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A palm-lined beach on Koh Samui

No. 17 25 Great Islands to Visit 2026

Koh Samui

Surat Thani, Thailand

Palm-fringed beaches, temples and island trips in the Gulf of Thailand.

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Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island, in the Gulf of Thailand. It has a ring road around palm-lined beaches, from busy Chaweng to quieter bays.

It is also the base for trips to Ang Thong Marine National Park and the neighbouring islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Koh Samui, Sea beach, Blue sky, Thailand
Koh Samui, Sea beach, Blue sky, Thailand. Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, source
Koh samui thailand
Koh samui thailand. Photo: Dirk Enthoven, CC BY 3.0, source
Lamai koh samui - panoramio
Lamai koh samui - panoramio. Photo: Dirk Enthoven, CC BY 3.0, source

Best time to visit

Roughly December to August is the drier period. The Gulf coast's main rains usually fall from about October to December, unlike Phuket.

Highlights

  • 1

    Chaweng and Lamai

    The island's busiest beaches and resort areas.

  • 2

    Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

    A large golden Buddha on a small island linked by a causeway.

  • 3

    Ang Thong Marine National Park

    Day trips by boat to limestone islands, lagoons and viewpoints.

  • 4

    Fisherman's Village

    Old wooden shophouses at Bophut, with a weekly walking street market.

  • 5

    Na Muang waterfalls

    Waterfalls in the island's interior.

Getting there

Samui Airport has flights from Bangkok and some regional cities. Ferries from Surat Thani (Donsak) take about 1.5 hours.

Practical tips

Opening & tickets
Opening times, ticket rules and transport timetables change, so check official information before you go.
Time needed
Four to six days.

Official information: Tourism Authority of Thailand (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

Map

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