เกาะสมุยCoconut palms, calm bays and Buddha statues on the Gulf's resort island.
Koh Samui sits in the Gulf of Thailand, a round, jungle-covered island ringed by beaches and encircled by a single ring road. It began as a coconut-growing and fishing island, and coconuts are still everywhere. Today it is one of Thailand's most polished resort destinations, with boutique villas, beach clubs and some of the country's best-known spa retreats.
Every coast has a different mood. Chaweng is the lively main beach with shops and nightlife, Lamai is more relaxed, Bophut and its Fisherman's Village have a stylish, European feel, Maenam and Choeng Mon are quiet and family-friendly, and the west coast offers sunsets and local life. Inland, waterfalls, temples and a hidden sculpture garden reward a day out on a scooter or in a songthaew.
Samui is also a gateway: Ang Thong National Marine Park's 42 islands are a day trip away, and Koh Phangan (Full Moon Party) and Koh Tao (diving) are a short ferry hop. The weather pattern differs from the Andaman coast: Samui is driest from January to April and wettest in October to December.
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿ · THB)
- Language
- Thai and English in the resorts
- Time zone
- UTC+7 · no daylight saving
- Airport
- Samui (USM), a small resort airport with limited flights
- Ferries
- From Donsak and Surat Thani on the mainland, and Koh Phangan and Koh Tao
- Best season
- January to September: drier, with calm seas
Top things to do in Koh Samui.
39 places we chose and described by hand. Open any of them, with photos, hours and directions, in the catalogue below or in the app.
Places to visit
- Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) Bang Rak
A 12-metre golden Buddha on a small island, visible from across the north coast.
- Wat Plai Laem Choeng Mon
A colourful lakeside temple with an 18-armed Guanyin statue.
- Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks) Lamai
Two suggestive rocks on Lamai's shore, with waves crashing around them.
- Na Muang Waterfalls South Samui
Two jungle waterfalls with swimming pools inland from the south coast.
- Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk) Ban Thurian
A temple holding the mummified body of a revered monk, seated in meditation.
- Tarnim Magic Garden (Secret Buddha Garden) Hills above Lamai
A jungle garden of stone sculptures, created by a local fruit farmer in the 1970s.
- Laem Sor Pagoda South Samui
A gleaming golden pagoda on a quiet headland on the island's southern shore.
- Ang Thong National Marine Park Gulf of Thailand (day trip)
A protected archipelago of 42 limestone islands with lakes, caves and viewpoints.
- Nathon Town West Samui
The island's ferry port and administrative town, with a relaxed waterfront.
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut) Bophut
A former Chinese-Thai fishing village of wooden shophouses, now a stylish strip.
Beaches & islands
- Chaweng Beach Chaweng
Samui's longest, liveliest beach: white sand, clear water and plenty of action.
- Lamai Beach Lamai
A laid-back beach with a relaxed vibe and a strong night-market scene.
- Bophut Beach Bophut
A calm, narrow beach in front of Fisherman's Village, with views of Koh Phangan.
- Maenam Beach Maenam
A long, quiet north-coast beach with calm water and a local feel.
- Choeng Mon Beach Choeng Mon
A sheltered, upscale bay with gentle water and views of a small island.
- Silver Beach (Lamai Noi) Lamai
A small, quiet cove between Chaweng and Lamai with clear, calm water.
- Lipa Noi Beach Lipa Noi
A long west-coast beach with shallow water and some of Samui's best sunsets.
Restaurants
- Fisherman's Village Friday Walking Street Bophut
Friday-night market with street food, crafts and live music in Bophut.
- Lamai Night Market Lamai
A big evening food market with Thai classics, seafood and desserts.
- Chaweng Walking Street Food Chaweng
Evening stalls and casual restaurants along Chaweng's main road.
- Bang Rak Seafood Restaurants Bang Rak
Simple seafood places along the north coast, popular for sunset dinners.
- Dr. Frogs Chaweng Noi
A cliff-top restaurant above Chaweng Noi with sweeping sea views.
- Nathon Waterfront Cafés Nathon
Relaxed cafés and Thai restaurants facing the ferry bay.
Activities
- Ang Thong Kayaking & Snorkelling Tour Gulf of Thailand (day trip)
Full-day boat trip with kayaking, a viewpoint hike and lunch on the island.
- Koh Tao Diving & Snorkelling Trip Koh Tao (day trip)
Day trips to Thailand's dive-training capital, with clear water and turtles.
- Thai Cooking Class Lamai / Chaweng
Market visit, then learn to cook southern Thai dishes with coconut milk.
- Snorkelling at Koh Tan & Koh Matsum South coast
Half-day boat trips to the small islands off Samui's south coast.
- Yoga & Wellness Retreats South and west coasts
Yoga, detox and spa programmes at Samui's well-known retreats.
- Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Visit Central Samui
Meet rescued elephants that roam freely, with no riding or shows.
Entertainment
- Coco Tam's Bophut
A barefoot beach bar with fire shows, hammocks and sunset drinks.
- Muay Thai at Samui International Stadium Chaweng
Weekly Muay Thai bouts with music, ritual and plenty of noise.
- Chaweng Beach Clubs Chaweng
Daybeds, DJs and sunset drinks on Samui's busiest beach.
Hotels & stays
- W Koh Samui Laem Yai (Maenam)
A design-led luxury resort on a quiet north-coast headland.
- Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort Bophut
A beachfront resort beside Fisherman's Village, with Thai-style rooms.
- The Library Chaweng
A minimalist boutique hotel on Chaweng Beach with a famous red pool.
- InterContinental Koh Samui Resort Taling Ngam
A cliff-side resort on a private beach at Taling Ngam.
Shopping
- Central Festival Samui Chaweng
The island's main shopping mall, with shops, a cinema and a food court.
- Fisherman's Village Boutiques Bophut
Independent boutiques, art galleries and gift shops in Bophut's old shophouses.
- Nathon Town Shops & Market Nathon
Everyday shops and a local market in Samui's main town.
Explore all 1,379 places in Koh Samui.
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From the Thailand Guide app’s catalogue: OpenStreetMap places with traveller notes from Wikivoyage and photos from Wikimedia Commons. Photos marked “Representative” show the same kind of place, not this exact one. Neighbouring islands and day-trip areas may be included. “Open now” uses listed hours in Thailand time; confirm hours and access before travelling.
Best time to visit Koh Samui.
The best time to visit Koh Samui is February to April. Koh Samui is warm all year, with temperatures of around 30°C by day. Unlike the Andaman coast, its wet season is October to December, when the northeast monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas, with November the wettest month. January to April is drier and sunnier, and June to September is a hot, relatively dry stretch with calm seas, making Samui a good choice for mid-year holidays.
Approximate long-term monthly averages in °C and millimetres of rain. These are planning notes, not a weather forecast.
Koh Samui travel tips.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees at temples such as Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, and remove shoes before entering halls. Don't climb on statues.
Coconut culture
Fresh coconuts are everywhere. Try coconut ice cream, sticky rice in coconut and shakes straight from the shell.
Wellness
Samui has a long tradition of detox, yoga and spa retreats. Book ahead and choose reputable places.
Ethical elephants
Avoid elephant rides and shows. Choose sanctuaries that let the animals roam and don't allow riding.
Respect the sea
Don't touch coral, don't feed fish and use reef-safe sunscreen, especially on boat trips to Ang Thong and Koh Tao.
Keep your cool (jai yen)
Staying calm and smiling solves most problems in Thailand.
Plan Koh Samui on your phone.
Save places, see what is open now, check the weather and air quality, and browse all twenty guides in the free Thailand Guide app. Works offline.