Hat Mae Ramphueng

Hat Mae Ramphueng runs roughly 12 kilometres along Rayong’s Gulf coast, starting about 10 km west of the Ban Phe pier where boats leave for Koh Samet. It sits at the western edge of Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park, but the beach strip itself is outside the park’s fee gate — walk-in access is free, dawn to dusk.

Casuarina trees (locally “son thale,” often mistaken for pine by visitors) line the sand in long unbroken rows, throwing real shade rather than the token palms found on Rayong’s more developed beaches. The slope into the water is gentle and the Gulf stays calm here outside the June–October rains, which makes it one of the safer swimming beaches on this stretch of coast for families. Seafood shacks cluster near the access points off Sukhumvit Road, grilling whole pla pao (salt-crusted fish) and serving som tam to weekend crowds from Rayong and Chonburi; midweek, long sections empty out almost entirely.

Insider Tip: Skip the main entrance near Suan Son and park further west along the unnamed sois off Highway 3145 — the sand runs uninterrupted the whole way, and you’ll have a stretch to yourself even on a Saturday.

Weekday mornings before 9am are the best window: soft light for photos, cool enough to walk the full length, and vendors are just setting up rather than already crowded. Sunset draws a modest local crowd to the western end, where Khao Laem Ya’s hillside viewpoint frames Ko Samet across the water — worth the short drive up if you’re staying nearby.

Watch out: There’s almost no shade structure beyond the tree line, and toilets are basic and spread thin along a 12 km stretch — pick your parking spot before committing to a long walk with kids or gear.

Getting here means a car or motorbike; there’s no public transport running the length of the beach, and ride-hailing coverage is patchy this far from Rayong town. Most visitors combine it with a stop at the Ban Phe pier for the Koh Samet ferry, or the drive up to Khao Laem Ya for sunset. Rayong town is the nearest base with a fuller range of hotels and restaurants.