By Kylian Dev
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Ang Thong National Marine Park
42 karst islands rising from emerald waters and the spectacular Emerald Lagoon.
Destination guide · Gulf of Thailand
Koh Samui: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
The island of coconut palms brilliantly combines 5-star resorts, renowned spas and historic fishing villages. Its Ang Thong Marine Park offers a spectacular string of limestone islets.
- Best: January to September
- €50 - 120 / day
In short
Koh Samui (Gulf of Thailand) — The island of coconut palms, exceptional spas and Ang Thong marine park. Best time to go: January to September; average temperatures 30°C. Budget: about €50 - 120 / day. Weather: 30°C • Warm, calm sea and radiant sun from January to September
RegionGulf of Thailand
TypeIsland
Best seasonJanuary to September
Avg. temperature30°C
Budget / day€50 - 120 / day
Thai nameเกาะสมุย
Must-sees
Things to do in Koh Samui
The island of coconut palms, exceptional spas and Ang Thong marine park
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Fisherman's Village in Bophut
Traditional wooden houses, designer boutiques and dinners facing the waves.
3
Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)
A golden cove framed by smooth granite boulders reminiscent of the Seychelles.
More things to do in Koh Samui
- 4
The Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem
TempleAbout 1 hA 12-metre golden Buddha on an islet linked by a causeway, then the colourful Guanyin statue with eighteen arms at nearby Wat Plai Laem.
- 5
Chaweng and Lamai beaches
BeachHalf a day or moreThe two biggest beaches on the island. Chaweng is lively with clubs and restaurants; Lamai is a bit calmer, with the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks at its south end.
- 6
Na Muang waterfalls
Nature2 to 3 hTwo waterfalls in the centre of the island, the first easy to reach, the second after a 30-minute walk. Pleasant for a swim in the pool.
- 7
A day trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan
Sea & islandsFull daySpeedboat tours combine snorkelling at Koh Tao and the viewpoint of Koh Nang Yuan. A long but memorable day.
- 8
The Secret Buddha Garden
CultureAbout 1 hStatues hidden in the jungle at the top of the island, reached by a steep road. Go with a 4x4 tour if you are not comfortable on a scooter.
- 9
Lamai night market
MarketEveningEvery Sunday evening the Lamai walking street fills with food stalls. Also try the Maenam market on Thursdays.
- 10
A Thai massage or spa day
Activity2 to 3 hSamui has spas for every budget, from beach massages to luxury resorts. A welcome break after a day on the scooter.
Great forBeaches & RelaxingYoga & WellnessNightlife
Weather
When to go to Koh Samui?
30°C • Warm, calm sea and radiant sun from January to September. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayIdeal
- JunIdeal
- JulIdeal
- AugIdeal
- SepIdeal
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovRain / monsoon
- DecRain / monsoon
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Koh Samui: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €50 - 120 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Comfort / luxury
50–120 € / day
Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)
Accommodation
~34 €
Food
~21 €
Activities
~17 €
Local transport
~13 €
Transport
How to get to Koh Samui
Transport tip
Direct international airport (one of Asia's most beautiful) or ferries from Donsak.
From Bangkok → Koh Samui
Long haul: a domestic flight or night bus/train is usually easier
Flight
~618 km
Nearest destinations
Koh Samui → Koh Phangan
Boat
20–30 min
Koh Samui → Koh Tao
Road
~88 km · ~5 h by road
Koh Samui → Khao Sok
Road
~228 km · ~5 h by road
Bangkok to Koh Samui Surat Thani to Koh Samui ferry Phuket to Koh Samui Koh Samui airport Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry Koh Samui to Koh Tao Thailand ferries
Times and tickets Bangkok → Koh SamuiPartner link
Where is Koh Samui?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Koh Samui
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Chaweng
The liveliest beach: restaurants, bars, every budget.
Lamai
A bit calmer than Chaweng, a lovely beach and good value.
Bophut (Fisherman’s Village)
Charming old fishing village with a Friday night market.
Maenam
Quiet north coast, close to ferries to Phangan and Tao.
Food
What to eat in Koh Samui
Blue crab with fresh green pepper and crispy garlic
Traditional Massaman curry slow-cooked in coconut milk
Coconut picked fresh from the tree
Can’t decide?
Koh Samui or…? Compare
Budget, weather, vibe and activities side by side.
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Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Koh Samui
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Bangkok Hospital SamuiPrivate hospitalDirections
- Koh Samui HospitalPublic hospitalDirections
Dive destination: a recompression chamber is available on site or nearby. After a diving accident, alert your dive centre straight away.
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Koh Samui
What are the best things to do in Koh Samui?
The must-sees are Ang Thong National Marine Park, Fisherman's Village in Bophut, Silver Beach (Crystal Bay). Also worth your time: The Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, Chaweng and Lamai beaches, Na Muang waterfalls, A day trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.
How many days should I spend in Koh Samui?
Allow 4 to 5 days to enjoy the beaches, take a trip to Ang Thong Marine Park and stroll around Fisherman's Village. If you're combining it with Koh Phangan or Koh Tao (frequent ferries), 3 days on Samui is enough.
Koh Samui or Phuket, which one to choose?
Koh Samui is quieter, more family-friendly and more wellness/spa-oriented, with a very convenient international airport. Phuket offers more accommodation choices at every budget and faster access to Krabi, Phi Phi and Khao Sok. For a relaxed first beach stay, Samui has the edge; to branch out to several Andaman islands, Phuket is more central.
What's the best time to visit Koh Samui?
From January to September, with a peak of good weather from February to July. Unlike the Andaman coast, Koh Samui stays practicable most of the year; mainly avoid October-November, the rainiest period in the Gulf of Thailand.
Should you rent a scooter in Koh Samui?
It's the most practical way to explore the island (roughly 50km ring road), but tourist accident rates are high: prioritise a helmet, careful riding and insurance that covers two-wheelers. Without a scooter, songthaews (shared taxis) serve the main beaches well.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Koh Samui
Compare with the other destinations
Koh Samui is one of the 28 destinations covered in detail on the site. The destinations hub sorts them by traveler profile, by month of travel and by daily budget, to help you decide where to go and how many days to stay.