Thailand · Surat Thani
Koh Samui
Pick a beach base (Chaweng for buzz, Bophut for character, Choeng Mon or Maenam for quiet), see the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, wander Fisherman’s Village at Bophut, and give a day to the Angthong marine park by boat.
Ruta Badina / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Koh Samui is the largest of the Gulf of Thailand’s island trio with Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. It pairs long palm-backed beaches and large luxury resorts with a golden Big Buddha, a walkable old fishing village at Bophut, and boat access to the limestone islands of Angthong National Marine Park. Its own airport makes it an easy add-on to a Thailand trip.
If you only take one thing from this guide: Samui is a Gulf island, so plan around its calendar, not Phuket’s. February to April is the driest stretch, the summer months that flood the Andaman coast bring only passing storms here, and October to December is the monsoon. For Israeli travellers, two things changed this month: the visa exemption is now 30 days, not 60, and every arrival files the free digital arrival card online.
Best for
Couples · Families · Luxury and spa stays · Beach relaxation · Island-hopping
Daily itinerary
4 to 7 days
Because it sits in the Gulf, Samui runs on an inverse weather calendar to the Andaman coast: it stays sunny through the European summer when Phuket is at its wettest, and its monsoon comes in the last months of the year, with November the wettest month.
Best time to visit
Samui’s driest window is February to April: the Ko Samui weather station averages 51 mm of rain in February, 64 in March and 46 in April, the sea is calm and the Angthong marine park is open. May to September is hot with afternoon storms, 120 to 153 mm a month, and holds up well while the Andaman coast is at its wettest. The monsoon arrives in October: 312 mm in October, 495 in November and still 270 in December.
- January to February: Rain falling from 94 mm to 51 mm as the sea calms; peak prices.
- March to April: The driest months, 64 and 46 mm, with heat building toward Songkran in mid-April; the best window for the Angthong boat trip.
- May to September: Hot, with afternoon storms of 120 to 153 mm a month between sunny days; drier than the Andaman coast.
- October to December: The monsoon: 312 mm in October, 495 in November and 270 in December, with rough seas; the Angthong marine park is usually closed from 1 November to 15 December.
Things worth knowing
- Songkran (mid-April): the Thai New Year water festival, celebrated across the island.
- The Full Moon Party on neighboring Koh Phangan (monthly, lunar calendar): draws crowds via the short ferry from Samui.
Where to stay
Jacques Herremans · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsChaweng
Samui’s main beach and busiest hub: a long stretch of white sand backed by the island’s densest cluster of hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife. The convenient, all-facilities choice, and the loudest.
Best for: First-time visitors · Nightlife · Beach and shopping in one place
Crowded and built up; the strip behind the beach is busy and commercial.
Erik Karits · PexelsBophut and Fisherman’s Village
A restored old fishing village of wooden shophouses turned into boutiques and restaurants, with a lively Walking Street night market. More character and dining than beach scene, and family-friendly.
Best for: Couples · Families · Dining and atmosphere
The beach is quieter and less swimmable than Chaweng at low tide.
Elina Sazonova · PexelsChoeng Mon
A calm, shallow bay on the northeast headland, popular with families and couples wanting a quieter alternative to Chaweng while staying close to it.
Best for: Families · Couples · Calm swimming
Quiet in the evenings; you travel to Chaweng or Bophut for nightlife.
Anna Zviahina 🇺🇦 · PexelsLamai
The island’s second-biggest beach, south of Chaweng: a mix of relaxed sand, some nightlife and local culture, with the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rock formations at its southern end.
Best for: Beach days · A calmer nightlife scene · Value
Parts of the strip are dated; the beach shelves steeply in places.
Gopinath Mohanta · PexelsMaenam
A quiet, four-kilometer north-shore beach looking across the water to Koh Phangan, with a laid-back, more local and better-value feel. A base for travelers who want calm over convenience.
Best for: Couples · Quiet and value · Views of Koh Phangan
Few facilities and little nightlife; you rely on transport for the rest of the island.
Where to sleep
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
luxury · Laem Yai Bay (northwest)
Best for: Couples · Private-pool villas · Seclusion and views
- Hillside private-pool villas with sweeping bay views
- Secluded northwest setting facing the sunset
- Polished service and dining, including its KOH restaurant
- Very expensive
- Steep terrain relies on buggies
- Far from Chaweng and the nightlife
Six Senses Samui
luxury · Plai Laem (northeast tip)
Best for: Couples · Wellness · Sustainability-minded travelers
- 67 villas on a private headland, 60 of them with private pools
- Strong wellness and sustainability focus
- Panoramic Gulf views from clifftop villas
- Very expensive
- Hilly, spread-out site
- No long walk-in beach of its own
Banyan Tree Samui
luxury · Lamai
Best for: Couples · Spa · Private-pool villas
- All-pool-villa resort on a private bay
- Jungle-and-sea setting with a strong spa
- Quiet, secluded feel
- Steep hillside layout means lots of buggy rides
- Away from the main dining and nightlife strips
- Premium pricing
Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort
resort · Bophut Beach
Best for: Couples · Walking to Fisherman’s Village · Spa
- Steps from Fisherman’s Village and its night market
- Lush garden grounds and a good spa
- Central north-coast location
- Bophut beach is quieter and shallow at low tide
- Older property in parts
- Village foot traffic nearby
Santiburi Koh Samui
resort · Maenam
Best for: Families · Quiet luxury · Space and gardens
- Spacious grounds of palm gardens on the quiet north shore
- Villas suited to families
- A calm, uncrowded stretch of Maenam beach
- Quiet Maenam location is far from nightlife
- Some rooms feel classic rather than contemporary
- You rely on transport for the rest of the island
Essential experiences
Julito Elizalde · PexelsBig Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
A 12-meter golden Buddha on the small islet of Koh Faan, reached by a causeway on the northeast coast; free to enter with a dress code.
Atlantic Ambience · PexelsWat Plai Laem
A colorful modern temple complex near the Big Buddha, built over a lake, with an 18-armed statue of the goddess Guanyin and a large laughing Buddha.
Anetta Kolesnikova · PexelsHin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)
Naturally suggestive rock formations at the south end of Lamai beach, a famous and much-photographed Samui landmark.
foad niestat · PexelsFisherman’s Village, Bophut
A row of restored wooden Chinese-Thai shophouses turned into restaurants, bars and boutiques, with a lively Walking Street night market on Fridays.
Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAngthong National Marine Park
A protected archipelago of 42 limestone islands about 30 km west of Samui, with the Emerald Lagoon on Koh Mae Ko, a steep 500 m viewpoint trail on Koh Wua Ta Lap and snorkeling; reached only on licensed tour boats. Open 08:00 to 17:00; the park fee of 300 baht for foreign adults and 150 for children is usually paid on top of the tour price. Usually closed from 1 November to 15 December.
yeowatzup · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsNamuang Waterfalls
Two inland waterfalls in the island’s jungle interior; Na Muang 1 has a pool at its base, and the higher Na Muang 2 is a taller cascade. Both falls are free to enter; parking at Na Muang 2 is paid.
Jacques Herremans · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsChaweng Beach
The island’s flagship beach: a long sweep of white sand and clear water, the busiest and most facility-rich stretch on Samui.
Abrget47j / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ozkartman / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsFood & drink
Sumit Surai · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsGaeng Som
A sour-and-spicy Southern Thai fish curry brightened with turmeric and tamarind.
User:Mattes · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsKhanom jeen
Fermented rice noodles under a spicy Southern Thai curry, with fresh herbs and vegetables on the side; a Surat Thani breakfast and lunch staple.
Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsGrilled seafood
Fresh fish, prawns and squid grilled at beachfront and village restaurants, a Samui staple.
Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsSom Tam
Green papaya salad pounded with chili, lime, fish sauce and palm sugar.
deror_avi · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsMango sticky rice
Sweet sticky rice with coconut cream and ripe mango; the classic Thai dessert.
Fisherman’s Village at Bophut is the island’s best evening food and dining strip; the Friday Walking Street market there is a good first stop for street food.
Where to eat
KOH Thai Kitchen
fine-diningThe signature Thai restaurant at Four Seasons Koh Samui, serving curries and seafood with bay views; book ahead.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street
marketA Friday-evening street market along the Bophut shophouses with food stalls, crafts and music; the easiest introduction to Samui street eating.
Last researched 2026-07-15
Lamai Sunday Walking Street
marketA Sunday-evening market on the Lamai beach road near the fresh market, from about 17:00, with grills, Thai street food and crafts; bring cash.
Last researched 2026-09-24
Sunrises
The Shejz · PexelsChaweng and Choeng Mon beaches
The east-facing beaches catch sunrise over the Gulf; Chaweng and calm Choeng Mon are the easiest spots for first light before the day heats up.
February to August
Sunsets
Tsui · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsLipa Noi, west coast
A long, shallow west-coast beach south of Nathon where the sun goes into the sea: our terrain sampling found no land above the horizon across the winter and spring sunset bearings, and the southern Angthong islands lie low on the horizon toward the midsummer sun. Maenam, often sold as a sunset beach, faces north: the island’s own western hills stand 2.5 to 4.4 degrees high under the winter sun and take it 10 to 18 minutes early.
November to April
Manfred Werner · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsLaem Yai and the northwest
The northwest headland faces the sunset directly; the hillside resorts and viewpoints around Laem Yai look out over the Gulf as the sun drops. From late October to early November and in February the Angthong islands sit on the horizon under the setting sun.
December to April
ViseMoD · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAngthong viewpoint (Koh Wua Talap)
Only for overnight guests: the park is open 08:00 to 17:00, so day tours leave long before dusk. The park bungalows on Koh Wua Ta Lap (600 baht for two) and the campsite let you climb the 500 m trail for the evening light, but the national parks booking system was down through the 2026 season and bookings go by phone to the park.
February to April · Reached only by boat; the summit climb is short but steep.
Day trips
Flo Dahm · PexelsAngthong National Marine Park
A boat day out to the 42-island limestone archipelago, with the Emerald Lagoon, a viewpoint climb, kayaking and snorkeling. Speedboat tours run about 2,200 baht a person with lunch and transfers, and the 300 baht park fee is paid separately. The park is usually closed from 1 November to 15 December.
About 45 minutes to an hour each way by speedboat; longer by big boat · Full day
Alexey Demidov · PexelsKoh Phangan and the Full Moon Party
The neighboring island a short ferry away, with quiet beaches by day and the famous Full Moon Party at Haad Rin on the lunar calendar.
About 20 to 45 minutes each way by ferry · Day or overnight
mirthe diender · PexelsKoh Tao diving and snorkeling
A further Gulf island known for diving and clear-water snorkeling, reachable as a long day trip or an overnight from Samui.
About 1.5 to 2 hours each way by ferry · Long day or overnight
After dark
Frank van Dijk · PexelsFisherman’s Village stroll
walkWander the lit-up Bophut shophouses for dinner and a drink, timed for the Friday Walking Street if it lines up.
Quintin Gellar · PexelsWest-coast sunset then a seafood dinner
foodTime a Laem Yai or Lipa Noi sunset on the west coast, then a grilled-seafood dinner by the water.
Daily itinerary
Four days in Koh Samui: beaches, temples and a boat day
A single beach base, the north-coast temples and Fisherman’s Village, and one full day at the Angthong marine park.
- 1
Arrival and the beach
relaxedArrive at Samui airport and settle into your beach base.A beachfront lunch near the hotel.An easy first afternoon on the sand.Sunset from a west-coast beach such as Lipa Noi, or Laem Yai if your base is near.Dinner near your base.Early night to settle in.The airport is central; transfers are short.Estimate: Swap the beach for a pool afternoon if you arrive late.
- 2
Temples and Fisherman’s Village
moderateThe Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem on the northeast coast.Lunch near Bophut.A relaxed afternoon on the beach or by the pool.Sunset on the west coast, or the evening light over Koh Phangan from the north shore.Dinner in Fisherman’s Village at Bophut.The Bophut Walking Street market if it is Friday; Lamai has its own on Sundays.A taxi, songthaew or scooter links the northeast sights.Estimate: Add the Namuang waterfalls if you have a car and energy.
- 3
Boat day to Angthong
fullEarly pickup for the Angthong marine park tour.Lunch included on most tours.The hidden lagoon, the viewpoint climb and snorkeling.Back to the resort for a relaxed evening.A quiet dinner near your base.Rest after a day on the water.The tour handles transport; confirm hotel pickup the night before.Estimate: Between 1 November and 15 December, when the marine park is usually closed, swap for a Koh Phangan or Koh Tao day trip.
- 4
Slow morning and departure
relaxedA last beach morning or a spa treatment.Lunch near your base.Head to the airport.Departure.The central airport keeps transfers short.Estimate: If you fly late, fit in the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks at Lamai.
Getting around
- From Israel there is no flight to Samui. El Al flies nonstop from Tel Aviv to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi most nights, departing between about 22:20 and 00:55 in late September 2026, and Arkia on some days; from Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Airways flies to Samui in about an hour. Since 15 September 2026 Israeli passport holders enter Thailand visa-free for 30 days, down from 60, and every arrival must file the free digital arrival card at tdac.immigration.go.th within three days before landing. Israel’s National Security Council rates the south of Thailand at level 4 with the islands excluded; the rest of the country, Koh Samui included, is level 2, an occasional threat that calls for extra care.
- Samui International Airport (USM) on the northeast of the island is owned by Bangkok Airways, which flies almost every service into it, from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi in about an hour; Scoot flies in from Singapore and Berjaya Air from Kuala Lumpur Subang. Bangkok Airways raised domestic fares by about 15 to 20% from 1 April 2026.
- Via the mainland: fly a budget carrier to Surat Thani (URT) and take a bus to Donsak pier, where Seatran car ferries cross to Nathon roughly hourly in about an hour and a half and Raja Ferry crosses to Lipa Noi for 210 baht.
- Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run set routes along the island’s ring road for a fixed fare.
- Taxis are available but rarely use meters; agree a price first, or use Grab, which operates in the main areas.
- Scooter rental is common for exploring the ring road, but Samui’s traffic and accident rate make helmets and a valid license essential.
Things worth knowing
- · Assuming Samui follows Phuket’s weather; the Gulf runs on an inverse calendar and is wettest from October to December.
- · Booking the Angthong boat day between 1 November and 15 December, when the marine park is usually closed.
- · Renting a scooter without a valid license or insurance on the busy ring road.
- · Underestimating the bus-and-ferry time from Surat Thani when flying into the mainland instead of Samui.
Budget
| Low | Expected | Comfortable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation style / per night | THB 900≈ $27 | THB 2,800≈ $83 | THB 9,000≈ $268 |
| Food style / per day | THB 300≈ $9 | THB 900≈ $27 | THB 2,500≈ $74 |
| Local transport / per day | THB 150≈ $4 | THB 500≈ $15 | THB 1,400≈ $42 |
| Estimate / per day | THB 100≈ $3 | THB 300≈ $9 | THB 900≈ $27 |
Estimate · THB · 2026-07-15. Accommodation is per room per night (two sharing). Pool-villa resorts run far above the "comfortable" tier; prices peak from late December to March. An Angthong speedboat day is about 2,200 baht plus the 300 baht park fee. The Bank of Israel publishes no baht rate; the ECB cross rate put 100 baht at about 9.1 shekels in late September 2026. · 1 USD = THB 34 (14 Oct 2026)
Things worth knowing
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Koh Samui?
Four to seven days. Four covers the beaches, the north-coast temples, Fisherman’s Village and one boat day; more time lets you add Koh Phangan or Koh Tao and slower beach days.
What is the best area to stay in Koh Samui?
Chaweng for buzz and facilities, Bophut for character and dining, Choeng Mon for a calm family bay, and Maenam for quiet and value. Match the beach to the trip you want.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?
February to April is the driest stretch, with 46 to 64 mm of rain a month at the Samui weather station, and the Angthong marine park is open. May to September is hot with afternoon storms while the Andaman coast is wet. October to December is the monsoon, wettest in November, and the marine park usually closes from 1 November to 15 December.
Do you need a car in Koh Samui?
Not essential. Songthaews, taxis, Grab and scooters cover the ring road, and the island is small enough to explore comfortably from one beach base.
Is Koh Samui safe for Israelis, and is there kosher food?
Israel’s National Security Council rates the south of Thailand at level 4, excluding the islands; the rest of the country, Koh Samui included, is level 2, an occasional threat that calls for extra care. The foreign ministry adds: do not smoke on Thai beaches, do not carry an e-cigarette, which is illegal, hold an onward ticket and do not overstay the 30-day exemption. For kosher food and Shabbat, Chabad of Koh Samui at 39/8 Moo 3, Bophut, on the Chaweng side, runs daily prayers, Shabbat meals and kosher meat and dairy restaurants.
Is Koh Samui good for a Full Moon Party trip?
Yes; the Full Moon Party is on neighboring Koh Phangan, a short ferry from Samui, so many visitors base on Samui and cross over for the party night.
Sources (10)
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Ko Samui page describes Chaweng, Lamai and the Bo Phut shophouses and calls Samui the third largest island in Thailand · tourism-board · 2026-09-24
- The Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), a 12-meter golden Buddha on Koh Faan · tourism-board · 2026-07-15
- Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, a 42-island archipelago off Koh Samui · national-park · 2026-07-15
- Bangkok Airways runs frequent direct flights between Bangkok and Samui · transport-operator · 2026-07-15
- NOAA Global Summary of the Month records for station TH000048550, Ko Samui, averaged over the months reported between 1991 and 2025, give mean precipitation of 94 mm in January, 51 in February, 64 in March, 46 in April, 122 in May, 153 in June, 120 in July, 152 in August, 124 in September, 312 in October, 495 in November and 270 in December · government · 2026-09-24
- The Israel National Security Council travel-warnings dataset on data.gov.il, resource last modified 14 September 2026, lists Thailand at level 4, high threat, for the south of the country excluding the islands, and level 2, occasional threat, for the rest of Thailand; the foreign ministry rows advise keeping away from the Thai-Cambodian border, not smoking on Thai beaches, not holding an e-cigarette or a satellite phone, not overstaying, filing the entry form on the official site only and holding an onward ticket · government · 2026-09-24
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand newsroom states that from 15 September 2026 nationals of 60 countries and territories including Israel are eligible for a 30-day visa exemption for tourism in place of the previous 60 days, published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 · tourism-board · 2026-09-24
- The US Embassy in Thailand states that the Thailand Digital Arrival Card launched on 1 May 2025 and must be completed by all foreign nationals within three days before arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th · government · 2026-09-24
- The Israel Airports Authority flight board on data.gov.il for 23 to 24 September 2026 lists El Al LY081 and LY083 from Tel Aviv to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi departing at 22:20 and 00:55, and no flights to Koh Samui · airport · 2026-09-24
- Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters lists Chabad of Koh Samui at Chaweng Beach, 39/8 Moo 3, T. Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320, directed by Rabbi Mendy and Mrs Sara Hinda Goldshmid · independent-travel · 2026-09-24
