Koh Samui travel guide
Gulf island resorts, Ang Thong park and Fisherman's Village. Most people stay 3–5 nights. Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug.
Highlights
- Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Big Buddha
- Fisherman's Village
- Koh Tao day trip
Things to do in Koh Samui
- Ang Thong National Marine Park day trip · 9 h · about ₹4,500 per person. Includes kayaking and the climb to the Emerald Lake viewpoint; trips are often cancelled in Nov–Dec seas.
- Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) & Wat Plai Laem · 2 h · free
- Fisherman's Village walking street, Bophut · 2.5 h · about ₹600 per person. The Friday walking street is the busiest night.
- Chaweng beach day · 3 h · free
- Na Muang waterfalls · 2 h · free
- Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks and Lamai beach · 1.5 h · free
- Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan snorkel day trip · 9 h · about ₹5,000 per person. Speedboat days start ~7am; Nang Yuan charges a small entry fee and bans plastic bottles.
- Secret Buddha Garden & viewpoints jeep tour · 5 h · about ₹2,800 per person
- Thai massage or spa session · 1.5 h · about ₹1,500 per person
- Samui Thai cooking class · 3.5 h · about ₹3,500 per person
Where to stay in Koh Samui
- Lamai (budget, ₹2,000–₹4,000 a night): Long beach and a Sunday market at lower prices than Chaweng.
- Chaweng (mid, ₹4,000–₹9,000 a night): Main beach with restaurants and nightlife; 15 min from the airport.
- Bophut / Fisherman's Village (mid, ₹4,500–₹9,500 a night): Calmer north coast, piers for Koh Tao and Ang Thong.
- Choeng Mon / Chaweng Noi (premium, ₹12,000–₹30,000 a night): Quiet bays with pool-villa resorts.
What to eat
- Seafood and grilled fish: Fisherman's Village, Bophut
- Gaeng som & southern curries: Lamai and Maenam local restaurants
Getting there
- Flight from Bangkok ~1h05m
- Bus or train + ferry via Surat Thani (Donsak)
- Ferry to Koh Tao ~1.5–2h
Good to know
- Oct–Dec is the wet season, heaviest in November.
- Flights to Samui cost more than to Phuket or Krabi; the Donsak ferry is the budget option.
Thailand itineraries with Koh Samui
- Koh Samui honeymoon · 6 days · 6 days, Koh Samui · from ₹28,650 per person, base estimate before flights. A single resort base for the months when Phuket and Krabi are wet.
- Gulf islands: Koh Samui & Koh Tao · 8 days · 8 days, Koh Samui → Koh Tao · from ₹34,750 per person, base estimate before flights. The mid-year beach option (May–August), when the Andaman coast is in monsoon.
- Both coasts: Bangkok, Krabi & Koh Samui · 11 days · 11 days, Bangkok → Krabi → Koh Samui · from ₹60,225 per person, base estimate before flights. Andaman cliffs and a Gulf island in one trip, linked by bus and ferry via Donsak.