Koh Samui travel guide

Koh Samui Water Activities: 10 Best Things to Do on the Water (and How to Stay Safe)

The ten best water activities on Koh Samui, from snorkelling at Koh Tan to kayaking, paddleboarding, banana boats and diving, with jet ski scam and sea safety tips, and the easiest way to do several in one day.

Wat Plai Laem Guide: The 18-Armed Guanyin and Feeding the Fish

A visitor's guide to Wat Plai Laem, the lakeside Thai-Chinese temple near the Big Buddha: who the 18-armed Guanyin is, the Laughing Buddha, feeding the fish, dress code and practical tips.

Namuang Waterfall 1 vs 2: Which to Visit, Swimming & Safety Tips

Namuang 1 or Namuang 2? Compare Koh Samui's two famous waterfalls by height, walk, swimming and risk, with honest safety advice for the upper falls and tips on when to go.

Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai): Dress Code, Hours & How to Visit

How to visit the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) on Koh Samui: what you will see, the dress code and etiquette, the best time to go, getting there, and what to combine it with nearby.

Koh Samui Jeep Safari vs ATV vs Island Tour: Which Land Tour Is Right for You?

Jeep safari, ATV tour or classic island tour? An honest comparison of Koh Samui's land tours: who drives, what you see, safety and insurance points, and which suits families, couples and thrill-seekers.

Koh Tan Snorkelling for Beginners: Fish You’ll See & How to Snorkel Safely

A first-timer's guide to snorkelling at Koh Tan off Koh Samui: the fish you are most likely to see, a 15-minute beginner routine, and the real safety issues, from sunburn to jellyfish.

Five Islands Swiftlet Nests: The Story Behind Koh Samui’s Bird’s-Nest Cliffs

The story behind Koh Samui's Five Islands: how edible-nest swiftlets build nests from saliva, why bird's nest is so valuable, how collecting is licensed in Thailand, and what to look for from the boat.

Seasick on a Boat Trip? How a Catamaran Compares to a Speedboat in Koh Samui

Prone to seasickness? How a catamaran compares with a speedboat on Koh Samui, why the route and season matter, and what health sources advise before and during a boat day.

Is a Catamaran Day Trip Safe for Kids? Koh Samui Family Boat Guide (Under-5s Free)

Is a catamaran day trip safe for children? A practical family guide to life jackets, sun, seasickness and what to ask before booking a Koh Samui boat trip with kids.

Pig Island Rules: Can You Feed or Swim With the Pigs? (Responsible Visitor Code)

Can you feed the pigs on Pig Island, swim with them or pick them up? Straight answers, the reasons behind them and a simple responsible visitor code for Koh Madsum.

Koh Samui in November: Weather, Sea Conditions & Which Trips Still Run

November is Koh Samui's wettest month. Here is what the weather and sea are really like, which trips still run, and how to plan a November stay around the monsoon.

Koh Samui Catamaran Trips Compared: Full-Day vs Half-Day, Prices & What’s Included

How much does a catamaran trip in Koh Samui cost? Half-day, full-day and private charter prices compared, with what is included and the extras to check before you pay.

Ang Thong Marine Park Closed? Day Trips That Still Run in November & December

Ang Thong Marine Park closes from 1 November to 15 December 2026. Here are the official dates, what is shut and the Koh Samui day trips that still run while it is closed.

Where to Stay in Koh Samui: Chaweng vs Lamai vs Bophut vs Maenam vs Choeng Mon

Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Maenam, Choeng Mon or the west coast? Compare Koh Samui's main areas for beaches, nightlife, families and transport, plus tour pickup times for each.

Koh Samui Night Markets and Walking Streets: Which Night, Where, and What to Expect

Which Koh Samui night market runs on which night? A guide to the walking streets and food markets in Bophut, Lamai, Chaweng and Nathon, with honest notes on where schedules are unclear.

Fisherman’s Village, Bophut: A Visitor’s Guide to Koh Samui’s Old Waterfront

A visitor's guide to Fisherman's Village in Bophut, Koh Samui's old waterfront: the Friday Walking Street, the beach by day, what to eat and how to get there.

Best Beaches in Koh Samui: Which One Suits You, and When to Swim

Koh Samui's beaches differ more than most visitors expect. Compare Chaweng, Lamai, Choeng Mon, Bophut, Maenam and the west coast by style, and see where it's safest to swim each season.

What to Do in Koh Samui on a Rainy Day: 12 Practical Ideas

Twelve practical things to do in Koh Samui on a rainy day, how to tell a showery day from a stormy one, and what the weather means for boat trips and tours.

Koh Samui 5-Day Itinerary: A Relaxed Day-by-Day Plan

A relaxed five-day Koh Samui itinerary with timings, combining a catamaran island day, a 4x4 island adventure, elephants, Fisherman's Village and a flexible fifth day for the weather.

Koh Samui 3-Day Itinerary: A Day-by-Day Plan With Timings

A realistic three-day Koh Samui plan with timings: a catamaran day to the southern islands, a 4x4 day of temples and waterfalls, and a lighter day with elephants and the north coast.

Koh Samui Honeymoon Things to Do: Romantic Day Trips and Experiences

Romantic things to do on a Koh Samui honeymoon, from a day at sea and a hands-off elephant sanctuary to temples at golden hour, plus a sample five-day plan for couples.

Koh Samui with Kids: Family-Friendly Days Out by Age Group

Family days out on Koh Samui organised by age group, from toddlers to teens, with a sample four-day plan and the safety points parents ask about most.

Samui Elephant Kingdom: What to Expect on Your Visit

Everything to know before visiting Samui Elephant Kingdom, an ethical elephant sanctuary we proudly support: how the visit of about three hours runs, hotel pickup times, what's included and what to wear.

Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Koh Samui: How to Choose a Responsible Visit

Words like "sanctuary" and "ethical" are not regulated. This guide explains what welfare organisations say a responsible elephant visit looks like, the red flags to avoid and the questions to ask before you book.

Best Time to Visit Koh Samui: Weather and Sea Conditions Month by Month

Koh Samui's weather runs on a different clock from Phuket. See rainfall, heat and sea conditions month by month, and how to plan boat days around the rainy season.

What to Bring on a Boat Day Trip in Koh Samui: A Practical Packing Checklist

A practical packing checklist for a Koh Samui boat day: what to wear to pickup, what goes in your bag, what is already on board and what to leave at the hotel.

Best Snorkeling in Koh Samui: Where to Go by Boat and From the Beach

A round-up of the best snorkelling around Koh Samui, from Koh Tan and Ang Thong by boat to Coral Cove and Silver Beach from the shore, matched to your swimming level and travel dates.

Ang Thong or Pig Island? How to Choose the Right Koh Samui Day Trip

Torn between Ang Thong Marine Park and a Pig Island catamaran? This head-to-head guide compares effort, time at sea, fees, seasons and who each day trip suits best.

Koh Samui Boat Trips Compared: Catamaran Day Trip vs Ang Thong vs Speedboat vs Private Charter

Catamaran day trip, Ang Thong Marine Park, speedboat tour or private charter? We compare every type of Koh Samui boat trip on comfort, pace, extra costs and who each one suits.

Koh Tan Snorkelling Guide: Reefs, Technique and Reef-Friendly Tips for Koh Samui’s Southern Island

A practical how-to for snorkelling at Koh Tan, the island south of Koh Samui: what the reef is really like, beginner technique, safety and reef etiquette, and the best season to go.

Five Islands Koh Samui (Koh Si Koh Ha): Limestone Cliffs, Swiftlet Nests and How to See Them

The Five Islands (Koh Si Koh Ha) are steep limestone islets off Taling Ngam, home to valuable swiftlet nests. Learn why they are viewed from the boat and how to get the best views and photos.