Koh Samui Tips

Koh Samui is fully geared towards tourists. Some speak of mass tourism, and it's no wonder because Koh Samui is among the most visited islands in Thailand. The island offers kilometers of sandy beaches, nearly untouched jungles, waterfalls, numerous temples, and an international airport.

There are many accommodations - from boutique hotels to affordable hostels and seaside cabins. Both backpackers and package tourists feel at home here. So why should we specifically consider Koh Samui? The answer is simple:

Dreamy beaches, sunny temperatures year-round with plenty of sunshine. This makes Koh Samui and the Andaman Sea an ideal location when other regions of Thailand are experiencing the rainy season.

However, keep in mind that especially around Christmas and New Year, the island can be quite crowded. Spontaneous travel isn't ideal during this time. Here are our favorite spots and highlights on Koh Samui, the Coconut Island. A perfect vacation spot for 'wintering' and relaxing.

Here you will surely find your all-inclusive package. The resort run by a very friendly and helpful British couple offers tailored service for everyone. You can even get married here.

With currently 135 beds, the Samui Beach Village Resort truly lives up to its 'Village' name. The resort is not a hotel bunker but really feels like a village, with very nice staff who are happy to drive guests around in a golf cart.

As a guest, you can choose from individually designed luxury villas with 2 to 5 bedrooms right on the beautiful white sandy beach. Alternatively, there are beautiful smaller Ocean Room villas designed for 2 to 4 people, also located very close to the beach.

Those opting for one of the holiday homes enjoy the big advantage of still being able to use the resort's amenities. This includes a large swimming pool, a tennis court, a fitness center, the highly recommended spa, and the Orchid Restaurant & Bar.

The resort is located 30 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the lively town of Chaweng. There is a shuttle service from the airport and a shared taxi that stops at the hotel multiple times a day.

When in Koh Samui, you should book an excursion to Ang Thong Marine National Park. It is located between the mainland and the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, making it perfect for a day trip. You can choose to go snorkeling, diving, or kayaking.

I prefer snorkeling tours, while Katrin went diving and saw whale sharks. It's best to book these tours locally with local residents.

The island's landmark is the Big Buddha (Thai: Wat Phra Yai). Of course, it's not a hidden gem (it wasn't 20 years ago either), but it should be mentioned during a trip to Koh Samui.

You can find the Big Buddha in the northeastern part of Koh Samui, north of the airport. The Buddha is located on the peninsula of Koh Faan, which is connected to Koh Samui by a causeway.

If you reach the top after climbing the 70 steps, you are rewarded with a stunning view. Entrance is, by the way, free.

The most popular beach is Chaweng Beach on the east side. Most resorts, including our accommodation, are located here. Toward the north, you will find more affordable accommodations and beach bars. To the south, there is public access to the beautiful beach.

The quiet Maenam Beach in the north of the island is very tranquil with relatively few visitors.

I particularly enjoyed Silver Beach. The beach is called Ao Thong Ta Khian in Thai and is located south of Chaweng Beach.

If you wish to go island hopping in Thailand, I recommend the "Island Guide Thailand" travel guide by fellow travel bloggers. It contains great tips from other wanderlust-stricken travelers.

Alternatively, I can recommend the ADAC Travel Guide Southern Thailand: Compact with Clever Folding Maps.

We recommend more travel guides for a round trip in Thailand here

The fastest way to reach the island from Bangkok is by plane. The airport is located on the east side of the island. I've only experienced similarly relaxed 'open-air' airports in Hawaii. It's small and cozy, which I really like.

Katrin traveled by ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui and returned by boat to Chumpon. The most popular provider is lomprayah.com, which we can also recommend.

To explore the island, you should consider renting a car or a scooter. Just don't forget that in Thailand, people drive on the left. This can be unusual for many at first.

Scooter riding can often be dangerous since the roads are slippery due to sand everywhere. It's not uncommon to see people with bandaged legs and elbows. On larger roads, be cautious as you are frequently overtaken by trucks driving way too fast. Accidents are common here.

You will find fantastic restaurants and bars all over Koh Samui. There are night markets, pubs, and, of course, fine dining. Besides Thai cuisine, you can also find (thanks to expatriates) Brazilian churrasco, Wiener schnitzel, Italian pasta and pizzas, as well as Indian curry.

If you are looking for peace, you should definitely look for accommodation in the north of the island (Santi Thani). The Mea Nam beach is often deserted, with restaurants, beach bars, and cafes available here.

We continuously read about tourists riding elephants. Please do not do this. The animals are tortured, and that should not be supported. Allegedly, there is an elephant farm in Koh Samui that claims to be a sanctuary, but we have not verified this. Please check with animal welfare organizations before visiting to see if the farm is truly safe.

More information for a trip to Thailand:

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