Full of luxury resorts, beach parties, bars, markets, and temples, Koh Samui has just about everything you could want from a Thailand vacation.
If Koh Samui is a destination you would like to cross off your bucket list, this guide will give you some great advice on how to plan your Koh Samui trip, including how you can maximize your time whether visiting for 3, 4, or up to 7 days.
Things to Do in Koh Samui
Compared with Phuket and Krabi, Koh Samui is quieter and more elegant.
Koh Samui offers various ocean activities. Water sports include snorkeling, diving, island hopping, sea fishing, parasailing, wind surfing, motorboating, banana boating, kayaking, and more.
There are also some adventurous and cultural activities inland like Jungle Flight, Jungle ATV, an elephant sanctuary visit, temple tours, and more.
You can find some special things to do in Koh Samui, such as top-class spas and massages experiences, yoga classes, Muay Thai classes, Thai cooking classes, meditation classes, and there's more!
Interesting further reading:
98.8% Positive Customer reviews among 10,000+
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Great Experience
WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More
Stephen Hollis,
Aug 2023
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Alisa has has been great to work with
Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More
Ana Rausch,
Aug 2023
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Using Sharon right now to book our…
Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More
Tracy,
Aug 2023
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Thailand, Singapore, Bali
In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More
Cassi Thunker,
Jul 2023
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Very supportive
Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More
Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c,
Jul 2023
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My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights
I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More
Richard,
Jul 2023
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A pleasure to plan with
Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More
Chris Williams,
Jul 2023
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Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand
The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More
CL,
Jul 2023
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I never used a travel agent in my life
I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More
Antione Barry,
Jul 2023
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Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia!
Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More
Debi Hinerfeld,
Jul 2023
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We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand …
It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More
SIMO el ghobar,
Jun 2023
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Wonderful Guides and Experience
Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More
Jessica Bennett,
Jun 2023
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Guide - Chai
We travelled from Vietnam to Bangkok and were blessed to have a guide named Chai. He was a superb guide and it is a pity we couldn't bottle him and take him home. He was very knowledgeable and an absolute gentleman. He could not have done enough to facilitate us and imparted so much knowledge about the Temples, Buddism and the History of Thailand in general. Not only did he give us a great overview of the past and current ways of living in Thailand but I also feel I came away a much better person having interacting with him. I will carry many of his teachings with me for the rest of my life and know that having met him was a very special blessing in my life. More
Customer,
Jun 2023
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Our guide Tanni was kind
Our guide Tanni was kind, knowledgeable, funny and beyond accommodating for our group. We felt like we'd made a friend and it enhanced our trip in the most positive way. Everything was coordinated perfectly which is not easy to do in a large traveling group. Excellent experience! More
Marissa Manson,
Jun 2023
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We are only on day 5 of our 15 day trip…
Our first stop so far was in Hanoi where our guide Trong was just so awesome! He shared about his culture and family life which showing us sites through a city tour. He was so funny making lots of jokes and always made sure we were having fun while learning about everything! He checked on us frequently even when we were no longer with him since we then went on a cruise in Halong Bay! Halong Bay and the cruise on Paradise Elegance went way above anything I expected. The scenery was breathtaking, the ship was so beautiful and clean with such fresh, good food! And I can’t sing enough praise for the staff who took care of us- especially Anna and Belle! They went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect from eating meals with Anna to every other detail with Belle! I highly recommend Asian Highlights to help plan these extraordinary trips! This already has been a trip of a lifetime and we still have so much more to see all thanks to Cathy!! More
Diane Creitz,
Jun 2023
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Tanni for the win!
14 of my closest friends and family descended upon Bangkok ready to see the town. Asia highlights and Tanni took us on a tour that changed our lives. We experienced so much everyday. Tanni was amazing! She did all the thinking for us, so we all could just be present and enjoy the moment. I can’t recommend this company, and especially Tanni enough. More
Megan McGlynn,
Jun 2023
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This isn't my first trip with Asia…
This isn't my first trip with Asia Highlights. They are great at helping me plan, working my requests into the itinerary, and booking it all. We travel with friends and just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. Albee did a great job with all the details and we had a wonderful time. We will use them for our next adventure! More
Katie Potesta,
Jun 2023
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Amazing service
Although we have not been our trip yet I wanted to still write a review based on customer service and the ease of booking. Alisa has been extremely prompt and responsive with planning our trip to Thailand. She has had great recommendations and guidance to add to our custom itinerary. Highly recommend using Asia highlights! -Alex More
Alex,
May 2023
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I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
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Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 2023
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How Many Days are Enough for Koh Samui?
- At least 3 days
- 4 days is the most popular choice
- 5–7 days is ideal
At the bare minimum, you should be planning for at least 3 days in Koh Samui. You will be able to at least tick off the major attractions and activities. Four days gives you a bit more flexibility while 5–7 days allow for more time-consuming activities, such as island-hopping, or a more relaxed schedule.
3 Days in Koh Samui
A 3-day itinerary requires you pick out some of the main attractions that you would like to see and sacrifice some others.
Our suggestion for an itinerary is:
- Day 1: Sightseeing (markets, temples)
- Day 2: Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Day 3: Beaches, spas
4 Days in Koh Samui
Spending 4 days in Koh Samui gives you a little bit of legroom with regard to seeing all the sites and generally enjoying what the fabulous island has to offer. In fact, this is the average length of stay among visitors to Koh Samui.
Here is our suggestion for a 4-day itinerary:
- Day 1: Sightseeing (beaches, markets, temples)
- Day 2: A day tour to Koh Tao with snorkeling
- Day 3: A day tour to Ang Thong Marine Park with kayaking
- Day 4: Relax in a resort with spa, yoga, or massage experience
You can customize your trip with us! We will create a trip for you based on your interests, group size, budget, and other requirements.
5–7 Days in Koh Samui
Four days is probably enough to cram in all of the major attractions, but if you don't want to feel rushed when visiting Koh Samui and want to spend a bit more time relaxing, you can stay for a few days more.
If you are staying for 5–7 days, this is the itinerary that we suggest:
- Day 1: Arrival + night markets
- Day 2: A day tour to Koh Tao with snorkeling
- Day 3: A day tour to Ang Thong Marine Park with kayaking
- Days 4–6: Free exploration (beaches, temples, spas/massages, shopping, waterfalls, etc.)
- Day 7: Departure
Where to Stay in Koh Samui?
Koh Samui's hotels are most concentrated in the three beach areas: around Cha Weng, Bophut, and Maenam beaches.
Cha Weng Beach is the most recommended area to stay — it's Koh Samui's most lively and famous beach. It has excellent infrastructure, convenient amenities, and plenty of activities.
If you want to find a quieter beach to stay at, you can consider Bophut Beach and Maenam Beach.
Bophut Beach has a peaceful vibe. You can go swimming, try exciting water sports, or just spend an afternoon on the beach enjoying the sea breeze.
Maenam Beach is where you can find Koh Samui's traditional locals and rural lifestyle areas. Water sports include sailing and swimming. Sunrises there are stunning.
>>>A Guide to the Beaches in Ko Samui
Best Times to Visit Koh Samui
Although Koh Samui is a year-round destination, the best times to visit Koh Samui weather-wise are from December to February. The weather is not-so-hot and mostly sunny, which is very suitable for sightseeing and water sports.
One of the busiest times is around Christmas/New Year holiday, hotels and flights departing from popular cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai to Koh Samui are easily booked up. Due to the high demand, you're suggested to prepare your tour at least 3 months in advance.
Another best time to visit Koh Samui is from July to September. Thailand's west coast (e.g. Phuket) suffers from monsoon storms during that period, while the east coast, where Koh Samui is located, is far less affected. Thus, Koh Samui is preferred by beachgoers for traveling in those months.
See more on Best Times to Visit Koh Samui & Its Rainy Season.
How Much Will It Cost in Koh Samui?
Compared with other islands in Thailand, Koh Samui is relatively expensive.
Aside from flights and accommodation, you will probably need about:
- 3,000 baht / $90 per day in the shoulder season
- 5,000 baht / $150 per day in the peak season
Koh Samui offers great service and experiences that can match its costs for value.
You can find many high-end beachfront resorts, awesome beaches, top-class yoga and spa experiences, and high-quality restaurants in Koh Samui.
Taxi is the main way to travel on the island, which raises Koh Samui's costs.
While you could probably get away with spending less than we have suggested above, if you want to make the most of your Koh Samui vacation, that is how much we suggest you budget for.
See more on How Much Does a Thailand Trip Cost? With Asia Highlights, you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure (detail⇒).
Some Things to Bear in Mind
1. October and November are Koh Samui's rainiest months. If you travel around that period, you'll have much less chance to enjoy water activities.
2. Sun protection is important. Pack sunscreen and a hat. You'll find these things are several times more expensive in Koh Samui.
3. Mototaxis can be dangerous. You will see many motorbikes on the side of roads waiting for passengers. Though they are cheap, they drive very fast and there may be safety problems.
Popular Koh Samui Tours
We can create an ideal Koh Samui trip for you based on your group size, time, budget, interests, preferences, and other requirements.
Or you may want to use one of our popular itineraries as a starting point:
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.