Best Time To Visit Koh Samui

Koh Samui's Highlights In A Half Day

There’s more to Koh Samui than its gorgeous beaches as you’ll discover on this half-day journey around the island’s best-known sights. Top of the list is Wat Phra Yai, also known as Big Buddha Temple, on its own little island reached by a short causeway. Its star attraction is its impossible-to-miss 12-metre-high golden statue of Buddha, in a seated pose that represents purity. Take in the hilltop view over the sparkling sea and marvel at one of natures peculiar wonders - Grandma and Grandpa Rocks. Finally, you’ll visit Wat Khunaram and its slightly macabre claim to fame: the mummified body of a monk who died there in 1973, displayed in a glass case, and have some time to do some shopping in Nathon, the island's capital.

• Duration: half day
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Bring plenty of cash, as the prices at Nathon’s market are good value compared to those in the main tourist areas.

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Koh Samui Jeep Safari

See a side of Koh Samui that most visitors don’t even know exists on this adventure-filled safari by all-terrain 4x4. The imaginative itinerary includes a mix of headline destinations and off-the-beaten-track gems that even the locals rarely get to. You’ll stop to admire the 12-metre-high gilded statue of Buddha at Wat Phra Yai - a real island landmark - and the mummified body of a monk in a glass display case at Wat Khunaram. But you’ll also make two visits to the majestic waterfalls at Na Muang - once to splash in the pools at the bottom and later to take in the striking outlook from the top - and follow sandy tracks to a stunning viewpoint only insiders know about. You’ll discover a verdant secret Buddha garden high in the hills, from where you can see for miles, and find that even lunch comes with stunning views.

• Duration: full day • Time: 8am to 4.30pm • Operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
The trip is suitable for all, but the path to the waterfall is quite steep, so wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and carry your belongings in a backpack to leave your hands free.

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Koh Phangan Cruise

A cruise on a traditional Burmese “junk” sailing boat is a memorable way to spend a day exploring the beauties of Koh Samui’s laidback neighbour, Koh Phangan. Three times a week, the characterful wooden Chantara heads off to some of the island’s loveliest spots, such as Koh Ma reef; blessed with crystal-clear waters, it’s a top snorkelling destination, and there’s a dizzying abundance of underwater colour and life, from tropical fish to sea anemones. After a Thai-style buffet lunch, the Chantara stops at Thong Nai Pan beach where you can relax with a cooling drink, maybe have a massage, and appreciate the tranquillity of this secluded bay. As the journey back to Koh Samui begins, you’ll have a final opportunity to soak up the natural beauty of the island’s rugged coastline, stunning coves and deserted beaches - and maybe take just a few more photos.

• Duration: full day
• Time: 10.30am to 6pm
• Operates on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
Bring plenty of sun cream, but snorkelling gear and towels are provided.

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Best time to visit Koh Samui

Koh Samui has a tropical climate and is warm all year-round with average temperatures of 28-32°C. The hours of sunshine per day depends on the time of year, and averages at around 7 hours. Koh Samui doesn’t experience the south-west monsoon that affects the majority of Thailand, so between May and September it’s a better option for warm and dry weather than Phuket and Khao Lak on the Andaman Coast. Instead, it has its own rainy season between October and December, when the weather is largely warm and wet. Most travellers head for Koh Samui between December and April when days are warm and dry.

Koh Samui Weather

Jan - Jun

January
82 mm
February
39 mm
March
95 mm
April
101 mm
May
126 mm
June
93 mm
July
89 mm
August
100 mm
September
148 mm
October
294 mm
November
302 mm
December
146 mm

Koh Samui Weather by Month

Koh Samui in January
January is warm and dry on Koh Samui. There’s an average temperature of around 26°C and 7 hours of sunshine a day. January is peak season in Thailand because the weather is great across the country, so it’s a good time to combine Koh Samui with a stopover in Bangkok and visit the beautiful cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand.

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Koh Samui in February
Koh Samui has lovely warm and dry weather in February with minimal rain expected. There are 8 hours of sunshine per day and warm sea temperatures of around 27°C, making it one of the best months for sunbathing and enjoying Koh Samui’s white-sand beaches.

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Koh Samui in March
March is a great month to visit Koh Samui, when there is plenty of warm and dry weather and days are generally filled with blue skies. Temperatures average between 26-31°C and there are 8 hours of sunshine each day.

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Koh Samui in April
Days are hot and humid in Koh Samui in April. It’s one of the hottest months in Koh Samui as well as the rest of Thailand, with average temperatures of between 27°C and 33°C. There are 8 hours of sunshine every day and the sea is warm at around 28°C. If you’re travelling around Thailand, it’s worth bearing in mind that April tends to be sweltering across the country. The Thai New Year, Songkran, is a three-day national celebration in April, most notably marked by the huge street water fights – a welcome refreshment from the scorching heat.

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Koh Samui in May
Koh Samui’s weather in May is hot and sunny with some rain expected. Days are likely to be hot and dry with the occasional shower. Average temperatures are around 26-33°C and there are around 7 hours of sunshine a day.

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Koh Samui in June
June is a great month to visit Koh Samui, where there is little rain and days are hot and sunny. As conditions become increasingly wet around the rest of Thailand, Koh Samui remains mostly dry with an average temperature is 29°C and warm seas at around 28°C.

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Koh Samui in July
Koh Samui is warm and mostly dry in July – the best option in Thailand during school summer holidays as other regions of Thailand will have high chances of rainfall. Temperatures average at around 29°C and there’s 6 hours of sunshine a day. There may be some rainfall, although this usually occurs in short, afternoon showers which tend to clear up quickly.

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Koh Samui in August
August is a good month to visit Koh Samui in the school summer holidays. The rest of the country has high chances of rain, so for beaches and warm weather it’s a much better option if you’re visiting Thailand. There’s an average temperature of 29°C and warm sea temperatures of 28°C.

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Koh Samui in September
September is warm in Koh Samui with a moderate chance of rainfall. As Koh Samui’s rainy season approaches, you can expect more rain than in previous months which usually falls in sharp showers and often tends to alternate with days of sunshine. September is noticeably quieter on Koh Samui as the school holidays end, so it could be a good time to take advantage of the fewer crowds and great-value offers.

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Koh Samui in October
October is warm, wet and humid in Koh Samui. As the Gulf of Thailand is affected by the north-east monsoon, there’s a high chance of rainfall throughout the month and sea conditions can be rough. If you don’t mind relaxing in your resort while it rains, you can still enjoy warmth with an average temperature of find some of Koh Samui’s best-value offers in the low season. If you’re travelling in October but want plenty of sunshine, we recommend Bali which is hot and has a much lower chance of rainfall.

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Koh Samui in November
Koh Samui’s weather is wet and humid in November. The weather remains warm with an average temperature of 27°C and plenty of rain and thunderstorms can be expected throughout the month. For a higher chance of sunshine and better sea conditions, Phuket and Khao Lak on the Andaman coast have drier and sunnier weather in November. Loy Krathong Festival takes place on the night of the full moon in November. It’s a celebration where people can let go of negative feelings by floating symbolic krathongs, small offerings traditionally made from banana leaves, and letting off lanterns into the sky.

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Koh Samui in December
Koh Samui is warm and humid in December with a reasonable chance of rainfall. The average temperature is 27°C and you can expect showers as Koh Samui’s rainy season starts to subside. Phuket and Khao Lak on the Andaman Coast are better options for warm, sunny weather.

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