map
  • 5

    The Island View Restaurant

    The Island View Restaurant
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    The Island View Restaurant is a beachfront venue located in Taling Ngam, on the west coast of Samui Island. It's a short stroll south of the Am Samui Resort. This great casual restaurant is a first-class place to spend a relaxing dinner on the beach while sampling delicious local specialties.

    Location: 348 Moo 3, Nara-Taling-Ngam Rd, Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +66 (0)93 575 8209

    Map
  • 6

    Beryl Bar

    Beryl Bar
    • Nightlife

    Beryl Bar is located right on Laem Yai Beach, at the western end of Bang Por in the north of Koh Samui. It’s a simple reggae-style bar and restaurant renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, good food, and cold beers. This unpretentious venue has a genuine Thai feel, and is a great sundowner spot. The dirt road to get there is a bit tricky to handle on a motorbike, but the sunset view is definitely worth the effort.

    Location: Moo 5, Laem Yai Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +66 (0)93 642 8399

    Map
  • 7

    Think & Retro Cafe’

    Think & Retro Cafe’
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Part of a hotel with the same name, Think & Retro Cafe’ is a quirky and unique place. Entirely built under the concept of recycling, the buildings are made from shipping containers and the furniture and decorative ornaments are all made with objects enjoying their second life. And it looks pretty good! Located right on Lipa Noi Beach and therefore facing west, Retro Bar and Restaurant offers a fantastic spot to enjoy a sunset drink in Samui at fair rates.

    Location: 38/48 Lipa Noi Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +66 (0)77 423 951

    Map
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Coco Tam's is a fun beach bar on the western outskirts of Fisherman’s Village. With beanbags on the beach, swing seats at the bar, cabanas, shisha and a large projector screen, it’s a delightful place to relax in Bophut.

    The venue is very much an open-air arrangement, with only a couple of palm-thatch buildings to find once you enter the well-maintained area and a neat little garden separating it from Bophut Beach Road. In the late evenings, this easy-going rustic beach bar is often packed with people nodding to chillout tunes.

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    Location: 62/1 Moo 1, Bophut Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand

    Open: Daily from 1 pm to 1 am

    Phone: +66 (0)91 915 5664

    Map
  • 9

    LaJava Beach Lounge

    A tropical setting with Francophone food

    LaJava Beach Lounge
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    LaJava Beach Lounge makes its home in the chilled-out fishing village of Thong Krut. That puts it on the far southern side of Koh Samui, away from the hustle and bustle of the bigger resorts – a prime location for offering the relaxed drinking and dining that it's known for.

    There's a distinctly French and European twist to the food. Croque monsieur sandwiches are served with vinaigrette salads. You can get crispy croissants in the morning. There are even filled baguettes with creamy reblochon cheese – probably the only reblochon in the Thai Gulf. Enjoy all that with a cold imported beer and views of a creek wiggling from the jungles to the sea.

    Location: 26/2, Ban Thongkrut moo 5, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

    Open: Saturday–Tuesday from noon to 8.30 pm (closed Wednesdays to Fridays)

    Phone: +66 (0)87 271 5533

    Map
  • 10

    L'Ananas

    Andaman views and dinner on the sand

    L'Ananas
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    L'Ananas is a dash of style and class south of the lively ports of Lipa Noi, Koh Samui's main ferry hub on the west coast. Part of the Sunset Beach Resort, it's midway up the sand and can be reached either from the shoreline or the main road to the back.

    Come from the main road and you'll be greeted with 180-degree panoramas thanks to the open frontage. They take in the sky-blue shore waters and the horizon beyond. Food-wise, you're looking at a medley of BBQ Thai fish and Southeast Asian stir-fries, alongside a beverages menu of coconut cocktails and imported European wine labels.

    Location: The Sunset Resort, 126/9, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

    Map
Stephan Audiger | Compulsive Traveler