Visiting Koh Samui is on many travellers’ bucket lists. The tropical and exotic island is known as the gem of the Gulf of Thailand. Situated about 35 km northeast of the mainland’s provincial city of Surat Thani, it is the most significant island in the Chumphon Archipelago.

Measuring 25 km (16 miles) at its widest point, the island features some of the most iconic beaches in the world.

Here, we have a list of the best beaches on Koh Samui and many more suggestions for your holidays!

Chaweng Beach
This expansive beach is teeming with white, powdery sands and is known as the most touristy beach on the island. However, despite the high-season crowds, the beach is known for its compatibility with all kinds of water sports.

Moreover, if you enjoy partying or socialising, Chaweng Beach is the place to be.

Lamai Beach
The island’s second most popular beach is that of Lamai. Although it is not as busy as Chaweng Beach, the area of Lamai caters to tourists and offers excellent beachside restaurants, clubs, and water sports.

Crystal Beach
Known as Crystal Beach or Crystal Bay, this beach is known as the most beautiful as its large boulders encircle the white-sanded beach. Located between Chaweng and Lamai, the beach is a favourite place to go for many tourists and expats alike.

The beach’s shallow waters offer tropical fish and other sea life that can be found by snorkelling around.

Bophut Beach
This strip of sand is located near the famous Fisherman’s Village, hence, there are many beachside accommodations and activities at Bophut Beach.

Although the beach isn’t white-sanded, its prime location offers many activities and fun for all.

Lipa Noi
This quiet beach is located at the southwestern end of the island. And, if you are looking for the best sunset on the island, you have found the right place.

The stunning sunsets on Lipa Noi are unparalleled with views touted as the best on Koh Samui.

What are the main islands to visit around Koh Samui?

Koh Phangan
A short speed boat ride from Koh Samui will have you landing on the Bohemian paradise of Koh Phangan (Thailand’s Bali) with many eco-friendly resorts and healing sanctuaries to boot.

If you are looking for an epic party, look no further than Koh Phangan’s world-famous Full Moon Party. Here, you can dance the night away with travellers from all over the world.

Koh Tao
Known as the scuba diving paradise, travellers flock to this island to see whale sharks, coral reefs, and other stunning marine life. The island is small but you can find excellent accommodations and delicious seafood at great prices.

Ang Thong National Marine Park
This protected area features 42 islands that tourists can access by signing up for an Ang Thong tour.
Limestone mountains, tropical jungles, waterfalls, hidden coves and surreal beaches will surely make your marine park tour memorable.

Popular Activities
Touring the temples on Koh Samui offers a taste of the local culture as well as some stunning sights. From Wat Khunaram’s mummified monk to Plai Laem’s Big Buddha, many of the temples around the island offer excellent views and cultural education.

Koh Samui also has several waterfalls, with Na Mueang 1 and 2 waterfalls being the most famous. The cooling pools are also swimmable and offer a majestic afternoon of fun in the sun.

Hiring a tour company to take you around the island is also a popular choice as the research and transportation will be included in the price. From visiting viewpoints that offer panoramic scenery to hiring an ATV or going on a zipline adventure, almost any activity is available on the island.

Celebrated Holidays

Songkran
The Thai New Year of Songkran is held throughout Thailand in April. You definitely cannot miss the festivities as entire streets will be full of people splashing water on cars and each other with buckets and water guns. The fun celebration of the Thai New Year is the largest in the country.

Chinese New Year
Join in the celebrations of the Chinese New Year by wearing a red shirt and visiting the district of Maenam. Here, you can experience a bit of Chinese culture by visiting the island’s main Chinatown. A beautiful Chinese temple offers a glimpse of Koh Samui’s early life as Chinese fishermen discovered the island and used it as a haven from pirates.

Loy Krathong
This is the floating lantern festival that is celebrated every year in Thailand. Known as the festival that cleanses one of their sins, flower lanterns are set off in the waters to appease the gods.

New Year
The Western New Year is always celebrated throughout Thailand and offers plenty of fireworks, parties and fun for all. It is no feat to find at least one place wherever you are residing that will offer an extravagant event for the New Year.

Although this list is not inclusive, the above activities, holidays and sights are known as being the best that Koh Samui has to offer. Our team is ready to help you with organizing tours, outings, and concierge services at your convenience. If you have more questions or need expert recommendations, please feel free to contact us at Siam Propz!!! We hope you enjoy your stay in Koh Samui!!!

The journey is, indeed, quite cheap to get to the most famous islands of the Gulf of Thailand: Koh Samui, the largest and most developed, Koh Phangan, a wellness and Bohemian-inspired island, and Koh Tao, the world-famous diving island.

Koh Samui is renowned for its idyllic beaches, world-class resorts and cerulean waters. But, aside from its paradisical beauty, the island promotes a chilled-out way of life. And, if you have had enough of the tropical sun and calming oceans, its nightlife offers trendy pubs, bars, and eateries to change up your routine.

As most of the expats are from all over the world, the choice of restaurants is abundant. Moreover, as with international cuisines comes a tight-knit expat crowd that becomes family.

From luxurious villas to budget bungalows on the beach, Koh Samui has every type of accommodation for long-term residents. It is quite easy to find a one or two-bedroom home for around 500 USD a month.

For families, the island offers many local or Thai government schools, bilingual and international schools. As international school tuition is cheaper than that of Bangkok and Phuket, the island offers a great home for families.

Cuisines in Thailand are renowned for being incredibly delicious and cheap, making this Southeast Asian country a gem for foodies. And, if you live here, you will most likely enjoy the wide variety of food available for a fraction of the price you would pay in your home country. Typical Thai dishes can range from 40 baht and up (or as little as $1.5 USD), while Western dishes start at around $5 USD and up.

Healthcare in Koh Samui is exceptional, affordable, and abundant. Almost every street features a pharmacy, or 7/11 where routine medicines can be purchased without a prescription. Furthermore, clinics and international hospitals are readily available to offer you services for your medical and health needs.

Dentists, paediatricians, orthopaedics, gynaecologists, and many other specialist medical professionals are available on the rock. There are also many health insurance agencies on the island from Western companies that can set you up with a great plan.

Shopping is a pleasure on Koh Samui as there are many beachside shops selling beachwear and tropical dresses and shorts. Moreover, the island has Thailand’s largest shopping mall franchise, known as Central Festival Samui for all of your extended shopping needs.

Western supermarkets include Lotus’s, Big C, Tops, and many other speciality stores to help satisfy your cravings and culinary desires.

With the stunning backdrop of tropical jungles and crystal-blue waters at your fingertips, joining the expat community on Koh Samui will surely be a magical experience!

Living on the beautiful and exotic island of Koh Samui offers plenty of fun in the sun, world-class beaches, golf courses and accommodations. As a long-term expat, you can rest assured that there is a family-like atmosphere on the island, with many choosing Samui as their home. Like the rest of Thailand, Koh Samui features a lower cost of living than most Western countries.

Finding a delicious meal is never a problem on Koh Samui. From 20 THB a plate for chicken and rice to 3,000 THB for an imported steak, wine, and dessert, the options are endless. World cuisines such as Italian, French, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Vegan foods can be found everywhere on the island with supermarkets also offering imported goods from around the world.

Although there are many industries that foreigners are not allowed to work, an ample amount of sectors welcome skilled foreigners. If you have trouble finding legal work for your specialty or career, it is possible to start your own business that can allow you to work in an industry that is typically not available to foreigners. Such examples of industries include restaurants, bars, farming, services, etc.

Digital nomads will also be delighted when working in Koh Samui or other parts of Thailand as the country features a very good internet infrastructure.

2.How many expats live in Koh Samui?

Nicknamed the Pearl of the China Sea, Koh Samui is part of an archipelago of 80 islands, the most famous of which also includes Koh Phangan and Koh Tao further to the north of Samui. Currently, the local population is 62,500 (including 6,000 foreign residents or expats).

3.Is it expensive in Koh Samui?

We’d say that Koh Samui, mainly because it’s a big tourist hotspot, has stunning beaches, and is detached from the mainland, is a touch pricier than the rest of the Land of Smiles. However, it’s still very affordable when you compare it to other destinations around the globe, especially the UK and the USA.

4.What is the best place to live in Koh Samui?

Some popular neighborhoods to consider include the bustling beaches of Chaweng and Lamai, the scenic Bophut mountains and coast, and the tranquil, undeveloped areas of Maenam and Bangrak.

5.Is Koh Samui a good place to live?

Crimes. There is a little violent crime in Koh Samui. In general, Koh Samui is a very safe place to live with some petty crime as anywhere in the world. In case of something wrong happening, there are police and tourist police stations around the island where most of them speak good English.

6.Has Koh Samui ever had a tsunami?

As Koh Samui is located in the Chumphon Archipelago, its geographical location protects it from possible tsunamis and other severe, tropical storms. This is one of the biggest reasons why the island is increasingly becoming a favorite for investors, long-term expats and tourists.

7.How much does it cost to live in Koh Samui?

Like the rest of Thailand, Koh Samui features a lower cost of living than most Western countries. If you are interested in buying a property, check out our home buyer’s guide. For those looking to rent a house or condo, check out our available properties for rent!

Average costs of living for a single person living on Koh Samui start at:

• 7,000 THB/month rent
• 2,500 THB/month motorbike rental
• 2,500 THB/month health insurance
• 12,000 THB/month for food

Average costs of living for a family of 4 starts at:

• 20,000 THB/month for 3-bedroom villa
• 9,000 THB/month for car rental
• 8,000 THB/month health insurance
• 50,000 THB/month international school tuition for 2 children
• 25,000 THB/month for food

8.Why is Koh Samui popular?

Koh Samui is the most famous island in all of Thailand. As it is known for its exotic, palm tree-edged beaches and crystal clear, turquoise waters, its appeal is unparalleled. The island is visited by every kind of traveler, from backpackers to Hollywood celebrities.

9.Where is Ko Samui located?

Koh Samui island is around 750 km south of Thailand’s capital of Bangkok. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the island is the second largest in the country. While the rest of the country features an abundant monsoon season, Koh Samui enjoys considerably mild weather throughout the year.

In addition to its favorable weather thanks to its tropical savannah climate, the island’s Chumphon Archipelago geographical location protects it from possible tsunamis and other severe, tropical storms.

10.How big is Koh Samui Thailand?

Koh Samui lies in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. The total land area of the island is 228.7 km², with the max length and width being 25 km and 21 km respectively. The highest elevation is 635 m (2,083 ft). As of 2017, the population of Koh Samui is 67,265.

11.How much do I need to retire in Thailand?

A recent study by NetCredit has estimated that a person would need, on average, $390,000 USD to retire comfortably in Thailand. The study based the amount on average equivalent quality of life a foreigner would enjoy in their native, home country. Although this is not true for every person, it is a good starting point in which to base your retirement funds.

To apply for a retirement visa in Thailand, the law dictates that applicants should have a savings of 800,000 THB or $25,000 USD in a Thai bank account. Another option is to show funds being deposited monthly into your Thai bank account in the amount of 65,000 THB or $2,000 USD.

12.Where do most expats live in Koh Samui?

Most expats live in the northeastern region around Lamai, Chaweng, Choeng Mon, Bophut and Maenam where you will find the most shopping and amenities. You can get practically whatever you need on the island.

13.Is Samui cheaper than Phuket?

Between the two, Koh Samui is cheaper than Phuket.

Although your costs will be personal, they are generally higher in Phuket because it is a more popular tourist destination. So, if you visit Phuket, plan to budget more for your stay.

14.What is the main town in Koh Samui?

Chaweng City Center – What to do in Chaweng City Center – Go …

Chaweng

Chaweng is Koh Samui’s busiest and biggest town, which has sprung up around one of the island’s finest beaches.

15.What is the average income in Koh Samui?

The average salary for jobs in Ko Samui, Thailand is ฿508,724 (THB) per year or an hourly rate of ฿245 (THB).