Oh boy, where do I begin? There is so much to see and do on this beautiful Island. So many magical moments hit me as I was exploring Koh Samui. The local Thai’s were so gracious and friendly. I felt right at home the moment I set foot on this wonderful little piece of Thailand.
Okay, okay, enough with the yearning.
First, lets get on with telling you a little about Koh Samui, Thailand. Then we will move on to how to get there, what areas to stay and what fun things to do during your visit.
A little about Koh (“island” in Thai) Samui.
Koh Samui, Thailand’s second largest Island to Phuket, is located in the southern gulf of Thailand. It’s local population is around 63,000 with millions of visiting tourists annually. The islands economy is based mainly on tourism as well as coconut and rubber exports.
The interior of the island is mostly lush mountainous jungle, while the exterior is surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches. The island measures around 25 km (15.5 miles) at its widest point.
The weather is tropical and there is only one true dry month, (February) when the precipitation drops below 60 mm (2 in). While the climate is warm and humid for most of the year, it is still relatively drier compared to the rest of southern Thailand.
If you are worried about getting sick or hurt while you are on Koh Samui, don’t be. The island boasts 4 private hospitals: Samui International, Thai International, Bandon Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Samui and 1 government facility in the Capital of Nathon.
How to get to Koh Samui.
There are several ways to get to Koh Samui. You can take a bus, train, ferry, cruise, fly or even drive to Koh Samui from Bangkok. But because of most people’s time constraints, I will only cover the two ways that are most compatible with most travelers.
Direct Flight.
Most people visiting Thailand arrive at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, therefore, we will start from there.
The quickest option is to catch a direct flight to Koh Samui from this airport using Bangkok Airlines. This will cost you around 7,650 THB or $240 round trip. The flight is 1 hour and 10 minutes. The convenience of this method is you will not waste any time getting there and you will be directly on the island in no time.
Direct Flight with Bus and Ferry.
This option is a little cheaper than the first. Take a taxi to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok for around 470 THB or $15 and catch a flight to Surat Thani International Airport for around 4,303 THB or $135 round trip. You then buy a ticket at Surat Thani airport for a bus to Don Sak Pier and a ferry to Koh Samui for around 350-605 THB or $11-$19. This method will take around 5 to 6 hours and cost around 5,420 THB or $170 round trip.
If you happen to have a rental car and are taking in the scenery down the coast of Thailand, you can take a car ferry from Don Sak Pier over to the island also.
The other methods will take at least 11 hours overnight, so most people won’t even bother unless they have a very strict budget.
Getting around the island of Samui.
Koh Samui is relatively small but not so small as to be able to walk everywhere. So, depending on what you are going to do, where you stay and what your budget is, here’s what you need to know.
Getting to your hotel.
If you are arriving by flight, it is likely your accommodations will offer airport pickup services either for free or a small fee. If you opted for the ferry, then a shuttle service should be included in the price of the bus/ferry ticket you got at Surat Thani airport.
Taxi’s and Songthaews on Koh Samui.
If your hotel doesn’t have shuttle services you can flag a taxi or songthaew “pickup truck with two benches” down to get where you want to go. Both are privately operated and charge a flat fee depending on where you are going.
During the daytime, songthaews will circle the main road “ring road” around the island like a bus service. You don’t need to worry about the signs on the front and back. They don’t determine where they are going or coming from.
Rent a car on Koh Samui.
Renting a car is a great way to tour the island. You will not be restricted with this option. But, there are some places on the island that a 4 wheel drive would be the better option. The inner island is partly mountainous and some of the roads are pretty steep to navigate safely with a car.
The major car rental chains are at the Koh Samui Airport. These will have more vehicle choices but will be more expensive.
The local, independent car rental shops will be cheaper with less agreement terms. The choices here are Suzuki 4x4s and compact Toyota or Honda cars.
When picking your car at the local shops, make sure it has all the features that you want. Air-con, stereo etc. might be options that they don’t have installed. Also check for seat belts as well. Believe it or not, some cars don’t have them. Although usually it is the back seats that don’t.
Rent a motorbike on Koh Samui.
This is a great option for a little more adventure. There are motorbike rentals all over the island, so you should not have a problem getting one.
If you are a little weary about riding a motorbike, you could try a double front wheel bike. I did see a few places that rented these scooters . These are a little safer with two wheels in front that are close together, therefore, creating more stability and traction.
I will also recommend telling the agent where you will be going so they can recommend the best fit for your driving conditions. We needed a little more cc’s “power” because we were two on one bike.
On average and depending on the size, you will spend 250-550 THB or $8-$17.25 a day. Ask for weekly rates as well if you are renting long term.
Most companies will ask you to leave your passport as a deposit for the duration of the rental. I do not recommend you do this because it is illegal to be without your passport in Thailand. Your passport is your legal ID.
So, ask the clerk if you can leave a cash deposit (usually between 3000-5000 THB or $100-$165) and a copy of your passport. If they refuse, just go to another company.
Where to stay on Koh Samui?
Here I will cover the different areas to stay on Koh Samui. As far as types of lodging, it is generally the same as the rest of Thailand.
You can check out my complete guide on lodging in Thailand here.
Each of these villages are also the names of the beaches that coincide with them. In order for you to make a decision that suits you, I will break each down to what makes them all unique.
Chaweng.
The northeast side resort town of Chaweng, is the most popular town on the island. People flock here for the lively nightlife, restaurants, large shopping complex, activities and of course, Koh Samui’s largest beach. Chaweng beach is the liveliest beach with its white sands, clear waters and water sports activities.
As you are lazing in the sand, be sure to look for the local vendors that come around with their home made treats. The som tam “papaya salad” and extra large egg rolls are to die for. No need to leave the white sands for a bite to eat here.
There are a wide range of hotels, resorts and pool villas that are butt up to the sand and palm trees, as well as up in the jungled hills, with beautiful views, night and day, of the entire bay.
If you are looking for nightlife, then this is the place to be. From small cozy lounges to nightclubs to beach bars, you can’t go wrong here.
We stayed in a bungalow at The Jungle Club Resort up in the hills above Chaweng. This resort was amazing. The second you arrive here you can feel the stress fall away. The staff were excellent, the restaurant/bar was great and the views of the bay of Siam are amazing. Oh, and be sure to get up early to see the sunrise.
Bophut.
If you are looking for a more mellow vibe, more suitable for families, Bophut is for you. Bophut is on the north coast of Samui and is home to the Fisherman’s Village. Walking down the main street, you will be met with old wooden Thai-Chinese shop-houses that are mixed in with modern resorts and restaurants overlooking the 2 kilometer beach.
A large selection of boutique shops, chic restaurants, hotels and resorts are at your disposal here. In addition to the main shops, once a week the Fisherman’s Village comes alive with a walking street market. Here you can find crafts, local fabrics, jewelry, clothing and shoes along with local Thai food.
There are a few night spots on the beach playing house music to get you moving, but generally, the nightlife here is pretty quiet and is geared toward a more mellow crowd.
Although there are a wide range of hotel prices, wealthy travelers looking for a more sophisticated destination seem to gather here. Check the booking sites like Booking.com to find what best fits your budget.
Bangrak.
Bangkok is just east of Bophut and is close to the Samui Airport and the Bangrak Pier. If you want to stay somewhere quiet and relaxing, but want easy access to Chaweng beach and Fisherman’s Village, then this will fit you just fine.
We stayed in a one bedroom villa with a splash pool that had beach access. It was very quiet when I walked down the beach at dawn. The beach is clean and the water is clear but parts of Bangrak Beach are not good for swimming due to rocks and corals.
This area seems to be suited more for backpackers, families and budget conscious travelers.
Lamai.
Situated just south of Chaweng on the eastern side of the island is Lamai and although it has a similar vibe to Chaweng, it is on a smaller scale. Lamai also has something different going for it. Geography. Samui’s central mountain presses close to the ocean here, leaving a small area of flat land at Lamai beach.
This forces the local Thai community closer to the beach, and therefore, closer to the tourists they host. This changes the atmosphere of Lamai compared to its big sister Chaweng.
The resorts and hotels are in abundance here, as well as restaurants and shops. There is a Sunday Night Market on Had Lamai Road and a Lamai Night Plaza that takes place every evening.
As the second most popular town on Samui, Lamai is still more of a village community and is a little more laid back than Chaweng. So find your accommodations, pick your spot on the beach and mingle with the locals.
Maenam.
From low budget backpackers to high budget private 5 star resorts, Maenam is kinda split down the middle. Offering low cost accommodations right on the beach, with straightforward restaurants and fun activities.
And on the other hand, catering for five star resorts, fine dining options and a quiet, sophisticated nightlife.
Maenam is located west of Bohput on the north end of Samui in an area without a lot of things to do. That being said, if you want a fairly secluded beach and some peace and quiet, this is for you. After all, you can still drive, taxi or songthaew over to Bophut or Chaweng for a population fix.
Choeng Mon.
Choeng Mon lies in an attractive little bay at the top of Samui and faces northeast. This allows the monsoon (November-January) to make the bay quite deep with a wide and sandy beach while the waves give the beach an annual cleansing.
This area has a tourist village on the back road with basic shops and services. Choeng Mon is situated ten minutes from the airport, Chaweng beach to the east and Bophut to the west. So, even though Choeng Mon is in its secluded little bay, you are close to the action.
The budget here is a little pricey because there are 12 resorts and bungalow hotels along the beach, 5 of which are 4-5 star rated. Choeng Mon is also becoming known as the high- class beach and is good for families and seniors alike.
Taling Ngam.
This is the place couples dream about when they want a romantic getaway. Taling Ngam is located on the west coast, south of the Nathon pier and the town of Lipa Noi. I recommend having a rental car for this area. You will be 30 minutes or more from the airport and other attractions.
In the village of Taling Ngam, time is slower than the rest of the island. You will notice this as you get to the beach and think it is abandoned. However, there are some chic hotels hiding here and there. Villas and housing developments are more popular in this area, so you could try booking.com for these.
The water here is shallow so it has some good for snorkeling when at high tide. But don’t expect to do a lot of swimming. In the surrounding beach hotels, canoes are rented so you can paddle to the nearby islands.
Because Taling Ngam is on the west coast, you can expect some wonderful sunset dinners here. Or, even a wedding during sunset. Just saying.
What is there to do on Koh Samui?
Once you have chosen where to stay, it is now time to find some things to do that suit your fancy.
Experience the beautiful islands surrounding Samui.
1. Angthong National Marine Park is made up of 42 beautiful islands, located just 60 minutes to the north of Koh Samui by speed boat. The islands are protected and house a variety of wildlife and exotic sea creatures.
There are day tours with snorkeling, sea kayaking, hiking to viewpoints and sightseeing. Some packages are by speedboat, Big Boat or even boat charter. Staying overnight at the marine park is also an option as there are bungalows and camping tents at the parks Headquarters on Koh Wua Ta Lap.
The whole tour by big boat was great and the sea kayaking was by far a great experience as was the hike up 500 meters to the amazing viewpoint.
Three more beautiful islands.
2. Koh Nang Yuan is a 90 minute ride by speed boat from Koh Samui. The stunning sand bar beaches and views will take your breath away.
Although snorkeling and diving are the main activities on this small island, Koh Nang Yuan has the only zip-line in the world that crosses from one island to the other. Be sure to add this to your bucket list.
3. Koh Phangan is the 5th largest island in Thailand and is most famous for its “full moon” parties at Haad Rin Beach. But don’t worry, there are plenty other reasons to visit, like the pristine beaches and crystal clear waters.
Although this can easily be a day trip, I would plan on an overnight stay here if you really want to do some exploring. The ferry from Nathon Pier ride is 45 minutes and costs around 510 THB or $16.
4. Koh Tao, “Turtle Island” the baby of Koh Samui, is well known for its incredible diving spots. You will see sea turtles, stingrays, barracudas and even reef sharks in the clear waters off Koh Tao.
The journey from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is around 1.5 – 1.75 hours by high speed catamaran or 2 hours by ferry boat. The prices are a little higher for the high speed boat, but only by about 200 THB or $6.30 more.
Glide the zip lines on Koh Samui.
This is a must to get your adrenaline pumping. Koh Samui has some excellent zip lines.
1. Skyhawk Adventures is the longest with 33 elevated platforms up to 600m high (1,968 feet) and 21 ziplines totaling 5,000m (16,404 feet). Includes 3 sky Bridges, 4 staircases and 2 corridor sky walk ways. All of this is over Samui’s jungle.
2. Canopy Adventures is known for its excellent views and has 21 platforms and 15 cable rides covering 2,000 meters (6,561 feet). The base camp is located 4 km (2.5 miles) off the beaten path and will have you zipping through the air at 50 miles per hour.
3. Treetop Zipline has 780m of cable rides soaring over the canopy of rain forest with views of the entire island.
4. Lamai Viewpoint is yet another zip-line but it has a little more to it. For 100 THB you can see the Valentine Stone, Siva Tara Waterfall and Lamai Viewpoint with its 180 degree views of Lamai. For 800 THB they include the 900m (2,952 feet) zip-line ride across Lamai.
All of these can be booked online, with a tour operator on the island or your hotel.
Let’s play some island golf on Samui.
Even though Samui is a small island, you can still get your golf fix with these options.
1. Royal Samui Golf and Country Club, a challenging and scenic 9-hole, par 36 course, clings to the mountainside above Chaweng and Lami’s beaches. This course is quite challenging with drops in elevation not normally seen in 9 hole courses.
The road to the course can be a bit of a challenge, but more so during the rainy season, therefore a 4×4 might be required.
If you like a challenge and want some stories to tell back home, this is the course for you.
2. Santiburi Samui Country Club was the first golf course on Koh Samui and is both challenging and charming in its tropical setting. This course came to fame when it hosted the 2006 Bangkok Airways Open.
The 18 hole par 72 course is located on the north coast of Samui with a magnificent panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand. Due to its location on a hillside, the course progresses up the mountain creating an interesting and challenging game.
The clubhouse offers changing rooms, a pro shop and a restaurant with a terrace to enjoy the wonderful scenery.
3. Rajjaprabha Dam Golf Course is actually on the mainland, located near the Khao Sok National Park. But, the 3 hour ferry and bus ride is worth it to play one of Thailand’s most scenic courses.
This challenging and demanding 18 hole par 72 (6820 yards) course was established in 2000. The course layout requires some planning and ingenuity as the par 3’s are very demanding because of their length.
The longest par 4 is the 4th at 441 yards and the par 5’s 7th hole is the longest at 542 yards and requires three perfect shots to make par.
Disc Golf.
If you happen to like Disc Golf you’re in luck. Located on the north end of Samui in Maenam, this 9 hole par 3 course is for adults and kids alike.
If you are near the southern side of Samui go to Laem Sor for another great disc golf course.
Off-road 4×4, Quads or Buggies on Koh Samui.
Quad and buggy tours.
This is an exhilarating experience 4 wheeling through the lush jungles of Samui. Most tours will offer hotel pickup and drop off, 4×4 riding to high viewpoints, lunch and even swimming at waterfalls.
Pricing will vary from 1,800 to 6,400 THB or $56 to $200 per person.
Go here if you want to try dirt bikes also.
4WD jungle safari tours.
These tours are similar to the quads but you will be riding on 4×4 jeeps or trucks as your driver climbs through the hills of Koh Samui. Although this option is a little less physically demanding, expect to be bounced around a bit.
Prices are around 1,120-1,430 THB or $35-$45.
There are a number of companies offering these tours on Koh Samui. Ask your hotel staff or use online sites like Get Your Guide.
Koh Samui fishing.
Koh Samui is the place to be If you enjoy fishing in the salty turquoise waters.
There are traditional fishing tours by wooden boat that will take you to the best spots and serve fresh lunch. And there are Fishing charters with ultra modern speed boats and equipment. The only thing you need to decide is how much you want to pay.
Traditional fishing will cost around 1,273 THB or $40 per person for a full day. The modern speed boat will start at 15,925 THB or $500 per person for a half day.
If that isn’t enough, go for a 2 day private fishing tour to Koh Tao. From 49,110 THB or $1,542, you get day and night fishing, a Thai chef will cook your catch and accommodations on the beach.
Drink tasting tour on Koh Samui.
Yup, that’s what I said. If you are into beer, wine and spirits, book this tour.
For around 2,960 THB or $93 per person, you can savor the flavors of Koh Samui’s favorite drinks and distinctive cuisine.
Explore the island with a local guide, sipping locally made rum at a distillery. Next, try some craft beers and taste wines made from mangosteen and lychee.
You will then have an organic, garden fresh lunch and get a tutorial from a local mixologist. What a really tasty day!
Escape the island experience.
This one is a must if you have kids and they like outdoor games and riddles. The concept is based on escape room. Participants solve riddles and collect clues to solve the game.
After hotel pick up and a longtail boat ride to the starting location, you will follow clues through a light jungle trek and some water sports while making your way to the end of the puzzle.
Bathing suit and closed toe shoes are required. Book here.
Secret Buddha Garden.
This is a good place to get off the tours if you want to. Although it is hidden away high in the hills of Samui, it is easily accessible by car or motorbike.
The Secret Buddha Garden, also known as Magic Garden, was created by an old Samui fruit farmer named Nim Thongsuk. In 1976 he began erecting statues and temples along this little creek on his land. The statues are of animals, deities and humans mostly representing Buddhist folklore.
It is a serene place to just take in the small waterfall and creek and listen to the sounds of the jungle. Take some time here, as the more you look the more you will find. There are things around every corner, every tree.
There are tours that go to the Secret Garden as part of packages if that suits you better.
The following is a list of things to do that really don’t need a full description, but deserve a spot in this post.
1. Shooting Ranges. If you want to try shooting on Koh Samui, then see my article on gun ranges in Thailand here.
2. Muay Thai Boxing. Boxing in Thailand is very popular and Koh Samui is no exception.
3. Temples. Thai Temples are always so unique from each other and you can never go wrong on Koh Samui either.
These are map linked so you can find them on the go.
4. Spas. Of course everyone knows there are spas in most hotels. If yours doesn’t have one, go to the hotel next door. Trust me, they won’t mind. Same thing with massages.
5. Shopping. Just about every village will have some form of shopping. Be it a night plaza, a walking plaza, a something, something. Just ask your hotel staff or take a stroll and find one. If you want a western style mall, go to Chaweng’s Central Festival Mall. It is huge!
6. Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks. These are rocks that look like male and female genitalia. If you want to see what all the hype is in person, just follow the signs on the ring road south from Lamai Beach.
7. Beach activities. Most popular beaches will have something other than sand and water. Jet skis, kite boarding, parasailing and jet packs to name a few. Most can be booked on the beach or at least right nearby.
Well, I could name a hundred more things to do on Koh Samui but that would take a book. So stay tuned for another article on Koh Samui.
For now, happy Koh Samui travels!