Nathon is the major port of Samui, located on its northwest coast. The express and night ferries from Surat Thani arrive here with tourists, on the way to other beaches and islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

With the main car-ferry of Koh Samui located close by, Nathon is an obvious choice for tourists driving from the mainland. The presence of white powdery sand and the absence of rocks ands coral make it the perfect choice for tourists with children. The shallow water is another plus factor.

There are a few spacious bungalows for accommodating the tourists. Big John Seafood is the most popular of them with an attached restaurant worth visiting. Some luxury villas along the beachfront are also offered for rent.

The Samui Dhama Healing Center located here is famous for the intense fasting treatments.

The beach area doesn’t have anything else other than the beautiful beach itself. Tourists who come here are families and older people who are happy to enjoy the tranquility of the place, away from the maddening crowds. Driving through the coconut plantations is one of the favorite pastimes of the tourists.

In spite of the presence of shops, restaurants and other obvious tourist activities, Nathon still retains its village atmosphere. The Chinese wooden shop-houses and cafés are the reminders of the past.