Only an hour's from Pattaya by road 17km east along the coast from Rayong. is the village of Ban Phe, the jumping-off point for the ferry ride to the island of Ko Samet. The island has beaches that surpass Ko Samui and Phuket in quality of sand and cleanliness. The sand is of such a fine quality it is often used by commercial companies to make glass products.

There are several coconut plantations on the island. It's virtually uninhabited, except for some local fishermen. Guided tour in Tawang, Ao Phroa or Wong Duen beaches where you can scuba, windsurf or fish for the day. Catch your own lunch-groupers and sea bass are plentiful.

The Malibu Beach Resort on Wong Duen Beach has a 120-seat restaurant; smaller Thai-style restaurants are located on the other beaches. Rates start at Bt1700 a night. A minibus from Malibu Travel Centre departs Pattaya 0800 daily for Bt200 one way and Bt50 for ferry transfer to Wong Duen Beach, Ko Samet. Overnight accommodation and special packages also available.The most beautiful resort on this island is Ao Proa Resorts www.aopraoresort.com for more details. A National park fee: Bt200 for foreign.