Koh Samui at a glance
Koh Samui is Thailand's third-largest island, set in the Gulf of Thailand rather than the Andaman side where Phuket and Krabi sit. Its best-known beaches — Chaweng, Lamai, Taling Ngam and Natien — cover everything from lively resort strips to quiet stretches of sand, and the island is compact enough to see most of it by car or motorbike within a couple of hours.
The island's hotel range is genuinely wide, from simple hostels to some of Thailand's best five-star spa resorts, which makes Koh Samui easy to price at almost any budget for the same length of stay. Beyond the beach, guests can book cooking classes, yoga instruction, Muay Thai training, scuba diving and even golf, alongside a lively restaurant, beach-club and bar scene.
Access is the one point to plan around: Bangkok Airways is the only carrier flying directly into Koh Samui Airport, connecting from Bangkok, Pattaya (U-Tapao) or Phuket. Clients flying other carriers should route via Surat Thani and take the ferry or catamaran from Don Sak pier to Lipa Noi pier, a crossing of about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Top experiences
Angthong Marine National Park
A full-day boat trip through a marine park of limestone islands.
Big Buddha
One of the island's most-visited landmarks, an easy half-day stop.
Bophut Fisherman's Village
A restored fishing village with a popular Friday night walking street.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai
The island's well-known rock formations on the southern coast.
Namuang Waterfall
A jungle waterfall stop, often combined with a 4WD safari tour.
Koh Tao day trip
A neighbouring island popular for diving and snorkelling excursions.
Wat Plai Laem, the Secret Buddha Garden and the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram round out the cultural stops most agents build into a Koh Samui day tour.
Practical information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Best time to visit | December to February; the Gulf coast sees more rain around October-November than Phuket or Krabi |
| Getting there | Koh Samui Airport via Bangkok Airways, or Surat Thani + ferry |
| Ferry option | Don Sak to Lipa Noi pier, approx. 2h30 |
| Getting around | Small enough to circle by car or motorbike in a couple of hours |
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) |
Our packages featuring Koh Samui
Koh Samui also combines with Pattaya and Bangkok for clients who want a beach-and-city trip on the Gulf coast rather than the Andaman side.