About Koh Samui
Ko Samui or Koh Samui, often locally shortened to Samui, is an island off the east coast of Thailand. Geographically in the Chumphon Archipelago, it is part of Surat Thani Province, though as of 2012, Ko Samui was granted municipal status and thus is now locally self-governing. Ko Samui, with an area of 228.7 square kilometres (88.3 sq mi), is Thailand's second largest island after Phuket. In 2018, it was visited by 2.7 million tourists.
Places to visit in Koh Samui
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Big Buddha Temple
Religious · 6 mi from centreA large golden Buddha statue on a small island linked to Koh Samui by a causeway. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before climbing the steps.
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Chaweng Beach
BeachKoh Samui's longest and busiest beach, with soft white sand, clear water, and a strip of bars, restaurants, and hotels behind it. Walk to the northern end for quieter, calmer stretches of sand.
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Ang Thong National Marine Park
Nature · 24 mi from centreAn archipelago of limestone islands with lagoons, beaches, and viewpoints. Take a day trip by boat, and wear good shoes for the steep hike to the viewpoint.
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Wat Plai Laem
Religious · 7 mi from centreA colorful temple with an eighteen-armed statue of the goddess Guanyin, set on a lake. Visit late in the day when it is cooler and the light is soft.
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Secret Buddha Garden
Park · 1 mi from centreA hilltop garden of statues and waterfalls hidden in the jungle. The road up is steep, so take a jeep tour or a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
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Koh Phangan
Beach · 17 mi from centreA nearby island known for the Full Moon Party and quiet bays, reached by ferry from Koh Samui. Plan around the party dates if you want peace or a party.
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Koh Tao
Nature · 42 mi from centreA small island north of Koh Samui famous for diving and snorkeling. Book a day trip or stay overnight to enjoy its reefs and beaches.
Things to do in Koh Samui by type
32 tours, tickets and experiences across 5 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 14 experiences Ang Thong Islands by Speedboat with Lunch -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 12 experiences Angthong National Marine Park - Shore Excursion -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 7 experiences Discover the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary - Half-Day Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 4 experiences Ang Thong National Marine Park -
City tours 2 experiences Around Samui Island
- Over 6 hours 7
- 3-6 hours 7
- Flexible 1
- 1-3 hours 1
- Small group 7
- Private 5
- Shore excursions 1
Top experiences in Koh Samui
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 32 available.
Ang Thong Islands by Speedboat with Lunch
From $65 per adult
Exploring Samui Island with Elephant Care Camp, Fruit Plantation and Waterfalls - Full-Day Tour
From $65 per adult
Pink Dolphin Tour
From $70 per adult
Koh Samui Elephant Sanctuary, Hin Ta Hin Yai and Silver Beach - Private Tour
From $177 per adult
Angthong National Marine Park - Shore Excursion
From $100 per adult
Cooking Class Koh Samui
From $119 per adult
Samui Island Off Road Quad Tour
From $104 per adult
Jungle Discovery Tour with Lunch
From $47 per adult
Ang Thong National Marine Park
From $67 per adult
Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan - Full-Day Tour
From $67 per adult
Koh Samui Island Hopping and Snorkeling: Coral and Pigs Island – Full-Day Tour
From $65 per adult
Around Samui Island
From $31 per adult
Where to stay in Koh Samui
Popular hotels in Koh Samui, out of 539 properties you can book.
Silavadee Pool Spa Resort
From $179 per night
Mai Samui Resort and Spa
From $56 per night
Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Villas
From $95 per night
The Sarann, Koh Samui
From $68 per night
Chi Samui Resort
From $64 per night
Avani+ Vacation Club Samui
From $95 per night
First Bungalow Beach Resort
From $47 per night
Nora Buri Resort & Spa, Koh Samui
From $128 per night
OZO Chaweng Samui
From $83 per night
The Library (SHA Extra+)
From $234 per night
KC Beach Hotel Samui
From $99 per night
Baan Chaweng Beach Resort & Spa
From $138 per night
Best time to visit Koh Samui
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Koh Samui is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 78–85°F and rain falls on about 19 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Koh Samui weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 79° 72° 91%
- Thu 22 Oct 81° 73° 89%
- Fri 23 Oct 80° 73° 79%
- Sat 24 Oct 80° 70° 85%
- Sun 25 Oct 80° 70° 88%
- Mon 26 Oct 75° 71° 82%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Thai baht (THB)1 US dollar ≈ ฿33.6
- Language
- Thai
- Calling code
- +66
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Asia/BangkokUTC+7
- Capital
- Bangkok
Getting to Koh Samui
These are the airports closest to central Koh Samui. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- USM Samui Airport5 mi (9 km) from the city centre
Getting around Koh Samui
As on many islands in Thailand, small motorbikes are available for rental. Compared to other nearby islands, Samui's road system is very developed and there are plenty of taxis cruising about, although it's a challenge to get them to use their meters.
By taxi
By day, Ko Samui's public transport is provided by songthaew, pick-up trucks with two rows of seats. They drive fixed routes at fixed prices per person until 18:00, ranging from 20-80 baht depending on distance. After 18:00, songthaews serve as normal taxis and prices must be negotiated first. Even if you pay for a trip, however, the songthaew may stop and pick-up more passengers on the way. Metered taxi service is operated by private taxi companies.
By bus
Pickup trucks/public passenger pick-up vehicles (songthaews) also serve as group taxis.
By motorbike
Motorbikes can be rented virtually anywhere on Ko Samui for between 120-700 baht per day depending on the size and season (small 125 cc bikes should cost no more than 200 baht even during New Year). It is recommended to hire only from a reputable company as there have been reports of scams. Some places have been known to steal bikes that they have rented out. Also, rental motorbikes are not insured. If they tell you they have insurance, it's not true. If something happens, you can't claim for it.
Koh Samui travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Koh Samui is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 78–85°F and rain falls on about 19 days a month.
What is the weather like in Koh Samui?
April is usually the warmest month in Koh Samui, with average highs of 85°F (29°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 71°F (21°C). The wettest month is typically November, with about 282 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Koh Samui?
Samui Airport (USM) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (9 km) from the centre of Koh Samui.
What currency is used in Koh Samui?
Koh Samui uses the Thai baht (THB). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ฿33.6.
What time zone is Koh Samui in?
Koh Samui uses the Asia/Bangkok time zone (currently UTC+7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Koh Samui?
As on many islands in Thailand, small motorbikes are available for rental. Compared to other nearby islands, Samui's road system is very developed and there are plenty of taxis cruising about, although it's a challenge to get them to use their meters.
What are the best places to visit in Koh Samui?
Top sights in Koh Samui include Big Buddha Temple, Chaweng Beach, Ang Thong National Marine Park and Wat Plai Laem. A large golden Buddha statue on a small island linked to Koh Samui by a causeway. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before climbing the steps.
What are the top things to do in Koh Samui?
Popular experiences you can book in Koh Samui include Ang Thong Islands by Speedboat with Lunch, Exploring Samui Island with Elephant Care Camp, Fruit Plantation and Waterfalls - Full-Day Tour and Pink Dolphin Tour. Destina Holidays offers 32 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Koh Samui?
The most popular types of experiences in Koh Samui are day trips & excursions (14), outdoor activities & adventure (12), zoo, aquarium & nature (7) and cruise & water tours (4). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Koh Samui?
Popular areas for hotels in Koh Samui include Lamai, Bang Por and Chaweng. Well-reviewed options include Silavadee Pool Spa Resort and Mai Samui Resort and Spa.
How many hotels can I book in Koh Samui?
Destina Holidays currently lists 539 properties in and around Koh Samui, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
