Koh Samui was once a Thai fishing community, and that charming sensibility is still present today. The palm-fringed shoreline and coconut and fruit cultivation of the coastal lowlands rise to a central granite massive, the slopes of which are cloaked in virgin rainforest.

At 247 km² Samui is the second-largest island in Thailand and the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand of over 80 (mostly uninhabited) islands which form the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a kayaking and snorkeling paradise.

At 25 km long and 21 km wide, Samui is big enough for serious exploration by the adventurous and fit, but can be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by motorbike or car.

Koh Samui weather is really pleasant most of the time. The climate in Samui comes in three distinct seasons: dry, hot and rainy. Thailand lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator (slightly closer to the latter).

This makes its climate warm and humid all year round. The humidity level stands between 70 and 85 per cent, and the temperatures averages at around 28°C. Koh Samui offers all that vacationers from cooler temperate countries could dream of regarding weather conditions.

They are generally good year round, and the one thing you will rarely feel here is cold. You can enjoy the optimum weather conditions in Koh Samui between December and August.

Even in the “monsoon season” which is October and November here are still many sunny & hot days to enjoy. The showers are often short so on some occasions you may find yourself enjoying a refreshing monsoon for a few hours to break from the sun.

At night, the streets are pedestrianized and transformed into vibrant bustling markets on differing evenings of the week, across different villages on Samui.

The busy markets are full of life as tourists as well as local residents enjoy the local Thai & incredibly cheap eats, beers, cocktails and treats for all to indulge in and enjoy.

• Nathon Sunday
• Maenam Thursday
• Bophut Friday
• Chaweng Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Are you coming to Koh Samui with kids? You’re all in luck: Koh Samui is an ideal family destination – kids are welcome everywhere & there’s all sorts to keep them entertained.

Thais love children and have a “more the merrier, all ages” attitude – as long as they’re well-behaved!

Ensure a perfect and stress-free holiday to Koh Samui with kids, using these helpful suggestions and activity ideas.

Enjoy!

Koh Samui Spas and Thai Massages are extremely popular. The island has always attracted those in search of a place to relax and recharge, with many new age centres established years before Spas became mainstream.

The alternative venues with liver fasting and meditation are still around, complemented by an increasing number of sophisticated new Spa resorts, many located in hotels. Asian beauty secrets, traditional massage, de-stressing body treatments…Samui is the place to find them.

Check out below some of the most reputed spas in Koh Samui.
Even a simple reflexology session at any of them is sure to make you feel better.

Recommended

• The Spa in Lamai
• The Spa at Four Seasons
• Tamarind Springs Forest Spa

And of course we can organize in-villa spa treatments upon request.

Thai cuisine in Koh Samui benefits from all the influences that the country offers, with dishes from the four main areas of Thailand, themselves influenced by neighbouring countries.

Being an island, Koh Samui also gives its visitors the opportunity to feast on the delicious seafood and fish freshly caught in its surrounding waters.

Thai

• Poppies, Chaweng Beach
• Five islands restaurants, Taling Ngam: excellent sunset view

International

• Pla Pla at Four Seasons: elegant beach lunch & dining
• Barracuda, the Warf Fisherman Village: modern dishes with a twist
• L'italiano, just outside Fisherman’s Village entrance
• Chef Francois just outside Fisherman’s Village entrance
• The Cliff, Lamai
• Namu, W Retreat, Bophut beach: Japanese
• Dr Frogs, Chaweng Noi

Sunday brunch

• Nikki Beach Koh Samui, Lipa Noi
• Beach Republic, Lamai
• Coast, Centara Hotel Chaweng Beach

Pubs

• Tropical Murphy’s Chaweng Beach
• Irish Times Main Ring Road Chaweng
• The Islander Chaweng Beach
• Shamrock Lamai Beach
• Bee Knees Brew Pub Chaweng Lake

Central Festival (25 mins from the villa)

Central Festival Samui is the largest shopping complex on the island, opened March 2014.
Shop souvenir, groceries or forgotten-at-home swimsuits/flip flop.

The Wharf

The Wharf can be found at the far end of Fisherman’s Village and there is plenty of parking.

You can find select shops and a good selection of bars and restaurants or wonder further along into Fisherman’s Village for beachfront dining.

Supermarkets

There are three supermarkets in Chaweng on the main ring road Big C, Makro and Tesco Lotus, two in Lamai, Makro and Tesco Lotus and a smaller Tesco Lotus in Nathon.

You will find a good selection of fresh produce and also imported branded goods in case you are missing something from back home.

Ang Thong Marine Park

You’ll see an untouched archipelago of 42 islands and perhaps some wildlife up-close.

You will enjoy kayaking and snorkeling, however the trip isn’t particularly recommended for babies or young children as it’s a long day in strong sun and occasionally rough water.

Koh Tan

A few hundred metres off the southwestern coast of Koh Samui from taling nam fishing village. It’s a small, largely un-spoilt island, known for its coral and marine life.

Koh Madsum

Located near Koh Taen both islands can be reached via long tail boat from Thong Krut on Samui’s south coast.

Lipa Noi Beach

Located at the west coast of Samui. Koh Small, uninhabited beaches with crystal clear waters, perfect for relaxing beach holidays and snorkeling.

From here you have the best sunset views. Apart from the beach, there’s little else to do in the area – its very remoteness is what makes it most attractive to the regular visitors.

Chaweng Beach

Over the past 20 years, Chaweng Beach has been transformed from a near deserted tropical bay into a vibrant, busy, cosmopolitan resort town.

Although these days the beach is often busy, the long winding bay is ideal for long beach walks early morning or at sunset time.

Lamai Beach

A beautiful long stretch of beach absolutely perfect for kicking back and relaxing or simply enjoying a quiet swim, Lamai is out of the way, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a quieter, more peaceful vacation.

Though everything you could possibly need is just steps from the beach.

Choeng Mon Beach

Choeng Mon Beach is on a small but magnificent bay of the same name. It features wide sandy beaches with a rock formation on one side and a small island you can paddle out to on the other.

It’s is very family-friendly area and only 10 minutes from Chaweng.

Bophut Beach

Bophut Beach is a beach village and 4km long with yellow coarse sand and ideally located for bars, shops and restaurants of Fisherman’s Village.

Maenam Beach

Maenam Beach is known for its 7 km stretch of beach.

The beach has white sand and is lined by coconut trees. The sea is typically calm so great for kids.

Crystal Bay/Silver Sands

Crystal Bay/Silver Sands is a just a little further along the ring road. The beach’s name(s) is taken from two of the resorts on the beach and no one seems to agree which one it is!

It’s a lovely beach nonetheless with giant boulders, white sand and clear water.

Taling Nam and Lipa Noi beaches

Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi beaches are on the west coast and perfect for sunset. They call this area the virgin coast because it is still quiet and relatively undeveloped.

It takes around 30-40 minutes to get there and is a pleasant drive.

The Inter-Continental is on Taling Nam beach and Nikki Beach is on Lipa Noi so great cocktails and meals are easy to find.

There are also some small Thai places in the area that have sunset happy hours and cheap food.