Koh Samui is mostly visited by holidaymakers wanting to get away from it all and its main appeal is its beach communities with white sands and clear, warm seas. However, Koh Samui has become more of a bustling international island resort in recent years.

 

Climate

Koh Samui has only two seasons. But unlike the rest of the south of Thailand, which has a rainy season between May and November and a dry season the rest of the year, Koh Samui's rainy season lasts from October to mid- January, and the dry season is from January-February to October. Since the weather is tropical, the rain, when it does fall, does so heavily, but usually doesn’t last long, although in some years it can fall for days and even weeks almost without interruption.
 

Chaweng Beach covers a large portion of the island's northeast coast, and is easily the most crowded region on the island. The beach itself, while beautiful and clean, often suffers from seasonal overcrowding. Several hotels, ranging from budget resorts to luxury villas line the shore. Restaurants are set right along the beach and set back about 100 meters from the sand, the one-way beach road in Chaweng has developed into a bustling international area with many kinds of resort, restaurant, and bar.It gets very busy on the beach road at night as there is plenty of nightlife.

 

In the summer, the sea in Chaweng can occasionally have wind swell and surf, with strong rip tides or side shore currents. Also on the east coast is Lamai, just south of Chaweng. Lamai's beaches are clean and usually less crowded than Chaweng. Lamai was the original destination for travellers to Samui, but compared to Chaweng, the town is a bit more tawdry and low budget. Greater Lamai is actually a large and beautiful valley, and inland, the landscape is striking. Lamai has a lovely old Wat(temple).

 

In the center of the North coast, Maenam offers spectacular views of Ko Phangan to the North, and the Ang Thong National Marine Park to the East. The waters are calm and clean, being protected from north-easterly currents by Koh Phangan. Because the sans are golden rather than white Maenam is usually much less crowded than Lamai or Chaweng and Maenam's restaurants and bars still retain much of the local Thai flavor. Overall Maenam is quieter, more relaxed, with local Thai community still pretty much intact. Maenam is also home to the Santiburi Resort, still considered by many to be the premier hotel on the island. The major golf course on the island is also in Maenam.

 

Bophut is the beach/bay just to the east of Maenam. Its lifestyle is relaxed and more traditional than the larger communities, referring to itself as Fisherman's Village. Bophut has a laid-back vibe with several pricier but good French-owned cafes and restaurants.

 

Bang Rak, just two kilometers east of Bhophut, and part of Bophut 'province' is also known by the name Big Buddha Beach, after the 19-metre gold tinted statue of the ancient spiritual master which overlooks the entire bay (Big Buddha). Bang Rak is quite close to the airport, and is one of the calmest beaches, though the huge sweep of its jade colored waters are often a bit murky. Bang Rak is the jump-off point to sister island Koh Phanghan with a daily ferry.

 

Choeng Mon is one of the smallest of Samui's tourist beaches, but lies in a secluded bay on the northeastern tip of the island, making it perfect for those who want peace and quiet. It doesn't have much of a town but there are a few small restaurants and a couple of shops, in addition to some luxury hotels that surround the bay, which is only five minutes north from the bright lights of Chaweng.

 

Ao Tong Takian is a small cove north of Lamai beach. It's long been popular for its inviting white sand, and is also known as Silver Beach. This used to be a relatively unknown spot. There is great swimming here but there are sharp rocks and local fishing boats to beware.

 

Nathon on the Southwestern coast is the island's main port and the beaches here lack the beauty or deep water found on the east coast of the island. The city of Nathon offers great shopping with some of the best prices to be found anywhere on the island, as well as some excellent restaurants. The open-air food market is piled high with inexpensive and fresh local produce. Some of the shops in Nathon are really offbeat, selling umbrellas, computer parts, stationary, and cheese in a single shop. There are banks and travel agencies and the ferry to the mainland and elsewhere departs from this port.

 

Lipa Noi is really the only useful swimming beach on the west coast, and its wide sweep of sand is the last quiet place on the island. Lipa Noi faces due west and looks directly into the stunning Thai sunsets. It still has a peaceful, romantic feel, but there is not much to do.

 

Tong Krut on the South West corner of the island is another quiet area currently but is the site proposed for a major yacht harbor development.