Samui was discovered several hundred years ago by fishermen and sea traders sailing through the Gulf of Thailand and seeking shelter from storms; giving credit to the believe that the name “Samui” is derived from the word “Saboey”, which means ‘safe haven’ in their Chinese dialect. Early Chinese settlers from Hainan marvelled at its beauty and abundance and started to settle down on an island that must have looked familiar to their homeland.

When the first western travelers fell under Koh Samui’s spell in the 1970’s, they still found a peaceful life of fishing and farming going on as much as it had for centuries. But as word got out, the island began a phase of rapid development to become the top international holiday destination it is today. Tourism meanwhile has taken the economic lead over agriculture, with many hotels, ranging from simple thatched bungalows to stylish boutique and luxury hotels lining the island’s beaches and cliffs. Despite its recent changes and rapid development, Koh Samui is an ideal place to enjoy a tropical holiday.

The principal tourist areas of the island are around the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast. Along the northern stretch of the island are the golden-sand beaches of Bo Phut and Mae Nam and the hilly northeastern peninsula of Tong Sai and Choeng Mon. The quiet and serene bays and beaches here are home to some of the best resorts of the island.

The island has its own airport, owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, providing twenty daily flights to and from Bangkok. Flying into Koh Samui from Bangkok takes little more than an hour, which is roughly the same amount of time it takes to circle the island by car. Most hotels are within less then a half-hour drive from the island’s airport, an award-winning “open-air” airport that ranks among the finest in the world in local charm and tropical splendor. 

Koh Samui belongs to an archipelago of more than 80 islands of which only four (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan) are touristicly developed. Two hours by boat to the northwest of Koh Samui lies Angthong Marine National Park, a group of unspoiled islands made well known as the setting of the cult-novel “The Beach” by Alex Garland. Their hills are covered with dense green forests and brilliant white sand beaches hide in idyllic coves. Offering no accommodation, Angthong is a popular destination for day tours from Koh Samui. A few kilometres north of Koh Samui is Koh Phangan. Less developed, it offers a more laid-back life-style than its big sister island Samui, with small and family-run resorts along its splendidly rugged coastline. While Koh Phangan virtually jumps to live once a month for its well-known full-moon party on Had Rin Beach, Koh Tao, 40 km further north, has gained its reputation as a heaven for scuba divers. Its abundant coral reefs and swarming marine life are among the best in Thailand.
>>> Koh Phangan , Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan.

Weather conditions

During the high season, from December to February, the weather temperatures on Samui hover at around 30 degrees C. Short tropical downpours can occur, mostly in December, but this is still considered as one of the best seasons to visit Koh Samui, particularly for tourists from the Northern hemisphere. The seas at this time of the year are generally calm and clear. From March to June the weather can get very hot on Samui, up to 40 degrees C. This is a popular time for off-season visits but seasonal low tides can lead to very shallow waters on most of the island’s beaches. Swimming during this period of the year is best on Mae Nam and Bo Phut beaches.
Temperatures during July to September cool down to the mid thirties again, with a mini monsoon season that brings occasional storms and periods of rain from the mainland. These are also popular months for visitors with plenty of sunshine.
October and November see more rain than other months, although even then it doesn't normally rain every day. Unlike many other parts of the country, Koh Samui doesn’t have a prolonged or predictable rainy season as it falls under the influence of the southwest monsoon as well as the north east monsoon. But even during this wettest period of the year, there are rarely more for than two or three days without sun, even during November, which is commonly considered to be the main monsoon season.

The island and its beaches (clockwise)

Koh Samui is just 21 km at its widest point and 25 km at its longest, small enough to drive around the island in little more than an hour. While the most visited areas have roads lined with commerce, much of the island’s interior remains covered with rice paddies, coconut groves and forested hills. The mountainous interior offers some hiking and biking opportunities through lush vegetation, to hidden waterfalls and stunning vista points.

Lamai Beach (Lower East Coast)

Adjoining southward, Lamai is Samui’s second longest beach. Traditionally favoured by budget travellers, a few international hotels with modern facilities can be found at Lamai. Lamai’s main street is lined with countless restaurants and shops; and while bar nightlife has somewhat increased in the central area of Lamai, visitors are still charmed by the village scenes that can be found at the open market or the old monastery nearby. At the southern end of Lamai, the beach is studded with huge granite boulders and curious rock formations that are named “grandfather and grandmother rock”. If you continue further south you will reach some of the quietest areas of the island, with peaceful coconut groves and – yet – undeveloped coastlines. 

What to do on Koh Samui

With a wide range of options for relaxation, entertainment and adventure, Koh Samui offers something for everybody. There are no high profile “must-see” sights on Koh Samui, but a good mix of natural and cultural attractions that can be visited within half a day touring around the island. For day tours, visit the smaller islands scattered around Samui; on a day trip to Angthong National Marine Park or during a snorkeling trip to stunning Koh Nang Yuan island on board the modern Lomprayah Catamaran. In the evening, try your bargaining skills at countless shops on Chaweng Road or opt for romantic dining and wining at Bo Phut’s quaint Fisherman Village.

Our recommendation

Why not combine 2 islands! Stay a couple of days on Koh Samui and combine it with a few days on nearby Koh Phangan Island. Although only a 30 minutes boat ride apart, the two islands offer a greatly varied holiday experience.
>>> Koh Phangan , Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan.

Or try a round of golf at the stunning Santiburi Samui Coutry Club.

For day tours, visit the smaller islands scattered around Samui; on a day
trip to Angthong National Marine Park or during a snorkeling trip to
stunning Koh Nang Yuan island on board the modern Lomprayah Catamaran. Or
try a round of golf at the stunning Santiburi Samui Coutry Club. In the
evening, try your bargaining skills at countless shops on Chaweng Road or
opt for romantic dining and wining at Bo Phut’s quaint Fisherman Village.

How to get to Koh Samui

By air: Approx. 20 daily flights by Bangkok Airways (PG) connect Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport directly with Koh Samui and vice versa. Flying time is approx. +/- 1 hr, depending on the aircraft used. Domestically Koh Samui Airport is also connected with Phuket (2 daily flights by Bangkok Airways), Pattaya-Uthapao Airport (1 daily flight by Bangkok Airways) and Chiang Mai (1 daily flight by Bangkok Airways). Internationally Koh Samui Airport is connected with Hong Kong and Singapore.

By road and ferry: The closest town on the mainland is Surat Thani, 650 km south of Bangkok and 80 km west of Koh Samui. Transfer time from Surat Thani to the mainland ferry near Don Sak takes approx. 1 hr. From Don Sak the regular ferry crossing over to Koh Samui takes approx. 1 1/2 hrs. A further transfer from the island pier on the west coast of Koh Samui to the resort area, mainly located at the north and east coast, takes another 30-45 minutes.