Thailand ⛅ 26°C · Now
Jan-Apr · Dec dry season · Full Moon gateway Koh Samui
Thailand
Koh Samui at a glance
$50+
Budget tier · excl. flights
From major hubs
USM (Koh Samui)
Visa-free 90 days
For most Western passports
$1 ≈ ¥150
JPY · ECB rate
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec
Currently May
Tropical monsoon
Now ⛅ 26°C
19:18
ICT (UTC+7)
Thai
English in tourism
Why visit Koh Samui?
Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island — population 70,000 in the Gulf of Thailand (eastern coast), part of the Surat Thani archipelago + 247km² (35km diameter). Founded as a small fishing village + transformed into international resort destination since 1980s. More expensive than Krabi/Phuket but quieter/more luxury — boutique resort island.
Famous for **Big Buddha** (Wat Phra Yai, 12m gold-painted Buddha statue 1972 + iconic Koh Samui photo + visible from incoming planes). **Chaweng Beach** (longest beach 7km on east coast + main tourist hub + restaurants + bars + cheap hostels to luxury resorts). **Lamai Beach** (south of Chaweng — quieter alternative + Hin Ta + Hin Yai 'Grandfather Grandmother' rocks naturally shaped like genitalia). **Ang Thong Marine Park** (42-island archipelago snorkeling day trip + Emerald Lake + boat tour).
Gateway to **Koh Phangan** (1h ferry — Full Moon Party at Haad Rin Beach, monthly party with 30,000 partygoers under full moon, started 1985 by hippies as small gathering, now Thailand's biggest party event) + **Koh Tao** (2h ferry — diving capital of Asia + cheapest PADI certification, $300 vs $1,000+ in Western countries).
1h flight from Bangkok on Bangkok Airways (USM is private airport). More expensive than Krabi/Phuket — Bangkok Airways monopoly + boutique resort culture + premium luxury options (Six Senses, W, Anantara, Four Seasons).
Iconic Thai cuisine: Pad Thai (national dish, $3-7), Tom Yum Goong (sour-spicy prawn soup, $5-10), Massaman curry (rich beef curry, $5-10), Mango sticky rice (Thai dessert, $3-5), Khao soi (curry noodles, $4-8), Singha + Chang beer ($3-6), Coconut water (fresh, $1-2 — Koh Samui famous for coconuts).
Bottom line: Koh Samui is canonical Thailand luxury island + Big Buddha + Full Moon Party gateway + premium Thai vacation. 4-5 days hits beach + Big Buddha + Ang Thong + Koh Phangan day trip.
Things to do in Koh Samui
Highlights
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
12m gold-painted Buddha statue 1972 + iconic Koh Samui photo.
Ang Thong Marine Park Day Tour
42-island archipelago snorkeling + Emerald Lake + boat tour.
Koh Phangan Full Moon Party (monthly)
30,000 partygoers under full moon at Haad Rin Beach since 1985.
Travel cost
Per person, per day (excludes flights)
Hostel + local food + public transport
$50
≈ ¥7,500 JPY
Per person / day (excl. flights)
📅 Total cost by trip duration (incl. flights)
3 days
$200
≈ ¥30,000
5 days
$320
≈ ¥48,000
7 days
$430
≈ ¥64,500
Flight estimate: $700-1,400 from US/EU; $150-400 from Asia (USM monopoly Bangkok Airways from BKK + SIN) (round-trip estimate)
Monthly weather
Currently in Koh Samui: ⛅ 26°C
Koh Samui now (May)
High 30°C / Low 25°C· Hot
Jan ☀️
High 28°C / Low 23°C
Hot
★ Best time to visit
Feb ☀️
High 28°C / Low 23°C
Hot
★ Best time to visit
Mar ☀️
High 29°C / Low 24°C
Hot
★ Best time to visit
Apr 🔥
High 30°C / Low 25°C
Hot
★ Best time to visit
May 🔥
High 30°C / Low 25°C
Hot
Jun 🔥
High 30°C / Low 25°C
Hot
Jul 🔥
High 30°C / Low 25°C
Hot
Aug 🔥
High 30°C / Low 25°C
Hot
Sep 🔥
High 30°C / Low 25°C
Hot
Oct ☀️
High 29°C / Low 24°C
Hot
Nov ☀️
High 28°C / Low 23°C
Hot
Dec ☀️
High 28°C / Low 23°C
Hot
★ Best time to visit
Jan
☀️
28°
23°
Hot
★Best
Feb
☀️
28°
23°
Hot
★Best
Mar
☀️
29°
24°
Hot
★Best
Apr
🔥
30°
25°
Hot
★Best
May
🔥
30°
25°
Hot
NOW
Jun
🔥
30°
25°
Hot
Jul
🔥
30°
25°
Hot
Aug
🔥
30°
25°
Hot
Sep
🔥
30°
25°
Hot
Oct
☀️
29°
24°
Hot
Nov
☀️
28°
23°
Hot
Dec
☀️
28°
23°
Hot
★Best
Practical information
Getting there
Getting around
Money & payments
Language
Cultural tips
Money & payment
Currency
THB. USD accepted at hotels.
Card acceptance
Hotels + restaurants. Cash for street food + boats + Songthaew.
Tipping
10-15% at sit-down restaurants.
ATM
Bangkok Bank + Krungsri free for foreign cards.
Recommended itinerary
Koh Samui 3-day route
Day 1 Big Buddha + Chaweng
09:00
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
12m gold-painted Buddha statue 1972; free entry, donation appreciated
11:00
Wat Plai Laem (multi-armed Guanyin)
Modern Chinese-Thai temple + 18-armed Guanyin statue; free
13:00
Lunch at Cucina Italiana (Bophut)
Italian-Thai fusion ¥300-600 ($10-20)
15:00
Chaweng Beach + parasailing
7km beach + activities ¥300-500
18:00
Sunset at Coco Tam's (Bophut)
Beachside swing bar + cocktails ¥250-400
20:00
Dinner at Dining on the Rocks (Six Senses)
Fine dining cliff terrace ¥3,000-5,000
Day 2 Ang Thong Marine Park
08:00
Ang Thong Marine Park speedboat tour
42-island archipelago + snorkeling + Emerald Lake; ¥2,500 ($75) day tour
🎫 15% off — Book lowest price12:00
Lunch on Wua Talap Island
Thai BBQ + drinks included
14:00
Hike to Emerald Lake + viewpoint
Iconic enclosed lake + 360° archipelago view
17:00
Return to Koh Samui
1h speedboat back
20:00
Dinner at Krua Bophut (Thai)
Authentic Thai + Massaman curry ¥250-500
Day 3 Koh Phangan day trip
08:00
Ferry to Koh Phangan (1h, ¥600 RT)
Famous Full Moon Party island
10:00
Haad Rin Beach (Full Moon Party site)
Iconic beach + Sunrise viewpoint + cheap food
13:00
Lunch at Phangan Cookies (beach)
Thai beach restaurant ¥200-400
15:00
Bottle Beach OR Waterfall hike
Quietest beach OR Phaeng Waterfall hike
18:00
Return to Koh Samui
1h ferry back
20:00
Final dinner at Stacked (gourmet burgers)
Western fine dining ¥500-1,000
Where to stay
Click each district to compare hotel deals
Chaweng Beach
Main tourist hub + 7km beach + bars + restaurants. Best base for activities.
See hotels in this area
Lamai Beach
South of Chaweng + quieter + Hin Ta + Hin Yai rocks. Mid-range.
See hotels in this area
Bophut Beach (Fisherman's Village)
Charming village + boutique inns + Friday Night Market.
See hotels in this area
Choeng Mon Beach
Quietest premium beach + Sila Evason + W Hotel.
See hotels in this area
Maenam Beach
Northern quieter + family resorts + cheaper.
See hotels in this area
Mae Nam Pier (north)
Ferry to Koh Phangan + Koh Tao.
See hotels in this area
Koh Samui hotel price comparison
Compare Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com prices in one place
* Centered on Chaweng Beach — the most hotel-dense area in Koh Samui
Top tours & activities in Koh Samui
Top-rated by travelers
Frequently asked questions
Most common questions from travelers to Koh Samui
Q How much per day?
Budget $50, mid $125, luxury $330+. More expensive than Krabi/Phuket.
Q How many days?
4-5 days. Day 1: Big Buddha + Chaweng beach. Day 2: Ang Thong Marine Park. Day 3: Koh Phangan day trip. Day 4: Koh Tao diving OR more beach.
Q Best time?
Jan-Apr + Dec dry season (28-30°C). Avoid Oct-Nov rainy + storms + boats canceled.
Q Visa?
Thai visa-free 30 days for Korean/Japanese/EU/US/UK/AU passports.
Q Safety?
Generally safe. Watch for cliff edges + strong currents at certain beaches. Don't swim alone.
Q English?
Universal in tourism + restaurants + hotels + boat operators.
Q Famous food?
Pad Thai + Massaman curry classics, Sailing Club for cocktails + Vietnamese seafood ¥400-700 ($16-28), Stacked for gourmet burgers ¥500-1,000, Dining on the Rocks (Six Senses) for fine dining ¥3,000-5,000. Coco Tam's beachside swing bar canonical.
Q Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan?
Monthly full moon at Haad Rin Beach. 30,000+ partygoers since 1985. Stay overnight in Koh Phangan (ferries crowded). Buy entry wristband ¥100 + UV body paint + drinks $5-10. Iconic Thailand backpacker experience.
Q Koh Samui vs Phuket vs Krabi?
Koh Samui: smaller, more luxury, premium boutique resorts, more expensive (Bangkok Airways monopoly). Phuket: bigger, more developed, party scene Patong, value. Krabi: limestone karsts + Phi Phi + cheaper. Different vibes — Koh Samui for honeymoon/luxury.
Q Bangkok Airways monopoly?
Bangkok Airways owns USM Airport + only major airline serving Koh Samui — flights $150-250 from Bangkok vs $80 from Krabi/Phuket. Cheaper alternative: ferry from Surat Thani 1h45 + bus.
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Data-driven travel guide
Weather and exchange rates on this page are fetched live from external APIs; cost and itinerary data are verified periodically against local sources.
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