White sand as far as you can see, palm trees leaning over the water, the smell of grilled satay at Bophut’s Friday night market: Koh Samui has a different beach ready for every type of traveller. With a dozen or so distinct beaches and an overwhelming range of hotels and excursions, choosing the right beach and activities matters just as much here as it does in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
This guide covers everything you need to plan your trip to Koh Samui: the best beaches and hotels, the best excursions, the best time to go and how to get there.
Why Koh Samui?
We lived here ourselves for a year, in Choeng Mon, about 500 metres from the beach, out of the 14 years we spent living in Thailand in total. That local knowledge is baked into the tips below.
Koh Samui pairs long white beaches with an island that has far more to offer than sun and sea: temples, waterfalls, a national park of 42 islands and a village with a Friday night market. Every beach has its own character, so you choose where to stay on atmosphere, not just on price. Still torn between Koh Samui and another island? Read Why we choose Koh Samui over Phuket.
The Highlights of Koh Samui
- Chaweng: the longest and liveliest beach on the island, with restaurants, bars and the famous Walking Street.
- Bophut and Fisherman’s Village: wooden shopfronts, charming restaurants and the Friday night market on the north coast.
- Choeng Mon: calm and family-friendly, with sheltered, shallow water and high-end resorts such as Six Senses Samui.
- Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) and Wat Plai Laem: the golden Big Buddha temple and the colourful Wat Plai Laem.
- Ang Thong National Marine Park: an archipelago of 42 limestone islands with an emerald lagoon, the best-known boat excursion from Koh Samui.
- Na Muang Waterfalls: two waterfalls in the interior, with tips on which one to pick and when the water is highest.
- Koh Tan and Koh Madsum (Pig Island): snorkelling at Koh Tan and swimming with the famous pigs of Pig Island, a fun day trip.
Where to Stay on Koh Samui?
The beach you pick shapes your stay more than the hotel itself. In short:
- Chaweng is the base if you want convenience, choice and nightlife.
- Bophut is atmospheric and small-scale, with many boutique hotels around Fisherman’s Village.
- Choeng Mon is calm and family-friendly, and our own favourite beach on the island.
- Lamai and Maenam are quieter and more affordable, with a smaller walking street of its own in Lamai.
Want to know more? In our complete guide, Hotels on Koh Samui: The Ultimate Beach & Hotel Guide (2026), we compare every beach and the best hotels for every budget.
Excursions on Koh Samui
There is more to do on Koh Samui than lie on the beach. The best-known excursion is the boat trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park, with prices from roughly 1,500 to 4,000 THB. Temples, the Na Muang waterfalls, an ethical elephant sanctuary, a Thai cooking class, an ATV tour, a zipline through the rainforest and a Muay Thai match are other popular choices.
Want to know more? In The 10 best excursions from Koh Samui (2026) we rank all the excursions, with prices, duration and tips for each tour.
View all Ang Thong excursionsBest Time to Visit Koh Samui
Koh Samui has a different rainy season from mainland Thailand and from Krabi. Most of the rain falls in October, November and sometimes early December. High season, the driest and busiest period, runs from January through August, peaking around Christmas and New Year. Prefer it quieter and cheaper? Choose September or October, though the chance of rain is higher. Want to know more about the seasons per region? Read our guide to the best time to visit Thailand.
How to Get to Koh Samui
The fastest way is a direct flight to Samui International Airport (USM), largely served by Bangkok Airways. From Bangkok it takes around 70 to 80 minutes. The airport has open-air pavilions instead of an enclosed terminal, but with so little competition, tickets cost more than flights to Phuket or Krabi.
Prefer to travel on a lower budget? Fly to Surat Thani on the mainland and take the ferry, about 1 to 1.5 hours. Most providers sell the flight, bus and ferry as one through-ticket. The cheapest option is the night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani followed by the ferry, a journey of 10 to 12 hours. We strongly advise against the night bus because of road safety and the risk of theft on board. See our page on air tickets to Thailand for the best deals.
Combine with Khao Sok or Koh Tao
Koh Samui combines well with a visit to Khao Sok. Khao Sok National Park boasts an emerald-green lake surrounded by limestone cliffs, primeval jungle where you can hear gibbons at sunrise, and unique accommodation options in a treehouse or a floating hotel on the water. Check out our complete travel guide to Khao Sok.
Want to spend a few days diving or snorkelling as well? Check out our hotels on Koh Tao.
Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Samui
How many days do you need for Koh Samui?
At least 4 to 5 nights. That gives you time to relax on the beach, visit the Big Buddha temple and the waterfalls, and set aside at least one full day for a boat trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park or one of the neighbouring islands.
What is the best beach on Koh Samui?
It depends on your travel style. Chaweng is the liveliest, Bophut is atmospheric and small-scale, Choeng Mon is calm and family-friendly, and Lamai and Maenam are quieter and more affordable.
What is the best month to visit Koh Samui?
The driest and busiest season runs from January through August. October and November are the wettest. September and October are quieter and cheaper, with a higher chance of rain.
Is Koh Samui suitable for children?
Yes. Especially around Choeng Mon and Bophut you will find resorts with family rooms and kids’ clubs, and shallow, sheltered beaches where children can play safely.
Can you combine Koh Samui with Krabi or Khao Sok?
Yes. Krabi is on the other coast and has the opposite seasons: what is the wettest month on one side is dry on the other. Khao Sok lies between the two coasts and works well as a jungle stop between the beaches.
Published on 2 August 2026.
Last updated on 30 September 2026.