Koh Samui Travel Guide: Gulf Island with Beaches and Resorts

A guide to Koh Samui — the best beaches, what to do, where to stay, and how to get between Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao.

Koh Samui at a glance

Koh Samui is Thailand’s third-largest island and one of the Gulf coast’s main resort destinations. It has a circumference road connecting all the main beaches, a domestic airport with good Bangkok connections, and a well-developed tourist infrastructure ranging from backpacker guesthouses to international five-star resorts.

The island is most useful as a hub for the Koh Samui–Koh Phangan–Koh Tao island chain. Ferries connect all three islands and make combination trips practical.

Beaches

Chaweng Beach — The longest and most developed beach on the east coast. The main nightlife, shopping, and restaurant strip runs alongside it. Good swimming, very crowded in peak season.

Lamai Beach — South of Chaweng. Slightly quieter and slightly cheaper, with a reasonable restaurant scene. The beach is attractive with some rocky outcrops.

Bophut and Fisherman’s Village — The north coast is calmer and more upscale. Fisherman’s Village is a well-preserved wooden shophouse streetscape with good restaurants and boutique shops. The Friday night market is worth attending.

Maenam Beach — Long, quiet, less developed north-coast beach. Affordable guesthouses and mostly local-patronised restaurants. The choice for travellers wanting to avoid the resort scene.

Mae Nam to Chaweng stretch — The east coast beaches around Choeng Mon are among the best on the island for swimming — sheltered, clear water, and fewer hotels than Chaweng.

Things to do

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) — A 12-metre golden Buddha on a small island causeway in the northeast. Free access. Busy with day-trippers but worth a stop.

Ang Thong Marine National Park — A day trip by speedboat from Na Thon or Bang Rak piers. An archipelago of 42 islands with snorkelling, sea kayaking through sea caves, and a lagoon viewpoint. One of the most impressive day trips available from any Thai island.

Na Muang Waterfalls — Two waterfalls in the island’s forested interior. No. 1 is the larger and more visited; No. 2 requires a 30-minute hike and has a swimming pool. Reachable by scooter from most beaches in 20–30 minutes.

Koh Phangan day trip — A 30-minute ferry from Ban Rak or Maenam pier. Day trip by speedboat covers both the island’s beaches and a snorkel stop. Or just take the regular ferry for ฿200 one-way and explore independently.

Island hopping

Koh Samui is the transport hub for the southern Gulf islands:

Koh Phangan — 30 minutes by high-speed ferry, ฿200
Koh Tao — 1.5 hours by high-speed ferry, ฿400

A combination ticket (Samui → Phangan → Tao) can be booked at any pier or travel agent.

Practical information

Getting there — Bangkok Airways from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (1h15m) is the most convenient. Also flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Ferry via Surat Thani is the budget option.

Getting around — Rent a scooter (฿200–300/day) or songthaew (shared taxi pickup). Grab operates on Samui.

Best time — February to August. October and November are typically the wettest months.