Koh Samui island dimensions. FAQ Holidays on Samui on your own - prices and beaches. Prices for renting a motorbike on Koh Samui

But we ended up in Koh Samui by mistake. IN last years Even the Chinese have appeared on Samui, but there are not as many of them yet as in other parts of Thailand.

Why do such different people go to Koh Samui?

1. Competent PR

2. Developed infrastructure

3. Pleasant climate and good beaches, especially for families with children

4. The island is big, there really is everything here: calm and active beaches, several clubs, supermarkets with markets, schools and kindergartens, mountains, waterfalls, temples - you can find something to do.

Everyone will find something to do here

Samui is big village . There are no high-rise buildings here like in Pattaya. If you live in an area where Thais live, you risk waking up to the crowing of someone else's rooster.

Chickens, cats, and huge geckos constantly came to my porch, buffalos grazed in the field next to the house, and in the evenings I could hear the howling of dogs. I love animals, so this aspect of life on Koh Samui was a plus for me, but some may not like it.

Even if you live in a closed area in a modern apartment, there will still be a village outside it. If you go to Koh Samui expecting to end up in Dubai, then the island will disappoint you. You need to come here for relaxation and two-story houses.

Hi, neighbor!

Season on Koh Samui

December 15-March — High season. Lots of people, prices go up. It can rain heavily until mid-January and it is often cloudy. From February mostly sunny, from March to September big waterfalls Only thin trickles remain; there may be no rain for a month. The northern beaches (Maenam) and Lamai can have waves in winter. Most of the houses are occupied or rented at inflated prices.

April May — Heat. Dry and very hot. It's really very hot. In the west of the island it sometimes rains, in the east the permanent sun shines. A house of any quality can be found without problems.

Lamai in May - almost no waves

June August — Low season, because winterers and tourists have gone home. The weather is sunny, the sea is without waves on all beaches, you can find absolutely any accommodation at a discount - everything is free.

September-mid December — Rain season. This means that it rains one or more times a day, sometimes flooding the streets. Cloudy, gray, sometimes the sun appears before lunch. The sea may be stormy. In October-November it is quite possible to find a house or hotel at an affordable price; in December there are few good cheap options left.

Maenam beach (north of Samui) in December. The sea is dirty, there are algae on the shore

How much money to take to Koh Samui

Let's figure out how much it will cost holiday on Koh Samui and how much money to take with you. For example, you are flying to Koh Samui together for 10 days.

Flights

360$-400$ — Minimum cost of a round trip to Koh Samui from Moscow for 1 person ( 300$-340$ tickets Moscow-Bangkok-Msk + 60$ bus+ferry to Koh Samui from Bangkok).

This is assuming you haven't missed any sales, bought your flight tickets to Bangkok in advance and are ready to spend the night on the bus.

A more likely scenario is from 500-650$ and more in two directions per person

Housing

7$ - room in a hostel

13-20$ - modest bungalow

17-20$ - a modest but clean hotel or house

20-30$ - condo

30-50$+ - good hotel

Total plus or minus $250-400 for two for 10 days and higher

During peak season prices may be significantly higher, it is better to check current prices for housing of the required class on roomguru and booking.

Examples of housing prices on Koh Samui

Insurance

From 1100 rubles or 17$ per person for 10 days. For two - 34$

Most insurance companies have increased their insurance rates for Thailand due to frequent claims. This is where it happens greatest number insurance cases.

I bought my insurance through a website where you can compare prices and conditions of popular insurance companies, I chose the Liberty company. I didn’t regret it at all, because the insurance paid for itself after the first visit to the doctor.

I usually don’t get sick, but in Thailand, due to air conditioning and a local virus, I suffered with a cold for two months (I couldn’t speak). The treatment was worth it 400$ , all expenses were paid by the insurance company. ☞

One of the hospital bills paid for by an insurance policy

Prices in cafes on Koh Samui

2$ /50-70 baht— Makashnitsa food (pad thai, tom yum, rice with chicken)

3-7$ / 100-250 baht- main course (soup, meat) in a cafe

2-4$ / 70-120 baht- salad

2-3$ / 50-100 baht- fruit shake

15-30$ / 500-1000 baht- dinner at a first-class fish restaurant on the shore

On average, lunch for two in a cafe (two dishes and two drinks) - 12-15$ /400-500 baht

If you plan only available in the cafe, expect to spend about 15$ /500 baht per person. Plus water, fruits, snacks

Total 20-25$ for food per person per day or $400-500 for two for 10 days.

You can also fit in 200-300$ for two if you eat at local eateries or evening markets. Food costs are too individual to predict.

Fish in garlic for 500 baht

Alcohol

This cost item is different for everyone. Average bottle of beer in a store 50-70 baht

Transport

If you rent a bike, then 200 * 10 = 2000 baht + gasoline about 1000 baht

Total 90$ in 10 days for two.

If you actively travel around the island by public transport, it will be more expensive, but if you only go to the neighboring beaches a couple of times, and not wander around the island, it will be cheaper.

Entertainment

7-12$ /250-400 baht- massage session

2$ / 50-100 baht— entrance to observation decks

Temples - free

20$ / 700 baht adults/ 400 baht children - elephant safari at Na Muang 2 waterfall

If you travel around the island on a rented bike, visiting natural attractions, it will be cheap.

You can climb on the back of an elephant for 700 baht

How much does a holiday to Koh Samui cost?

Minimum tickets 300-340$ , more often from 500-650$ per person, for two from 600$ to 1300$

Housing plus or minus $250-400 for two

Food and alcohol - from 400 to 1000$ for two or more

Transport (bike+gasoline) — 90$

Entertainment - from 0 to infinity

TOTAL: Minimum - 1400$ , average - 2000-2600$ and more on two in 10 days

If suddenly you found a tour to Koh Samui for $1000-1500 for two, then most likely it is more profitable to buy a tour and fly on a package trip, where the air ticket, hotel and transfer are already included in the price.

How much does winter accommodation cost?

The winterer's expenses will be significantly lower if he lives on the island for a long time, rents a house, knows all the inexpensive places, shops at markets and supermarkets, and prepares food at home.

While living on Koh Samui I spent 700-800$ per month(visa, house and scooter rental, food, fruit). This is with fairly modest requests.

For less modest requests, costs will be significantly higher. For example, if you rent a comfortable modern apartment or a house with air conditioning during the season, eat fruits and seafood, have lunch and dinner in a cafe for tourists, rent a car, then the amount of expenses will be from 80-100$ per day for two.

Winter on Koh Samui is warm and fun!

Beaches of Koh Samui

There are many beaches on Koh Samui, but not all of them are equally suitable for swimming, although you can’t tell from the photos on the Internet.

Chaweng

Chaweng is the center of nightlife and resort life, where the main bars, discos and restaurants are located. Young people settle here.

In winter, the beach is not as good as in summer; there are noticeable ebbs and flows, there are reverse currents and waves. When there are no waves, the water is clear and clean at the bottom White sand, the entrance to the sea is gentle, shallow near the shore.

It can be noisy if you live on the main street. If you want to buzz until the morning every night, then Koh Samui is not very good at it. Most establishments in Chaweng close at 3 am; dancing until the morning is held only on Saturdays and Wednesdays during the season.

Near Chaweng there is a small Shopping mall Festival, Tesco Lotus supermarket, Big C and Makro supermarkets are also relatively close.

Evening in Chaweng

Chaweng Noi

Lamai

The second most popular beach south of Chaweng. Length of Lamai Beach - 5 km.

Lamai - enough big beach with developed infrastructure. Mostly married couples and Euro-pensioners relax here; there are also young people. There are enough Russians, as well as Italians, French and Germans.

Full of cafes and restaurants, including near the sea, there is a market (they sell fruits, vegetables and fish), Tesco Lotus and Makro supermarkets, McDonald's.

Near the sea you can rent a sun lounger. I usually went to swim at the rocks on the southern tip of Lamai - there are fewer people there during the peak season.

Lamai Beach on Koh Samui

On the shore there is coarser yellow sand.

In winter and spring there can be strong waves in Lamai - this is perhaps the only negative of this beach, if waves are a problem for you.

Due to the waves, the water becomes cloudy and opaque, and algae may float.

Waves in April in Lamai

Ban Tai

North of the island, beach in the Mimosa Resort&Spa area. I just spent the winter in this area. There is no point in living here without a bike.

In terms of infrastructure, there are two massage parlors, several cafes on the beach and on the road to the beach, 7/11 and two shops where you can buy nuts, fruits, shakes. The market is 7 minutes by bike. You need to go to the supermarket about 20 minutes to the beaches of Chaweng or Lamai.

Ban Tai and Mimosa Beach on Koh Samui

But on Ban Tai the sea is very clean, there are no waves, the ebb and flow of the tides are not very noticeable, the entrance to the sea is flat, shallow near the shore. You need to go about 10 meters to a depth. Mostly families with children come here too.

White sand, palm trees stand right by the sea (it’s better not to sit under them, because coconuts fall regularly). Ban Thai is paradise in every sense of the word. Suitable only for those who like a very relaxing holiday.

Ban Tai Beach in March

Which beach to choose?

Choosing a beach on Koh Samui is a top priority, especially if you are going on vacation for a week or two and do not know how to drive a scooter.

For my vacation I would choose:

Lamai— there is a market, supermarkets, cafe-bars, clothing stores, attractions nearby, there are foreigners, minus — during the season there may be waves and muddy water

Chaweng- supermarkets, parties, discos, youth recreation, minus - noisy during the season

Chaweng Noi or some small beach between Chaweng and Lamai. For example, Tongtakian(white sand, clear water, beautiful views) or romantic Coral Cove

For the sake of kitesurfing

Ko na Thiam in the southeast and the beach of the Orchid Resort hotel.

For families with children

Ban tai— cool and quiet, just right for kids, but there’s nothing to do there without a bike. Just a few cafes, two massage parlors, a couple of 7/11s

Maenam— there is a market, a cafe, many houses for rent. The downside is that there are no supermarkets. It's inconvenient without a bike. Personally, I don’t really like Maenam (the sea there is cloudy and opaque), but many people choose this area.

Chaweng Noi— there is infrastructure, a beautiful sea, there are a lot of people in the season

Some choose the gentrified Bophut and the Big Buddha area for their holidays, but I wouldn’t go there (the beaches and sea are so-so during the season).

There are also beaches in the west and southwest: for example, Taling Ngam(Imperial Hotel), but the infrastructure there is also tight. If you go there, then stay in a hotel or be sure to take a bike.

Suitable for wintering Lamai or Maenam. I wintered in the area Ban Thai and Mimosa Spa&Resort. I love that area, but that doesn't mean it's the best.

How to get to Koh Samui

There are no direct flights from Russia to Koh Samui yet, so Koh Samui is not the most convenient and cheap place in terms of getting here. The matter is complicated by the fact that Thai low-cost airlines and the Asian low-cost airline AirAsia do not fly to Samui.

IN Samui airport only flies Bangkok Airways- a decent Thai airline with indecently high ticket prices for Asia. One way ticket Bangkok-Samui will cost 90-100$ .

Cheap flights to Bangkok can be found using search engines Aviasales.ru and Skyscanner.ru (☞).

You can catch sales of air tickets to Bangkok or Phuket on the websites of Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, Shrilancan airlines, China Southern, Aeroflot, or subscribe to the corresponding groups on social media. networks that publish news about sales.

Direct flight Moscow-Bangkok lasts 9 o'clock. A flight with a transfer can last 11 or 18 hours.

Tickets Moscow-Bangkok-Moscow on sales they sell for 300-350$ per flight There and back again. Non-sale tickets cost 400-500$ V two sides.

Bangkok-Samui how to get there

1. Bus+ferry or train+bus+ferry, $40

Bangkok-Samui bus + ferry ticket costs 30-40$ one way, travel time - from 12 to 16 o'clock.

From Bangkok or Phuket you can buy a bus+ferry package to Koh Samui using local modes of transport (train, ferry, bus).

Of course, if funds allow, it is better to buy a plane ticket to Samui and not suffer. If you get back and forth from Bangkok to Koh Samui by land, and not by plane, it turns out save more than $100 per person, so many choose this method.

The distance from Bangkok to Samui is as much as 762 km!

2. Plane to Surat Thani+bus+ferry, from $30

This option is faster than the first. You can fly from Bangkok to the city of Surat Thani ( $19, 1 hour), from there go to the ferry crossing and take the ferry to Samui. You can search for tickets from Bangkok to Surat Thani on the same Skyscanner.ru.

The problem with this method is that the plane from Russia arrives at the airport Bangkok Suvarnabhumi , and all local flights operate from the airport Bangkok Don Mung.

From Surat Thani we take a bus to the ferry terminal, after which we sail to Koh Samui. Single ticket costs 10-17$ , on the way from 3 to 5 hours.

This ferry will take you to Koh Samui

Visa to Thailand

For Russians. A visa is not needed if the period of stay in Thailand is no more than 30 days. A free stamp is given at the airport.

If you plan to fly to Thailand without a visa with a one-way ticket, be sure to book a return ticket or buy a ticket from Thailand with a flight to a third country no later than 30 days.

Booking a ticket without payment is most often not accepted, and sometimes at the airport you are asked to present a paid ticket. To play it safe, you can visit the website airasia buy cheap ticket to Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia - anywhere, just to show that you will fly away from Thailand.

Visa conditions for winter workers are getting worse every year. It is no longer possible to wound as before, 6 times a winter. Search up-to-date information about this theme. If you plan to spend several months in Thailand, it is better to get a Thai visa in Russia in advance.

For Belarusians. A visa is required, it can be issued at the consulate in Moscow or through intermediaries in Minsk for 80-150$ . They provide a single entry visa 60 days, you can extend it without leaving Samui for another 30 days behind 1900 baht (60$ ).

If you don’t want to apply for a visa in Moscow, you can do it in any country neighboring Thailand. For example, I received Thai visas in Malaysia and Vietnam.

If you fly with a visa in your passport, then your return ticket home may be in 60 days or even 90 days (the main thing is not more than 90).

Rental housing on Koh Samui

Hotel or holiday bungalow

If you are going on vacation for a couple of weeks, especially in high season, it is better to read in advance about the beaches and areas of the island (the text below describes all the beaches of Samui), choose a hotel on the desired beach, book it online to come and relax , rather than wasting time looking for a bungalow or hotel.

Daily housing on site costs the same as on the Internet on roomguru or on booking.

Examples of prices for bungalows and hotels

I heard that it's cheaper locally!

It's cheaper locally if you rent for several months. For daily rental of normal housing on site, the price is the same as on the Internet.

The coastline of popular beaches is lined with housing for tourists (bungalows, hotels, villas, several condo complexes). Why should Thais rent out such housing cheaply when they can afford it at a high price?

You yourself are unlikely to want to live on unpopular beaches, because it is dirty and there is no sea (there can be strong low tides in the southeast and west of the island).

There are exceptions, when complexes of modest houses, built a kilometer or two from the sea, are rented daily for 8-15$ , and you can only remove them on the spot if you know exactly where these houses are located. Without knowing where they are located, it is almost impossible to find them (I found such places only with the help of friends who live on the island and know the housing stock).

Such a simple room with air conditioning and a bathroom can be rented on the spot for $10-12, if you know where to look

Long term house on Koh Samui

During the winter, they usually rent a house or apartment for several months. If this is your case, then there are two options.

Path 1 - do it yourself

1. Preparation

Find articles on the Internet about houses in Thailand, real estate agency websites that have examples of houses with addresses or linked to a map, make notes on your map in maps.me or on a Google map.

2. Hotel for 2-3 days

Prices for renting a house on Koh Samui

5000-7000 baht- tie-style houses in the south of the island, in Nathon or Maenam far from the sea

My tie-style house on Koh Samui for 8000 baht

12-14,000 baht- modern one bedroom houses with air conditioning, kitchen, refrigerator, in low season you can rent a house for the same price near the sea, in high season 2-4 km from the sea in side streets

15-18000 baht- a modest bungalow on the beach or a decent house with two bedrooms and a living room away from the sea

20-30,000 baht and above - a good house in the season near the sea

25-30,000 baht– modern spacious studio or apartment with European-quality renovation, swimming pool, sea view next to the beach

30-40,000 baht- modern house with 3 bedrooms, its own territory and a swimming pool near the sea

60,000 baht– villa in Lamai or Chaweng near the sea

House on Samui for 50,000 baht per month in season

Public utilities

Internet - 500-600 baht per month (depending on the house, maybe free)

Electricity and water are usually paid separately. If according to the state prices, then 4 baht per kW, but prices may vary 5-10 baht per kW. You need to check with the owner and make sure that the electricity prices are indicated in the contract.

I paid for electricity 600 baht per month in a house where only a refrigerator and a fan worked, and my friends living in a house with air conditioning and a swimming pool - 5000 baht per month.

Car and bike rental

It’s sad without a bike on Samui. It can also become sad with a bike if you constantly fall off it, but without a bike it’s generally sad.

Prices for renting a motorbike on Koh Samui

5-9$ /150-300 baht per day depending on the bike model (Honda Click, Scoopy) and the arrogance of the lessor

12-30$ / 400-1000 baht for a Kawasaki or Yamaha motorcycle

90-130$ / 3000-4500 baht per month depending on the bike model

Car rental prices on Koh Samui

23-30$ / 800-1000 baht per day for a small car

30-35$ / 1000-1200 baht per day per pickup

30-40$ / 1000-1400 baht per day for a sedan

45-60$ / 1600-2000 baht per day for a jeep

350-600$ / 12-20000 baht per month depending on the class of car

You can rent it daily through international rental companies by comparing prices on rentalcars. If you need a car for a month, it is better to look for local small rentals.

Thais drive pickup trucks

Public transport

Public transport on Samui includes songthaew and taxi. There are no tuk-tuks, buses or motorcycle taxis on Koh Samui.

Cost of travel to Songthaew 1.5-2$ / 50-60 baht, but drivers also ask tourists 3$ / 100 , And 6$ / 200 baht(depending on the arrogance of the driver).

Take small change with you. They don't give change for 100 baht. They pretend to forget. Negotiate the fare in advance.

You can get from the airport by taxi. From 10$ / 350 baht to nearby beaches 25$ / 800 baht to distant beaches. The transfer can be ordered directly at Samui airport or in advance on the Internet at.

Songthaew looks something like this, only with a roof, and instead of cages there are benches for passengers

The advantages of living and relaxing on Koh Samui in Thailand

1. Good transport links with Russia. There are no direct flights from Russia to Koh Samui yet, but you can fly directly to the island from Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and other cities in Thailand and countries South-East Asia. Cheap air tickets can be found using search engines and.

2. Developed infrastructure. The presence of several large supermarkets (Tesco Lotus, Big C, Makro), massage salons, restaurants and cafes for every budget. Many catering establishments have menus in Russian.

3. Delicious food

4. There are many markets where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and inexpensive fish. If desired, seafood will be cut up in front of you and fried on a grill right at the market or supermarket.

Market in Thailand

5. There are raw food and vegetarian cafes and restaurants (if this is important to someone), and absolutely every cafe and every market has vegetarian dishes.

6. Service in Russian and English languages. The Russian-speaking community on Koh Samui is quite large, and naturally there are many companies and specialists offering services in Russian. For example, a motorbike will be driven straight to the ferry; you can order it in advance. On Koh Samui, the organization of weddings, photo shoots and other events is on stream.

7. Many attractions, there will be a separate post about each attraction of Samui:

— stunning nature: tropical jungle, mountains, palm groves, long beaches

Jungle of Koh Samui

— Na Muang waterfall and several other smaller waterfalls:

Na Muang Waterfall (Waterfall 2)

— Na Muang Safari Park, where you can ride elephants

I put 20 baht in the elephant’s trunk for the pleasure of standing next to him at Na Muang Safari Park and elephant riding

— many observation decks and pools overlooking the sea

Pool with sea view

Observation deck on Koh Samui

— Nathon is the main city of the island, where you can see how the Thais live.

Thais drink a meter of beer at the bazaar in Nathon

- all kinds of tours to other islands or other parts of the country, and the trip can be organized independently or you can buy an excursion from one of the travel agencies

8. The proximity of two other islands - Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Koh Phangan has gorgeous beaches, wildlife and... On Koh Tao - diving and snorkeling on a coral reef

Koh Phangan Island in Thailand

9. Medicine is well developed. There are pharmacies on every corner, there are several hospitals: Samui International Hospital, Bangkok Samui Hospital and Thai International Hospital in the Chaweng beach area, Bandon International Hospital in the Bophut area near the Big C supermarket, the municipal hospital in Nathon Samui Government Hospital (it is the cheapest, mostly local residents are treated there). In addition to hospitals, on the island of Koh Samui there are many private offices and clinics, where all the same doctors who work in hospitals at other times work.

10. Car and motorcycle showrooms, where you can buy or rent a car or motorcycle, both daily and for long term.

11. Centers for the sale of Apple products and other gadgets, and prices are 20 percent lower than in Russia, and VAT can also be refunded later.

Apple showroom on Koh Samui

12. Kitesurfing. There are several schools on Koh Samui where you can learn kitesurfing, including Hua Thanon beach, where a branch of Thailand's largest kite school, KiteBoarding Asia, is located in the Samui Orchid Resort area in the southeast of the island - perfect place for training. The beach is very wide, covered with soft sand without stones, it is convenient to launch from it, and the depth of the sea for 500 meters from the shore hardly reaches the waist. The cost of one lesson is 4,000 baht, 3 lessons - 11,000 baht. There is a Russian speaking instructor. There will also be a separate article with video about kiting on Samui.

Hua Thanon Beach, where kitesurfing is taught

Kitesurfing on Koh Samui

13. I don’t know whether this is a plus or a minus, but there are simply an enormous number of Russians on Samui. For a month, I never spoke English to anyone (Thais barely understand English).

14. Affordable prices for housing and food. Of course, higher than in Bangkok or northern Thailand, but compared to Russia it’s quite good. You can find a house on Samui with any budget, especially if you look for it in advance and don’t wait for the high season (from November to February). Housing prices on Koh Samui start from 8,000 and above. You can rent a villa for 40,000 - 60,000 baht per month with a swimming pool and all amenities. A hotel on Samui can be booked in advance, but you will have to look for a house for long-term rent on the spot.

15. Almost everywhere there is Internet, and 3G speeds in some places reach 50 megabits, so Samui is suitable for long-term living and wintering if you need high-speed Internet access for work.

16. Beaches of Koh Samui- This is perhaps the main plus. Here everyone will find both a calm sea and a wave, both peace and grace, a party and movement. There are a great many beaches on Koh Samui, here I will list only the main areas and beaches:

Chaweng

East of the island. The center of nightlife and resort life, where the main bars, discos and restaurants are located, young people settle here. The beach is not as good as in other areas, there are noticeable ebbs and flows, there are reverse currents and waves. It can be noisy if you live on the main street. If you want to buzz until the morning every night, then Koh Samui is not very good at it. Most establishments in Chaweng close as early as 3 am; the main buzz until the morning occurs on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui

Party on Chaweng Beach

Nightlife in Chaweng, Koh Samui

Bang Rak

Northeast. Beaches starting from the Big Buddha statue.

Big Buddha statue

Bophut

Northeast. There is a central street with cafes and restaurants, and a sufficient number of hotels. Personally, I don’t really like the beaches of Bophut because the water in the sea is cloudy.

Sea on Bophut

Maenam

North. This is one of my favorite areas. The water on the beaches of Maenam is clean; the ebb and flow of the tides are not very noticeable here. This area is suitable for families with children. There are no clubs there as such, but there are bars, restaurants and cafes.

Waves and algae on Maenam in January.

Bang Po

Northwest. Clean beaches with white sand, calm sea.

Having fun with friends on the beaches of Samui. In the photo with me, Igor Dzyuba is a friend and neighbor.

Taling Ngam

Southwest. There are mainly hotels and villas of a higher price category here. The area around the Intercontinental Hotel has some of the best sunsets in Koh Samui.

Taling Ngam Beach on Koh Samui, Thailand

Hua Thanon (Hua Thanon)

Southeast. The beach is only suitable for swimming with children. There is a kitesurfing school, many hotels, a Muslim village and several overpriced cafes.

Muslim village

Kiting on Koh Samui

Cons of Koh Samui in Thailand

*Naturally, all these disadvantages are very conditional and, perhaps, for someone else, on the contrary, they will seem like advantages.

1. Prices are slightly higher than in other parts of Thailand, but lower than in Phuket and Pattaya

2. There are a lot of Russians, there is no feeling that you are abroad

3. Too civil. There are relatively many cars and bikes, traffic jams in the evenings in the Chaweng and Lamai area. You can get stuck on the road for 20-30 minutes if you are driving a car.

4. A lot of people (depending on what you compare with, of course). Compared to Koh Phangan, there are a lot, and compared to the beaches of Odessa, there are no people at all on Samui.

5. Missing public transport. There are only taxis, the so-called songthaews, which are expensive and inconvenient to travel by. The solution is to rent a scooter.

6. Samui is an island, so you can only get out of it by plane or ferry (they run on a schedule from different piers several times a day), or rent a boat. That is, you cannot break away at any moment and go wherever your eyes take you; you have to take into account the ferry schedule.

7. Autumn is the rainy season, but depending on your luck.

8. Most vegetables and fruits are imported. On the island itself, only coconuts, durians, mangosteens, bananas and pineapples grow. The island is directly dependent on supplies from the continent, so fruit prices are higher than in other parts of the country.

9. As in all of Thailand, there are practically no dairy products on Samui, and prices for any cheese are unreasonably high. Moreover, cheese that is positioned as expensive (for example, Brie) costs a lot of money, but at the same time it is an ordinary salted processed cheese painted with paint.

Conclusion: Thus, the island of Koh Samui in Thailand is ideal for both short-term vacations and long-term stays, no matter how old you are, whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, as a family with children, or to hang out with a group. You can find both a quiet place and some movement, provide yourself comfortable conditions food and accommodation, and also not to get bored while visiting a variety of excursions and natural attractions.

Paradise islands to you! Sincerely,

Ang Thong Park

Until the end of the 20th century, Samui was an isolated, self-sufficient community with weak ties to mainland Thailand. The island didn't even have roads until the early 1970s, and the 15 km journey from one part of the island to the other turned into a 24-hour journey through the mountainous jungle in the central part of the island.

The first tourists appeared on the island in the 70s. Organized tourism began to develop in the late 80s.

The island has a population of about forty-five thousand whose main incomes are tourism, rubber and coconut exports. Although the island is still seen in public opinion as a pristine wilderness, economic growth has brought not only benefits to local residents, but also marked environmental and cultural changes that have become a source of conflict between locals and immigrants from other parts of Thailand and other countries. As confirmation of the growing popularity of Samui among tourists, a cruise ship Queen Victoria ( English) will call at the port of Samui during round the world cruise 2008.

Geography

Ferry service Several ferries connect the island to the mainland, including the Don Sak car ferry, which ends at a pier in the west of the island, south of the main town of Nathon. Regular boat services connect Samui with Surat Thani and Ko Phangan. Once a day, a boat departs to Ko Tao Island. The practice of hiring private speedboats to any destination is widespread.

Taxi With the help of a very common taxi on the island, you can easily and inexpensively get to any point on the island. If you come to see the sights, for a small fee the taxi driver will wait for the required amount of time and take you back. Unfortunately, due to the large number of tourists, taxis have become a rather expensive form of transport.

Songthaew (songthaew) is another type of transport common on Koh Samui. It is a pickup truck, the back of which is covered with an awning, with benches installed under it for sitting.

Motorcycles Motorcycles (motorbikes) are very common transport on the island. Renting a motorcycle is very easy, which is what a large number of tourists use.

Tourism

Lamai Beach Lamai is the second largest beach on the island and is also considered by many to be the most beautiful beach. The sea here is excellent, especially in the southern part of the bay, and granite boulders perfectly complement the landscape. The nightlife in Lamai is represented mainly by “red” bars, although there are a couple of decent clubs and places where foreigners permanently residing on the island like to gather. You can also find good hotels and restaurants.

Nathon Beach All government offices and banks are located on Nathon, and it is from this part of the island that communications with the mainland and other islands are established. Goods here are cheaper than in Chaweng and Lamai, and there is also a large selection of fun trinkets and souvenirs. Most of the shops are on the one-way internal road that heads south. However, there are also several on the coastal road good restaurants, where you can have breakfast or lunch, and teak shops where you can touch the life of the local people.

Bophut Beach Located in the northeastern part of Koh Samui, between Maenam Bay and Statue Big Buddha and extends for 3 kilometers. The beach is known for its charming, quiet and romantic atmosphere, clean yellow sand simply created for a relaxing and pleasant holiday. Various types of food are very popular here aquatic species sports such as water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing and others. On Bophut beach there is one pier from which boats depart to Phangan Island, Tao, Nang Yuan and the Ang Thong National Marine Park, and along the entire beach line there are cozy cafes, bars and restaurants.

Taling Ngam Beach This is the most best beach in the western part of Koh Samui, quite secluded and very calm. There are only a few hotels located on Taling Ngam, which are located at a fairly large distance from each other. Outside of hotels, the tourist infrastructure is poorly developed. The area along Taling Ngam is very picturesque, with many coconut plantations. Beach line short, fringed with palm trees, and the sea depth is shallow. Here you can admire amazing sunset views, perhaps the best on Koh Samui. Also nearby is the interesting Nara Cha Roen Suk Temple and the gate at the southern end of the road to the beach.

Maenam Beach 4 kilometers long, located in the northern part of Koh Samui. The first hotels on Koh Samui were built on this beach. Not far from the coast there is an interesting village built in Chinese style. In it you can find many wooden shops and even a small Chinese temple! The village also has a large number of cafes, restaurants and diving equipment rental companies. There are 2 piers on Maenam - one for speed boats and the other for boats going to Phang Nga Bay, Ang Thong National Marine Park, Koh Tao and Nang Yuan Islands. Menam Beach is a wonderful, quiet place intended for both family and individual recreation. However, if you want to experience the nightlife of Koh Samui, then the best place for this is Chaweng Beach.

Big Buddha Beach The proximity to the airport makes this location convenient for those arriving on the island by air. Hotels here occupy large areas, and the relaxed beach life attracts vacationers here for both short and long periods. Prices remain relatively low, while the party scene here is great, and the number of good restaurants is also growing.

Hua Thanon Beach Just south of Lamai Beach, around the bend, is the Muslim fishing village of Hua Thanon. The main street is home to several new restaurants, but the main attraction here is the art of the local fishermen. Their elaborately painted boats are moored next to the bustling bazaar. The beach is not suitable for swimming, but visiting here will give you an idea of one of the main activities of the island's inhabitants.

Bang Po Beach 4 kilometers long, located on the northwestern tip of Koh Samui, between Nathon and Maenam beaches. From the northern end of the beach it opens scenic view to Koh Phangan Island. The northwestern part of Koh Samui is famous for its calm sea and very clean beaches fringed with palm trees. Not far from Bang Po beach, at shallow depths, there are coral reefs that you can admire while snorkeling. The tourist infrastructure of this part of the island is not particularly developed - there are few hotels here, and there are no shops or nightlife at all. Therefore, we recommend that you visit Bang Po Beach for have a wonderful holiday and swimming during the day.

Choeng Mon Beach Located on the northeastern tip of Koh Samui, east of Big Buddha Beach. This is a very calm and quiet beach with a length of 1 kilometer. Mainly located here large hotels, offering a variety of water sports.

Bang Kao Beach Located in the southern part of Koh Samui. There are a limited number of hotels on this beach, and they are located quite far from the main road. The tourism infrastructure is poorly developed, and the shops located in this area are aimed at local residents. The beach stretches for 5 kilometers. It is bordered by abundant tropical vegetation. This beach is quite rocky and not very suitable for swimming. However, there is a large one nearby coral reef. At the southern end of the beach there are several sites of religious significance.

Lipa Noi Beach The beach is located south of Nathon and is considered one of the best places to watch the sunset. Lipa Noi Beach has some nice bungalows and some excellent seafood restaurants. But the biggest attraction of the beach is the shallow sea at Lipa Noi Beach. You can move 200 meters away from the shore, and the water will only be waist-deep. The soft, silky seabed attracts local children and swimmers to the beach, especially in the afternoon when the heat subsides.

Attractions

Angthong National Marine Park National Marine Park consists of 42 islands, represents mountain ranges limestone, rainforests, amazing isolated beaches and wildlife. Established as a national park in 1980. Also known as the "Golden Basin", the park is great place for underwater swimming (diving). There are similar ones nearby charming islands- Ko Sam Sao, Ko Prayad, Ko Hin Dap and Ko Kha.

Wat Khunaram Koh Samui This is the island's most famous temple with a mummified monk. The mummy sits upright in a glass box, and believers visiting the temple sacrifice flowers and incense to her. The mummy is the body of a former, highly respected abbot of the temple, who was a medium and was reputedly able to predict death.

Oceanarium and Tiger Zoo The Samui Aquarium features an amazing collection of tropical fish and other colorful aquatic animals such as turtles and colorful coral. In the tiger nursery you can see Bengal tigers and leopards.

Laem Sor Pagoda Ko Samui This chedi (pagoda), located at Laem Sor Temple, is one of the most important shrines on Koh Samui.

Large Buddha statue The large statue, 12 meters high, is located on the mountain (which is visible from almost all points of the island) which must be climbed using a special (dragon) ladder at Wat Phra Yai.

Grandmother and Grandfather Rock Natural monument, which has become a place of pilgrimage for tourists due to their striking resemblance to the genitals.

Notes

Links

Koh Samui: guide on the website Wikitravel(English)

Consent to the processing of personal data

I hereby, being the Customer of tourist services included in tourism product, and an authorized representative of the persons (tourists) specified in the Application, I give consent to the Agent and his authorized representatives to process my data and the data of the persons (tourists) contained in the Application: last name, first name, patronymic, date and place of birth, gender, citizenship, series, passport number, other passport data specified in the passport; residence and registration address; home and mobile phone; E-mail address; as well as any other data relating to my identity and the identity of the persons specified in the Application, to the extent necessary for the implementation and provision of tourism services, including those included in the tourism product generated by the Tour Operator, for any action (operation) or set of actions ( operations) performed with my personal data and the data of the persons specified in the Application, including (without limitation) collection, recording, systematization, accumulation, storage, clarification (updating, changing), extraction, use, transfer (distribution, provision, access), depersonalization, blocking, deletion, destruction of personal data, as well as carrying out any other actions provided for by current legislation Russian Federation, using automation tools, including in information and telecommunication networks, or without the use of such tools, if the processing of personal data without the use of such tools corresponds to the nature of the actions (operations) performed with personal data using automation tools, that is, it allows for in accordance with a given algorithm, searching for personal data recorded on a tangible medium and contained in file cabinets or other systematized collections of personal data, and/or access to such personal data, as well as transfer (including cross-border) of this personal data to the Tour Operator and third parties - partners of the Agent and Tour Operator.

The processing of personal data is carried out by the Agent and his authorized representatives (Tour Operator and direct service providers) for the purpose of fulfilling this agreement (including, depending on the terms of the agreement, for the purpose of processing travel documents, booking rooms in accommodation facilities and with carriers, transferring data to the consulate of a foreign state, resolving claims issues when they arise, submitting information to authorized government bodies (including at the request of courts and internal affairs bodies)).

I hereby confirm that the personal data provided by me to the Agent is reliable and can be processed by the Agent and his authorized representatives.

I hereby give my consent to the Agent and Tour Operator to send me emails/information messages to the email address and/or mobile phone number I have provided.

I hereby confirm that I have the authority to provide personal data of the persons specified in the Application, and undertake the obligation to reimburse the Agent for any costs associated with my lack of appropriate authority, including losses associated with sanctions of inspection authorities.

I agree that the text of my consent to the processing of personal data, given by me of my own free will, in my interests and in the interests of the persons specified in the Application, is stored electronically in a database and/or on paper and confirms the fact of consent to process and transfer personal data in accordance with the above provisions and take responsibility for the accuracy of the provision of personal data.

This consent is given for an indefinite period and can be withdrawn by me at any time, and insofar as it concerns a specific person, the subject of personal data specified in the Application, by the specified person by sending a written notice to the Agent by mail.

I hereby confirm that my rights as a subject of personal data have been explained to me by the Agent and are clear to me.

I hereby confirm that the consequences of withdrawing this consent have been explained to me by the Agent and are clear to me.

This Consent is an annex to this Application.

Koh Samui is the third largest island of Thailand. Dimensions - 21x25 km, total area- 250 sq. km. It is located in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Thailand, 30 km from the mainland (from the province of Surat Thani) and 690 km from Bangkok. Main city islands - .

The peculiarity of this resort is the combination of good developed infrastructure with uncrowded beaches, clear sea and perfectly preserved nature. Everyone will like it here. Partygoers on the island will find clubs, bars and other nightlife. Gourmets will pamper themselves with a variety of Thai and international cuisine. Those who like a secluded holiday will stop in quiet corners, where after sunset life comes to a standstill and you are left alone with nature.

Koh Samui ranks third in popularity among all resorts in Thailand. Thanks to the presence of the airport, you can quickly and easily get here from anywhere in the country. The authorities are soon planning to make the airport international, which means it will be possible to fly here directly from Russia and other Western countries.

Samui has a dozen beaches, all very different. Before choosing a place to live on the island, you need to familiarize yourself with each one in detail, since some are practically “wild”, while others, on the contrary, have a lot of hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife.

Koh Samui is surrounded by a ring road along which government transport runs. In addition, there are tuk-tuks, motorcycle and air-conditioned taxis, so there will be no problems with movement, you can easily travel from beach to beach and to all the attractions of Samui, of which there are quite a lot.

Koh Samui island on the map of Thailand

Story

The first foreigners to arrive on Koh Samui back in the 70s were hippies. Ordinary tourists followed them. In the mid-80s, local authorities decided to turn Samui into a tourist resort. Construction began on hotels, restaurants, shops and other amenities to which Europeans and Americans were so accustomed. Fortunately, the benefits of civilization were limited only to coastal areas, without affecting the center of the island.

There is still an untouched jungle there. By the way, there is no trace left of the hippies and their shabby huts; now package tourists and independent travelers stay at the resort.

Tours to Koh Samui

Today, the best prices for hotel complexes on Samui 4* and 5* are offered (for the Russian Federation - Anex Tour, Tui, Biblio Globus, Pegasus, Tez-tour). That is, if you want a hotel holiday, then in most cases it is more profitable to buy package tour.

On Samui is better In total, go on a package tour in the following cases:

1. If you plan to be on the hotel premises most of the time.

For most of your vacation, you plan to swim, lie on a sun lounger, eat, take part in animation, and attend spa treatments. In this case, you do not need to choose several hotels for your trip, you only need one, but the best one for your money. If you want to live in several places, then it will be individual tour, and it’s more profitable to fly on your own.

2. If you are traveling with children and teenagers.

Variety of food, in good hotels there is a separate children's table. Children's animation and peers with whom it will be interesting and fun.

3. If you want quality service for your money.

Almost direct dependence on price. The more prestigious and more expensive hotel, the higher the quality and variety of services, the more interesting the territory and food.

4. If you live in a region from which there are no regular flights.

If you live far from major airports, then the choice of air travel is small. Even if there are any regular flights, they may have transfers. In this case, it is easier to buy a package tour, which already includes air tickets for a direct charter, which are usually not found on free sale.

5. If you want to save money.

Due to large sales volumes during the season, tour operator prices are generally lower than if you buy all parts of the tour separately. Yes, we must admit, these parts are not always the most best quality(charter, insurance, shared transfer), but for most tourists everything is determined by the price.

What does a trip to Koh Samui include?

Usually a tourist package includes:

Everything has already been taken care of for you, there is no need to buy anything separately.

Where to buy tickets

First of all, trips to Samui can be purchased at travel agencies. Usually the employees there are well versed in the current market situation. But like all sellers, they are interested in selling certain tours because tour operators can offer higher commissions. Those. You should be wary of particularly active imposition of a specific hotel and tour operator.

If you know what exactly you want, know how to use the Internet and find truthful reviews, then you can book a tour to Samui on your own on the tour operator’s website.

It’s even more profitable to do this on the websites Travelata and Level.Travel (Misto.Travel for Ukraine), since there you can compare the prices of all tour operators at once. Very simple and convenient sites, booking is possible in 5 minutes, unlike most tour operator sites. An additional benefit is that there is a bonus system for repeat purchases, and discounts are also offered from time to time.

How to get to Koh Samui

Cheap flights to Bangkok

You can buy air tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible using special search engines that collect data from all airlines.

By bus

Buses run from any city in Thailand. This is a fairly cheap, but also tedious way to get to Koh Samui. In some cases, there will be several transfers along the way. From Bangkok to the pier the transport takes at least 12 hours, from Phuket - 4.5-5 hours. The ferry to the island - 1-1.5 hours.

By land and water

Most ferries depart from the mainland from Surat Thani and Chumpon (closer to Koh Tao). There are a lot of routes to these places. ground transport, tickets for which can be purchased everywhere at travel agencies or bus stations in cities and resorts in Thailand or. Samui also has water connections with Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.

From the latter, tuk-tuks carry tourists to the beaches. The price is fixed - up to any settlement the fare costs 60 baht. True, Thais often like to scam new arrivals by asking for 100. But if you do not agree to this price, they will take you for the standard 60 baht. It takes about 25-35 minutes to get to Chaweng and Lamai. The main road encircles the perimeter of the entire island, sometimes it runs a few meters from the coast (for example, in the north), sometimes a kilometer away (on Chaweng). There are branches from the Main Road that lead to the beaches.

Transport

There are no problems with movement on the island. Transportation includes public songthaews, tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, air-conditioned taxis and minivans. In addition, you can rent a motorbike or car yourself.

1. Songthaew.

The cheapest way to get around is by songthaew, which is exactly the same as in Pattaya - a pickup truck with two parallel seats. They can take you to any beach except the north-eastern ones.

The fare costs 50-60 baht per person. If you want to get to the airport and the northeast coast, you can hire an empty songthaew as a tuk-tuk. In this case, the price is negotiable and, for example, you can get to the airport for 300 baht (not per person, but for the whole car).

2. Air-conditioned taxi.

This is the most expensive type of transport on Samui; they are ordinary cars painted in bright colors.

While there are few of them, there is little competition and they ask for large sums for travel. Meters are rarely turned on, usually the price is negotiable and starts from 300 baht between neighboring beaches.

3. Motorcycle taxi.

A ride on the back seat of a motorcycle as a passenger costs the same as everywhere else in Thailand - about 30 baht for 1-2 km. On Koh Samui, distances are long, so getting from one beach to another (which is 3-4 km) will cost around 100 baht.

4. Minibuses (minivans).

They run from the airport and the pier in Nathon, and also take tourists to attractions as part of excursions.

5. Transport rental.

The best option for those who come to long time. There are motorbike rental offices on any beach, as well as on the pier in Nathon, where most ships from the mainland sail. The price depends on the season and location. In Nathon you can find it for 150 baht per day, and tourist places- for 200 baht.

Who should go to Koh Samui

Holidays on Koh Samui are suitable for those who prioritize clean seas and uncrowded beaches. If you are interested in a vibrant nightlife with lots of discos, nightclubs, Go Go bars and thousands of available girls, then you won't like Koh Samui. It is represented in small quantities only in Chaweng, and is mainly limited to drinking bars under open air where you can find a girlfriend for the night. But this is only a pitiful semblance of the incendiary Walking Street in Pattaya or Bangla Road in Phuket.

But lovers of silence and leisurely relaxation will love Samui.

There are very few people on the beaches even in the high season from December to March. Here you will not feel the friendly elbow of your neighbor on the sun lounger, simply because they are located at a great distance from each other (unlike Pattaya and Phuket, where the distance between the sun loungers is no more than half a meter). And in general, there are very few sunbeds and sun umbrellas on Samui, they are only next to the hotels.

What to do and what to visit

For an initial acquaintance with the island, we recommend going to.

For those who like to buy something abroad, the most popular places for shopping are described:.

Beaches

Unlike Phuket, Koh Samui has both in the west, and in the east, and in the south, and in the north. The most popular is Chaweng. The tourist infrastructure is most developed here - many hotels, shops, markets, restaurants, massage parlors, bars and entertainment. During the day you can go jet skiing, skiing, banana boats and paragliding, and at night you can “raid” one of the restaurants or bars with the girls.

Chaweng is slightly inferior to Lamai, where there are fewer of all the above-mentioned benefits of civilization. And after sunset it’s quieter here. All other beaches offer only sea, sun, palm trees, overnight accommodation, several mini-markets, restaurants and drinking establishments. In the capital of Koh Samui - Nathon - there are almost no tourists, since there is no normal beach. Mostly Thais live here.

Short video about Samui

How to get there

Planning a trip to Koh Samui? Do you want to know how to get to this city most convenient? Then the list of options below is for you!

By plane

Koh Samui Airport (USM) is a private airport originally built by Bangkok Airways. It is the main operator and was for a long time the only airline with services to Koh Samui. IN this airport almost hourly flights to/from Bangkok and by Thai standards expensive tickets with pre-booking 3,000-4,500 baht one way, while without pre-booking they can cost twice as much. There are also daily flights to/from Phuket for 2,000-3,000 baht. There are two daily flights from Chiang Mai, but only one direct flight in the opposite direction.

The peculiarity of the international boarding gate is a special place where all passengers are offered food and drinks in a cozy lounge, there is Wi-Fi provision - it becomes much more comfortable to wait for boarding.

In addition to Bangkok Airways, Koh Samui is served by two flights daily from Bangkok with Thai Airways, Berjaya Air and Firefly from Subang airport (a small airport 30 minutes from the city center (Kuala Lumpur) and International airport Penang International Airport in Malaysia.

You can monitor promotions and special offers for air tickets on various aggregator sites, or, for example,.

Visa on arrival and visa-free entries are available at Samui Airport for some nationalities.

Transport from the airport is easy to find. A 20-minute bus ride to Chaweng costs 120 baht per person; a taxi will cost more - 400 baht. Make sure you set the fare to your destination before you get into the taxi because many drivers refuse to use the meter.

If you're visiting as a couple or family, you'll probably be accosted by some young women holding signs from some of the high-end hotels. They'll ask you where you're staying and upon answering, they'll offer you a free taxi ride if you promise to attend their hotel's presentation during your stay. Avoid such offers.

Alternative airports

Other airports that fly into Koh Samui are Surat Thani Airport and Chumphon Airport from the mainland with a good ferry to Koh Samui. They are often significantly cheaper and serve as excellent low cost carriers for Air Asia and Nok Air.

Nok Air offers 4 daily flights + ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samui or fly with Nok Air from Bangkok to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat and ferry to Koh Samui. You can book your ticket on their website.
Flights to Surat Thani are operated by Thai Airlines and low-cost airlines Air Asia and Nok Air (departing from Don Muang Airport, then by road to the coast and by ferry to your destination.

Flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat are carried out by Air Asia and Nok Air, then by bus and catamaran.

By ship

From Chumphon via Ko Tao, Ko Phangan

Lomprayah offers a shared bus/high-speed catamaran service from Bang Kong to Koh Samui, which takes 11 hours (5.5 by ship) and costs around 1,250 baht (1,000 baht return). The bus stops at Hua Hin and then Chumphon, where passengers transfer to a ship that calls at Ko Nang Yuan, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan on the way to Koh Samui. The road is scenic (including a trip to 2 islands), and the ferry is convenient to Seatran.

This trip to Koh Samui will take longer, but is a good way to see the countryside and islands. The bus option is a 50-minute flight from Bangkok to Chumphon Airport via Nok Air and transfers to high-speed ferries stopping at Koh Tao along the way.

High-speed catamarans "Lomprayah" are a good and fast option to get to Samui from Koh Tao or Koh Phangan, as well as in a good way arrive to these islands from Bangkok. There are also regular speedboats from other operators.

By ferry

From Surat Thani

Surat Thani Train Station and Airport (URT) include mixed bus/ferry services to Koh Samui for 200-300 baht. Some involve a 60-minute bus ride to Donsak pier, followed by a 90-minute ferry ride. Others involve a 30-minute bus ride, but the ferry takes longer. Tickets are sold by numerous agents who can be found in every train and airport. It costs less than 300 baht.

At Donsak Pier you can choose from one of the listed ferry companies "Songserm", "Travel" And "Seatran"(departures every 30-60 minutes), which ends at Nathon Pier. If you book your trip through tourist agency, you are traveling on a small, two-deck ferry that is often crowded, so always arrive early as all the seats on the lower deck may be occupied.

An air-conditioned upper deck costs more. If you don't feel like paying extra, you might end up next to a pile of backpacks in the back of the boat. There is a small overpriced shop on the lower deck (instant noodles that cost 15 baht are sold here for 50 baht). It's better to bring snacks with you to avoid overpaying. The passengers on the Songserm ferry are mostly foreigners.

The Seatran ferry is much larger and has multiple decks (most are free to enter, including air-conditioned areas), fills up slower due to its size, and has numerous TVs (with Thai channels). There is a large cafeteria (with much friendlier prices, such as 20 baht for the same instant noodles). Passengers are mainly Thais and tourists.

Raja Ferry Port operates services between Donsak Pier and Lipa Noi Pier on the west side of Koh Samui (a few kilometers south of Nathon). The ferry includes a free air-conditioned deck and comfortable seating. The ferry also transports car. You can use it if you decide to come by your own transport. Transfer from Songthaew pier to Koh Samui or Lamai will cost 100 baht per person. A taxi will cost more, about 1000 baht.

There are numerous ferry services from Surat Thani, including fast boats (3 departures daily, duration 3 hours and cost 150 baht) and slow night boats (lasting 6-7 hours). The number of the operator "Songserm Travel" is +66 25 29 654 in Bangkok to clarify the schedule, which changes depending on the season.

Clue:

Koh Samui - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow − 4

Kazan − 4

Samara − 3

Ekaterinburg − 2

Novosibirsk 0

Vladivostok 3

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Samui's weather is slightly different from other parts of Thailand. From April to September, when most of the country is in the rainy season, Koh Samui remains fairly dry, but from October to December it is quite damp. From Koh Samui, the dry season lasts from January to March. You can find your way around prices for tours to Koh Samui from Russia.

Samui in summer

The summer months on the island cannot boast of impeccable weather. The air temperature is quite democratic, but the humidity increases sharply, resulting in terrible stuffiness. Added to this is the approaching rainy season; in the evening and at night, vacationers may be upset by passing downpours, although not very long (no more than an hour). With sunrise, the soil quickly dries out, and the sun does not spare vacationers. The sea is quite calm, the only drawback may be the daytime low tides. On some beaches, it is especially noticeable how the water moves several meters away from the shore, and for some, such a picture may seem frightening.

Samui in autumn

The beginning of autumn can easily please tourists who come to Samui. When to go if not in summer? - the sun warms well, there is no wind, and the sea is quite calm. Almost the whole of September can be spent on the beaches of Samui and enjoying the beautiful weather, although this month is considered the end of the beach season. Starting in October, the island is gradually enveloped by a cyclone of rain and gusty winds. The temperature drops monthly by about 1-2 degrees, and on average is 27 degrees in air and 26 degrees in water. Exhausting rains, which last about 5 hours a day, and intense gusty winds make it impossible to enjoy the island as beach resort. The water is warm, but in view weather conditions, very cloudy. Several autumn days threaten a month's worth of precipitation. Cloudy weather prevails. Autumn is perfect for excursion tours. Due to the absence of a significant flow of tourists in the fall, you can safely visit the temples or study the history of this place in more detail.

Koh Samui in spring

Everything blooms in spring, and Ko Samui is no exception. The variety of colors that the rich flora of the island can demonstrate attracts a new flow of tourists here. In April, the scorching sun heats the air up to 35 degrees, the thermometer often exceeds this mark, but even this cannot stop exotic lovers.

The sea is still calm, its temperature reaches 29 degrees, and only occasionally vacationers can frolic in small waves. With the end of spring, the weather begins to decline. The rainy season is soon approaching, so the air at the end of April may seem stuffy.

Samui in winter

Winter is considered the peak tourist recreation to Koh Samui. In winter, the weather is very stable and the same “ the Velvet season" It is still recommended to fly to the island in the second ten days of December, since the beginning of this month may be cloudy and rainy, it is almost impossible to predict this. Such weather vagaries can occur due to the change and development of the season. Otherwise, the winter months delight vacationers with the bright sun and evening freshness, the sea is clean with rare, big waves– the perfect time to enjoy all the benefits seaside resort.

Koh Samui - weather by month

Clue:

Koh Samui - weather by month

Main attractions. What to see

The most popular attractions in Koh Samui are presented below.

Top 5

Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo Ko Samui

Located on Ban Harn beach. The Oceanarium features an amazing collection of tropical fish and other marine animals such as turtles and colorful coral. The Tiger Zoo is home to Bengal tigers and leopards. Samui Oceanarium and Tiger Zoo are open daily from 09:00-18:00.

Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)

At Wat Phra Yai, also known as the Great Buddha Temple, the Buddha statue is 15 meters tall. It was built in 1972 in the north of the island.

Samui Butterful Garden/Insect Museum

This butterfly garden can be found in the southeast of the island. You can see a huge collection of different butterflies, with a wingspan of up to 25 cm. Visitors can also visit the insect museum, where you can see a variety of insects from rare beetles to beehives.

Bophut Elephant Camp

The Funny Day Safari Jeep Safari takes place at the Elephant Park, a couple of minutes from the fishing village, and visit it to enjoy the peaceful nature while sitting on the back of a magnificent mammal, or to watch and feed the cute little baby elephants. You can also learn how Samui monkeys work and watch a professional performance of crocodiles. Additional information, maps of the area and a photo gallery can be found on their website.

Secret Buddha Garden

This beautiful garden was built by a 76-year-old Samui gardener in 1976. It is surrounded by green bushes, rocky hills and is decorated with sculptures depicting both sexes in various poses, as well as various deities. Since the garden is the most high point on the island, from there you can see stunning views. Organized tours to the garden lasts almost 2 hours.

Other attractions of the island:

Monkey Shows - You can enjoy this show at the open air theater on the main road behind Bophut Beach. The show also includes trained elephants. Catching and training wild animals is ethically questionable.
Old House - A Chinese-style house almost 200 years old, it represents the cultural heritage of Samui. Grandpa Xi and Grandma Meng Tancharoen open the house to visitors.
Airport hut. The airport on Samui is very small, the peculiarity is that it is made in the form of a small, but very cozy and beautiful hut. Thanks to this, Samui Airport is one of the five most original airports in the world.
Coral beds at Laem Set and Thong Takhian;
Namtok Hin Lat Waterfall - The main waterfront settlement of the island, where shops, restaurants and travel agencies are concentrated;

Namtok Na Mueang Waterfall - A local road leads to Na Muang Waterfall 1. The 30-minute walk ends at the more scenic Na Muang Waterfall 2. Crimson cliffs surround a watery stream that falls from an impressive height of approximately 79 meters;
Snake farm;

Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks - These strange rocks located on Lamai Beach bear a striking resemblance to the genitals of men and women. They have become one of the most important attractions of the island. For those who would like to listen to the legend or see the rocks, you only need to ask a local;
Water Buffalo Fights - The island has a rich tradition of water buffalo fighting arenas. There is no fight schedule, but locals will know the dates and you may see the occasional sign on the road announcing the day of the fight.

Beaches. Which ones are better

The main reason to visit Koh Samui is the beaches, as it is quite big Island with fabulous shores. The most popular and commercialized beaches are Lamai, while the northern beaches of Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Rak (Big Buddha) and Choeng Mon and their surrounding villages are the quietest places and beaches west coast relatively quiet. Clarification: Due to the murky water, Bophut and Choeng Mon are not very good for swimming. The beaches and Lamai have cleaner sea water.

Nathon is the port and administrative center of Samui, which attracts tourists.
Laem Yai is located on the northwestern edge of the island; secluded beach overlooking the Ang Thong Islands.
Mae Nam is a quiet and beautiful beach on the northern coast.
Bophut is known for its tranquil but rapidly growing fishing village.
Bang Rak is on the northeastern edge, home of the Big Buddha.
Choeng Mon is a quiet northern beach of the coast.
Chaweng is the largest and most developed beach with an unusual mixture of luxury hotels and small inns for tourists and active nightlife.
Lamai is the “second” beach of Samui, south of Chaweng, with a lot of active nightlife and chic resorts and restaurants.
South coast Samui South Coast - small beaches Ban Hua Thanon, Na Khai, Laem Set, Bang Kao and Thong Krut.

Chaweng beach

The main beach on Koh Samui, which has developed since the early 1990s. Just 20 years ago the beach was home to a handful of wooden bungalows, but now the area is dotted with hotels, Italian pizzerias, Irish pubs and even go-go bars. Samui's nightlife is becoming legendary, but, unfortunately, does not always attract exemplary tourists. Hippie tourists have lost Chaweng to "beer hooligans". Now it's a place for a noisy and reckless party.

Lamai beach

Like Chaweng, Lamai has been transformed from a hippie hangout to a party and fun destination with bars and an exciting nightlife. However, the beach is in better condition than Chaweng and a place to relax is not so easy to find because it is always crowded. If you want to relax in quiet place, Lamai is not the ideal place for you.

On southern region Lamai Beach has several interesting rock formations.

The island of Lamai itself is located in the southeast of Samui, almost 10 kilometers from Chaweng.

BeachMaenam(Mae Nam Beach)

This calm beach, located in the north of the island, suitable for swimming and sunbathing, especially for families with children, due to its shallow waters.

Bophut Beach

Located in the north of the island, it is a popular starting point for diving. This place is not as developed as Chaweng, but there are many restaurants, shops and bars.

Choengmon Beach

Located in the northeast of Samui just 10 minutes from Chaweng. Unlike the latter, this is the perfect place to relax.

BeachBigBuddha(Big Buddha Beach)

Located in the northeast of Koh Samui, it offers visitors a good place for swimming and great views. The area has developed over the years and now offers many restaurants, shops and bars.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Wat Khunaram Ko Samui

This temple is the most famous temple because of its mummified monk, which is displayed publicly. The mummy sits upright in a glass coffin and fans offer him flowers and incense. In reality, the mummy is the body of a highly revered former abbot of the temple, who was also a master of meditation and was able to predict his own death.

However, what is interesting is the fact that the mummy wears a large pair of sunglasses and is surrounded almost everywhere by huts selling overpriced drinks and fritters.

Samui Pagoda Laem Sor (Laem Sor Pagoda Koh Samui)

This chedi (pagoda) is located at Laem Sor Temple, one of the most famous temples on Koh Samui. The building, with its yellow tiles that exude a golden aura, is quite an impressive and enchanting sight.

Food. What to try

Samui is famous for its coconuts, which are available everywhere and are quite tasty. On the island a good choice seafood, although during the peak tourist season demand often exceeds local supply. Larger beaches, such as Bophut, have international restaurants with good reputations (often owned by foreign couples living in Thailand).

Southern Thai food is notorious for its spiciness. Most of The cuisine comes from Malay, Indonesian and Indian cuisine. Southern favorites include Indian-style Muslim curry (Massaman), rice noodles in curry fish sauce (Kanom Jin), and chicken biryani. Popular local foods include salted eggs and nephelium.

Double price is unfortunately common: some restaurants have two menus, one for tourists, the other for locals, for whom the price is 1/4 of the price for foreigners. Main courses in a standard Thai restaurant should cost less than 100 baht (excluding seafood dishes). If the prices seem unreasonably high, go to another restaurant. Always check the prices and menu first so you don't have to argue when the bill arrives.

Beverages

There are countless options for drinking establishments, ranging from pubs for loud tourists and erotic ones to candlelit romantic bars in Bophut. Price - 80 baht for local beer (Singha, Tiger, Chang, Heineken) and up to twice as much for imported beer. The wine is particularly expensive and usually costs over 2,000 baht per bottle.

Safety. What to watch out for

Tap water is not potable. Drinks in sealed bottles are sold everywhere. Be safe in restaurants too, as some use unsafe tap water for ice in drinks (others make it from bottled/safe water). Tap water in most hotels should not be used for drinking or brushing teeth unless it is clearly labeled as safe.
Motorcycles are more dangerous than jeeps, trucks and other vehicles that are available for rent at reasonable prices and are much safer. If you are going to use a motorcycle, always wear a helmet and never drive while intoxicated, as the roads are dangerous and have a lot of potholes.
After a good time partying in , Bophut and Lamai, take a taxi to take you home. Be careful. Taxi drivers often cheat drunk people. It is not uncommon for an auto-rickshaw driver to ask for 50 baht per kilometer of travel (for example, in the main market).
Recently, a large number of ATVs have appeared on the roads. Please take care as ATVs are not registered.
Also be careful on the beaches at night due to the crimes that often occur there.
If you are traveling to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao by bus, do not keep any valuables in your luggage. Songserm Travel reports thefts from buses. Don't leave things unattended when getting off the train to the islands.

Things to do

Here are some places to visit if you don't know what to do in Koh Samui:

Ang Thong National Marine Park - scuba diving and snorkeling.
Champhun - by high-speed catamaran to the mainland and then to Bangkok via Champhun Airport.
Koh Phangan is home to an embarrassing full moon party in Haad Rin and features almost untouched landscapes.
Koh Tao is one of the best places to learn diving, in fact, the best school on the planet is in Koh Tao. In addition to diving, you can go sailing.
Khao Lak is a diving center for the islands of Similan and Surin.

Extreme Sports

Diving

The south of Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in the world that are surrounded by crystal clear waters and stunning corals. For this reason, the number of divers visiting the island has gradually increased over the past decade. Even though best time in the year for diving in Koh Samui from June to August, diving is popular in Koh Samui whole year. Considered one of the safest places in the world for diving and snorkeling, it is ideal for beginners.

Visibility at sea in some places around Samui is good (distance 10-30 m). One can enjoy magnificent views of seamounts, coral gardens, underwater rock formations, hard and soft coral, whale sharks in season.

Samran Mountains (Samran Pinnacles). Because the currents in this area are very strong, this site is recommended only for experienced divers. Due to the currents, the place is a haven for large sea creatures that swim by. Near Sail Rock there are three mountains hidden under water.
Ko Kra & Koh Losin. These two small islands are located in the southeast of Samui, which due to their remoteness are not visited by tourists. Here you can see black-tail sharks, manta rays and snapping turtles, which are difficult to find.
Koh Tan (also known as Koh Tan, Koh, Koh Taen Kataen, Coral Island). This small island is located on the southwestern edge of Koh Samui. This is the perfect place for an amazing dive. Local experts tell travelers that this is an ideal place for people who don't want to travel more than two hours to dive.

Koh Tan

Located 15 minutes from Ko Samui, Koh Tan offers travelers 14 sites with rich underwater life, including soft and hard corals. From Thong Krut, tourists can leave for a reasonable price on long-tail boats. If you want to go to Koh Tan, you can book your trip through any good travel agent or search online, or you can go directly to Thong Krut.

There are 5 restaurants on Koh Tan. There are three restaurants in Ao Tok Bay. One of them is located at the end of the beach with both housing and excellent Thai cuisine. The third restaurant is located in the middle and is owned by a French gentleman. On the other side of the island there is a beautiful Ao-Tok bay with 2 restaurants and 2 large premises serving excellent food.

Housing matches high standard With an asking price of 500 baht, Koh Tan is surrounded by coral and rocky reefs, and there are 10 beaches on the island.

How to get around the region

Cellular communications, telephones and Internet

There are many internet cafes on Koh Samui. Hourly payment is almost 30 baht.

The GSM networks of all major Thai cellular operators cover the island quite well. Buying a local SIM card will save you a lot of money on international calls. Moreover, GPRS/EDGE service is a cheap and convenient way to access the Internet almost everywhere.

Medical institutions

Koh Samui has a well-equipped Bangkok Hospital. For those who are not seriously ill, there are countless clinics and pharmacies, especially on the beach.