Month guide · Koh Samui · Thailand
Koh Samui in May
What May is really like in Koh Samui: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gunther Dihlmann, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 33°C (91°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 12.6 hours of daylight. Hot with occasional showers; a quieter, good-value time with warm, calm seas.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 33°C (91°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 2nd-warmest month in Koh Samui: days average 33°C (91°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (33°C (91°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:59
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:33
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea
- 30°C (86°F)
Dry season (February–April). Sunny, calm and warm, turning very hot in April; peak prices in February.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in February). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Koh Samui, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Street · Bophut and Fisherman's Village
Fisherman's Village, Bophut
Visit on a Friday after 5pm for the market, then stay for dinner on a beachfront terrace.
- 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
Visit after rainfall for the best flow, wear sandals with grip and avoid climbing on the wet rocks at the top.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Garden · Hills
Secret Buddha Garden
Also called the Magic Garden, this hilltop sculpture garden was created from 1976 by a local durian farmer, who filled a jungle valley with stone statues of deities, musicians and animals around a stream.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Views
The sea averages 30°C (86°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Koh Samui.
What to pack
For highs near 33°C, lows near 25°C and 12 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Koh Samui?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, February–April and June–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Koh Samui in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Koh Samui?
It is a shoulder-season month. Hot with occasional showers; a quieter, good-value time with warm, calm seas.
+How warm is Koh Samui in May?
Average highs are around 33°C (91°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Koh Samui in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.