Koh Samui in 7 days

Thailand's palm-fringed gulf island: coconut beaches, jungle waterfalls, temples and sunset bars for every budget. Best time to visit: December-April. Average daily budget: $60 to $150 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Chaweng, The long main beach with the most nightlife, dining and hotels.

Morning: Ang Thong Marine Park. Kayak and snorkel among 42 limestone islands and emerald lagoons.

Afternoon: Explore Chaweng, The long main beach with the most nightlife, dining and hotels.

Evening: Fisherman's Village walking street. Eat and shop the Friday night market in old Bophut.

Eat: Southern Thai curries, gaeng som and khua kling, at local khao rad gaeng shops

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Lamai, The laid-back second beach with a relaxed village feel.

Morning: Big Buddha & Wat Plai Laem. See the island's landmark temples on the northeast point.

Afternoon: Explore Lamai, The laid-back second beach with a relaxed village feel.

Evening: Na Muang waterfalls. Swim in purple-rock pools deep in the island's jungle interior.

Eat: Fresh seafood barbecued on the beach at Lamai

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Bophut & Fisherman's Village, The charming old shophouse strip with Friday walking street.

Morning: The Secret Buddha Garden's mossy statues in the island's high hills.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Bophut & Fisherman's Village, The charming old shophouse strip with Friday walking street.

Evening: Silver Beach, a tiny perfect cove between Chaweng and Lamai.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Coconut everything, this was Thailand's coconut capital

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Maenam, A quiet northern beach popular with long-stayers and families.

Morning: Over-water temple Wat Ratchathammaram and the quiet south coast.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Maenam, A quiet northern beach popular with long-stayers and families.

Evening: Day trips to Koh Phangan's bottle beaches beyond the Full Moon crowds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Roti and mango sticky rice from the night markets

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Choeng Mon, A calm upmarket bay on the northeast tip near the airport.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Choeng Mon, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Choeng Mon, A calm upmarket bay on the northeast tip near the airport.

Evening: Dinner at Southern Thai curries, gaeng som and khua kling, at local khao rad gaeng shops, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Choeng Mon.

Eat: Southern Thai curries, gaeng som and khua kling, at local khao rad gaeng shops

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Chaweng, The long main beach with the most nightlife, dining and hotels.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Chaweng, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Chaweng, The long main beach with the most nightlife, dining and hotels.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh seafood barbecued on the beach at Lamai, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Chaweng.

Eat: Fresh seafood barbecued on the beach at Lamai

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Lamai, The laid-back second beach with a relaxed village feel.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Lamai, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Lamai, The laid-back second beach with a relaxed village feel.

Evening: Dinner at Coconut everything, this was Thailand's coconut capital, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Lamai.

Eat: Coconut everything, this was Thailand's coconut capital

Hidden gems

The Secret Buddha Garden's mossy statues in the island's high hills.
Silver Beach, a tiny perfect cove between Chaweng and Lamai.
Over-water temple Wat Ratchathammaram and the quiet south coast.
Day trips to Koh Phangan's bottle beaches beyond the Full Moon crowds.

Getting around

Koh Samui has its own airport with direct flights from Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore and Hong Kong; the budget route is a flight or train to Surat Thani plus bus and ferry, about 4 to 6 hours total. On the island, songthaews circle the ring road, Grab operates, and most visitors rent scooters, though traffic accidents are the island's biggest tourist risk.

Safety

Koh Samui is generally safe with low violent crime; the real dangers are scooter accidents on hilly, sandy roads, so wear a helmet, carry a valid licence and check your insurance. Swim within flagged areas as rip currents occur in monsoon swells, watch for jellyfish warnings, and use ATMs and hotel safes sensibly as petty theft happens in busy areas.

Koh Samui in 3 days | Koh Samui in 5 days | Full Koh Samui guide