Koh Samui travel guide

Where to base yourself

The Tourism Authority of Thailand calls Samui the third-largest island in Thailand and the largest in an archipelago of more than 80 islands, including Ang Thong National Marine Park. Beaches it names include Chaweng, Lamai, Taling Ngam, and Natien, plus Bo Phut for older shophouses.

Places and experiences

• Chaweng. Swim, walk, and eat. One full beach day is the correct use of it.
• Lamai. TAT names it with Chaweng. Give it a day of its own if you are based on Chaweng, or make it home and visit Chaweng once.
• Bo Phut. A fisherman’s-village walk and a meal. Do it at the end of a driving day, not as a third beach before lunch.
• Taling Ngam or Natien. The less automatic beaches in TAT’s list. Go when you want a shore that is not Chaweng, and check swimming conditions locally.
• Ang Thong. TAT calls the marine park a kayaking day from Samui. It is a boat day with a park fee and a weather limit. Confirm the operator and the park rules. This site does not sell the seat.
• A cultural or food hour. TAT mentions cooking courses, temples, and the island’s history as well as the beaches. Use one indoor or village plan as the bad-weather day rather than inventing a schedule of classes.
• The ring road, once. TAT says a circuit takes a couple of hours by car or motorbike. Do it with a driver if you are not a confident rider. The view is not worth an accident.

A three-day pace

1. Day one, your own beach. Chaweng or Lamai, nowhere else.
2. Day two, Ang Thong or the ring. The park if the sea is calm. The ring road with a stop in Bo Phut if it is not.
3. Day three, the other beach. Lamai if you slept at Chaweng, or a quiet shore if you are tired of both.

Phangan and Tao are not day decorations on this pace. They are Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

If the weather turns

Ang Thong is the first cancellation. Replace it with Bo Phut, an inland temple or a cooking hour, and the beach at your door. Do not switch to a smaller, rougher boat to “save” the park. TAT also says to be careful walking or swimming at night, especially alone. A storm evening is a night to stay in.

Getting there and getting around

Samui is reached by ferry from the Surat Thani coast and by air. This page does not quote either. On the island, TAT’s key tip is the one to remember: motorbikes are affordable and convenient and they cause numerous accidents and deaths. Wear a helmet, do not drink and ride, and ride defensively, or do not ride. Negotiate taxi fares before you depart. Women should not go topless on the beach, and men should not walk the village shirtless; that is TAT’s wording, not a local rumour.

Before you leave

• Check which pier your Ang Thong boat actually uses.
• If you dive, TAT says to make sure the instructor is properly certified.
• Read Weather before you promise yourself a Gulf week in a month you have not checked.

Information Tourism Authority of Thailand — Ko Samui.