Koh Samui

Understand Koh Samui

Koh Samui is the main island in Ko Samui District, Surat Thani Province, in the Gulf of Thailand. The municipality gives the physical island an area of about 227 square kilometres and dimensions of roughly 21 by 25 kilometres. The municipal and district boundary is broader: it covers the whole district, seven subdistricts and nearby smaller islands. This page is about the physical island, so district-wide population figures should not be read as an island-only resident count.

Choose a base by the kind of stay you want. Chaweng has one of the island's best-known beaches and a large concentration of visitor services; Lamai is another established beach area. Bo Phut combines a beach base with old Chinese shophouses, while Taling Ngam is one of the quieter coastal areas highlighted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Distances matter: changing coasts can take time, so check the location of accommodation against the beaches, restaurants, activities and onward transport you expect to use.

Koh Samui has an airport and is also reached by ferry from the mainland. Routes, check-in rules, weather disruption and transfer times can change, so verify the current journey with the relevant carrier before travel. The road network makes it possible to travel around the island, but do not assume every trip is short. If using a motorbike, follow licence and insurance requirements, wear a helmet and take the Tourism Authority's accident warning seriously; otherwise compare current transfer, taxi or rental arrangements before arrival.

Beyond the beaches, visitors can use Koh Samui as a base for cultural sites, waterfalls, food, wellness and activities such as diving, Muay Thai or golf. Boat excursions can connect to the Ang Thong archipelago, but sea conditions determine whether a trip should operate. Check the Thai Meteorological Department's Samui forecast, Gulf shipping forecast and active warnings shortly before any marine journey. Build an itinerary around one or two parts of the island rather than crossing it repeatedly, and leave time to adjust for rain, sea conditions or transport delays.