Koh Samui is one of the gems of the Gulf of Thailand. Although in recent years it has been overshadowed by other islands like Koh Phi Phi or Koh Tao, it remains an ideal paradise for those seeking quiet beaches, Thai culture, lush nature, and good tourist infrastructure. If you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia, in this post I’ll tell you what to do in Koh Samui, the second-largest island in Thailand.
In this updated guide you’ll find everything you need to know to visit Koh Samui in 2026:
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When I was planning the trip to Thailand, I read several times that Koh Samui wasn’t worth visiting after seeing the islands in the Andaman Sea (where the Phi Phi islands are located). Still, we decided to give it a chance and spend a few days in Koh Samui before heading home, and it was absolutely worth it.
Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, near the islands of Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan (where the famous Full Moon Party takes place). It’s a different area from the Andaman Sea. Don’t expect to see huge rocks rising from the sea, but you will find quiet beaches lined with palm trees, forests, night markets, and temples that will leave you speechless.
What to do in Koh Samui: attractions and activities
- Enjoy its beaches
The beaches of Koh Samui are its main attraction—white sand, warm turquoise waters, and palm trees lining the shore. Some of the most recommended:
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Chaweng Beach: the most popular and lively, ideal for those looking for nightlife.
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Lamai Beach: a more relaxed alternative to Chaweng.
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Bophut Beach: with a bohemian and quieter vibe, ideal for families and couples.
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Silver Beach: small and hidden, perfect for a relaxing day.
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Maenam Beach: ideal if you’re looking for a quiet area away from the crowds.
- Water sports
If you’re active and can’t stay on the beach for too long, Koh Samui offers many options:
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Jet ski and kayaking
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Stand-up paddle and parasailing
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Snorkeling and seawalking
On many beaches, you can rent equipment or book activities directly. We rented a jet ski on a beach and it was super fun.
- Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
Another major attraction of Koh Samui is the Big Buddha Temple. It’s a Buddhist complex with a 12-meter-tall golden Buddha statue. The Buddha is located on the beach known as Big Buddha Beach. Once at the top of the temple, you get beautiful views of the sea.
- Wat Plai Laem
You can’t leave Koh Samui without visiting this incredible Buddhist temple. You’ve probably already seen many temples in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but this one is very different and well worth visiting.
The most striking statue in the complex is that of Guanyin, the goddess of compassion and mercy, with her 18 arms. Also very eye-catching is the statue of Budai, the smiling Buddha who in Chinese culture represents abundance and prosperity.
- Fisherman’s Village
One place I loved visiting in Koh Samui is Fisherman’s Village on Bophut Beach. This was once the fishing village of Koh Samui and today is a tourist area full of shops, restaurants, and a night market.
This area is quite trendy in Koh Samui. You’ll find many boutique shops, galleries, beachfront restaurants, etc. During the day, most businesses are closed except for the restaurants. But every Friday from 5 p.m. onwards, the streets fill with stands, food stalls, and people. If you’re in Koh Samui on a Friday, make sure to visit the Fisherman’s Village market.
- Day trip to Ang Thong National Park
Ang Thong National Park is an archipelago made up of 42 virgin islands. Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit due to lack of time, but it’s said to be one of the most paradisiacal places in Thailand.
You can tour it on a group tour or book a private speedboat.
The easiest and most economical way to visit the park is to book a boat excursion like this one. The tour includes hotel pickup and return, minibus and boat transport, English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, breakfast, and lunch.
Other tours from Koh Samui
If you have several days in Koh Samui, you can also take an excursion to visit some inland sites like the mummified monk, the Namuang waterfall, and the Magic Buddha Garden. Another option is to take a tour to Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan, two excellent islands for snorkeling.
When to visit Koh Samui
The weather in Koh Samui is tropical and humid year-round, but with distinct seasons:
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Best time: December to April, with dry weather and pleasant temperatures.
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Rainy season: September to November, with heavy rains and even ferry cancellations.
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Intense heat: March to May, ideal if you’re looking for guaranteed sunshine (though it can be overwhelming).
Unlike the Andaman Sea islands, Koh Samui gets less rain from June to August—perfect if you’re traveling during the European summer.
How to get to Koh Samui
There are several ways to get to Koh Samui depending on where you’re coming from and how much you’re willing to spend. Since I was coming from Krabi, I took a ferry, and to return to Bangkok I took a flight from Surat Thani airport. These are some options:
- By planeKoh Samui has its own airport, but it’s private and only operated by Bangkok Airways. Prices are usually very high, but it’s the most comfortable and fastest option to get to Koh Samui. The other option is to fly to Surat Thani airport and then take a ferry to Koh Samui. The ferry from Koh Samui to Surat Thani (or vice versa) can be purchased online through Lomprayah. This is the catamaran company I used to get between some Thai islands and I had no problems. The ferry ticket also includes the van or bus ride to Surat Thani airport and costs around 700 Baht (one way). The journey from Koh Samui to Surat Thani airport takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- By ferryYou can get to Koh Samui by ferry from almost any island in Thailand. To book ferries, trains, and buses in Thailand, I recommend the website 12go.asia. Some of the ferry companies include: FerrySamui, Lomprayah, RajaFerry, Seatran Discovery, and Songserm.
I went from Ao Nang, Krabi with the company Lomprayah and paid around 800 baht. The journey takes about 4 hours in total.
- By bus
The cheapest option if you’re in Bangkok is to take a bus to Surat Thani and from there the ferry to Koh Samui. While it’s budget-friendly, I don’t recommend this option since the trip takes about 10 hours from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then another 2–3 hours by ferry to Koh Samui.
How to get around in Koh Samui
The island might seem small, but it’s about 30 km across and you’ll likely want to explore various spots. There are several ways to get around Koh Samui:
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Rent a scooter: If you know how to drive, why not rent a scooter? Hotels on the island offer rentals or you can find them at any stand. They’re easy to find and a cheap and convenient option to explore the island.
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Rent a car: If you’re willing to pay a bit more, renting a car or jeep is an option. It’s comfortable, but in my opinion, not really worth it.
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Songthaew: This is the option I recommend. Songthaews are trucks with an open back used as public transport. You flag them down on the street, tell them where you’re going, and agree on a price. Along the way, they pick up other people. The important thing is to agree on the price before getting in so you don’t get scammed. Always haggle, especially in very touristy areas.
Where to stay in Koh Samui
Hay varias playas y zonas en donde alojarse en Koh Samui.
CHAWENG
There are several beaches and areas to stay in Koh Samui.
CHAWENG
The most popular beach with the most lodging options is Chaweng. In this area, you’ll find lots of restaurants, shops, hotels, and many tourists. Some recommended hotels:
- Amari Koh Samui: If you’re staying in Chaweng, I recommend the Amari hotel. This chain always offers excellent service. Amari Koh Samui is right on the beach and has spacious, modern rooms. Click here to check Amari Koh Samui prices
- UBOX Hostel: If you’re looking to meet people, this hostel is ideal. It’s 3 minutes from the beach, has a pool, a bar, and a great vibe! For just USD $10, you won’t find anything better. Click here to check UBOX Hostel prices
BOPHUT
Another highly recommended area is Bophut. It’s a much quieter beach with a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for resting. It also has many hotels and some beachfront restaurants. Plus, Fisherman’s Village is located in Bophut. I stayed on this beach and really liked it for relaxing at the end of the trip.
- Hotel Ibis Samui Bophut: This was the hotel I chose to stay in Koh Samui. It’s right on the beach, so the location is perfect. For a beachfront hotel, the price is cheap—a double room per night costs about USD $30.Click here to check Ibis Samui Bophut prices.
- Six Senses Samui: If you want pure luxury and relaxation, I recommend this hotel. It’s located on the eastern tip of Koh Samui. These are villas with incredible views, dreamy decor—perfect for relaxing and enjoying Asian luxury. Click here to check Six Senses Samui prices.
MAENAM BEACH
A super quiet beach is Maenam Beach, where there are several luxury resorts and villas. It’s a bit more remote but not too touristy, with several restaurants. Lamai Beach is the second most popular beach in Koh Samui. Here too you’ll find many accommodation options, restaurants, and shops, but it’s a bit quieter than Chaweng.
Koh Samui is much more than just a stop on the Thai itinerary. Although it doesn’t have the fame of the Andaman Sea islands, it’s absolutely worth visiting if you’re looking to combine relaxation, culture, and nature.
Check out my Southeast Asia posts:
- Thailand packing list for 2 weeks
- What to do in Bangkok in 3 days
- Singapore travel guide
- Visiting the temples of Angkor in Cambodia
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