In just over 10 years, Samui has developed dramatically from a small town surrounded with coconut plantations on an island off south-eastern Thailand to a lively city that is ranked as one of the world’s top seaside destinations. The island has something for everyone: beautiful, palm-fringed beaches lined with luxurious to budget accommodation, a laid-back atmosphere, interesting lifestyle of local islanders, wild and vivid nightlife, and many opportunities for adventure. Besides all the attractions on the island itself, Samui is also the perfect starting point to explore other nearby islands like Ang Thong Islands National Marine Park, Koh Pha-ngan, and Koh Tao.

Best Time

February - June

Getting There/Around

Traveling to this island of paradise is easy because Samui has its own airport. Regular flights come in from all the major cities of Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya) and from nearby countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong (check out www.bangkokair.com for flight schedule). To get to the island from the mainland of Thailand, you can also choose a comfortable ferry trip or a fast ride on a speed cruiser. To get around the island, you can simply take a taxi or rent a jeep or motorcycle.

Top Attractions

Nathon

Located on the western side of Koh Samui, Nathon is the main harbour for ferries and speedboats travelling to and from the island. It is also where all of Samui’s public service offices can be found, including the administrative office, post office, fire station and police station.

Nathon is an interesting place for tourists to spend a few hours sightseeing as it provides some insight into the way Samui’s local residents really live - away from the tourist hotspots. There are a variety of worthwhile sites to visit including shopping areas, restaurants and a fresh market. A traditional old building that stands on both sides of the road running through Nathon Market is also worth checking out.  In the evening Nathon is crowded with people as there are many street vendors selling various styles of food at the port.

Bang Makham Beach

It may be connected to the bustling beach of Nathon but Bang Makham Beach is far enough away that visitors can escape the island’s port town to enjoy something a bit more low-key. The beach is wide, but there are some rocks that appear during low-tide. Nonetheless it is a good place to sunbathe in peace away from the masses. There are a few restaurants open for lunch and dinner offering panoramic views of the sea.

Bang Por

Bang Por Bay is located on the north coast of Samui next to Mae Nam Beach. It is an ideal place to find authentic island cuisine and seafood as many local restaurants are located on this beach. Diners can order various types of fresh seafood that have come directly from the Gulf of Thailand. An added bonus is the broad views of the north coast of Samui that can be enjoyed while you sit back and enjoy your feast.

Maenam Beach

Voted one of the best beaches in Asia by Australian media, Maenam Beach is a snoozy little area on the north coast of Koh Samui just two kilometres west of Bophut. It is well-known for its traditional Thai village that includes wooden houses and shops – some of which are over 70 years old - and a laidback atmosphere. The area is also home to inexpensive accommodations, driving centres and water sports facilities.

The four kilometre long beach is clean with crystal clear waters and white sand, allowing visitors to enjoy the great vista of Koh Pha Ngan in the distance as it stands dazzlingly against the azure sky to provide a remarkably tropical setting.

Bophut

Bophut is located on the north coast of Koh Samui and is a small Thai fishing village that was once was a prosperous and busy harbour full of boats. What makes the town worth visiting is its village as opposed to the beach, which is not that ideal for swimming as there is a lot of seaweed in the bay.

The influence of the modern tourism trade can be seen in Bophut as there are various styles of accommodation in the area including a few resorts on the beach where visitors can enjoy water sports activities.

Bang Rak

On the way to the famous Big Buddha temple lies Bang Rak Beach, where visitors can head out to a small sand bar that provides stunning views of the sea. This beach was once a settlement for local Samui residents but today it is being transformed into an area for resorts and high-end properties. There is a small space next to the road providing access to the beach for those who want to enjoy a picnic or a swim.

Choeng Mon

Choeng Mon was once a popular beach east of the Big Buddha temple where local islanders would picnic on weekends but now most of its serene coast is home to luxury accommodations. It lies on the northeast corner of Koh Samui, offering calm seas and a fine one kilometre long sandy beach. With its unique location in the corner of the island Choeng Mon is very peaceful, perfect for those seeking solace and privacy. Although most accommodations here are mainly large luxury resorts, some budget bungalows can still be found nearby.

Chaweng

Today the most popular area on Samui, many will be surprised to hear Chaweng used to be the most remote and underdeveloped beach on the island due to its location behind the mountains. Over the last few decades it has dramatically morphed into a big town with a wide range of activities.

Located on the east side of the island just north of Lamai Beach, Chawang’s 4.5 kilometre powdery white beach is bordered by dreamy crystal clear waters and coral reefs. Chawang offers a wide variety of restaurants, shopping arcades, spas and, most importantly, energetic nightlife. It also provides a wide variety of international and local accommodation options. Travellers can easily find the finest luxury five-star hotels or simple budget bungalows here.

Lamai

The second largest beach on the island, Lamai is located on the east coast of Samui about 10 kilometres south of Chaweng. Featuring a long sandy beach lined with hundreds of coconut trees sitting against the backdrop of an azure tropical sky and turquoise water, Lamai Beach is an ideal place for those who want to enjoy peaceful ambiance but still remain relatively close to the action.

Down the south of the beach is the famous ‘Hin Ta – Hin Yai,’ or ‘Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks’, which are two large naturally formed stones in the shape of male and female genitalia. They are Samui’s most well-known natural attraction among Thai and foreign tourists alike.

Besides the beach, interesting Lamai attractions include an open-air market and an old monastery that features a local museum. If you want to get closer to nature, explore the paths behind the beach road. Here you’ll find quiet fruit and coconut plantations as well as trails leading into the island’s interior.

Further south on the main road is Wat Sila Ngu, one of two golden pagodas on the island. There are some excellent photo opportunities here, with the pagoda’s shimmering exterior standing out beautifully against the deep blue tropical sky.

Although it can get rather busy at night, the small town of Lamai is a good median between Samui’s super-remote areas and the crowds of Chawang. In terms of accommodation options Lamai Beach offers a wide variety of choices ranging from high-end resorts to budget bungalows that offer good value for the money.

Bang Kao Beach

Bang Kao is an ideal place for travellers in search of solitude. It is a very quiet beach where little more than the sound of gentle wind blowing through the flapping coconut leaves can be heard. You can also visit a 100-year-old house that is still in good condition and witness the simple lifestyle of the locals.  For instance, in the afternoon you may see residents sitting at a pavilion and chatting. There are some restaurants next to the beach that provide good seafood.

Phang Ka Bay

Phang Ka Bay is a peaceful beach with beautiful scenery. Beside the indigo blue sea sits a row of long-tail boats and a lively local fishing village. During low-tide the beach becomes a vast field of sand that allows you to walk a full kilometre off the coast.

Tong Krut

Opposite Koh Tan and Matsum, Tong Krut Beach is the starting point for those wanting to hop to nearby islands or take a daytrip to enjoy some fishing or snorkelling. Next to the beach is a small pavilion where boat agents run by the local community assist tourists and offer trips off Koh Samui to fishing or diving sites. There are also many restaurants around the area that are great places to sit back and enjoy some good food while taking in the beautiful view.

Tong Nod

Tong Nod - or Tong Tanod Beach - is hidden behind coconut plantations and remains the best-kept secret of the island. There is no sign to lead you to the beach but if you ask the locals they’ll tell you how to get there. The beach may be short, but it’s surrounded by unspoilt nature.

Taling Ngam

Those looking to find the most beautiful sunset on the island should head for Taling Ngam. This beach lies to the east of Koh Samui just south of Nathon. As you watch the sun setting over the beach you will get a stunning view of the Si and Ha Islands on the horizon. Tourists can also rent a boat to other islands for fishing and diving excursions from Taling Ngam.

Lipa Noi

Lipa Noi, located between Nathon and Taling Ngam Beach, is perfect for swimming and enjoying water activities. This clean beach is sometimes crowded with local teenagers riding scooters and playing beach football and volleyball during school vacations but at the other end of the beach near Laem Chon Kram there are many serene places to relax.

Koh Tan

Peaceful and solitary, Koh Tan presents a portrait of the Koh Samui of the good old days. This small island south of Samui has been preserved as a natural heritage spot by local islanders and is a good place for eco-tourism lovers to spend a day or two exploring. There are two pristine beaches, Ao Oak (East Bay) and Ao Tok (West Bay), which boast white powdery sand and perfect swimming conditions. Touring around the island on Koh Tan’s tiny unpaved roads is the recommended way to witness the simple way of life on a coconut plantation. There are a few budget bungalow accommodations for those who want to stay overnight and absorb the nostalgic ambience of Samui on Koh Tan.

Koh Matsum

Located east of Koh Tan, Koh Matsum is even more isolated and a good place to escape the bustle of Koh Samui and spend the day snorkelling, canoeing or fishing. There is no electricity from the mainland so each household needs to generate its own. Matsum Bungalow is the only accommodation and restaurant on the island, offering small huts next to the beach for those seeking a truly remote experience.

Diving Information

There are several dive sites in Koh Samui. Most of them are suitable for beginners as they are in shallow waters of protected bays. You can find dive centers on Samui’s famous beaches like Chaweng, Lamai, and Bophut. All of the centers provide modern amenities, professional facilities, and boats to the nearby dive sites in the Samui archipelago, including Ang Thong Islands National Marine Park.

Shopping Spots
Chaweng, Lamai, and Nathon beaches, Bo Phut’s fisherman village

Nightlife
Chaweng and Lamai beaches, Bo Phut’s fisherman village

Travel Agencies
Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co., Ltd
Mae Nam
Tel: +66 (0) 77 427765-6
www.lomprayah.com

Samui Air Travel (Head Office)
Lamai Beach, Lamai
Tel: +66 (0) 77 424265, 424259

Seamoon Travel
Soi Buriraya, Lamai
Tel: +66 (0) 77 458154-5

Tourist Information
Immigration Office, Nathon
Tel: +66 (0) 77 421069

TAT Co-operative Travel Center, Koh Samui
Tel: +66 (0) 77 283970

Tourist Police
Tel: 1155

Currency
Baht (THB)

Time Zone
GMT/UTC + 7

Save 75% on Best Rates Hotels and Resorts in Samui

Browse all hotels and resorts on Koh Samui