Koh Samet was named after the Samed Tree or the cajuput tree that grows everywhere on the
island. It was declared ‘Khao Lam Ya – Samet Archipelago Maritime National Park’ in 1981.

You reach the island by local fishing boat from Ban Phea in Muang District of Rayong Province.
The boat trip takes about 30mins. The boat run back and forth around the clock with the minimum
of seven passengers. There are direct routes to some beaches from which one can walk to
other beaches through a relatively primitive inland road network. Most of the beaches are
located on the northern and eastern sides of this the island. But it is more convenient to reach
Ao Prao by a direct ferry from Ban Phea.



The weather on Koh Samet is more comfortable than inland. Nevertheless, the rainy season
goes from May to September with heavy rains, high surges and monsoons in May. Activities are
sunbathing on the beach, making inland excursion on foot or by chartered bus or taking a boat
trip around the island.

Koh Tai Kang Kao and Koh Tam Rusi, located near Koh Kudee, offer swimming, scuba diving,
seeing coral reefs and camping. There is information for accommodations and campgrounds
provided at the park office on these isles.

Koh Kruoy, Koh Kham and Koh Plateen, 600 meters north of Koh Kudee, are also other sites
superb for coral reef exploring while Koh Talu is excellent for trekking, seeing some rare
species of bats and turtles, and deep water diving.

Observe that it is hard to find accommodation during the peak season in March