🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Koh Samui sits in the Gulf of Thailand off the coast of Surat Thani province. It's been developed for decades, so it has its own airport, a hospital, shopping, and a ring road you can drive in a single day. The big-name beaches cluster along the east and north coasts, while the middle of the island is mountains and coconut plantations — which means you can do several different kinds of trip at once: laze on the sand, browse markets, and head into the jungle to a waterfall.
Chaweng vs Lamai: which beach should you stay on?
These two beaches are the heart of Koh Samui. They sit next to each other on the east coast, about 15–20 minutes apart by car, but the vibe is completely different. Chaweng runs roughly 6 kilometres and is the liveliest stretch on the island — shopping, restaurants, beach bars, and nightlife the whole way along. It suits anyone who wants convenience and a bit of buzz. Lamai, about 4 kilometres long and just to the south, has water every bit as clear as Chaweng's but feels quieter and more private, with accommodation that runs a touch cheaper overall. It's the better pick if you actually want to rest.
- Travelling with family / want convenience — go for Chaweng; restaurants and convenience stores are an easy walk away.
- Want quiet, restful, easier on the wallet — go for Lamai; fewer people, calmer beach.
- Party and nightlife — Chaweng is the answer; the bars and clubs cluster in the middle of the beach.
- Sunrise watchers — both beaches face east, so you'll catch the sun coming up over the sea in the morning.
A note on the water
Late in the year (October–December) is monsoon season on the Gulf side, with bigger waves and murkier water than usual. If you want the clearest water, aim for January–August, which is Samui's high season.
Want more out of Surat Thani? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Other beaches worth your time
Beyond Chaweng and Lamai, Koh Samui has several other beaches with distinctly different moods. If you have the time, rent a vehicle and loop around to find the one that matches your style.
Bophut Beach
A quiet beach on the north coast next to a fishing village. Laid-back and good for café-hopping and watching the sunset.
Choeng Mon Beach
A small bay on the northeast coast with calm, gentle water — great for bringing kids in for a swim.
Maenam Beach
A long beach on the north coast with fewer people and affordable accommodation; on a clear day you can see across to Koh Phangan.
Nathon Beach
On the west coast — an old port town with a local market. You don't come here to swim, but to see how islanders actually live.
Looping the island: the stops you shouldn't skip
Koh Samui's ring road (Highway 4169) loops the whole island in a day, covering roughly 50 kilometres. The main sights line up along the route, so they're easy to drop in on if you rent a car or a motorbike.
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
A 12-metre golden Buddha on a small island off the north coast, visible from a distance and a true landmark of Koh Samui. You can climb the stairs to pay respects and take in the sea views all around.
Fisherman's Village (Bophut)
An old seaside street where the wooden houses have become restaurants, cafés, bars, and souvenir shops. Lovely for an evening stroll, with a busy walking street every Friday night.
Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks)
A cluster of oddly shaped seaside rocks near Lamai, carved naturally by wind and waves. A popular photo spot with a small souvenir market alongside.
Na Muang Waterfall
A jungle waterfall in the centre of the island with two tiers. Na Muang 1 is easy to reach and has a pool you can swim in; Na Muang 2 takes a short uphill walk but is taller and prettier.
Lad Koh Viewpoint
A roadside viewpoint between Chaweng and Lamai looking out over the Gulf of Thailand and wide rock cliffs — a perfect quick photo stop while driving the loop.
Wat Laem Sor (Golden Pagoda)
A golden pagoda by the sea on the island's south coast. Quiet, with views of the water and small surrounding islands — a good stop when you swing through the south.
Secret Buddha Garden
A garden of statues set in the jungle on a hill in the centre of the island, with dozens of deity and human figures placed among the trees. The road up is steep and really needs a 4WD or a motorbike you're confident on.
Coconut farm / coconut-picking monkeys
Koh Samui has long been famous for coconuts, and some farms open up to show the trade and sell fresh coconut products. We'd pick one that clearly treats its animals well.
Make the island loop count
Set off from your hotel in the morning and drive counter-clockwise from the north (Big Buddha–Bophut) heading south. Stop at Hin Ta Hin Yai and Na Muang Waterfall around late morning, then circle back into Chaweng–Lamai in the evening, just in time for dinner by the sea.
How to get to Koh Samui
There are several ways to reach Koh Samui — pick one based on your budget and time. The main options are flying straight into Samui Airport, or flying/driving to Surat Thani and then taking the ferry across from Don Sak pier.
Fly direct to Samui Airport
The fastest and most comfortable option. It's about an hour and a half from Suvarnabhumi to Samui Airport, which is right on the island. Most flights are operated by Bangkok Airways; once you land you can head straight to your hotel. The downside is that fares run noticeably higher than the other routes.
Fly to Surat Thani + transfer + ferry
Fly into Surat Thani Airport (fares are often much cheaper than flying direct to Samui), then take a minivan to Don Sak pier and a ferry across to the island. The whole thing takes around 3–4 hours and makes sense if you're watching the budget.
Coach / minivan + ferry
Take an overnight coach from Bangkok down south, then transfer to the ferry. It works out to roughly 12–14 hours total — the cheapest option, but long and tiring. Good for backpackers who want to save a night's accommodation.
Train + ferry
Take the train to Surat Thani station (Phunphin), then transfer onward to Don Sak and the ferry. Around 14–16 hours total — you get the train experience, but it takes about as long as the coach.
On the ferry from Don Sak — the main operators are Raja Ferry, Seatran Ferry, and Lomprayah (high-speed catamaran). The crossing takes about an hour and a half, with passenger fares around 140–170 THB per person. Bringing a car aboard runs roughly 460–550 THB per vehicle depending on the operator (2026 prices may change, so double-check on the day).
Getting around Koh Samui
- Rent a motorbike — the most popular choice, around 200–350 THB/day depending on the model. Always wear a helmet, since there are police checkpoints and some stretches of road get slippery.
- Rent a car — more comfortable and safer if you're in a group or it's the rainy season, and you can loop the island all day.
- Songthaew (shared pickup) — these run around the island along the main routes; always agree on the price before you get in, and daytime rates are cheaper than at night.
- Taxi / ride-hailing apps — available, but island prices run higher than in town. Handy when you're carrying luggage or heading to the airport.
Koh Samui 3-day, 2-night plan
Arrive + Chaweng Beach
Drive the island loop
Out on the water / head home
If you have more time, Samui makes an easy base for ferrying on to Koh Phangan (for the Full Moon Party) and Koh Tao (for diving). Plenty of people put together a longer trip taking in all three islands in one go.
Plan a full trip around Surat Thani and the Gulf of Thailand islands
See the Surat Thani guide →