Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a Gulf of Thailand island known for its beaches, coral reef snorkeling and a day-trip boat tour to Ang Thong National Park.
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Koh Samui is an island off Thailand's east coast in the Gulf of Thailand, part of Surat Thani Province. At about 228.7 square kilometers, it is the country's second-largest island after Phuket. Visitors come for the beaches and the coral reefs around the island, which suit snorkeling and diving. A ring road of about 51 kilometers links the coastal areas, and the central jungle holds several waterfalls.
Samui Airport, run by Bangkok Airways, has flights from elsewhere in Thailand and to Phuket. Car and passenger ferries run from Don Sak to piers at Lipa Noi and Nathon. Songthaews run the ring road, mostly in daytime, for fixed fares. Ang Thong National Park, about 44 islands to the west, can be visited on a day-trip boat tour. Rain falls most heavily from mid-October to early December. Outside those months, showers are usually brief, lasting 20 to 60 minutes.
Koh Samui in five
- Compare flights with the ferry routeDirect flights to Samui (USM) are limited and costly. Flying to Surat Thani and taking the ferry from Donsak is cheaper but slower.
- Plan for the late rainsThe Gulf side gets its heaviest rain from October to December, unlike the Andaman coast.
- Book Ang Thong Marine Park by boatDay trips visit the park's islands for kayaking and a viewpoint climb. National park fees apply.
- Check the new 30-day entry ruleFrom September 15, 2026, most Western passports get 30 days visa-free.Thailand entry rules
Things to do in Koh Samui
See all attractions in Koh Samui
Need to know
- Airport
- Samui International (USM), 15–30 min to most beaches
- Getting there
- Flights from Bangkok; ferries from Donsak near Surat Thani
- Getting around
- Taxis, songthaews, scooters
- Best base
- Bophut for quiet, Chaweng for nightlife, Lamai in between
- Time needed
- 4–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Showers easingJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers easing
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°DryFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°DryMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Songkran, hotAprilRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Songkran, hot
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°HotMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 214 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°ShowersJuneRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Mostly dryJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 169 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mostly dry
- AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Mostly dryAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 156 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mostly dry
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°ShowersSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 193 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°WetOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 298 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°WettestNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 373 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- DecemberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°WetDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 262 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Koh Samui, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Koh Samui
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 91%
Koh Samui
06:24 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today26°23°91%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Wed26°21°90%Wednesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Thu25°22°88%Thursday: Rain. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri26°21°84%Friday: Rain. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sat25°21°90%Saturday: Rain. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sun24°21°98%Sunday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Mon24°21°100%Monday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 04:59 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Koh Samui
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Rules for Koh Samui, checked
- Check Thailand's current entry rules, including whether you need a visa, with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.Source
- Box jellyfish are a known danger in these waters, and Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan have had the most jellyfish deaths in Thailand. Ask locally before you swim.
- Take care on wet rocks and slippery paths at waterfalls, where visitors have been seriously injured or killed.
- In an emergency, ask your hotel to call the police or an ambulance.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering temples such as Wat Samret and Wat Phra Yai.
Plan around Koh Samui
Entry, seasons, coasts and money
Read the guideKo Pha-Ngan, Ko Tao or Ko SamuiWhich Gulf island suits you
Read the guideKo Pha-NganQuiet bays and the Full Moon Party
Read the guideKo TaoDiving and snorkeling north of Samui
Read the guideBest time to visit ThailandGulf and Andaman seasons compared
Read the guideThailand entry rulesVisa-free stay and the TDAC
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for ferries, scooters and diving
Read the guideKoh Samui FAQ
When is the rainy season on Koh Samui?
Mostly October to December. The Gulf of Thailand gets its rain later than Phuket and Krabi.
How do I get to Koh Samui cheaply?
Fly to Surat Thani, then take a bus and ferry from Donsak pier. Combined tickets cover both.
Where should I stay on Koh Samui?
Bophut's Fisherman's Village for a quieter stay, Chaweng for nightlife and Lamai for a middle ground.
How many days do you need on Koh Samui?
Four to five days covers a beach base, an Ang Thong boat day and a day around the island. Add days if you plan to dive on Ko Tao or visit Ko Pha-Ngan.
Koh Samui or Ko Pha-Ngan?
Samui has more hotels, restaurants and an airport. Ko Pha-Ngan is quieter and more rugged outside the Haad Rin party area, with fewer flights and more ferry time.