Thailand · Surat Thani
Koh Samui
Pick a beach base (Chaweng for buzz, Bophut for character, Choeng Mon or Maenam for quiet), see the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, wander Fisherman’s Village at Bophut, and give a day to the Angthong marine park by boat.
Overview
Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island and the anchor of the Gulf of Thailand’s island trio with Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. It pairs long palm-backed beaches and easy luxury with a golden Big Buddha, a walkable old fishing village at Bophut, and boat access to the limestone islands of Angthong National Marine Park. Its own airport makes it an easy add-on to a Thailand trip.
If you only take one thing from this guide: Samui is a Gulf island, so plan around its calendar, not Phuket’s. December to March is the sweet spot, and the summer months that flood the Andaman coast are often bright and calm here.
Best for
Couples · Families · Luxury and spa stays · Beach relaxation · Island-hopping
Daily itinerary
4 to 7 days
Because it sits in the Gulf, Samui runs on an inverse weather calendar to the Andaman coast: it stays sunny through the European summer when Phuket is at its wettest, and its rainy stretch comes in the last months of the year.
Best time to visit
Samui is driest and calmest from December to March, with February often the driest month and the best window for the Angthong boat trip. April to September is warm and mostly sunny, a rare Thai beach island that holds up through the European summer. The wettest stretch is October to November.
- December to February: Peak season: clear skies and calm seas; February is often the driest month.
- March to April: Warm and dry, heat building toward Songkran in mid-April.
- May to September: Warm and largely sunny, calmer than the Andaman coast; a good-value window.
- October to November: The rainy season, with the heaviest rain and rougher seas; some boat trips pause.
Things worth knowing
- Songkran (mid-April): the Thai New Year water festival, celebrated across the island.
- The Full Moon Party on neighboring Koh Phangan (monthly, lunar calendar): draws crowds via the short ferry from Samui.
Where to stay
Chaweng
Samui’s main beach and busiest hub: a long stretch of white sand backed by the island’s densest cluster of hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife. The convenient, all-facilities choice, and the loudest.
Best for: First-time visitors · Nightlife · Beach and shopping in one place
Crowded and built up; the strip behind the beach is busy and commercial.
Bophut and Fisherman’s Village
A restored old fishing village of wooden shophouses turned into boutiques and restaurants, with a lively Walking Street night market. More character and dining than beach scene, and family-friendly.
Best for: Couples · Families · Dining and atmosphere
The beach is quieter and less swimmable than Chaweng at low tide.
Choeng Mon
A calm, shallow bay on the northeast headland, popular with families and couples wanting a quieter alternative to Chaweng while staying close to it.
Best for: Families · Couples · Calm swimming
Quiet in the evenings; you travel to Chaweng or Bophut for nightlife.
Lamai
The island’s second-biggest beach, south of Chaweng: a mix of relaxed sand, some nightlife and local culture, with the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rock formations at its southern end.
Best for: Beach days · A calmer nightlife scene · Value
Parts of the strip are dated; the beach shelves steeply in places.
Maenam
A quiet, four-kilometer north-shore beach facing Koh Phangan, with a laid-back, more local and better-value feel and good sunset views. A base for travelers who want calm over convenience.
Best for: Couples · Quiet and value · Sunsets
Few facilities and little nightlife; you rely on transport for the rest of the island.
Where to sleep
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
luxury · Laem Yai Bay (northwest)
Best for: Couples · Private-pool villas · Seclusion and views
- Hillside private-pool villas with sweeping bay views
- Secluded northwest setting facing the sunset
- Polished service and dining, including its KOH restaurant
- Very expensive
- Steep terrain relies on buggies
- Far from Chaweng and the nightlife
Six Senses Samui
luxury · Ban Ao Bang Rak (north headland)
Best for: Couples · Wellness · Sustainability-minded travelers
- Fishing-village-inspired villas on a private headland
- Strong wellness and sustainability focus
- Panoramic Gulf views from clifftop villas
- Very expensive
- Hilly, spread-out site
- No long walk-in beach of its own
Banyan Tree Samui
luxury · Lamai
Best for: Couples · Spa · Private-pool villas
- All-pool-villa resort on a private bay
- Jungle-and-sea setting with a strong spa
- Quiet, secluded feel
- Steep hillside layout means lots of buggy rides
- Away from the main dining and nightlife strips
- Premium pricing
Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort
resort · Bophut Beach
Best for: Couples · Walking to Fisherman’s Village · Spa
- Steps from Fisherman’s Village and its night market
- Lush garden grounds and a good spa
- Central north-coast location
- Bophut beach is quieter and shallow at low tide
- Older property in parts
- Village foot traffic nearby
Santiburi Koh Samui
resort · Maenam
Best for: Families · Quiet luxury · Space and gardens
- Spacious grounds of palm gardens on the quiet north shore
- Villas suited to families
- A calm, uncrowded stretch of Maenam beach
- Quiet Maenam location is far from nightlife
- Some rooms feel classic rather than contemporary
- You rely on transport for the rest of the island
Essential experiences
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
A 12-meter golden Buddha on the small islet of Koh Faan, reached by a causeway on the northeast coast; free to enter with a dress code.
Wat Plai Laem
A colorful modern temple complex near the Big Buddha, built over a lake, with an 18-armed statue of the goddess Guanyin and a large laughing Buddha.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)
Naturally suggestive rock formations at the south end of Lamai beach, a famous and much-photographed Samui landmark.
Fisherman’s Village, Bophut
A row of restored wooden Chinese-Thai shophouses turned into restaurants, bars and boutiques, with a lively Walking Street night market on Fridays.
Angthong National Marine Park
A protected archipelago of 42 limestone islands about 28 km from Samui, with a hidden lagoon, viewpoints and snorkeling; visited by boat tour.
Namuang Waterfalls
Two inland waterfalls in the island’s jungle interior; Na Muang 1 has a pool at its base, and the higher Na Muang 2 is a taller cascade.
Chaweng Beach
The island’s flagship beach: a seven-kilometer sweep of white sand and clear water, the busiest and most facility-rich stretch on Samui.
Food & drink
- Gaeng Som: A sour-and-spicy Southern Thai fish curry brightened with turmeric and tamarind.
- Khao Soi: A northern coconut-curry noodle soup, widely found on the island’s menus.
- Grilled seafood: Fresh fish, prawns and squid grilled at beachfront and village restaurants, a Samui staple.
- Som Tam: Green papaya salad pounded with chili, lime, fish sauce and palm sugar.
- Mango sticky rice: Sweet sticky rice with coconut cream and ripe mango; the classic Thai dessert.
Fisherman’s Village at Bophut is the island’s best evening food and dining strip; the Friday Walking Street market there is a good first stop for street food.
Where to eat
KOH Thai Kitchen
fine-diningThe signature Thai restaurant at Four Seasons Koh Samui, serving curries and seafood with bay views; book ahead.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street
marketA Friday-evening street market along the Bophut shophouses with food stalls, crafts and music; the easiest introduction to Samui street eating.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Lamai seafood and local eateries
casualThe Lamai strip has long-running local restaurants for gaeng som and fresh grilled seafood away from the resort dining rooms.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Sunrises
Chaweng and Choeng Mon beaches
The east-facing beaches catch sunrise over the Gulf; Chaweng and calm Choeng Mon are the easiest spots for first light before the day heats up.
December to April
Sunsets
Maenam beach
The north-shore beach faces west toward Koh Phangan and gets clean sunsets over the water, away from the busier east coast.
December to April
Laem Yai and the northwest
The northwest headland faces the sunset directly; the hillside resorts and viewpoints around Laem Yai look out over the Gulf as the sun drops.
December to April
Angthong viewpoint (Koh Wua Talap)
On the Angthong day trip, the climb on Koh Wua Talap gives a panoramic sunset-worthy view over the archipelago, though most tours return before dusk.
December to April · Reached only on the marine-park boat tour; the summit climb is short but steep.
Day trips
Angthong National Marine Park
A boat day out to the 42-island limestone archipelago, with a hidden emerald lagoon, a viewpoint climb, kayaking and snorkeling.
About 1 to 1.5 hours each way by boat · Full day
Koh Phangan and the Full Moon Party
The neighboring island a short ferry away, with quiet beaches by day and the famous Full Moon Party at Haad Rin on the lunar calendar.
About 20 to 45 minutes each way by ferry · Day or overnight
Koh Tao diving and snorkeling
A further Gulf island known for diving and clear-water snorkeling, reachable as a long day trip or an overnight from Samui.
About 1.5 to 2 hours each way by ferry · Long day or overnight
Daily itinerary
Four days in Koh Samui: beaches, temples and a boat day
A single beach base, the north-coast temples and Fisherman’s Village, and one full day at the Angthong marine park.
- 1
Arrival and the beach
relaxedArrive at Samui airport and settle into your beach base.A beachfront lunch near the hotel.An easy first afternoon on the sand.Sunset from a west-facing beach if you are on the north or northwest coast.Dinner near your base.Early night to settle in.The airport is central; transfers are short.Estimate: Swap the beach for a pool afternoon if you arrive late.
- 2
Temples and Fisherman’s Village
moderateThe Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem on the northeast coast.Lunch near Bophut.A relaxed afternoon on the beach or by the pool.Sunset over the north coast.Dinner in Fisherman’s Village at Bophut.The Bophut Walking Street market if it is Friday.A taxi, songthaew or scooter links the northeast sights.Estimate: Add the Namuang waterfalls if you have a car and energy.
- 3
Boat day to Angthong
fullEarly pickup for the Angthong marine park tour.Lunch included on most tours.The hidden lagoon, the viewpoint climb and snorkeling.Back to the resort for a relaxed evening.A quiet dinner near your base.Rest after a day on the water.The tour handles transport; confirm hotel pickup the night before.Estimate: Swap for a Koh Phangan or Koh Tao day trip.
- 4
Slow morning and departure
relaxedA last beach morning or a spa treatment.Lunch near your base.Head to the airport.Departure.The central airport keeps transfers short.Estimate: If you fly late, fit in the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks at Lamai.
Getting around
- Samui International Airport (USM) sits on the northeast of the island; Bangkok Airways runs frequent direct flights from Bangkok in about an hour.
- Ferries cross from the Surat Thani mainland (Donsak and Nathon piers) for those flying into Surat Thani (URT) and continuing by bus and boat.
- Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run set routes along the island’s ring road for a fixed fare.
- Taxis are available but rarely use meters; agree a price first, or use Grab, which operates in the main areas.
- Scooter rental is common for exploring the ring road, but Samui’s traffic and accident rate make helmets and a valid license essential.
Things worth knowing
- · Assuming Samui follows Phuket’s weather; the Gulf runs on an inverse calendar and is wettest in October and November.
- · Renting a scooter without a valid license or insurance on the busy ring road.
- · Underestimating the bus-and-ferry time from Surat Thani when flying into the mainland instead of Samui.
Budget
| Low | Expected | Comfortable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation style / per night | THB 900 | THB 2,800 | THB 9,000 |
| Food style / per day | THB 300 | THB 900 | THB 2,500 |
| Local transport / per day | THB 150 | THB 500 | THB 1,400 |
| Estimate / per day | THB 100 | THB 300 | THB 900 |
Estimate · THB · 2026-07-15. Accommodation is per room per night (two sharing). Pool-villa resorts run far above the "comfortable" tier; prices peak from December to March.
Things worth knowing
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Koh Samui?
Four to seven days. Four covers the beaches, the north-coast temples, Fisherman’s Village and one boat day; more time lets you add Koh Phangan or Koh Tao and slower beach days.
What is the best area to stay in Koh Samui?
Chaweng for buzz and facilities, Bophut for character and dining, Choeng Mon for a calm family bay, and Maenam for quiet and value. Match the beach to the trip you want.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?
December to March is driest and calmest, with February often the best. Because Samui is a Gulf island, it also stays sunny through the summer when the Andaman coast is wet; October and November are the rainiest.
Do you need a car in Koh Samui?
Not essential. Songthaews, taxis, Grab and scooters cover the ring road, and the island is small enough to explore comfortably from one beach base.
Is Koh Samui good for a Full Moon Party trip?
Yes; the Full Moon Party is on neighboring Koh Phangan, a short ferry from Samui, so many visitors base on Samui and cross over for the party night.
Sources (4)
- Koh Samui overview, attractions and practical information · tourism-board · 2026-07-15
- The Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), a 12-meter golden Buddha on Koh Faan · tourism-board · 2026-07-15
- Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, a 42-island archipelago off Koh Samui · national-park · 2026-07-15
- Bangkok Airways runs frequent direct flights between Bangkok and Samui · transport-operator · 2026-07-15
