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Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand and is situated off the east coast in the Gulf of Thailand. Alongside its neighbors, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, it attracts millions of visitors each year. Visitors come to explore the clear turquoise waters and white powder sand beaches and to enjoy the numerous amenities and resorts. One of Koh Samui’s biggest attractions is the breadth of resorts and beaches available, catering to all manner of visitors. You’ll find wooden shacks on the beach in some areas, while others will host 5-star resorts and even family-friendly accommodation. Koh Samui undoubtedly has something to offer everyone. Add in the famous Thai hospitality and cuisine, and you can begin to understand why this is such a popular destination.
The best time to visit Koh Samui is primarily dictated by the island’s climate and the seasons. Undoubtedly, the best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from late December until early April. Following the dry season is the hot season, which sees high humidity and intermittent downpours. This typically runs from mid-April until early September. The hot season is followed by the wet season, from September to mid-December. Rainfall is common and temperatures are cooler.
As well as timing your visit to make the most of the weather, you may also want to consider visiting during a festival. A visit to the island during Chinese New Year is often a rewarding experience. Undoubtedly, the best festival to be around for is Songkran, the Thai New Year. Also known as the ‘water festival’, visiting Koh Samui during this time is an unforgettable and wet experience. Water fights occur across the island throughout the day and sometimes continue for several days. Visitors are targeted as much as locals, so be prepared to be soaked.
Koh Samui has excellent transport links with an airport on the island and a regular ferry service. The airport has frequent daily connections to Bangkok, Phuket, and Utapao. The airport also services selected international arrivals from neighboring countries.
There are four ferry piers on Koh Samui, servicing arrivals from the mainland and onward ferries to the neighboring islands of Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Nathon Pier is the main arrival pier for the frequent ferries from the mainland. Most mainland ferries depart from the Donsak pier just outside of the city of Surat Thani. The city is well connected by both bus and train, and many visitors take overnight sleeper buses and trains from Bangkok.
Onward ferries to the islands of Kao Tao and Koh Phangan are less frequent but still run daily. Most depart from Bangrak Pier or Nathon Pier.
Koh Samui covers an area of 229 km sq. Measuring 25 km long and 21 km wide, it’s relatively easy to navigate using the ring road. There are beach resorts in the north, south, west, and east of the island, while the center is primarily covered by jungle.
Chaweng is Koh Samui’s largest resort located in the northeast of the island. The beach measures almost 7km, making it the longest beach on the island. Along the beach, you’ll find a host of hotels, bars, and restaurants. The northern part of the beach is particularly raucous and is the main party area on the island. You’ll find a wide range of accommodation in Chaweng, from backpacker-style dormitories to 5-star boutique hotels.
12 km south of Chaweng is the beach and resort town of Lamai. Set along a 4 km stretch of gently curving beach, Lamai is a much more relaxed destination than Chaweng, but still with plenty of amenities. The main town is situated at the southern end of the beach where the more luxurious accommodation is located. The northern end of the beach is home to wooden beach shacks, popular with backpackers. While the beach is smaller and thinner than Chaweng, it’s much quieter, and the setting is spectacular.
The town and beach of Bo Phut is located on the northern coast of Koh Samui. The beach extends to a couple of kilometers in length, and while still pretty, it’s not in the same league as Chaweng or Lamai Beach. The main reason to stay or visit is the area known as Fisherman’s Village, which is the oldest part of the island. Old Chinese shop houses line the streets and create an atmosphere and authenticity absent from many of the newer resorts.
Situated to the west of Bo Phut is Mae Nam Beach. Measuring around 6 km, the beautiful beach is much quieter than those at Chaweng and Lamai. The calm waters here attract families and couples, meaning it’s a much calmer and serene location. Mae Nam is a great choice if you’re looking to get away from everything for a few days but still want amenities nearby.
Lipa Noi Beach on Koh Samui’s west coast is one of the island’s best-kept secrets. The gently curving 3 km long beach is the quietest of all the beaches we’ve covered. It’s a more remote location, and its focus on villas rather than hotels ensures it’s never too busy, even in peak season. The beach’s other benefit is its location on the west coast, ensuring spectacular daily sunsets. There’s not a massive range of local amenities close to the beach, so it’s helpful to have your own transport.
Koh Samui’s beaches are undoubtedly its star attraction, but there’s plenty more to do on the island, both in and on the water. We’ve put together the following list of the best things to do on Koh Samui to make your holiday even more memorable:
We hope you’ve enjoyed our Koh Samui guide. Why not try some of our other guides for Asia or perhaps other beach escape ideas?
