Koh Samui
Tropical island paradise with palm-fringed beaches
Listing data updated
About Koh Samui
Koh Samui strikes a balance that few Thai islands manage: developed enough for comfort but still lush and scenic. The 25-km ring road loops past coconut groves, luxury villa compounds, and fishing villages that predate tourism entirely. Chaweng Beach has the buzz — beach clubs, shopping, and nightlife — while Bophut's Fisherman's Village offers a quieter strip of boutique hotels and waterfront restaurants.
The island's interior is surprisingly wild. The Na Muang waterfalls cascade through thick jungle, and the viewpoint hikes near Lamai reveal just how green Samui still is. It's also the main jumping-off point for Ang Thong National Marine Park (42 islands) and the Full Moon Party on neighboring Koh Phangan, a 30-minute ferry ride away.
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
January – August
Avoid: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon)
Rainy season
October – December
Avg. temperature
24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)
Crowds
Peak: July – August & December
Getting there
Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs (Bangkok Airways monopoly). Ferry from Surat Thani takes ~1.5 hrs — a cheaper option.
Getting around
- •Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road)
- •Motorbike or scooter rental
- •Taxis (metered or negotiate upfront)
- •Grab available in main areas
Things to Do in Koh Samui
Koh Samui offers 574 curated places to explore across 8 categories. Choose from 76 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 90 restaurants and dining spots. Visit 70 temples and cultural landmarks. Explore 19 beaches and islands. Book from 140 activities and tours.
Browse by category below or scroll down to see top-rated picks in each category. Every listing includes Google ratings from verified visitors, price ranges, and direct booking links where available.
Hotels & Resorts
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Explorar Koh Samui
Streamlined accommodations in a serene resort featuring an infinity pool & gulf views, plus a bar.
Amari Koh Samui
Upscale beach resort featuring 3 dining options, an open-air bar & a spa, plus an outdoor pool.
Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Villas
Beachfront boutique resort on Koh Samui's quieter north shore, offering villa-style rooms and personalised service.
Silavadee Pool Spa Resort
Choice cliffside resort with infinity pools, a spa & a free beach shuttle, plus gulf-view dining.
Restaurants & Food
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THE COCOON - SAMUI VIEWPOINT
Hilltop restaurant and bar with panoramic jungle and ocean views, open daily 9am–11pm.
THAI KITCHEN RESTAURANT
Authentic Thai kitchen on Bo Put's Beach Road, open daily from 11am until 2am for late-night dining.
Phensiri Thai Restaurant
Beachside Thai restaurant on Chaweng Beach serving classic dishes daily from noon to 10 p.m.
Day & Night of Koh Samui
All-day dining spot in Bo Put open from 11am to midnight, seven days a week.
Temples & Culture
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Wat Phra Yai
Massive, circa-1972 gilded Buddha statue at the colorful Phra Yai temple complex.
Wat Plai Laem
Tranquil, colorful temple complex featuring a lake with an 18-armed statue of the goddess Guanyin.
Tarnim Magic Garden
A handmade mountain garden of jungle sculptures and a freshwater stream, built by one man in 1976.
Lad Koh View Point
A hilltop viewpoint and shrine in Bo Put offering panoramic ocean views, snacks, and a calm atmosphere.
Beaches & Islands
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Ko Pha Ngan
White-sand beaches & coconut trees on island known for its monthly Full Moon Party celebrations.
Ko Tao
Island offering scenic white sand beaches, coral reefs & scuba diving, with numerous resorts & bars.
Lamai Beach
White-sand beach lined with bars & restaurants, with rentable lounge chairs & palm trees.
Ko Samui
Sizable island with picturesque beaches, a rainforest, upscale hotels & the Big Buddha Temple.
Markets & Shopping
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Central Samui
Koh Samui's largest mall blends indoor and open-air shopping with local markets, dining, and family amenities.
Samui Airport
This scenic island airport with tropical decor & gardens has a thatched roof & no walls.
Fisherman's Village Night Market
A lively nightly street market in Bo Put blending Thai street food, fresh seafood, and local crafts.
Lotus's Samui
A large hypermarket and shopping centre in Bo Put offering groceries, dining, and retail all under one roof.
Activities & Tours
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Hin Ta Hin Yai
Storied natural rock formations known for bearing a resemblance to male & female genitalia.
The Jungle Club
A clifftop restaurant and bar on Koh Samui offering stunning jungle and ocean views, especially at sunset.
Big Blue Diving School Koh Tao
A highly regarded diving school on Sairee Beach offering PADI certifications and guided dives for all experience levels.
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park
National park over an island archipelago featuring forested peaks, scenic views & abundant wildlife.
Nightlife & Bars
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ARKbar Beach Club & Resort
Beachfront bar and resort on Chaweng Beach, combining nightlife energy with overnight accommodation options.
Coco Tam’s
Beachfront bar and restaurant in Bo Put famous for nightly fire shows, bean bag seating on the sand, and surprisingly good pizza.
Elephant Beach Club
Beachfront bar and club in Bo Put offering a laid-back alternative to Koh Samui's busier nightlife scenes.
Rock Bar
Chilled reggae bar by the sea in Koh Samui's Maret area, with multi-level seating and budget prices.
Wellness & Spas
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Dusita Spa 2
A highly regarded spa in Bo Put, Koh Samui, specialising in traditional Thai massage and hair treatments.
Urban Thai
A highly regarded wellness and spa facility in Bo Put, Koh Samui, offering traditional Thai healing treatments.
Urban Thai Massage
A well-regarded traditional Thai massage centre in Bo Put, Koh Samui, offering therapeutic treatments in a calm setting.
Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
Beachfront resort and spa on Bo Phut's quiet shore, combining spacious rooms with dedicated wellness facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Samui
Why are flights to Koh Samui so expensive?
Bangkok Airways owns and operates Koh Samui Airport, giving them a near-monopoly on flights. One-way fares from Bangkok often run ฿3,000–6,000. The budget alternative: fly to Surat Thani (Nok Air, AirAsia from ฿700) then take the ferry combo ticket, which adds 2–3 hours but saves significantly.
Which is better, Koh Samui or Phuket?
Samui is smaller, greener, and more relaxed. Phuket has more dining options, bigger nightlife, and better access to the Similans. Samui wins for couples and wellness seekers; Phuket suits those who want variety and a busier scene. Samui's Gulf Coast weather also means different monsoon timing — it's sunny when Phuket gets rain.
Is Koh Samui good for families?
Very much so. Chaweng and Maenam have shallow, calm water during fair-weather months. The island has water parks, the Samui Aquarium, and plenty of villa-style accommodation with pools and kitchens. Roads are relatively safe compared to smaller islands, and international food is widely available.
When is monsoon season on Koh Samui?
Samui sits on the Gulf Coast, so its monsoon hits October through December — the opposite of Phuket and Krabi. November is typically the wettest month, with occasional flooding on lower roads. January through September is generally dry and warm, making Samui a solid rainy-season alternative to the Andaman side.