Tropical island paradise with palm-fringed beaches

The offer data was updated on November 9, 2026.

Via Koh Samui

Koh Samui offers a balance that few Thai islands achieve: comfortably developed yet lush and picturesque. The 51-kilometer ring road winds past coconut palm groves, luxurious villas, and fishing villages that existed long before the tourism era. Chaweng Beach is bustling with activity (beach clubs, shopping, and nightlife), while Lamai Beach, the next large bay to the south, offers a quieter version of the same atmosphere. The fishing village of Bophut beckons with boutique hotels and waterfront restaurants.

The island's interior is surprisingly wild. The Na Muang waterfalls cascade through dense jungle, and the viewpoint hikes near Lamai demonstrate just how green Samui still is. The island is also the ideal base for exploring the Ang Thong National Marine Park (42 islands) and the Full Moon Party on the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, which is a 30-minute ferry ride away.

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  • Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
  • Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao

    • Visitor information

    Avoid the period from October to December (monsoon season on the Gulf coast).

    Weather on Koh Samui by month: Rainfall, temperatures and humidity

    Peak season: July – August & December

    Koh Samui Airport (USM) offers direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs. Bangkok Airways, which built the airport, is the only airline operating on the Bangkok route. The ferry from Surat Thani takes about 1.5 hours and is cheaper.

  • •Songthaews (fixed routes along the Ring Road)
  • •Motorcycle or scooter rental
  • •Taxis (with taximeter or advance negotiation)
  • •Grave is available in the main areas

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    Explore Koh Samui by category

    Are you looking for a clear, itinerary-style list instead? Start with our "Things to Do in Koh Samui" guide, then come back here to browse all entries by category.

    Koh Samui offers 571 carefully selected locations in 9 categories. Choose from 100 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 91 restaurants and bars. Visit 41 temples and cultural sites. Explore 17 beaches and islands. Book from 140 activities and tours.

    Browse the categories below or scroll down to see the top deals in each category. Every offer includes Google reviews from verified visitors, pricing information, and, where available, direct booking links.

    Book in advance in Koh Samui

    The best-rated tours offered by Klook in Koh Samui, at current prices. Most can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.

  • Over 5,000 bookings for the Angthong National Marine Park excursion on a large teakwood boat. 4.4 (216 reviews) from US$38.25.
  • Over 1,000 bookings for the island hopping and snorkeling tour on Koh Samui: Coral Island and Pig Island (4.4 out of 5 stars, 91 reviews, from US$41.49)
  • Over 1,000 bookings for the half-day jungle tour by off-road vehicle in Surat Thani including lunch (4.7 out of 5 stars, 69 reviews, from US$55.59).

    • Hotels & Resorts

    Banyan Tree Samui

    Conrad Koh Samui

    SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort

    Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort

    Restaurants & Food

    THE KOKOON - VIEWPOINT OF SAMUI

    THAI CUISINE RESTAURANT

    BABOU

    Day and night of Koh Samui

    Temples and Culture

    Great Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)

    Wat Plai Laem

    Wat Khunaram (Phra Wihan Luang Pho Daeng)

    Wat Ratchathammaram Red Temple

    beaches

    Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)

    Lamai Beach

    Bo Phut Beach

    Chaweng Beach

    Markets & Shopping

    Central Samui

    Night market in the fishing village

    Lamai Fresh Produce Market

    Lotus' Samui

    Activities & Tours

    Samui Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

    Hin Ta Hin Yai

    The Jungle Club

    Tarnim Magic Garden

    Nightlife & Bars

    ARKbar Beach Club & Resort

    Coco Tam's

    Elephant Beach Club

    CLUB SEEN Koh Samui

    Wellness & Spas

    Absolute refuge

    Urban Thai

    Dusita Spa 2

    Urban Thai massage

    transport

    Samui Airport

    Raja Ferry Port (Donsak)

    Surat Thani Airport

    Seatran ferry terminal (Donsak)

    Arrival in Koh Samui and onward travel

    Arrival

  • Bangkok – Koh Samui: Fastest direct flight, 1 hour 10 minutes flight time, 3.5–4 hours door-to-door. Cheapest connection: State-run coach + Seatran ferry, 620–960 ฿ (from 1,130 ฿ online). Compare all 6 options.
  • Chiang Mai – Koh Samui: Cheapest daytime connection: Train + sleeper car + bus and ferry, approx. 1,850–2,000 Baht at the station, 3,023 Baht as a 12Go ticket. Compare all 5 options.
  • Hua Hin, Koh Samui: Cheapest connection: Sleeper car + bus and ferry, approx. 700–1400 Baht. Compare all 7 options.
  • Koh Phangan Koh Samui Fastest Song Serm Express, 20 min Cheapest Haad Rin Queen, 200 Compare all 9 options
  • Koh Tao – Koh Samui: Fastest speedboat (1 hr 25–1 hr 40 min), cheapest Songserm fast ferry (approx. 500 ฿). Compare all 5 options.
  • Krabi – Koh Samui: Cheapest Phantip bus and ferry connection, approx. 500 Baht (Ao Nang 560 Baht). Compare all 7 options.
  • Phi Phi Islands, Koh Samui: Cheapest boat, van, and ferry combinations, approx. 970–1,060 ฿. Compare all 8 options.
  • Phuket – Koh Samui: Fastest direct flight, 55 minutes (+ airport time). Cheapest bus and ferry connection, approx. 775 ฿ with 12Go. Compare all 6 options.
  • Surat Thani Koh Samui Fastest Lomprayah bus + catamaran, 1h45–2h15 Cheapest Phantip bus + Seatran ferry, ฿330–520 Compare all 6 routes

    • The journey continues from Koh Samui

  • Koh Samui – Bangkok: Fastest direct flight (1 hr 10 min flight time, 3–4 hrs door-to-door) | Cheapest option: Car ferry + coach (700–1,300 ฿) | Compare all 6 options
  • Koh Samui – Chiang Mai: Cheapest option: boat and bus + sleeper car + daytime train, approx. 1,800–2,300 baht (station prices). Compare all 4 options.
  • Koh Samui Khao Sok Cheapest car ferry + minivan, approx. 600–1,300 ฿ Compare all 5 options
  • Koh Samui Koh Phangan Fastest Lomlahkkhirin, 20–30 min Cheapest Haad Rin Queen, 200 Compare all 9 options
  • Koh Samui – Koh Tao: Fastest speedboat (1 hr 25–1 hr 30 min), cheapest Songserm fast ferry (approx. 450 ฿). Compare all 6 options.
  • Koh Samui – Krabi: Cheapest connection: Phantip ferry + bus, approx. 500 Baht (Ao Nang 560 Baht). Compare all 7 options.
  • Koh Samui/Phi Phi Islands: Cheapest Phantip ferry + bus + boat, approx. 1,110 ฿ (1,260 ฿ with pickup). Compare all 7 options.
  • Koh Samui – Phuket: Fastest direct flight, approx. 1 hour (+ airport time). Cheapest Phantip, approx. 500 Baht (785 Baht with 12Go). Compare all 7 options.

    • Live departures from Surat Thani to Koh Samui with 12GoEvery on the route within Thailand in comparison

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    Frequently asked questions about Koh Samui

    Bangkok Airways owns and operates Koh Samui Airport, giving it a virtual monopoly on flights. One-way flights from Bangkok cost between 2,800 and 6,800 baht. A cheaper alternative is to fly from Don Mueang to Surat Thani (e.g., with Nok Air, AirAsia, or Lion Air, often 1,000–2,000 baht). From there, you can buy a ticket for the bus and ferry upon arrival. The journey takes 5–7 hours and costs approximately 1,500–3,000 baht in total.

    Samui is smaller, greener, and more relaxed. Phuket offers a wider selection of restaurants, a more vibrant nightlife, and better access to the Similan Islands. Samui is ideal for couples and those seeking wellness, while Phuket is perfect for those who prefer variety and a more lively atmosphere. The weather on Samui's Gulf coast also results in different monsoon seasons, so it can be sunny there when it rains in Phuket. A comparison between Phuket and Koh Samui is conducted month by month.

    Absolutely. Chaweng and Choeng Mon offer shallow, calm waters during the summer months. The island boasts water parks, the Samui Aquarium, and numerous villas with pools and kitchens. The roads are quite safe compared to smaller islands, and international cuisine is readily available.

    Samui is located on the Gulf Coast, so the monsoon season lasts from October to December – unlike Phuket and Krabi. November is the wettest month, and flooding can occasionally occur on low-lying roads. From January to September, it is dry and warm, which is why Samui is my recommendation as an alternative to the Andaman Sea during the rainy season.

    Samui is ideal from April to September, as it's quite dry then, while Phuket and Krabi are affected by the monsoon. From November to March, the Andaman Islands and the other two islands are the safer choice, and from January to March, all three islands experience their dry season. So choose according to your travel style. Samui offers a tranquil resort island, Phuket a wide range of options and a vibrant nightlife, while Krabi offers scenic and more affordable options. My comparison of Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui goes into detail about all three islands.

    Koh Samui offers comfort, an airport, and long beaches, while Koh Tao is ideal for learning to dive and boasts the best snorkeling spots in the Gulf. The speedboat ride between the two islands takes 1.5 to 2 hours, so many excursions include both. My comparison of Koh Samui and Koh Tao goes into detail on each category.

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