Travel guide · Thailand
Koh Samui travel guide
Palm-fringed beaches, island resorts and boat trips in the Gulf of Thailand
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Manfred Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Koh Samui, Thailand's second-largest island, is ringed by a coastal road of about 50 km linking a dozen beaches, from busy Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast to quieter Bophut, Maenam and the sunset-facing west. Coconut plantations and forested hills fill the interior, with waterfalls and viewpoints. Samui's weather pattern differs from the Andaman coast: it is driest from about February to August, and wettest from October to December. Plan 6 days for a first visit; the best months are February–April and June–August.
Key facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Best time to visit
- February–April and June–August
- Ideal stay
- 6 days
- Main airports
- USM, URT
- Mid-range daily budget
- $90–$200 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha, Fisherman's Village and Ang Thong Marine Park
Why visit Koh Samui
- Beaches for every style, from Chaweng's lively strip to the calm, shallow bays of Choeng Mon and Maenam.
- Ang Thong National Marine Park's 40-odd limestone islands are a day trip by boat, with kayaking and a viewpoint climb.
- Bophut's Fisherman's Village keeps old wooden shophouses and holds a busy walking-street market on Friday evenings.
- Its weather is driest in July and August, when the Andaman coast is in monsoon.
- Ferries reach Koh Phangan and Koh Tao for diving, snorkelling and Phangan's Full Moon Party.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 15 things to do.
Religious site · Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach)
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
A 12-metre golden seated Buddha built in 1972 stands on a small islet joined to the north-east coast by a causeway.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Views
Beach · Chaweng
Chaweng Beach
Samui's signature beach runs for several kilometres of fine white sand and turquoise water on the east coast.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
- After dark
Religious site · Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach)
Wat Plai Laem
A short drive from the Big Buddha, this temple stands on a lake with an 18-armed statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, and a colourful, Chinese-influenced ordination hall.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Kids
- Photo spot
Street · Bophut and Fisherman's Village
Fisherman's Village, Bophut
Bophut's beachfront lane of old wooden Chinese-Thai shophouses has become Samui's most attractive dining and shopping street.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- After dark
- Couples
Nature · Lamai
Hin Ta and Hin Yai
The 'Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks' at the south end of Lamai are granite formations shaped by the sea that resemble human genitalia, linked by local legend to an elderly couple lost at sea.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Nature
Nature · Lipa Noi and the west coast
Na Muang Waterfalls
Two waterfalls in the island's interior: Na Muang 1, about 18 metres high with a swimming pool at its base and a short walk from the road, and the taller Na Muang 2, reached by a steeper trail through the forest.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Where to stay
Chaweng is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, shopping and beach
Chaweng
The island's busiest beach, with hotels, bars and shops
$$ · Best for budget, couples, beach and nightlife
Lamai
Second-largest beach town, more relaxed than Chaweng
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, families and first-timers
Bophut and Fisherman's Village
Old fishing village of wooden shophouses turned boutique hotels and restaurants
$$$$ · Best for families, luxury, couples and quiet stays
Choeng Mon
Sheltered north-east bay of upmarket resorts
What to eat
- Khao yam — A southern rice salad of herbs, toasted coconut, pomelo, bean sprouts and lemongrass dressed with budu, a fermented fish sauce, often eaten for breakfast.
- Gaeng som pla — A sour, spicy orange curry of fresh fish and vegetables flavoured with turmeric and tamarind; one of the defining dishes of southern Thailand.
- Tom kha gai — Chicken in a coconut-milk soup with galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime, milder than tom yum and made with Samui's abundant coconuts.
- Seafood barbecue — Fresh fish, prawns, squid and crab grilled to order and served with spicy green seafood sauce.
- Massaman curry — A rich, mild curry with Persian and Indian influences, made with coconut milk, warm spices, potatoes and peanuts.
- Kalamae — A chewy, toffee-like sweet of coconut milk, rice flour and palm sugar, stirred for hours in large woks and wrapped in palm leaves.
When to go
The best time to visit Koh Samui is February to August, when the weather is mostly dry and the sea calm, with the hottest weeks in April and May. July and August are good months while the Andaman coast is in monsoon. October and November are the wettest, with heavy rain and rough seas.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | February–April | Sunny, calm and warm, turning very hot in April; peak prices in February. |
| Hot, mostly dry season | May–August | Warm seas and short showers; busy in July and August with summer holidays, good value in May and June. |
| Transition | September | More frequent showers and fewer visitors; a quiet month with lower rates. |
| Monsoon | October–January | Heavy rain peaks in November, with rough seas and cancelled boat trips; conditions improve through January. |
Getting there and around
Samui International Airport, an open-air terminal owned by Bangkok Airways, is in the north-east of the island, about 10–15 minutes from Chaweng and Bophut. Flights are limited, so many travellers fly to Surat Thani and take a combined bus and ferry, about 3–4 hours in total.
A ring road of about 50 km circles the island, connecting all the beaches. There is no public transport beyond shared songthaews, so visitors rely on taxis, ride-hailing apps, scooters or rental cars.
Plan your days
Three days covers a beach day, the Big Buddha and temples, Fisherman's Village on a Friday and a waterfall. Six days adds Ang Thong Marine Park, a snorkelling trip to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum and a day on Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.
Practical information
- Currency
- THB
- Language
- Thai
- Plugs
- Type A, B, C and O sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water are cheap and widely available.
- Emergency number
- Police 191, ambulance 1669, Tourist Police 1155
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected, but leaving loose change or rounding up is common.
Scooter accidents are the most common cause of injury among visitors, so wear a helmet and avoid riding after drinking. Rip currents can be strong on east-coast beaches in the monsoon season; obey red flags. Jellyfish occasionally appear in the water, and some beaches have vinegar stations.
Flights to Koh Samui
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Koh Samui?
Three days covers a beach day, the Big Buddha and temples, Fisherman's Village on a Friday and a waterfall. Six days adds Ang Thong Marine Park, a snorkelling trip to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum and a day on Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?
The best time to visit Koh Samui is February to August, when the weather is mostly dry and the sea calm, with the hottest weeks in April and May. July and August are good months while the Andaman coast is in monsoon. October and November are the wettest, with heavy rain and rough seas.
+What is Koh Samui known for?
Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha, Fisherman's Village, Ang Thong Marine Park, Luxury villas and resorts and Coconut plantations. Beaches for every style, from Chaweng's lively strip to the calm, shallow bays of Choeng Mon and Maenam.
+Is Koh Samui expensive?
Koh Samui is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $90–$200 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Koh Samui?
Not essential, but a car or scooter makes it much easier to explore beyond your beach, as taxis are expensive.