This Floating Bar in Samui Is Only Accessible by Kayak

This Floating Bar in Samui Is Only Accessible by Kayak: An Ode to Adventure and Good Spirits

There are places that whisper your name, and others that call out in song. Koh Samui, Thailand’s coconut-clad island jewel, is a chorus of both—its beaches and temples, its night markets and quiet lanes weaving the kind of tapestry that invites you to linger, to explore, to surrender. But of all the island’s secret delights, none captured my wanderer’s heart quite like the floating bar bobbing gently off the coast. Only accessible by kayak, it’s a spot where the horizon blurs, the sea shimmers, and the ordinary rules of arrival are joyfully upended.

A Floating Dream: The Bar That Beckons from the Blue

The first time I heard about the floating bar, I was nursing an iced coffee at the open-air cafe at Fisherman’s Village Bophut. The owner, a wiry man with a grin like papaya slices, leaned over and said, “You want something special? Go to the floating bar. But you’ll have to paddle.”

This bar—technically called the Ko Samui Floating Bar—is moored off the curve of Bangrak Beach. You can search for it on Google Maps by typing: Ko Samui Floating Bar. If you stand on the sand at sunset, you’ll spot it: a cheerful raft, canopied in white, bobbing on the lazy waves, laughing in the face of gravity and convention.

Setting Out: Kayak Over Sapphire Waters

To reach the bar, you don’t hail a taxi or a tuk-tuk. Instead, you rent a kayak—most local operators on Bangrak Beach (search for Bangrak Beach on Google Maps) will sort you out for a small fee. The paddle out is gentle, the water a warm silk that laps at your hands. With every stroke, the shore shrinks, and you become a speck between sky and sea. It’s a moment of pure, unscripted joy—my heart thudded with the thrill of arrival, of doing things the slow, old-fashioned way.

The Floating Bar Experience: Sun, Sea, and Sundowners

Clambering aboard the floating bar is half the fun—sometimes you have to time your leap just so, dodging a spray of salt water and landing with a triumphant laugh. Once on deck, there’s a sense of camaraderie among the guests—fellow travelers and locals, all of us marooned (by choice) together.

Order a cold Chang or a tangy mojito. The bartenders, tanned and barefoot, have stories to tell—ask them about the best street food on the island, or the time a pod of dolphins circled the bar at dawn. On my last visit, a guitarist strummed a lazy tune while the sun melted into the Gulf of Thailand, painting everything in gold.

The bar itself is a marvel of island ingenuity: low tables, bean bag chairs, and an easygoing, barefoot dress code. Time seems to slip sideways here. The only schedule is the one written by the tides and your own appetite for another drink.

Tips for the Curious Traveler

1. Paddle Safe:
If you’re new to kayaking, don’t fret—the paddle out is short and the waters are usually calm. But wear a life jacket, and keep an eye on the weather. The staff at Bangrak Beach are friendly and will give you a hand if you need it.

2. What to Bring:
Bring a dry bag for your phone and wallet (I learned this the hard way after a rogue wave gave my shorts a saltwater rinse). Reef-safe sunscreen is a must, and I recommend a hat—the sun is a generous companion but not always a gentle one.

3. Go for Sunset:
The floating bar is at its most magical as the sun sinks behind the island. Arrive an hour before sunset to snag a good seat and watch the sky erupt in color.

4. Make It Part of Your Day:
Pair your floating bar adventure with a stroll through Fisherman’s Village Bophut, a lovely maze of old teak shop-houses and beachside cafes. Or, for a cultural detour, visit the serene Wat Plai Laem temple nearby, with its dazzling statues and lotus ponds.

A Farewell, and an Invitation

As night falls, you’ll paddle back to shore—a little tipsy, a little sun-kissed, the island’s song playing in your heart. The floating bar isn’t just a quirky watering hole; it’s a reminder that the best journeys often require a bit of effort, a willingness to leave the pavement behind and float, if only for an afternoon, between earth and sky.

So here’s my invitation, friend: next time you find yourself in Samui, let the island’s gentle mischief lead you to the floating bar. Bring your curiosity, your laughter, and your sense of adventure. The sea—and a cold drink—will be waiting.

—Eustorgio