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Hotels in Koh Samui

The coconut island in the Gulf of Thailand

Koh Samui

LanguageEnglish
CurrencyTHB
TimezoneGMT+7
Temperature26-35 °C
Dial Code+66
Population71.8M
Area513,120 km²
SocketsType A / Type B / Type C / Type O
Tap waterNot drinkable

Discover Koh Samui

Koh Samui is Thailand's third-largest island and sits in the Gulf of Thailand, on the opposite side of the country from Phuket — and, crucially, with the opposite season. While the Andaman coast dries out in November, on Samui November is the wettest month of the year. As recently as the 1970s the island lived off coconut plantations, and it still exports around 2 million coconuts a month; the interior remains green and hilly, and the coastal ring road can be driven in under 2 hours. Chaweng is the main beach with the biggest buzz, Lamai is somewhat quieter, and the north around Bophut and Choeng Mon offers the most pleasant mix of beach and evening life. Samui has its own airport, but it's privately owned and flights there are among the most expensive in Thailand — it's cheaper to fly to Surat Thani and arrive by ferry.

What to see

The places worth your time in Koh Samui, and what to expect at each

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

Bang Rak, north

A 12-metre golden statue of a seated Buddha on a small island connected to the main island by a causeway, built in 1972. It's visible from the plane on landing and has become the island's symbol. Around it are dragon-flanked steps and a row of souvenir stalls.

Tip: The statue is best at sunset, when the gold lights up with the sea behind it. Knees and shoulders must be covered to enter — sarongs can be borrowed by the steps, but there's often a queue.

Admission:
free, donation
Time needed:
1 h
Wat Plai Laem

Wat Plai Laem

Bo Phut, north

A colourful temple complex a kilometre from the Big Buddha, built over a lake. It's dominated by an 18-armed statue of the goddess of mercy Guanyin and a smiling Budai; the whole complex stands on pillars in the water, linked by walkways.

Tip: At the entrance you can buy a bag of fish food for the lake, where the fish are huge and aggressive — kids often enjoy this more than the temple itself. The temple is modern and colourful, so it photographs best in midday sun.

Admission:
free, donation
Time needed:
1 h
Wat Khunaram and the mummified monk

Wat Khunaram and the mummified monk

south of the island

A glass case here holds the body of the monk Luang Pho Daeng, who died in 1973 in a meditation pose and whose body never decomposed. He still sits in the same position today, wearing sunglasses to cover his sunken eyes. For Thais it's proof of spiritual power, not a curiosity.

Tip: This is a real human body and locals revere it — photograph it without flash and without posing in front of the case. The temple sits on the southern coast road and makes a good stop on the way to the Na Muang waterfalls.

Admission:
free, donation
Time needed:
30 min
Chaweng

Chaweng

east coast

The island's longest and busiest beach: 7 kilometres of white sand with shallow water at the northern end and deeper water at the southern end. Behind the beach runs an unbroken strip of hotels, shops, bars and a night market, making it the centre of the action on Samui.

Tip: The northern end near Chaweng Noi is quieter, and the water there doesn't retreat as far at low tide. The southern end around Green Mango stays loud until morning — if staying nearby, ask for a room facing away from the street.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
full day
Lamai and the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks

Lamai and the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks

east coast, south

The island's second-largest beach, noticeably quieter than Chaweng, with rocky ends and a sandy middle. At the southern end stand the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks — natural formations that strikingly resemble human genitalia and are the subject of local legend and endless photographs.

Tip: A path through the stalls leads to the rocks for free; come at low tide, when you can walk right down to the water. Lamai has cheaper accommodation than Chaweng while still keeping its own night market and a full range of restaurants.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
full day
Fisherman's Village in Bophut

Fisherman's Village in Bophut

Bo Phut, north

A street of wooden Sino-Thai houses by the sea on the north coast, a remnant of the original fishing village. Today it holds boutiques, cafés and restaurants, and it's the most pleasant place on the island for an evening stroll.

Tip: On Friday evening the street closes to traffic and becomes a pedestrian market with food and music, better than the night markets in Chaweng. Come around 6pm; any later and the street turns into a slow shuffle.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
3 h
Na Muang Waterfalls

Na Muang Waterfalls

interior, south

Two waterfalls in the island's interior. The first is a 5-minute walk from the car park and drops into a pool you can swim in; the second is 18 metres high and reached by a 30-minute walk through the jungle over slippery rocks.

Tip: Wear proper shoes, not flip-flops, to the upper waterfall — the rocks are covered in algae and this is the most common site of injuries on the island. Avoid elephant-riding offers in the area; the animals are mistreated.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
half a day
Secret Buddha Garden

Secret Buddha Garden

interior, mountains

A garden of statues in the mountains 400 metres above sea level, begun in 1976 by an elderly farmer, Nim Thongsuk, on the site of his fruit orchard. Stone and concrete figures of people, deities and animals stand among boulders and a stream in the middle of the forest.

Tip: The road up is a steep unpaved switchback that rental companies explicitly forbid taking a scooter on — rightly so, since it really only suits a 4x4. It's about 5 degrees cooler at the top and often misty.

Admission:
from THB 80
Time needed:
half a day
Choeng Mon and Silver Beach

Choeng Mon and Silver Beach

northeast tip

Bays on the northeastern tip of the island with calm, shallow water, sheltered by a small island you can walk to at low tide. These are the best beaches on Samui for families with young children.

Tip: Silver Beach, between Chaweng and Choeng Mon, is small and undeveloped, but parking is very limited — arrive in the morning. The water here is clearer than at Chaweng, since the bay isn't as heavily silted with sand.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
full day

Photos: Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) — Abrget47j (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wat Plai Laem — Gunther Dihlmann (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wat Khunaram and the mummified monk — Roma Neus (CC BY 3.0) · Chaweng — Damian Moore (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Lamai and the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks — Dirk Enthoven (CC BY 3.0) · Fisherman's Village in Bophut — Dan arndt (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Na Muang Waterfalls — Thajsko (CC BY 3.0) · Secret Buddha Garden — אברהם שוורץ (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Choeng Mon and Silver Beach — Damian Moore (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Where to stay

Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking

Chaweng

Best for: nightlife and the widest choice

The island's main resort area, with a 7-kilometre beach, a shopping mall, night markets and bars open till dawn. It has the widest choice of hotels in every class and the best access to everything. It's also the noisiest place on the island, so avoid a room facing the street.

Lamai

Best for: lower prices and a quieter evening

The second-largest beach, a few kilometres to the south, with its own night market, restaurants and accommodation around a third cheaper than Chaweng. Quieter, but not dead. A sensible choice for a longer stay if you want the infrastructure without the noise.

Bophut and Big Buddha

Best for: families and a pleasant evening

The north coast, with a fishing village, boutique hotels and calm, shallow water. It's 10 minutes from the airport, and there's a walking market on Fridays. The best combination of calm and evening life on the island, though the beach is narrower than in the east.

Maenam and Lipa Noi

Best for: peace, quiet and sunsets

The north and west coasts, with long, empty beaches and shallow water. The cheapest accommodation on the island and the fewest people. You can't get anywhere from here without a scooter or taxi, but you do get sunset views over Koh Phangan.

Search hotels →

Getting around

From the airport

Samui has its own airport, but it's privately owned and served by essentially 1 airline, which makes flights among the most expensive in Thailand. The cheaper option is to fly to Surat Thani on the mainland and take a combined bus-and-ferry ticket from there, which takes around 3 hours. Direct flights from Bangkok take under 1.5 hours. Ferries arrive at Nathon on the west coast and at Lipa Noi; songthaews and taxis run from both ports to all the beaches.

Samui International (USM) · 5 km

  • Hotel transfer to Chaweng· 15 min· included in stay
  • Airport minibus· 20–40 min· THB 150
  • Taxi to Chaweng· 15 min· THB 500

Surat Thani (mainland) + ferry (URT) · 110 km

  • Combined bus-and-ferry ticket· 3 h· THB 400
  • Fast catamaran from Donsak· 1.5 h· THB 600

Around town

A single ring road, 50 kilometres long, circles the island and can be driven around in 2 hours. Songthaews run along it from morning until evening and the fare is agreed in advance — rates double after dark. Taxis on Samui have meters that drivers routinely refuse to switch on, so agree the price beforehand or use Grab. A scooter is the cheapest and most practical option, but the roads have steep climbs, and insurance won't pay out without an A-class licence.

SongthaewPick-up trucks running the ring road, double fare after dark; flag them down anywhere. · THB 60
GrabCheaper and more transparent than local taxis, which don't switch on their meters. · THB 200
Scooter rentalThe most practical way around the island; the climbs inland are steep, and scooters aren't allowed up to the Secret Buddha Garden. · THB 250 / day
Ferry to neighbouring islandsFrom Bangrak and Maenam to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, several times a day. · THB 300

Useful apps: Grab, Google Maps, Bolt, 12Go Asia

When to go

Samui runs on a different season from Phuket, which is the single most important thing to know when planning. The driest, best period is January to April, and summer from June to August is good too, when the monsoon is raging on the Andaman side. October to December, by contrast, is the wettest stretch here — November is the worst month of the year and can bring flooding. The sea stays at a near-constant 28°C all year. The December and January holiday period is the most expensive time to visit.

Best time

January to April, and June to August in summer

What to avoid

October to December, especially November

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day29°30°31°32°32°32°32°32°32°31°30°29°
Night24°24°25°26°26°26°25°25°25°25°24°24°
Rainy days84561099911151815
Sea27°27°28°29°29°29°29°29°29°29°28°28°

Food & drink

Samui cooks in the southern Thai style, but with far more seafood and coconut than the mainland — the island has always been a coconut plantation and uses fresh homemade coconut milk rather than the tinned kind. Fish is picked straight off the ice and priced by weight. The best food is found at the night markets in Lamai and Chaweng and the Friday market in Bophut, not in the resorts. Coconut ice cream served straight in the shell is a local classic and costs a fraction of the hotel price.

What to try

Tom yum goong

A hot-and-sour soup with prawns, lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves. It comes in a clear version and a creamy one made with coconut milk; the creamy version is milder and a better starting point.

Massaman curry

A mild curry with coconut milk, potatoes, peanuts and cinnamon, which reached Thailand via Muslim traders from the south. The least spicy of all Thai curries.

Pad thai

Rice noodles fried with egg, tofu and peanuts, served with lime and bean sprouts. The safest choice for anyone who doesn't like spicy food, and a fraction of restaurant prices from a street stall.

Som tam

Shredded green papaya salad pounded in a mortar with chilli, lime and fish sauce. The standard spice level is unbearable for most Europeans — say "mai phet" or ask for just 1 chilli.

Gaeng som

A sour southern curry with fish and vegetables, orange from turmeric and very spicy. It's a dish cooked at home in southern Thailand and rarely found in tourist restaurants.

Moo ping

Marinated pork skewers grilled over charcoal, sold roadside in the morning for breakfast with a bag of sticky rice. The cheapest and best Thai breakfast there is.

Khao niao mamuang

Sticky rice with coconut milk and slices of ripe mango. It's best from March to May, mango season; outside that window it's made with imported fruit, and it shows.

Roti

A thin fried pancake with banana and sweetened condensed milk, a legacy of the Muslim south. Sold at night markets from stalls with a big hotplate, and the most common street dessert on the island.

What it costs

Food from a night market

THB 50–90

Lunch at a local eatery

THB 100–160

Dinner at a tourist restaurant

THB 350–600 per person

Large Chang beer

THB 90–140

1-hour Thai massage

THB 300

Scooter rental per day

THB 250

Ang Thong day trip

from THB 1,500

Night at a 4-star hotel

THB 2,200–4,000

Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.

Practical information

SocketsAtwo flat pins (US/JP)Btwo flat pins plus ground (US)CEuroplug, two round pinsOThai
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Tap waterDo not drink tap water — Don't drink tap water or brush your teeth with it. Bottled water costs around 10 baht a bottle at 7-Eleven and is available everywhere. Ice in drinks, on the other hand, is safe — it's made industrially from treated water and can be spotted by its regular shape with a hole in the middle; worries about ice are outdated in Thailand.
TippingTipping isn't obligatory, and Thais don't tip each other. In tourist restaurants the bill is rounded up or a tip of 20–50 baht is left; better establishments already add a 10 percent service charge. Round up the fare for tuk-tuk and taxi drivers. A masseuse at a spa is typically given 50–100 baht.
Driving on theleft
SafetyThe islands are safe and violent crime is rare, but 3 specific risks apply. Riding a scooter on the island's sandy, steep roads is the most common cause of injury among foreign visitors, and insurance won't pay out without an A-class licence. Box jellyfish appear in the sea from April to October, and some beaches keep bottles of vinegar on hand as first aid. And when diving, make sure at least 18 hours pass between your last dive and your flight, or you risk decompression sickness.
Opening hours7-Eleven and Family Mart stores are open around the clock and there are plenty of them everywhere. By law, alcohol can only be sold from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to midnight — outside those windows shops won't sell it no matter what you try, though this doesn't apply to restaurants. Markets and food stalls run from morning until night, and temples close around 5pm. A nationwide alcohol sales ban applies on Buddhist holidays and election days.
Customs & etiquetteThe head is considered sacred and the feet unclean — never touch anyone's head, and don't point your feet at a person or a Buddha statue. Shoulders and knees should be covered when visiting temples, and shoes are left at the door. The royal family is protected by a lèse-majesté law, and any disrespectful remark or damage to a banknote bearing the king's portrait is a criminal offence with real prison sentences attached. Don't raise your voice or show anger: losing your composure means losing face in Thailand, and it always makes things worse.
A few local wordsHello — Sawatdi khráp (muž) / khá (žena)Thank you — Khòp khun khráp / kháHow much does this cost? — Thâo rai?Not spicy, please — Mai phetThe bill, please — Kep tang

How to plan your days

1 day

A day on Samui

  1. 1Morning at the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem in the north.
  2. 2Lunch at Fisherman's Village in Bophut.
  3. 3Afternoon swim at Choeng Mon or Silver Beach.
  4. 4Late afternoon at Chaweng beach and a massage.
  5. 5Dinner at the night market and a stroll along the promenade.

2 days

2 days including the interior

  1. 1Day 1 as above.
  2. 2Morning drive around the ring road to the south.
  3. 3Wat Khunaram with the mummified monk and the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks.
  4. 4Afternoon at the Na Muang waterfalls and a swim in the pool.
  5. 5Evening at the Lamai night market.

3 days

3 days including the national park

  1. 1The first 2 days as above.
  2. 2Full-day boat trip to Ang Thong Marine Park.
  3. 3Kayaking among the limestone islands and a climb to the inland lagoon.
  4. 4Return in the late afternoon, dinner in Bophut.
  5. 5If time allows, a ferry to Koh Phangan the next day.

Day trips

Ang Thong Marine Park

35 km · 1.5 h by boat

42 limestone islands northwest of Samui, most of them uninhabited. The main draw is Emerald Lake — a green saltwater lagoon inside Mae Koh island, reached via a steep staircase, with a viewpoint over the whole archipelago. The park is often closed in November because of weather.

Koh Phangan

20 km · 30 min by speedboat

The neighbouring island known for the Full Moon Party on Haad Rin beach, held every full moon and drawing tens of thousands of people. The rest of the island, though, is quiet and hilly, with the prettiest northern bays anywhere in the gulf.

Koh Tao

70 km · 1.5 h by speedboat

The best diving spot in the Gulf of Thailand and one of the cheapest places in the world to get certified. The island is small and hilly, with Shark Bay, where you can spot blacktip reef sharks, and a viewpoint over the trio of islets known as Koh Nang Yuan.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?+

From January to April, the driest period, or in summer from June to August. Samui has a different season from Phuket: October to December is the wettest stretch here, and November is the worst month of the year with a risk of flooding. The sea stays around 28°C year-round.

Is Samui or Phuket better?+

It mainly depends on timing. From November to April, Phuket and the Andaman coast are the better choice; from May to September, Samui and the Gulf of Thailand. Samui is smaller, greener and quieter; Phuket has more services, cheaper flights and easier access to day trips.

What's the cheapest way to reach Samui?+

Fly to Surat Thani on the mainland and take a combined bus-and-ferry ticket, which takes around 3 hours and costs a fraction of a direct flight. Samui's airport is privately owned and served by essentially 1 airline, which makes flights there among the most expensive in the country.

Which beach on Samui is best?+

Chaweng for the buzz and the widest choice, Lamai for lower prices with a full range of restaurants still on offer, Choeng Mon and Silver Beach for families with young children thanks to their shallow, calm water. Maenam and Lipa Noi on the west coast are the quietest and have the best sunsets.

What is the Full Moon Party, and is it close by?+

The Full Moon Party on Haad Rin beach on neighbouring Koh Phangan, held every full moon and drawing crowds of up to 30,000 people. It's a 30-minute speedboat ride from Samui, with special night boats running on the day of the event. The rest of Phangan is otherwise a quiet island.

Is a trip to Ang Thong worth it?+

Yes, it's the most rewarding full-day trip from Samui: 42 limestone islands and a green saltwater lagoon inside a rock formation. Allow 1.5 hours of sailing each way, and note the park is often closed in November because of weather.

Do you need a scooter on Samui?+

Not essential — songthaews run the ring road all day and Grab works fine. A scooter is the most practical option, though, since the island's highlights are scattered across it. The roads have steep climbs, and without an A-class licence, insurance won't cover anything.

What is the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram?+

The body of the monk Luang Pho Daeng, who died in 1973 in a meditation pose and whose remains never decomposed. He still sits in a glass case today, wearing sunglasses to cover his sunken eyes. For locals it's a pilgrimage site, not an attraction — photograph it without flash and with respect.

Arrival Card

Fill in the required arrival card before your trip to avoid delays at immigration.

Complete Arrival Card

Visa Requirements

Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.

Check visa requirements

Emergency Numbers

Police191Ambulance1669Fire199

Language

Thai

Currency

THB

Timezone

GMT+7

Dial Code

+66

Population

71.8M

Area

513,120 km²

Voltage

220V / 50Hz

Driving Side

Left

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