Hat Chaweng

Situated on Sanui's east coast, this is Sanui's longest and most beautiful beach, a 6km strip of powder-soft sand fronted by crystal-clear water. It also has the Island 's largest concentration of accommodation, ranging from five-star resort to simple bamboo bungalows. Hat Chaweng is the centre for water sport activities like windsurfing and jetskiing in the day, and it has a great social scene at night, when the dance halls pulsate to the latest rhythms.

Hat Maenam, Hat Bophut and Hat Bang Rak

These are all located along the north coast , and ideal places for those who want to get away from it all. Bang Rak is often called ' Big Buddha Beach ' because of the huge Buddha image at the eastern end of the beach that looks particularly impressive at sunset.

Hat Lamai

Also on the east coast, 'just south of Hat Chaweng, Hat Lamai attracts surfers to its play- ful waters, which run a little deeper than at Hat Chaweng. Behind the beach there are several spas, where visitors can treat themselves to an herbal sauna, a relaxing'Thai massage, or even a mud facial.

South and West Coast Beaches

Even more isolated than the north coast beaches, those on the south and west coasts are not linked by the island's ring road, though access is easy enough for anyone curious to take a look. At Laem Set in the south, the sea is too shallow for swimming, but the huge smooth boulders on the beach and coconut palms leaning over at impossible angles give it a special feel. In the island's south- west, Hat Taling Ngam may not be quite as perfect as Hat Chaweng, but has a long strip of sand that is often deserted and makes an ideal spot for a beach ramble. At the northern end of the bay, the luxurious Ban Taling Ngam Resort has several swimming pools and villas set on a hill with great views of the beach.