Nathon is Koh Samui's old town and main port, on the island's quieter west coast. It is where many travellers first arrive by ferry from the mainland, and where island life carries on much as it always has: government offices, banks and markets, old wooden shophouses, and a waterfront where locals gather to eat as the sun goes down over the sea. It isn't a beach resort, but it is one of the best places on Samui to see the island's everyday Thai side.
Nathon at a glance
- Where: West coast of Koh Samui, facing the mainland and Ang Thong
- Best for: Local food, sunsets, a glimpse of everyday island life, ferry arrivals
- The beach: A waterfront rather than a swimming beach; Lipa Noi is nearby
- Nearby: Hin Lad Waterfall, Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam, the west-coast sunset spots
What Nathon is like
Nathon is a working town rather than a tourist town. Two or three parallel streets run behind the seafront, with the waterfront road along the sea, a busier main road in the middle and quieter back streets where some of the island's oldest wooden Chinese-Thai shophouses still stand. You'll find pharmacies, banks, hardware shops, tailors and simple restaurants, and far fewer tourists than on the east coast.
It is an easy place to spend a relaxed afternoon: wander the old streets, stop for coffee, then stay for sunset and dinner by the sea.
Sunsets and the waterfront
Because Nathon faces west, it is one of the best places on Koh Samui to watch the sunset. On a clear evening the sun drops behind the islands of Ang Thong and the mainland, and the long pier and seafront promenade are popular spots to watch it, with locals strolling, fishing and meeting friends.
Nathon Night Food Market
Every evening, food stalls set up along the waterfront for the Nathon Night Food Market, one of the best local food markets on the island and the perfect place to be at sunset. Look out for hor mok (curry steamed in banana leaf), spicy seafood salads and grilled fish with seafood dipping sauce. Stalls open from late afternoon, but the market is at its best between about 6pm and 9pm, when all the vendors are open. Bring cash.
Where to eat and drink
Beyond the night market, Nathon is full of simple, good-value local restaurants. Nathon Chicken and Rice is a good choice for a classic Thai lunch, and the town's small cafes and noodle shops are a world away from beach-resort prices. Opening hours can change, so it is worth checking before you go.
Nathon pier and ferries
Nathon's pier is one of Koh Samui's arrival points for ferries from Donsak on the mainland, and the town is the first stop for many travellers coming overland via Surat Thani. For the full picture of routes and timings, see our guide on how to get to Koh Samui.
Nearby: waterfalls, beaches and the west coast
- Hin Lad Waterfall: a tiered waterfall and jungle walk, a short drive south-east of Nathon. See our guide to hiking in Koh Samui.
- Lipa Noi: a long, shallow, quiet beach just south of Nathon, with calm water and lovely sunsets, and a good local fresh market.
- Taling Ngam: a peaceful stretch of the south-west coast with resorts, rocky coves and sunset views.
Where to stay in and around Nathon
There are a few simple hotels and guesthouses in Nathon itself, but most visitors who want to be on the west coast stay at Lipa Noi or Taling Ngam, where quiet beachfront resorts and villas look out to the sunset. The west coast suits travellers who want peace and quiet and don't mind driving to the east coast for nightlife.
How to get to Nathon
Nathon is around 30 to 40 minutes by car from Chaweng and from Samui International Airport, depending on traffic, along the main ring road. Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) also run to Nathon during the day. If you book a tour with us, return transfers from your accommodation are included on most trips.
Things to do from Nathon
- Private island tour: Samui's viewpoints, waterfalls and temples with your own guide
- Private cultural tour: temples, the Secret Buddha Garden and island culture
- Luxury longtail tours: a relaxed private day to Pig Island and Koh Taen
- Ang Thong National Marine Park tours: the islands you can see from Nathon's waterfront
Frequently asked questions
Where is Nathon in Koh Samui?
Nathon is on Koh Samui's west coast, facing the mainland, around 30 to 40 minutes' drive from Chaweng and the airport.
Is Nathon worth visiting?
Yes, for a few hours or an evening. Nathon is Koh Samui's old town, with local markets, old shophouses, great street food and some of the island's best sunsets.
Is there a beach in Nathon?
Nathon has a waterfront rather than a swimming beach. For a beach on the west coast, Lipa Noi is a short drive south.
When is the Nathon night market?
The Nathon Night Food Market sets up along the waterfront every evening. It is at its best between about 6pm and 9pm, when all the stalls are open.
Do ferries arrive in Nathon?
Yes. Nathon's pier is one of the arrival points for ferries from Donsak on the mainland, used by many travellers coming via Surat Thani.
Is Nathon good for sunsets?
Very. Nathon faces west, so the sun sets over the sea and the islands of Ang Thong, making the waterfront one of the best sunset spots on Koh Samui.
