Koh Samui
The Gulf's answer to Phuket: palm-lined beaches, a ring road that makes everything reachable, and easy access to Ang Thong Marine Park and Koh Phangan. Samui's weather runs on a different clock to the Andaman.
Koh Samui is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, reached in 50 minutes by plane from Bangkok. Chaweng and Lamai are the main beaches, Bophut and Maenam the quieter ones. Four to five nights covers the island and Ang Thong.
Choosing a beach
Chaweng is the busy one, Lamai the slightly older sibling, Bophut and Mae Nam the quiet north. The north coast has the best sunsets and the calmest water in the wet season.
The marine park
Ang Thong is 28 islands of limestone and hidden lagoons, an hour by speedboat. It is the single best day trip from Samui — and the one we most often see people book too late in the day.
Where to stay in Koh Samui
Samui's ring road makes everywhere reachable, but the island has distinct zones: the busy east, the calm north and the residential west. Resorts on the north coast are the best compromise for most travellers.
- Choeng Mon & Bophut$$$–$$$$
Best for: Families and couples
Calm shallow water, good restaurants, 15 minutes to the airport.
- Chaweng$$–$$$$
Best for: Nightlife, shopping, convenience
The busiest strip in the Gulf: everything is here, including the noise until 2am.
- Maenam & Bang Por$$–$$$
Best for: Quiet, longer stays
The most local stretch of coast, cheap food, sunset views to Koh Phangan.
- Lamai$$
Best for: A middle ground
Cheaper than Chaweng, still walkable, with a good beach and a night market.
Price bands are for a double room per night in high season: $ under THB 1,800 · $$ 1,800–4,500 · $$$ 4,500–10,000 · $$$$ above 10,000. We book hotels in every band and inspect them in person.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Booking during the European summer and finding the island busy with the wrong season's weather
- Staying on Chaweng if you want quiet — it is the busiest strip in the Gulf
- Skipping Ang Thong because it is a long day — it is the best thing here
Is it worth it?
Worth four or five nights if you want a resort beach holiday with more restaurants than Koh Phangan and less chaos than Phuket. The island is expensive by Thai standards and heavily developed in the east, but the north coast and Ang Thong are genuinely good.
Things to see in Koh Samui
National park
Ang Thong National Marine Park
Forty-two limestone islands with hidden lagoons, a viewpoint over the whole archipelago and the Emerald Lake.…
Temple
Big Buddha & Wat Plai Laem
A 12-metre golden Buddha on a small island off Samui's north coast, next to the elaborate Wat Plai Laem.…
Nature
Na Muang Waterfalls
Two waterfalls in the island's interior, the second with a natural infinity pool at the top.…
Neighbourhood
Fisherman's Village, Bophut
A strip of old wooden shophouses on Bophut beach, now restaurants and bars, with a Friday walking street.…
Tours that include Koh Samui
Experiences here
Common questions
Choeng Mon for families, Maenam and Bophut for quiet, Chaweng for nightlife, Lamai for a middle ground. The north coast is the most attractive.
January to August. The island's rainy season is October to December, which is the opposite of the Andaman coast.
Fly direct to Samui airport (50 minutes from Bangkok), or ferry from Surat Thani (1.5–2.5 hours) or Koh Phangan/Koh Tao.
Yes, relative to the rest of Thailand. Flights, taxis and beachfront hotels are the main costs; food away from the beach is reasonable.
Last updated: October 2026 · JoyoTour editorial team
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