Koh Samui was the final destination of our Thailand trip, and honestly, the timing could not have been better. After weeks of travelling, heading south, combining islands and constantly repacking our bags, we mainly needed rest. No packed itinerary, no long list of must-sees, just a comfortable place to slow down. And for that, Koh Samui turned out to be a very good choice.
We stayed on Koh Samui for a full week and mainly used those days to relax. Swimming, slow breakfasts, short walks, evenings at Fisherman’s Village and, most of all, not having to do too much. That may not sound like the most adventurous way to spend time in Thailand, but at the end of a travel route, it felt perfect.
Why Koh Samui is a great final stop on a Thailand itinerary
Koh Samui fits well at the end of a trip through Thailand. The island is comfortable, easy to reach and has everything you need close by. After destinations where you spend a lot of time travelling or exploring actively, it is nice that Koh Samui does not have to be complicated.
You can make your days as quiet or as full as you like. Do you just want to lie by the pool, walk to the beach and go out for dinner in the evening? That works perfectly. Would you rather take a day tour, visit temples, go snorkelling, rent a scooter or visit a market? There are plenty of options for that too.
Staying near Fisherman’s Village
We stayed near Fisherman’s Village, in the north of Koh Samui. This is one of the island’s best-known areas, so it is definitely not a hidden gem anymore. Especially in the evening, it can get busy, with restaurants, small shops, market stalls and travellers walking around. Still, we found it a very enjoyable place to stay.
Fisherman’s Village has a pleasant atmosphere, especially because it is right by the sea. During the day, it is relatively quiet, while in the evening the area comes to life. You can walk past boutiques, beachfront restaurants, small bars and market stalls. It is touristy, but in a relaxed way. Especially if you are looking for convenience at the end of your trip, this is a lovely area.
A big advantage for us was that we did not have to arrange transport every evening. From our accommodation, we could simply walk to the market or to a restaurant. That makes Fisherman’s Village a very good base if you are using Koh Samui as a place to wind down.
Our tip: Smile House at Fisherman’s Village
We stayed at Smile House – Fisherman Village, and for us it was exactly the right choice. The location is ideal: right by Fisherman’s Village, but still quiet enough to properly relax. You do not sleep in a large, impersonal hotel building, but in small cottages surrounded by greenery. That made the stay feel much cosier and calmer.
Our cottage was lovely, the atmosphere on the grounds was relaxed and the swimming pool was wonderful. Because we stayed here for a week, it was important to us that the accommodation was not only practical, but also genuinely comfortable. Smile House absolutely delivered on that.
What we especially liked about Smile House:
- You can walk straight into Fisherman’s Village.
- The beach is opposite the hotel.
- There is a lovely pool for relaxing.
- You stay in separate cottages, so it does not feel too large or crowded.
- The location is central, while the grounds themselves still feel peaceful.
For us, this was exactly the kind of accommodation you want at the end of a trip. Not complicated, not too remote and still comfortable. Especially if you like being able to walk to restaurants and markets in the evening, this is a very good base.
View Smile House – Fisherman Village here
Fun things to do on Koh Samui
Fisherman’s Village Night Market
Because we stayed near Fisherman’s Village, we walked around the market on several evenings. It may not have been the most original activity, but it was simply fun. You will find street food, clothes, souvenirs, cocktails, live music and plenty of places where you can stop for a while.
It is good to know that Fisherman’s Village is no longer a quiet local market where you barely see anyone. The area is too well known for that now. Especially on popular evenings, it can get busy. Still, we liked the atmosphere. It is the kind of place where you can walk to without a plan and naturally end up stopping somewhere.
If you are looking for a quiet, authentic market without tourists, this is not the best place. But if you want a pleasant evening, good food and an easy walk by the sea, Fisherman’s Village is very nice. Especially if you are staying nearby.
The beach at Fisherman’s Village
Opposite Smile House is Bophut Beach. This is not necessarily the most tropical or photogenic beach in Thailand, but it is very pleasant if you are staying in this area. You can walk from Fisherman’s Village straight to the sea, and there are several restaurants and beach bars along the beach.
For a full beach day, there are prettier beaches on Koh Samui, but for a quiet walk, a drink by the sea or a quick swim, Bophut Beach is simply nice. The biggest advantage is the combination: beach, restaurants and accommodation are all close together. That makes staying in Fisherman’s Village feel very easy.
Chaweng: Koh Samui’s best-known nightlife area
We also spent a day in Chaweng. This is known as the busier and livelier part of Koh Samui, with many bars, restaurants, shops and nightlife. Chaweng Beach and the streets behind it mainly attract travellers looking for more energy and activity.
To be honest, we found it less hectic than expected. Maybe that was because we visited in July, but we had imagined it would be much more intense. Chaweng definitely felt more touristy and busier than Fisherman’s Village, but not as overwhelming as some other famous places in Thailand.
Whether Chaweng suits you depends mostly on what you are looking for. If you want to be close to nightlife, have lots of restaurant choices and enjoy a more lively atmosphere, Chaweng makes sense. If you prefer a quieter base where you can still walk around in the evening without staying right in the middle of the nightlife, we preferred Fisherman’s Village.
Central Samui and the market near the shopping centre
We also visited a small market near a shopping centre. This was probably near Central Samui, the large shopping centre close to Chaweng. Around this area, you will find shops, food stalls and often market stalls or a night market atmosphere with street food and souvenirs.
Central Samui is not a place you travel to Koh Samui for specifically, but it can be useful if you need something, want to eat or simply want to see a different side of the island. Especially if you stay on Koh Samui for longer, it is quite convenient to have practical places like this nearby.
Other fun things to do on Koh Samui
We mainly used Koh Samui to relax, but there is enough to do if you want to be a bit more active. The island is large and varied enough to fill several days without having to stay in the same place all the time.
A few fun options on Koh Samui:
- Visit Fisherman’s Village: especially nice in the evening, with the market, restaurants and a lively atmosphere by the sea.
- Go to Chaweng Beach: the island’s best-known and most lively beach area.
- Explore Lamai: a little quieter than Chaweng, but still with restaurants, beach and facilities.
- Visit the Big Buddha: one of the best-known sights on Koh Samui.
- Go to Wat Plai Laem: a colourful temple complex that is easy to combine with the Big Buddha.
- Take a day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park: a beautiful excursion if you want to add some nature and adventure.
- Rent a scooter: useful for discovering beaches and viewpoints, but only recommended if you are experienced and drive carefully.
You do not need to plan Koh Samui from morning to evening to enjoy it. The combination of beach, markets, good food and the occasional outing is exactly what makes the island so pleasant.
Day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park
One of the best-known excursions from Koh Samui is a day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park. This national marine park lies west of Koh Samui and consists of dozens of green islands, limestone rocks, beaches and lagoons. Many tours combine boat travel, snorkelling, kayaking and a viewpoint.
We did not do this tour ourselves, because we mainly wanted to rest on Koh Samui. Still, it is a logical recommendation if you are staying on the island for longer and want to add one active day.
When booking, check carefully what is included. Some tours go by larger boat, while others use a speedboat. It also differs per tour whether kayaking, lunch, hotel pickup and the national park entrance fee are included. A popular option is this Ang Thong Marine Park tour from Koh Samui, which combines snorkelling, kayaking and beach time.
How many days do you need on Koh Samui?
We stayed on Koh Samui for a week and, looking back, that was not too long at all. That was mainly because we used the island as a place to rest. If you still want to do a lot during your Thailand trip, you can also visit Koh Samui for three or four nights. That gives you enough time for Fisherman’s Village, a beach day, Chaweng or Lamai and possibly a day tour.
If you need rest at the end of your trip, I would stay a little longer. Four to seven nights is not strange at all. Koh Samui is comfortable enough to stay longer without getting bored. You can do very little one day and still easily go out and explore the next.
For a quick stop, I would be less likely to choose Koh Samui. The island is large and, because of its location, you often lose some time travelling. It works best when you actually stay for a few days.
How to get to Koh Samui
We travelled to Koh Samui via Surat Thani and took the ferry from there. This is often much cheaper than flying directly to Koh Samui. You are on the road longer, but within a Thailand itinerary it is a good option if you want to save money.
From Surat Thani, you can usually arrange a combination ticket with bus and ferry. That makes the journey fairly straightforward, because you do not have to organise every part separately. You travel from the airport, train station or city towards the pier and then take the boat to Koh Samui.
On the way back, we chose to fly from Koh Samui to Bangkok. That was more expensive than travelling via Surat Thani, but much faster and more comfortable. Especially at the end of your trip, that can be worth the extra cost. You avoid a long ferry-and-bus day and get back to Bangkok much more quickly.
If you want to save money, you can also travel back by ferry to Surat Thani first and then continue by plane or bus. That takes more time, but can make a big difference in price. For us, the combination was ideal: travelling there more cheaply via Surat Thani, and returning easily with a direct flight from the island.
Where to stay on Koh Samui
Koh Samui has several areas that all feel different. The best place to stay therefore depends mainly on your travel style.
- Fisherman’s Village / Bophut: lively, atmospheric and convenient if you want restaurants, market and beach within walking distance.
- Chaweng: busy, touristy and suitable if you are looking for nightlife, lots of restaurants and a lively atmosphere.
- Lamai: a little quieter than Chaweng, but still with plenty of facilities.
- Maenam: quieter and often nice if you want less bustle.
- Choeng Mon: a good option if you are looking for a more comfortable and peaceful beach area.
For us, Fisherman’s Village was the right choice. We had enough atmosphere within walking distance, but did not stay right in the middle of the nightlife. Especially combined with Smile House, we found this a very good balance.
Best time to visit Koh Samui
Koh Samui has a slightly different climate from many islands on Thailand’s west coast. That means the island can also be interesting in months when the Andaman Sea side is more changeable. We visited in July and had a good experience. It was warm, the crowds were manageable and the island felt relaxed.
Of course, that does not mean the weather is always perfect. Tropical showers can happen in Thailand throughout the year. Still, Koh Samui is often a good option if you travel to Thailand during the European summer and want to add beach time to your itinerary.
If you are mainly travelling for beach days, it is smart not to plan too tightly. It is better to stay a few extra nights in one place than to visit an island for just one or two days and be unlucky with the weather.
Does Koh Samui fit into your Thailand itinerary?
Koh Samui mainly fits into your route if you are looking for a comfortable island destination with plenty of facilities. The island is less small-scale than, for example, Koh Mook, and feels different from the islands on the west coast. But that is exactly why it works well as a practical final stop.
For us, Koh Samui worked especially well because we no longer had to do much. We had already seen a lot and simply wanted a nice place to land before flying back to Bangkok. In that sense, Koh Samui was exactly right.