Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui, Thailand

The complete guide to Koh Samui

Everything you need to know about Thailand's tropical paradise

Location

Eastern Thailand, Gulf of Thailand

Population

About 70 thousand residents

Weather

Tropical, 24-32 degrees

Flight time

About 11 hours from Israel

Introduction and general information

Koh Samui is a magical tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand, combining amazing beaches, wild nature, and a calm and peaceful atmosphere. With an area of about 230 km² and a population of about 70 thousand residents, the island is an attractive vacation destination for travelers from all over the world.

History

In the past, Koh Samui was an important trade center in Thailand with extensive coconut plantations. Over the years, the island developed as a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors thanks to its stunning nature.

Why is it worth visiting?

  • Amazing beaches with clear water
  • Wild nature and breathtaking landscapes
  • A calm and peaceful atmosphere
  • A variety of accommodation and spa options
  • Quality restaurants and cafes

Weather and seasons

Koh Samui enjoys tropical weather all year round, with three main seasons:

The dry season (December-February)

  • Temperatures: 23-30 degrees
  • Almost no rain
  • Calm sea
  • Peak tourist season

The hot season (March–May)

  • Temperatures: 27-35 degrees
  • High humidity
  • Rain rarely
  • Fewer tourists

The rainy season (June–November)

  • Temperatures: 24–32 degrees
  • Occasional rain
  • Lower prices
  • Blooming nature
Month Average temp. Rainy days Humidity Recommendations
December–February 24-30°C 1-3
March–May 27-35°C 4-6 75% Very hot, it's best to stay in shaded areas
June-November 24-32°C 10-15 85% Rainy at times, more affordable prices

Recommended beaches

Koh Samui is known for its amazing and diverse beaches. Here are some of the most recommended beaches:

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach

The main and most famous beach in Koh Samui. Clear water, soft sand and plenty of accommodation and entertainment options.

Popular Hotels Restaurants
To the beach guide
Lamai Beach

Lamai Beach

A long, beautiful beach, less busy than Chaweng. Offers accommodation and entertainment alongside natural scenery.

Views Less crowded beaches Sunset viewpoints
To the beach guide
Maenam Beach

Maenam Beach

A quiet, relaxed beach with a rural atmosphere. Offers local restaurants, beachfront villas and water sports options.

Quiet Authentic Villas
To the beach guide
Bophut Beach

Bophut Beach

A beautiful beach next to the authentic fishing village. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and local fish restaurants.

Historic Romantic Fish restaurants
To the beach guide
Silver Beach

Silver Beach

A small, hidden beach between Chaweng and Lamai. Clear water, an intimate atmosphere and beautiful views.

Intimate Hidden Clear water
To the beach guide

Hotels

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Luxury

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

★★★★★
Private villas Spa Private beach

A luxury hotel with private villas, enchanting beaches and a spectacular spa. Service of the highest order.

Booking and more details Booking and more details
Banyan Tree Samui Luxury

Banyan Tree Samui

★★★★★
Villas with a pool Gourmet restaurant View

A luxury villa hotel with a stunning view of the Gulf of Thailand. Includes a gourmet restaurant, a spa and a private beach.

Booking and more details Booking and more details
Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort Luxury

Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort

★★★★★
Direct beach access Chef restaurants Thai workshops

A luxury resort in traditional Thai style, set on Bophut beach. Offers chef restaurants, a spa and cultural workshops.

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SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort Luxury

SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort

★★★★★
Chaweng Beach Villas with a pool A restaurant on the beach

A grand resort on the famous Chaweng Beach. It offers private villas with pools and a chef's restaurant by the sea.

Booking and more details Booking and more details
Mai Samui Beach Resort & Spa Romantic

Mai Samui Beach Resort & Spa

★★★★
Private beach Couples villas Couples spa

A romantic resort with a private beach and indulgent couples' villas. A couples spa, infinity pools and an Italian restaurant.

Booking and more details Booking and more details

Recommended restaurants

Dining on the Rocks Asian | View

Dining on the Rocks

Fusion cuisine Panoramic view Romantic

An impressive chef's restaurant built on cliffs above the Gulf of Thailand. Creative fusion cuisine and a breathtaking view.

₪₪₪₪₪
More information
Tree Tops Sky Dining Asian | Experience

Tree Tops Sky Dining

A meal among the trees A magical atmosphere Authentic Thai cuisine

A unique dining experience among the treetops. Authentic high-level Thai cuisine with a magical atmosphere.

₪₪₪₪
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The Page European | Bar

The Page

European food Cocktail bar A fashionable atmosphere

A trendy restaurant and bar in the center of Chaweng. Excellent European dishes, special cocktails, and good music.

₪₪₪
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Supattra Thai Dining Thai | Traditional

Supattra Thai Dining

Homestyle Thai food A traditional atmosphere Inner courtyard

A family restaurant serving authentic homestyle Thai food in a beautiful inner courtyard. Traditional flavors and a homey atmosphere.

₪₪
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Stacked Samui American | Bar

Stacked Samui

Burger bar Grilled meats Craft beers

A trendy American burger and meat bar. The best burgers on the island, excellent meats, and a selection of craft beers.

₪₪₪
More information

Nightlife

In Koh Samui you can find diverse entertainment options, from quiet beach parties to lively clubs. Here are some of the best places:

Ark Bar Beach club

Ark Bar

A famous beach club on Chaweng Beach. Hosts performances, full moon parties, and weekly foam parties.

Opening hours: 09:00-02:00
Location: Chaweng Beach
Green Mango Club Club

Green Mango

The largest and most famous nightclub on the island. Dance floors, bars, and electronic music.

Opening hours: 17:00-02:00
Location: Chaweng
Coco Tams Bar Beach bar

Coco Tam's

A cool beach bar in a boho-chic style right on the sand. Giant sofas, tropical juices, and good music from sunset until the early hours.

Operating hours: 10:00-until late
Location: Bophut Beach

Shopping

Fisherman's Village Farmers Market Farmers market | Food

Fisherman's Village Farmers Market

Street food Local art Souvenirs

A lively farmers market held in the fishing village Fisherman's Village every Friday afternoon. Offers local street food dishes, local arts and crafts, and fresh products from the area.

Operating hours: every Friday, 17:00-23:00
More information
Nathon Night Market Night market | local

Nathon Night Market

Street food Cheap products Locals

A local, authentic night market in the town of Nathon. Full of stalls selling Thai street food, cheap clothes, bags, shoes, and everyday products at low prices.

Operating hours: every evening, 17:00-23:00
More information
Central Samui Mall Mall | modern

Central Samui Mall

International brands Restaurants Entertainment area

The largest and most modern mall in Koh Samui. A variety of shops, fashion brands, restaurants, cafes, a supermarket, and an entertainment area for the whole family.

Opening hours: 11:00-23:00
More information
Chaweng Night Market Street market | Tourists

Chaweng Night Market

Street food Souvenirs Counterfeit products

A lively street market popular among tourists that stretches along Chaweng's main street. You can find a wide variety of food, clothes, useless souvenirs, and counterfeit products.

Operating hours: every evening, 18:00-24:00
More information
Lamai Farmers Market Food market | Local

Lamai Farmers Market

Fresh seafood Vegetables and fruits Spices

A local food market in Lamai held every morning. Offers a large variety of fresh seafood, vegetables, exotic fruits, spices, and more.

Operating hours: every morning, 05:00-09:00
More information

Tips for a successful trip

What to pack?
  • Light, breathable clothing made of cotton or linen
  • Swimsuit and beach towel
  • Sunscreen, Sunglasses and hat
  • Sandals or flip-flops
  • Prescription medications and first aid
How to get around?
  • Scooter rental - the common and cheap way, but requires an international license
  • Songthaew taxis - convenient and affordable, always agree on the price in advance
  • The Grab app - similar to Uber, works well in Koh Samui
  • Car rental - suitable for families or groups, requires an international license
Food tips
  • Try street food - tasty, cheap, and safe to eat
  • Choose busy places with high turnover
  • Say your desired spice level - "spicy" or "not spicy"
  • Don't drink tap water, only water from sealed bottles
Important tips
  • Respect local customs and dress appropriately at temples
  • Always agree on a price in advance before ordering a service
  • Be careful of monkeys - they can steal items and be aggressive
  • Learn a few basic words in Thai like "Sawasdee" (hello)

Ideas for day trips

A snorkeling boat trip in the Ang Thong Islands

Go on a magical day of boating in the Ang Thong National Park. Snorkel at hidden beaches, visit the picturesque islands, and climb to a breathtaking viewpoint.

A day of hiking in the rainforests

Explore Koh Samui's dense rainforests. Walk shaded trails, discover hidden waterfalls, and watch the local wildlife.

A Thai food and cooking tour

Learn the secrets of Thai cuisine in an experiential cooking workshop. Tour local markets, gather fresh ingredients, and prepare an authentic meal.

A fun day at the spa

Relax and pamper yourselves with a day of traditional spa treatments. You can choose from a wide range of massages, body and facial treatments, and plenty of relaxation time in the tropical garden.

Frequently asked questions

What to know before you book

When is the best time to travel to Koh Samui?
The dry season (December-February): Temperatures: 23-30 degrees, almost no rain, calm sea • The hot season (March-May): Temperatures: 27-35 degrees, high humidity, rain occasionally • The rainy season (June-November): Temperatures: 24-32 degrees, occasional rain, lower prices.
How long is the flight to Koh Samui?
Flight time to Koh Samui: about 11 hours from Israel.
Why is it worth visiting Koh Samui?
Amazing beaches with clear water, wild nature and breathtaking landscapes, a calm and peaceful atmosphere, a variety of accommodation and spa options, quality restaurants and cafes.
Which beaches are recommended in Koh Samui?
Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, Maenam Beach, Bophut Beach, Silver Beach.
What's recommended to do in Koh Samui?
Kosher cooking class, a culinary experience that includes cooking kosher Thai dishes with a professional chef • Jeep trip in Hebrew, a fascinating jeep journey through the enchanting landscapes of Koh Samui with a Hebrew-speaking guide • Jet ski trip to Pig Island, an unforgettable jet ski experience at Pig Island, including swimming and breathtaking views.
Are there tips for travelers in Koh Samui?
Light, breathable clothing made of cotton or linen • Swimsuit and beach towel • Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat • Sandals or flip-flops • Prescription medications and first aid.

What our customers write about us on Google

liraz halfonJanuary 2025
★★★★★
Shai Memetok organized an amazing trip for us And he really took into account our wishes, our requests and of course the budget. Even during the trip he was available for any consultation and question. Thank you very much for an unforgettable experience
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lea meirApril 2025
★★★★★
I recently booked a flight tickets and hotel in Thailand with shay from Thailand Express in Pattaya and I couldn't be happier with the service everything was handled professionally with great care. I definitely recommend this office.
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Yinon TobiFebruary 2025
★★★★★
Amazing team! Gave me high-level service and all at cheaper prices than Booking! Already looking forward to my next trip with them!
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Raml AliaFebruary 2025
★★★★★
Number one travel company in Thailand very professional &reliable employees we will definitely use them again. Thank you
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Jaratrawee KongpearFebruary 2025
★★★★★
Amazing experience! Between the website and a quick stop by the office we were able to completely plan our trip. Hotels, flights, transport to and from the airport, attractions.....done before we left the house! I had a couple of questions so I sent a message after hours. Someone responded they would get back to me as soon as the offie opened the next day, and they did! I will 100% be back. Thank you for making our trip that much easier!!!❤️❤️
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ThanyaratMarch 2025
★★★★★
I booked tours, hotels, and flights through them, and everything was seamless. Their team is super helpful, the prices are great, and the booking process is easy and secure. From island-hopping in Phuket to exploring Bangkok, every experience was amazing! They helped us to find the best places to travel,also we booked with them attractions in every destination we been. Highly recommend for stress-free travel in Thailand! ✅ Great deals on tours & hotels ✅ Smooth booking & secure payments ✅ Friendly & reliable customer service 5/5 – Will book with them again! ✈️🌴🫶
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Real Google reviews, in the language they were written in.

A little about us

Thailand looks simple, until you start connecting it all on your own. Different seasons between regions, distances and transfers, a hotel that looks perfect but is not in the right area, and attractions that are not quite right for who you are. We are here to make it simple and right: to build a smart itinerary, to choose destinations that match your pace and style exactly, and to connect it all precisely — flights, domestic flights, hotels, attractions and transfers — with Hebrew-speaking support, peace of mind and high availability.

Planning Koh Samui? Send us a message and we will build this part of the itinerary for you.

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