Gulf Coast
Koh Samui
The Gulf's most developed island. Lively Chaweng, calmer Lamai, and Bophut's Fisherman's Village. Runs on the opposite season to the Andaman coast, driest in the northern spring and summer.
22 guides Best: Feb–Apr & Jun–Aug
Know before you go
Best time to go The best time to visit Koh Samui is February through April, or June through August, the two dry windows on Thailand's Gulf coast, when rainfall is at its lowest and the sea is calmest. Best Time to Visit Koh Samui: Month-by-Month Guide → Cost of living A single person living on Koh Samui needs roughly ฿30,000-฿40,000/month (US$910-$1,210 at ฿33 = US$1, July 2026) on a lean budget with a studio in Maenam or Nathon, local food, and a scooter, or about ฿45,000-฿65,000/… Cost of Living in Koh Samui 2026 → Getting around You get around Koh Samui by songthaew (shared pickup trucks that loop the ring road for roughly ฿30-80/US$0.90-2.40 per person by day), rented scooter (about ฿140-350/US$4-11 per day for a 125cc), rented car (roughly… Getting Around Koh Samui: Songthaews, Taxis & Rentals → Top things to do Koh Samui's best things to do split into beaches, temples, nature day trips, and nightlife. Things to Do in Koh Samui 2026: The Complete Guide →
Where to stay in Koh Samui
All 30 hotels →
★★★★★ Hansar Samui Resort 9.25,080 reviews
★★★ COSI Samui Chaweng Beach 8.94,351 reviews
★★★★★ SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort 9.32,438 reviews
★★★★★ Silavadee Pool Spa Resort 9.12,713 reviews
★★★ Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach 9.02,869 reviews
★★★★★ Nora Buri Resort & Spa 8.73,545 reviews
★★★ ibis Samui Bophut 8.35,256 reviews
★★★ Escape Beach Resort 8.53,699 reviews
Things to see in Koh Samui
21 placesTemples (Wat) · 4
Islands · 4
Waterfalls · 2
National Parks · 1
Viewpoints · 1
Markets & Night Markets · 2
Wildlife & Elephant Sanctuaries · 1
Attractions & Landmarks · 2
Every Koh Samui guide
22 totalCity guide · 1
Things to do · 6
Big Buddha Koh Samui (Wat Phra Yai): Visitor Guide Koh Samui 3-Day Itinerary: The Perfect First Trip Koh Samui Beaches: The Complete 2026 Guide to Every Coast Koh Samui Nightlife: Chaweng, Lamai & Bophut After Dark Koh Samui Waterfalls: Na Muang, Hin Lad & Secret Falls Things to Do in Koh Samui 2026: The Complete Guide
Cost & living · 1
Practical · 11
Bangkok to Koh Samui: Flight, Bus & Ferry Guide (2026) Best Time to Visit Koh Samui: Month-by-Month Guide Getting Around Koh Samui: Songthaews, Taxis & Rentals How to Get to Koh Samui: Flights, Bus, Ferry & Costs Koh Samui Airport (USM): Fares, Transfers and Arrival Guide Koh Samui to Bangkok: Flights, the Last Ferry, and the Cheap Way North Koh Samui to Koh Phangan: Ferries, Piers, Times & Prices Koh Samui to Koh Tao: Ferries, Piers, Times & Prices Koh Samui to Krabi: Ferry-Bus, Flight or Private Car (2026) Krabi to Koh Samui: Ferry, Bus and Flight Options Compared Phuket to Koh Samui: Flight vs Bus and Ferry Compared