Best Time to Visit Koh Samui Thailand [Month by Month Guide] (2024)

Planning a vacation to Koh Samui in Thailand?

Great choice because Koh Samui is quite literally the definition of island paradise. There’s gorgeous beaches with soft sand and clear waters, amazing restaurants, affordable resorts, friendly hospitality and loads of fun activities on land and sea.

So now you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Koh Samui? You’re in the right place because in this guide you’ll find out about the weather in Koh Samui and temperatures during each month.

Koh Samui has a tropical climate. The locals here like to say there are 3 seasons: hot, hot and rainy and hot and humid. So in short, temperatures in Koh Samui are always going to be on the higher end.

→The Best Beach Resorts in Chaweng Koh Samui

The best time to visit Koh Samui is between mid December and end of March. At least weather-wise, during these months you can expect bright sunny days, the least chance of any rainfall and also cooler temperatures.

“By cooler I don’t necessarily mean cool, I just mean slightly lower temperatures than unbearably hot”

You can still have an amazing trip if you visit during the other months. In fact many tourists prefer low season in Koh Samui because of the lower hotel prices and fewer crowds.

This article covers everything you need to know about Koh Samui weather. By the end you will know exactly what to expect and what is the best months to visit Koh Samui.

When is the best time to Visit Koh Samui?

For the best and most enjoyable weather with pleasant temperatures and also calm water conditions, the best time to visit Koh Samui is from mid December to around the end of March.

Temperatures continue to rise from March onwards. But you may also want to consider visiting Koh Samui around Mid April and be part of Songkran celebrations. Pretty much this is a massive water fight that happens all over Thailand. A good way to cool down during these hotter days.

When should you not go to Koh Samui?

October and November are the wettest months in Koh Samui. These months get the most rainfall. However, most often rain comes in the late afternoon in burst that typically last around 1 hour and quickly clear up to sunny days.

Considering the rainfall rarely ruins entire days, many tourists and travelers prefer these low season months for the low hotel prices and also fewer crowds.

Weather in the Gulf of Thailand (East Coast)

Koh Samui is located on the East Coast of Thailand in the Gulf sea. It neighbors with the famous full moon party island Koh Phangan in the North and further up is the small and equally gorgeous Koh Tao. The trio islands have similar weather patterns with weather being hot year round.

Regardless what time of year to visit Koh Samui, it is always important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water.

The Koh Samui weather chart below gives a an overview of the weather in Koh Samui by month. This chart can also be referenced to if you’re visiting Koh Tao or Koh Phangan.

Koh Samui Dry Season & Koh Samui Rainy Season

The dry season in Koh Samui is typically from mid December to the end of August. As with any tropical climate it can rain at any time but during these months rain isn’t common.

The wet season, which is also referred to as Monsoon season runs from September to mid December. It rains almost every day during these months. However, most often the rain comes in heavy bursts in the late afternoon which is a similar rainfall pattern in most South East Asian countries.

Koh Samui in January – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 28℃ | Dry Season: Yes

Koh Samui weather in January is ideal. Wether you plan hitting the beach, exploring the island on a scooter, doing amazing boat tour or land tours, January is one of the best months.

Koh Samui temperature in January is one of the cooler months of the year. And is also 1 month since the end of wet season meaning chances of rainfall are low.

There are many great things to do in Koh Samui in January. One of them is to take advantage of the ideal sea conditions. The calm seas are perfect to visit places like Angthong Marine Park. It’s an archipelago formed by a cluster of small island covered in jungle and you’ll get to snorkel with colorful marine life and kayak through gorgeous lagoons. It’s one of the best things to do if you’re in Koh Samui.

Koh Samui in February – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 28℃ | Dry Season: Yes

Weather in Koh Samui in February follows the same pattern as the previous month.

It can often be more appealing to visit Koh Samui during February. The main reason is because most tourists visiting for Christmas will have already left and the island can be less busy.

While February is by no means the low season, there tends to be more accommodation on offer. Also places like restaurants and nightlife venues aren’t as busy as the previous month.

Koh Samui in March – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 30℃ | Dry Season: Yes

In March temperatures begin to rise and also humidity tends to increase making it feel even hotter. The end of March also marks the end of the cooler.

But don’t worry, you’re on a tropical island surrounded by gorgeous beaches. You can easily cool off at one of the many beaches.

Koh Samui in April – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 32℃ | Dry Season: Yes

Temperatures gradually increase throughout April. How hot it feels often comes down to the levels of humidity which are always unpredictable. So while April is indeed one of the hottest months, it the humidity that makes the days hot, stuffy and sticky.

April also marks the month of Songkran. This is the Thai new year and what better way to celebrate than a nationwide massive waterfight. Come here in April and have fun getting soaked from head to toe.

Koh Samui in May – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 33℃ | Dry Season: Yes

Weather in Koh Samui can feel unbearably hot in May. With average temperatures of around 33℃ and humidity levels high, even evening is usually quite warm. It’s important to stay hydrated and if possible don’t spend excessive amounts of time in the open sun especially around mid day.

Koh Samui in June – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 32℃ | Dry Season: Yes

In June temperatures slowly start coming down yet still remain above the 30℃ mark. Humidity levels also begin to drop and compared with the previous month of May which is always the hottest, June offers somewhat of a spite of relief.

Especially if you book an accommodation up in the hills above Chaweng, the weather in Koh Samui can be quite pleasant. There’s some really nice places to stay up there offering spectacular views like →The Jungle Club or this amazing →Villa.

Koh Samui in July – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 31℃ | Dry Season: Yes

July in Koh Samui marks the start of the peak summer months. Temperatures are still high but humidity levels tend to be lower. This is when kids come out of school and families go on vacation.

July can be busy because not only foreign tourists visit but also the locals kids on the island are on vacation and families from other provinces and from Bangkok also come to enjoy their holidays on this tropical island.

Koh Samui in August – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 30℃ | Dry Season: Yes

August weather in Koh Samui is like the final month of overall sunny days. It’s still a great time to visit because by mid August most families have gone back to prepare for kids back to school. It is usually significantly quieter and thus hotel prices can be cheaper than usual.

The weather is still holding though until the end of August.

Koh Samui in September – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: Yes/No

Weather in Koh Samui in September is usually unpredictable. This is the end of the dry season. Overcast days start to roll in and as the month progresses expect more frequent showers.

September can be a good month to snatch up some bargain deals while the weather is still holding up. Personally I love these shoulder months especially watching a thunder storm rolling in from the distance as I sit in a terrace overlooking the ocean.

Koh Samui in October – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No

October is officially the wet season. However, with tropical climates, rainy season doesn’t mean constant rain, it isn’t the UK with constant drizzles. Thailand weather usually just gets on with it.

In most cases mornings up until the early afternoon it’s nice and sunny. Then clouds start rolling in and throw down a massive downpour usually lasting around 1 hour in the late afternoon. But it tends to clear up rather quickly.

Koh Samui in November – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No

November is the same as the previous month. This can be a really good time if you want bargain deals. Especially big resorts with super low occupancy like to significantly slash prices. Usually these deals happen last minute though. So searching for deals in November 1 year in advance may result in getting the same prices as any other month.

Koh Samui in December – Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No/Yes

December is once again the shoulder month and be quite unpredictable especially until mid month until the weather in Koh Samui begins to settle. This can be a great time to visit Koh Samui if you love the outdoors.

After the rainfall outdoor nature will be at it’s best and temperatures have still not gone up making it perfect if you love hikes. Also, Koh Samui is home to a few waterfalls. These are usually underwhelming in the dry season with barely any water. But in December they will be at their best.

Koh Samui Travel Guide

How to get to Koh Samui?

Getting to Koh Samui is easy and the best options will be determined depending where you’re coming from.

Most tourists visiting Koh Samui come from either Bangkok or from phu*ket. If you’re coming from either of these destinations the best option is to book a direct flight and you’ll be in Koh Samui in around 1 hour.

Another option is the bus+ferry combo tickets. These tickets combine land and sea transport and you don’t need to worry about any transfers. the journey will be slower than by air but it will cost less.

Where to stay in Koh Samui?

Koh Samui is a big island with different areas to stay that offer a different atmosphere.

The majority of tourists stay somewhere in the northeastern portion of the island. This is where the best beaches are found and also the largest concentration of hotels and restaurants are in this area.

Below are the 3 most sought out places to stay in Koh Samui. Or you may want to read this detailed guide about the best areas to stay in Koh Samui.

Chaweng

At a glance: nightlife (clubs and bars) – dining – shopping – nice beach – busy

Chaweng is home to the most popular beach in Koh Samui. Consequentially, Chaweng is also the most popular place to stay in Koh Samui. It’s the most developed part of the island and is where you’ll find the largest concentration of hotels, restaurants, bars, tour agents and even the liveliest nightlife scene.

The best places to stay in Chaweng ⤵

You may also like → The best beachfront resorts in Chaweng

Lamai

At a glance: nightlife (bars) – dining – nice beach – laid back

About 20 minutes drive from Chaweng, Lamai is a favorite area to stay in Koh Samui among families and couples because of it’s laid back atmosphere. There’s a number of accommodation on offer from budget to luxury. And along the main beach road is where the majority of hotels, restaurants and bars are located. Lamai is still lively but not quite as busy as Chaweng.

The best places to stay in Lamai ⤵

Fisherman’s village

At a glance: dining – nice beach – family friendly – romantic – luxury

For those seeking a really nice atmosphere that is more organized and tourist friendly, Fisherman’s village is the answer. It’s a pedestrianized road parallel with a white sandy beach. The hotels are mid to high end and there is a variety of western restaurants, chic co*cktail bars, cafes and beach lounges such as the popular Coco Tams which has a popular evening fire show.

The best places to stay in Fisherman’s village ⤵

→ Or read this detailed guide about where to stay in Koh Samui

Where to go after Koh Samui?

Being in Koh Samui is pretty convenient. You can jump on a ferry and island hop to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Or another option would be to purchase a bus+ferry combo ticket and make your way to Krabi town or Ao Nang/Railay. phu*ket can also be reached by air from Koh Samui airport.