The island of Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of Thailand. It is the second largest island of Thailand, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations and we know why. You will find here everything you can expect from a holiday in Thailand. Beautiful beaches with clear water, great views, temples that will introduce you to Thai culture, but also plenty of opportunities for excursions and activities in the area. Among other things, here you will find all price categories of accommodation and food. It’s up to you whether you choose to visit the night street food markets every night or prefer the classy restaurants. So let’s talk a little more about this island.
How to get there?
The advantage of Koh Samui is that there is an international airport (USM) on the island, which serves domestic flights from Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai, but also international flights e.g. from Singapore. The other option is to take a ferry from Donsak Pier in Surat Thani, which will take you about 1.5 hours. Ferry tickets can be booked through the 12goasia platform.
When is the best season on Koh Samui?
Koh Samui and its surroundings are a bit different than other parts of Thailand. Even though the high season (dry season) starts in well-known parts like Phuket, Krabi or Phi Phi Islands in early November, it’s a bit different on Koh Samui.
The island experiences a monsoon season from mid-November to mid-December, which is accompanied by heavy rains. Of course, this is not a rule, but if you want to avoid disappointment and enjoy the sunny days, we recommend arriving after December 15th. During the monsoon season, some activities may also be restricted, such as. trips to Ang Thong National Park. The best time to visit Koh Samui is mid-December to the end of April.
Where to stay
As we have already mentioned, the island of Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand. The choice of accommodation can therefore be crucial. There are areas of the island that are great for nightlife, but also areas where you can enjoy undisturbed peace on the beach at sunset. As a rule, however, the following areas can be considered the best parts:
Fisherman’s Village
A great location for lovers of Thailand’s bustling atmosphere and for those who want to have everything close at hand. There is the most famous night street food market, many restaurants, cafes and beautiful beaches nearby. If you are looking for luxury accommodation, we definitely recommend Karma Resort.
Chaweng Beach
For those looking for nightlife and active holidays, we recommend living in the Chaweng Beach area. Accommodation offers can be found here.
West Coast (Noi Beach/Taling Ngam)
If you come to Koh Samui for relaxation and want to stay away from the crowds, the west coast may be the place for you. However, you should be prepared for the fact that you will not find well-known night markets in the area, nor as good amenities as in the other mentioned areas. However, the beautiful sunsets on the beach will be a bonus for you. An affordable hotel is the TUI Passage, located right on the beach.
What to see on Koh Samui?
Koh Samui has something for everyone. We would divide the main tourist places and attractions into the following four groups:
- Beaches on Koh Samui
- Temples on Koh Samui
- Viewpoints in Koh Samui
- Excursions around Koh Samui
Beaches on Koh Samui
One of the main reasons why people travel to Thailand is its beautiful coastline. The beaches on Koh Samui are a testament to this, and you’re sure to love them. You will find ones that have a great atmosphere and you can do various water and other activities there. Another group of beaches are those located on the west coast of the island, offering views of beautiful sunsets on the sea. The third and our favourite group of beaches are the ones that are a bit less developed, but they will make you feel like you’re in paradise! Here you will enjoy undisturbed relaxation and calm waters that are suitable for swimming or snorkeling.
Chaweng Beach
If you’re looking for water and beach sports and a lively atmosphere, we recommend visiting Chaweng Beach. There are many restaurants and bars, massage salons and even beach clubs nearby.
Lamai Beach
A similar beach popular among young people is Lamai Beach, which is surrounded by many shops, markets and restaurants.
Crystal Bay
Crystal Bay, also known as Silver Beach, is also a popular beach. This is a slightly quieter beach than the previous two, but you’ll still find there great amenities and atmosphere.
Coral Bay
Right next to Crystal Bay is the smaller and less crowded Coral Bay beach. It is a smaller beach where you can enjoy more privacy. It has a slightly steeper entrance to the sea and does not have as soft sand as Crystal Bay. There is also a beach restaurant, so you can spend the whole day here relaxing.
Ban Tai Beach
If you are a lover of less developed beaches, we have a solution for you. We found the most beautiful ones on the northern part of Koh Samui. Our favourite was Ban Tai Beach, which is not so well known among tourists and can be considered a hidden paradise! Beautiful white sand, clear water with ideal conditions for swimming or paddleboarding and a beach lined with dozens of palm trees. There are also a few restaurants and hotels on the beach, but not as many as the aforementioned beaches.
Maenam Beach and Bang Po Beach
Maenam Beach and Bang Po Beach are also nearby – both very nice and quiet beaches suitable for relaxing and escaping the crowds, especially during the peak season.
Lipa Noi Beach and Nathon Beach
The third group are the aforementioned beaches on the west coast of the island. They are a bit more out of the way, so unless you live in this area, be prepared for a longer journey by car or scooter. The most famous beaches are Lipa Noi Beach and Nathon Beach. We recommend visiting these beaches at sunset to enjoy the most beautiful atmosphere.
Temples on Koh Samui
During your holiday in Thailand, you will definitely want to enjoy something other than beach days. Koh Samui is a great place to explore Thai culture. There are many beautiful temples and complexes that will literally take your breath away. However, care must be taken when visiting their culture, especially by dressing appropriately. You should keep your shoulders and knees covered, and it is forbidden to fly a drone around the temples unless you have the correct permit. Admission to temples is usually free or in the form of a voluntary contribution. Our favourite temples are:
- Big Buddha Temple – a 12-meter high statue that you will probably see from the window of the plane.
- Wat Plai Laem – located approximately 4 minutes from Big Buddha. It is a large complex where you will enjoy the varied architecture that combines Chinese and Thai influences.
- Red Temple – also known as Wat Ratchathammaram is a place worth visiting during your holiday on Koh Samui. Admission is free.
- Magic Garden – a great rest stop in the middle of the forest is the secret garden of Buddha. It is a mystical place where you will find statues of warriors, shrines and other figures from Thai mythology.
Viewpoints in Koh Samui
Our favourite activity on every holiday is visiting places with beautiful views. If you’re the same way, you’ll find your way here too. However, we recommend that you visit the viewpoints either early in the morning or before sunset to save yourself the unnecessary climb in the middle of the day in the heat.
Overlap Stone 1
Our favorite viewpoint was Overlap Stone 1. It is an iconic stone located on a hilltop, and from which you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Koh Samui. There is no heavy hiking involved, the whole climb takes about 5 minutes and is on a concrete path and stairs. However, the entrance fee to the viewpoint is up to 200 THB and also includes parking and one cold drink, which you will receive on departure. If you don’t want to pay such a high entrance fee, we have an alternative for you.
Overlap Stone 2
If you continue on your scooter a little higher (about 5 minutes ride), you will reach the parking lot for another viewpoint called Overlap Stone 2, which many people have no idea about yet. This viewpoint can be reached on foot in about 15-20 minutes from the car park and you need to bring suitable footwear. The entrance fee is only a symbolic 20 THB. There is also an iconic hand on the top, from which you can see the island like the palm of your hand. The stone on the lookout is a bit smaller, but overall the lookout is set at an even higher elevation than Overlap Stone 1, so it offers majestic views. There is also a small local buffet at the top where you can buy snacks.
Samui Viewpoint
The third viewpoint worth mentioning is Samui Viewpoint. Located in the central part of the island, it offers panoramic views on every side. The summit itself can be reached by motorbike or jeep. However, the last stretch of the road is on a dirt road, so you need to be careful. There is no entrance fee, but you can have a drink or a meal in the restaurant.
Excursions around Koh Samui
If you’re travelling to Koh Samui for a few weeks, you’ll probably get tired of visiting beaches and temples. But the adventure doesn’t end there! You can still go exploring the surrounding places and islands.
Ang Thong National Park
The most famous trip is a day trip to Ang Thong National Park. This particular park is closed from mid-October to mid-December. So if you are travelling here mainly for that, you should avoid this date. Trips usually start in the early morning and end before sunset. During them you will enjoy beautiful views, beaches and snorkeling. The national park is reminiscent of the famous Raja Ampat in Indonesia and is definitely worth a visit. You can find the offer of trips on this link.
Attention! In Ang Thong National Park it is forbidden to fly a drone without a permit. If you want to get a permit, you need to follow certain steps and get all the necessary paperwork. You can read about how to proceed in ourstep-by-stepguide “How to legally fly a drone in Thailand in 2025“.
Koh Mat Sum – Pig Island
Another option is to visit the so-called Pig Island (Koh Mat Sum). It is a tiny island inhabited by dozens of pigs. You can go here as part of group trips, which you can book, for example, on this link.
The other option is to arrive individually from Thong Krut Pier. The price for a private longtail boat for two people is 2400 THB. However, if you share it with other tourists, you will pay THB 600 per person (both ways).
There is no need to book such a boat in advance, as there are many of them. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes. There is a symbolic entrance fee of 50 THB. On the island you can play with the big and small pigs, feed them or enjoy a sunny day on the beach. It is definitely a unique experience that families with children will enjoy. However, you should be prepared for a big crowd of tourists and also for the fact that there is a big smell of pigs on the island and the beach looked a bit dirty to us. So it’s up to you if you want to include this trip in your itinerary.
Gastronomy on Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a well-developed island where you can find everything. Whether you want to dine at night markets, local restaurants or are more into Western and European cuisine. But of course, the prices of the meals depend on this. While in a local restaurant or market you will pay 2-3€ for a main meal, brunch in a café or dinner in a luxury restaurant can cost you 20-30€. Here’s a list of our favourite places:
- Night markets – Fisherman’s Village Market, Chaweng Night Market, Lamai Night Market
- Local restaurants – Mr. Kai Kitchen, Thai Kitchen (near Lamai Beach), Lop Mum Thai Food
- Kaviarne – Sweet and Salty, To be Sweet, The cott 149
E-Book Thailand
We absolutely loved Koh Samui and if you are going there too, we have no doubt that you will enjoy your holiday to the fullest. If you’re looking for more inspiration and information for your holiday, you’ll find it in our e-book that helps dozens of people every day plan their dream holiday in Thailand! The e-book can be found here .
In our e-book you will find everything in one place:
- Tips and tricks to enjoy your holiday in Thailand to the fullest and save money
- Over 440 places to visit (including Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Khao Sok, Khao Lak, Similan Islands and Bangkok)
- Tips on restaurants, hotels and excursions in each area
- Direct contacts to tour operators from Phuket or Krabi
- 11 perfect itineraries for different lengths of stay
- Google map with all locations
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* All links in this article including accommodation through booking are affiliate. All in one place. It won’t cost you any extra money or effort, it will make your planning easier and save you time. We would be delighted if you booked your dream holiday through them 🙂
