Discover what to do in Koh Samui, where to stay, how to get there, and when to go. The complete 2025 guide: beaches, transportation, culture, and practical advice.
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Description
Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket , with an area of 228 km² and a population of 70,000 to 75,000 inhabitants (in 2025).
The main town is Nathon, a fishing and transport port between the different islands, located on the southwest coast.
It is also the seat of local government and the economic heart of the island.
Lipa Noi Beach in Koh Samui
Geography of Koh Samui
Surat Thani Province
The island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, about 35 km northeast of the city of Surat Thani, in the center of a small archipelago of 85 islets, 6 of which are inhabited, and which make up the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park (the Bowl Islands).
Koh Pha Ngan Island is just a few kilometers further north.
Ko Samui has a massive shape (25 km x 21 km), rather circular.
Its center, located at an altitude of 656 meters, is covered in jungle.
The plains are connected by a single 51 km road that follows the coast.
Climate in Koh Samui
Samui essentially has two seasons, a hot, tropical one and a short rainy season.
The island's climate is relatively dry throughout the year, with the rainy season lasting from late October to mid-December.
The rest of the year there are only short showers.
See also: When to go to Koh Samui
Panoramic photo of Koh Samui
History
The island was probably uninhabited until the 6th century before being colonized by fishermen from Malaysia and southern China.
It is found on Chinese maps from 1687 under the name Pulo Cornam.
The origin of the current name, Samui, is not known.
It could come from the name of one of the local trees, the "mui", or from the Chinese word saboei, which means "safe harbor".
Before the arrival of the first tourists in the 1980s, the island was inhabited by a self-sufficient and isolated fishing community, which had little contact with Thailand.
There were only dirt roads and to cross the 15 km of the island it required a day of walking through the jungle and mountains.
Koh Samui Choeng Mon Beach
Culture
The "Chao Samui", as the island's inhabitants are known, are mostly Buddhist.
If in the past they lived mainly from fishing and harvesting coconuts, today most of them work in tourism.
Samui's economic development then attracted wealthy Sino-Thai people from Bangkok and workers from Isan, a region in northeastern Thailand.
Koh Samui is a popular destination for seniors and many retirees have moved here due to the cost of living, the climate, and the beauty of the place.
Bo Phut Beach
Local cuisine
The local cuisine is a blend of Malay, Indonesian and Indian cuisines.
The most popular dishes are: Indian curry (Massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (khanom jeen) and chicken biryani.
See: Massaman Curry: The recipe for one of the best Thai curries
Massaman Curry
Things to see and do on Koh Samui
Chaweng Beach
Koh Samui's most popular beach is a large white sand beach over 7 km long, it is also the safest on the island due to the shallow water.
Chaweng is lined with hotels directly overlooking the beach, shops, stalls and restaurants.
Lamai Beach
This is the second busiest beach in Koh Samui, with the beaches being wilder and quieter than Chaweng, making it ideal for more tranquility.
Nathon
This is the port of departure from Koh Samui towards Surat Thani.
Nathon is just a place of passage, it is very little animated.
NaThon Beach from the jungle of Koh Samui
Green Mango
This is Chaweng's soi lined with many bars that come alive at nightfall
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
It is a seated Buddha statue located in a temple in the north of the island, Wat Phra Yai.
Grandfather and Grandmother's Rocks (Hin Ta and Hin Yai)
These are rocks in the shape of male and female genitals, symbols of fertility.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai
Video: Top 5 Things to Do in Koh Samui
A video that also allows you to discover the most beautiful places on the island.
Events and Festivals in Koh Samui
The Bull Fighting Festival is one of the most famous festivals on the island, held on special occasions such as the New Year holidays or Songkran .
The season differs according to ancient customs and ceremonies.
The bull is richly adorned before the fight, which lasts two rounds, and the monks sprinkle it with holy water.
Traditionally, the winning owner wins a sum of money.
The Fishing Village Festival is a five-day festival of music, festivities and local food.
Music is played by famous artists and tents sell specialties from nearby hotels at affordable prices.
The Samui Regatta has been held annually since 2002.
It is known internationally and competitors come from Thailand as well as Australia, Singapore, Japan and China.
Find a hotel in Koh Samui
You'll have no trouble finding hotel rooms, but if you're coming between November and February, Thailand's peak season, it's best to book in advance.
You can find the best hotel deals in Koh Samui with Booking.com
Transportation to Koh Samui
To get an idea of transport prices, check timetables or book a plane, bus, train or boat ticket, see our partner: 12go.asia .
Plane
You can find the cheapest long-haul flights to Koh Samui by comparing prices with Trip.com.
Koh Samui International Airport ( USM) is a private airport built by Bangkok Airways, which remains the primary operator.
For a long time, it was the only airline offering flights to the island from Thailand.
Since 2023, Koh Samui has also been connected internationally via flights operated in partnership with companies such as Singapore Airlines, notably via codeshare with Bangkok Airways, facilitating connections from Europe and Southeast Asia.
It has two terminals: one for domestic flights, the other for international flights.
The airport is located near the Big Buddha pier from where ferries depart to Koh Phangan .
Fast ferries to Koh Tao and Chumphon depart from Maenam Pier, about 6 km northwest of the airport.
Koh Samui Airport
Other means of transport on and to the island
Several ferries connect Samui to the mainland.
Public buses serve the island.
Songthaew (pick-up taxis) operate on the coastal road, and private taxis are available across the island, although these are criticized for their unreliability (odometers and overcharging).
See also:
Transport in Thailand, getting around in the land of smiles .
Practical information
Hospitals in Koh Samui
There are four private international hospitals in Samui:
- Samui International Hospital on Beach Road north of Chaweng
- Thai International on Lake Road in Chaweng
- Bandon Hospital on the Coast Road
- Bangkok Samui Hospital in Chaweng Noi
The public hospital is located in Nathon, there are also many clinics and pharmacies, especially in Chaweng.
Koh Samui Map
You will find other maps on the forum: Maps of the island of Koh Samui
Source: wikipedia.org ; wikitravel.org; Photos: Bophut beach: Ssuri; Lipa Noi beach: Manfred Werner; Koh Samui Airport: Per Meistrup; Koh Samui Airport boarding gate: Binderdonedat; Koh Samui Airport runway: Binderdonedat; Grandfather and Grandmother rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai): Ahoerstemeier; Choeng Mon Beach: Rich Daley; Na Thon from the Jungle: Rich Daley; Massaman curry: Thanthan
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