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A Guide to Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the third largest island of Thailand after Phuket and Koh Chang. Thanks to Samui International Airport, Samui can be reached within an hour from Bangkok. Samui has everything to offer, from relaxing on white sand beaches to pristine jungles to a vibrant nightlife. It has different beaches of different landscapes and characteristics but the popular ones are Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut & Maenam. Great facilities as well as a wide range of accommodations ranging from bungalows to 5-star resorts suitable for all budgets are available throughout. A variety of restaurants of all flavors and nationalities invite for delicious dining. Those who enjoy pampering and rejuvenating will find Samui a paradise of spa and massage. Activities for relaxation, adventure or family abound such as elephant trekking, sailing, diving, golfing. Sightseeing activities include, to name but a few, waterfalls, temples, butterfly garden, zoo, monkey theatre. All is waiting to be experienced.
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Most popular Koh Samui hotels of this month:

Chaweng Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.6
59~107 $
recommend
dates
Chaweng Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.6
71~101 $
recommend
dates
Maenam Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.4
39~97 $
recommend
dates
Lamai Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.3
43~132 $
recommend
dates
Bophut Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 7.7
40~59 $
recommend
dates
Bang Rak Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 7.6
113~275 $
recommend
dates
Lamai Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 9.1
71~107 $
recommend
dates
Chaweng Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.8
134~148 $
recommend
dates
Bophut Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.7
40~45 $
recommend
dates
Choeng Mon Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.7
36~60 $
recommend
dates
Thongtakian Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.6
24~35 $
recommend
dates
Chaweng Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.5
53~56 $
recommend
dates
Choeng Mon Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.4
114~166 $
recommend
dates
Chaweng Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.3
50~70 $
recommend
dates
Lamai Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.3
17~21 $
recommend
dates
Chaweng Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 8.2
84~126 $
recommend
dates
Chaweng Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 7.7
59~67 $
recommend
dates
Chaweng Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 7.6
59~80 $
recommend
dates
Maenam Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 9.6
83~152 $
dates
Chaweng Noi
reviews
Traveler rating 8.8
from 21 $
dates
provided by R24.org
hotels found:
Where you want to stay?
Maenam Bophut Bigbuddha Choengmon Chaweng Coralcove Lamai Huathanon Talingnam Lipanoi Nathon Bangpo Bangkao Koh Samui map
Chaweng Beach Chaweng: is the most popular area with 6km of a white sandy beach and clear waters. With plenty of hotels and resorts, restaurants, spas, discotheques, bars and shopping facilities it is the main tourist center and nightlife area.

As the sea is partly shallow most of the year it is the perfect place for families with small kids and all kind of water sports can be enjoyed. After a relaxing day on the beach you can have a dinner in one of the seafood restaurants, sip a drink at a bar or just stroll along the beach road to fulfill your shopping desires.
Lamai Beach Lamai: is the second popular beach after Chaweng and stretches over 4km along the East coast. The beach is not as wide as Chaweng and the sea gets quickly deeper making it perfect for swimming and water sports.

At the southern end of the beach the famous Grandfather Grandmother rock formations called Hin Ta - Hin Yai, stretch their bizarre shapes in the sky. Restaurants, spas, bars and shopping opportunities are plentiful and the nightlife is just second to Chaweng.
Coral Cove Coral Cove: Located between Chaweng and Lamai has some small secluded beaches like Thongtakian and is a good for snorkeling. Some resorts are nestled at the hillside with magnificent views over Chaweng Beach.

It is only a 10 minutes drive to either Lamai or Chaweng to do some shopping or to enjoy the nightlife. It is a perfect place for travelers preferring a more tranquil and quiet holiday.
Maenam Maenam: is located in the North of Samui with smooth sand and good swimming preferences. Maenam beach is perfect for families with small children as the water is shallow and there is no noise from nightlife or traffic.

At Maenam pier speedboats leave daily to Koh Tao and shopping opportunities as well as restaurants are located in the area. It is just a 20 minute drive to the action in Chaweng and 10 minutes to Bophut's Fisherman Village for some fine wining and dining.
Bo Phut Bophut: Located in the North of Samui. Between Maenam and Chaweng, Bophut consists of the Fisherman's Village and the beaches West of it. The beach at the village is small and not to suitable for swimming as there are many tour and diving boats going from here to other islands.

It still conveys the atmosphere of a small fisher village but there are plenty of restaurants and shops as well as cafes and bars to enjoy a beautiful sunset with Koh Phangan at the horizon.
Bigbuddha Big Buddha: Is located in the Northeast of Samui has smooth sand, good swimming preferences and safe for children. From here you have fantastic views over the 12 meter high golden Big Buddha and Koh Phangan. Big Buddha Beach has everything to offer like restaurants, bars and shopping opportunities and all kind of accommodations from simple beach huts to tropical resorts catering to all budgets.

The nightlife of Chaweng is just a 15min drive away and daily boats to Koh Phangan and the monthly Full Moon Party are leaving from here.
Bang Po Bang Po: In the north of Samui, is a very quiet part of the island with small tranquil beaches scattered along the coast. Boutique resorts and luxurious villas guaranty a relaxing vacation and amazing sunsets can be watched while enjoying a delicious dinner at a beachfront restaurant.

It is only a 10 minutes drive to Nathon, the capital of Samui, to do some shopping, banking or strolling through the market.
Taling Ngam Taling Ngam: This pristine bay stretching along the south-west coast of Samui is still unspoiled and has spectacular views to nearby islands and the mainland. Coral reefs just a stones throw from the beach makes it a paradise for snorkelers.

Luxurious resorts along the beach offer all the facilities you might need and the restaurants make for some fine wining and dining experience. It is about a 20 minute drive to Nathon if you need to do some shopping and 30 minutes to the bustling nightlife of Lamai or Chaweng.
Choengmon Choengmon: The secluded beach, 4 km north of Chaweng Beach and 5 minutes from Bophut's Fisherman's Village, is the perfect beach for families and couples who want to enjoy peaceful and quiet beach holidays. The water is comparative shallow and makes it safe for children to play and snorkelers can explore the colorful underwater world right from the beach.

Accommodations dotted along the coastline catering for all budgets. Water sports, like wind surfing and canoeing, and other activities are readily available as well as some shopping opportunities and restaurants.
Nathon Nathon: The capital of Koh Samui has still preserved its charm as a harbor town and is scattered with all kind of shops, markets, banks and restaurants. Nathon is the major harbor for the ferries from the mainland, the boats to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the Angthong National Marine Park and is the main hub for goods from the mainland. There are only a few hotels mostly used as a stopover for early transfers to other destinations.
Bang Kao Beach Bang Kao: Located at the south coast of Koh Samui consists of some smaller beaches with breathtaking views to the islands dotted at the horizon. A famous landmark is the Laem Sor Chedi sitting at the rocky water’s edge. There are lots of luxurious boutique resorts and private villas offering a tranquil atmosphere with beachside restaurants and spas to lift your spirit and body.

The Samui Butterfly Garden and Samui Aquarium are just a stones throw away while the nightlife and shopping area of Lamai can be reached within 15 minutes.
Hua Thanon Hua Thanon: A 10 minute drive south of Lamai is the home of the Muslim fishing community with a daily fresh seafood market and dozens of colorful longtail-boats. The Samui Aquarium and the Butterfly Garden are located there.

Luxurious boutique resorts on the tranquil beaches of Laem Set, Bang Kao and the hillsides offer scenic views to the nearby islands of Koh Tan and Koh Matsum and the mainland at the horizon. There is no nightlife but all for a relaxing and quiet holiday.
Lispa Noi Lipa Noi: or Sunset Beach, is the most serene and untouched beach at the west coast of Koh Samui just 5 minutes from the ferry pier. It is the place for peaceful and quiet beach holidays away from the crowds with beautiful sunsets and scenic views of the Angthong National Marine Park and the mainland.

As there are only a few resorts along the beach you will have plenty of space on the crystal clear sea. There is not much around but Nathons shopping area is only 4 km away.
Recommended hotels in SAMUI
677390
Beach Republic
from 92 $
Lamai Beach
Koh Samui, Surathani 84310
677157
Impiana Resort & Spa Samui
from 85 $
Chaweng Noi Beach
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320
677170
Montien House
from 63 $
Chaweng Beach
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320
677036
Muang Samui Villas & Suites
from 134 $
Choeng Mon Beach
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320
677183
Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort
from 166 $
Lamai Beach
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84310
677194
Samui Paradise Chaweng
from 94 $
Chaweng Beach
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320
samui.bikeweek4
Samui Bike Week 4
When: 4-5 May 2012
Where: Chaweng Lake, Koh Samui
The attendees comprise all the big bike brands including the legendary Harley-Davidson. Aside from a wide range of bike showcases, this fun-packed event also offers other entertainments from Cowboy show, live concert, selected famous local food to a variety of shops. Highlights include jaw-dropping presentations from various motorbikes' brand and a chance to join bikers' activities. 
Weather and Climate
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Samui has a tropical monsoon climate. Hence, checking the weather is an ideal. Samui has hot, dry and wet seasons. The temperature on the island is pleasant with the sunshine all year long so you can keep away your jumpers. During rainy season is nothing to worry about as it lasts 30 - 60 minutes a day. You will be greeted by the sunshine before and after the downpour.

In this section, temperature, amount of the rainfall of each month and the best time to visit are shown to help you plan the best time to visit Samui including actual time and temperature, sunrise and sunset time. Check out the full moon, half moon and dark room to plan a party. Beach webcam shows different beaches.
Getting there
Although Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand with the distance of 35 km from the mainland in Surat Thani, getting to Samui is no hassle. There are different options of travelling there. The fastest way to get to the island is by plane. Samui has an international airport with flights from Bangkok and overseas. Flights from Bangkok take only about 60 – 90 minutes. There are also buses running from Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Surat Thani which takes around 12 hours, then take a ferry to cross over to the island. There are different types of buses to choose from. The cheapest way to get there is to take the train. Then take the local bus to the pier and pier to take the ferry. Information on the flights with flight schedules from Bangkok to Samui and from Samui to Bangkok, airport information, bus information, ferry schedules from different companies and some useful travelling tips are provided in this section.
Attractions
Teeming with beautiful natural resources, Samui has been beckoning tourists from all over the world for decades. Samui has offered plentiful natural and man-made attractions to discover both in water and on land. Located in prolific underwater world, the island allows tourists to explore what lies beneath with colourful dive sites as well as other surrounding islands. On land, besides the sandy beaches, attractions created by the forces of nature can amaze the visitors such as the rock sculptures, Hin Ta - Hin Yai and refreshing waterfalls located inland in the different parts of the island. As a Buddhist country, religious sites such as the Big Buddha, Magic Buddha Garden and Sawadee Shrine are built with religious arts, architecture, legend as well as myth. Furthermore, there are some other amazing attractions like Ancient Teak House, the oldest house on the island. Witness the amazement of the different animals such as butterflies, snakes, and crocodile in shows, farms and museums.
Beaches in Samui
Samui covering an area of 228.7 sq km is located in azure sea of the Gulf of Thailand. It is known for its natural resources and picturesque landscape. The coastline is comprised of 19 beaches with 6 of them are main destinations. Each one is different in characteristics which add the charm to the island. The common sights of the beaches that you will find is fringed by coconut trees providing shades for hiding the scorching sun. Some beaches have powdery white soft sand, golden in colour or rocky. The atmospheres are also distinct. You can find all, from vibrant to almost deserted. Some beaches provide magnificent spots for watching the sunset and sunrise over the glittering water. Activities and facilities abound on most eastern beaches with restaurants, bars, accommodations and water sports while the western beaches are suitable for those who seek tranquility. This section provides the map and information on 19 beaches on the east and west sides of the island with suggested accommodations.
Sports & Leisure
Samui has grown increasingly as a major tourist destination with development of infrastructure, accommodations, attractions as well as activities both on water and on land. Large and small surrounding islands offer a beautiful chance to explore. Scuba diving and snorkeling should not be missed. There is an abundance of coral reefs, colourful schools of fish and a variety of aquatic animals that you will witness. Kayaking and canoeing are a great way to explore the beautiful shoreline of the island. Other watersports such as jet ski or sailing are available throughout. Kite boarding and bungy jump are not for those who are faint-hearted. To appreciate the lush green nature of Samui, Cable Rides Rainforest offers more than 500 metres ride on a cable. If you don’t appreciate much of height, trekking or mountain biking can be another choice to enjoy the nature. Golfers would not miss the chance to go on a tournament with friends here. Samui offers a good choice of courses amidst stunning views.
Travel & Tours
There are hundreds of activities that ones should not miss to appreciate the beautiful nature and the fun that Samui has to offer. Arranging the tour is made easy by packages with value for money. Normally, packages are less expensive than booking the travel yourself in regard to the transports, meals and accommodations. Whether you would like to take a trip around the island and to the surrounding islands, venture out in the sea for game fishing, discover the green forest on a safari tour on foot, by 4x4 WD, ATV Quad Bike or on elephant’s back, there is a wide range of options with full day, half day or just one hour for you to choose from. Packages to Full Moon Party on Phangan Island can be easily arranged for party-goers. Wild hearts can enjoy the thrill of cable ride over the lush environment of the inner island. This section facilitates you with list of tour package of various interests, booking engine for tour packages as well as accommodations and currency conversion.
Dining in Samui
Food industry has increasingly grown in Samui. The island, a tropical paradise, not only offers imposing scenery and landscape but also an awe-inspiring dining and wining. There is an array of restaurants located on the beaches as well as inner island. Whether you opt for a fancy dinner in an internationally acclaimed restaurant, a resort restaurant, a romantic dinner by the sea, festive dining with live music or a low-key food stall, Samui has all to offer. Ambience is an essential ingredient of a dining and the view is a seasoning spice for your food. Different beaches in Samui offer you a great choice whether it is beachfront or on a cliff protruding into the sea. Various types of cuisine are available such as Thai food, Mediterranean, Japanese, Swiss, Italian, Scandinavian and many more. Fresh seafood from the sea could not be deniable. This section provides information on Thai food, its basic ingredients and a complete list of restaurants divided by beach location and nationalities.
Nightlife in Samui
Samui has one of the most vibrant nightlife in Thailand. When the sun goes down, all the illuminated signs of night clubs, pubs and bars are alight along the beaches like on Chaweng, Bophut and Lamai. A wide variety of venues to choose from, such as bars, pubs, discos with local and international DJs to spin the tune. Themed bars and theme party such as ice bar, foam party are recently added to Samui to add the fun to the night. Be entertained by an extravaganza and glamour of the cabaret shows on Chaweng and Lamai beaches. Those who prefer enjoy the night with live music, there are some leading venues to serve good music from local musicians as well as musicians from all over the world whether it is jazz, rock and blues. Not everywhere in the night in Samui would be so boisterous, a quite night in a pub can also be sought. They range from beachfront or side street bars, great for watching passer-by to luxurious hotel bars overlooking the serene sea at night.
Time in Koh Samui is 18:39 (GMT+7)