Best Time to Visit Koh Samui
Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island, with more than 80 large and small islands, but most of them are uninhabited, and because of this, Koh Samui has a clean, narrow white sand beach, like a fairyland. So, if you want to go to Koh Samui, the first thing to pay attention to is when is the best time to travel to Koh Samui, choose the right time to see the most beautiful scenery, in order to have the best travel experience. Generally speaking, the best time to visit Koh Samui is from December to February as it is not-so-hot and mostly sunny.
But when is the best time to visit Samui? The answer also depends on what you are looking for in your trip and how much you are willing to spend. In this article, we will explore the different seasons and the weather conditions for each month on Koh Samui to help you plan your perfect trip.
Peak Season: December to February
The peak season on Koh Samui is from December to February. This is the best time to visit samui weather-wise, as it is not-so-hot and mostly sunny. The average temperature is around 28°C (82°F), and the rainfall is minimal. The sea is calm and clear, making it ideal for sightseeing and water sports.
However, this is also the most expensive and crowded time to visit samui. You will also have to deal with more traffic and noise on the island. On the bright side, you will enjoy a festive atmosphere on Koh Samui during this period, as there are many celebrations for Christmas and New Year.
Hot Season: March to June
The hot season on Koh Samui is from March to June. This is a good time to visit Samui for diving and snorkeling enthusiast, as it is hot and dry. The average temperature is around 32°C (90°F), and the rainfall is low. The sea is calm and warm, making it good for snorkeling and diving.
But it is a very hot and humid time to visit Samui. You will need to protect yourself from sunburn and dehydration by wearing sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and drinking plenty of water. However, you will have a great chance to experience Songkran festival in April, which is the Thai New Year celebration that involves water splashing and fun.
Second Peak Season: July to September
The second peak season on Koh Samui is from July to September. This is another good time to visit Samui for some travelers, as it is less affected by monsoon storms than the west coast of Thailand. The average temperature is around 30°C (86°F), and the rainfall is moderate. The sea is mostly sunny with occasional showers.
Althought, you will also have to deal with some rainy days on Koh Samui during this period, which might affect your plans or mood. On the bright side, you will enjoy good weather for beachgoers on Koh Samui during this period, as it is not too hot or too wet and the tour price is not as high as in peak season.
Low Season: October to November
The low season on Koh Samui is from October to November. This is the worst time to visit Samui weather-wise, as it is rainy season. The average temperature is around 27°C (81°F), but the rainfall is high. The sea is rough and cloudy, making it unsuitable for sightseeing and water sports.
However, this is also the cheapest and least crowded time to visit Koh Samui. You will also have more peace and quiet on the island. On the bright side, you will enjoy some indoor activities on Koh Samui during this period, such as spa treatments, cooking classes, yoga, meditation, etc. You will also have a chance to see some natural phenomena, such as waterfalls, rainbows, and lightning.
Koh Samui Weather by Month
If you want to know more about the weather conditions for each month on Koh Samui, here is a brief summary and some suggestions on what to do in each month:
Weather in January
January is the coldest month on Koh Samui, with an average low of 24°C (75°F) and high of 28°C (82°F). It is also one of the driest months, with only 90 mm of rain. The sea is calm and clear, with an average temperature of 26°C (79°F). This is a great time to enjoy the beach, go snorkeling or diving, visit the temples and markets, or join a cooking class.
Weather in February
February is the driest month on Koh Samui, with almost no rainfall. The average low is 25°C (77°F) and high is 29°C (84°F). The sea is calm and warm, with an average temperature of 27°C (81°F). This is a perfect time to explore the island, go hiking or kayaking, visit the waterfalls and rainforest, or relax in a spa.
Weather in March
March is the start of the hot season on Koh Samui, with an average low of 26°C (79°F) and high of 31°C (88°F). The rainfall is low, with only 30 mm of rain. The sea is calm and warm, with an average temperature of 27°C (81°F). This is a good time to enjoy some water activities, such as snorkeling, diving, sailing, or fishing.
Weather in April
April is the hottest month on Koh Samui, with an average low of 26°C (79°F) and high of 32°C (90°F). The rainfall is moderate, with 80 mm of rain. The sea is calm and warm, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F). This is the best time to swim in the sea or join a boat tour. You can also experience Songkran festival in mid-April, which is a fun and wet celebration of the Thai New Year.
Weather in May
May is another hot month on Koh Samui, with an average low of 26°C (79°F) and high of 33°C (91°F). The rainfall is high, with 160 mm of rain. The sea is calm and warm, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F). This is a good time to visit some indoor attractions, such as museums, art galleries, or cinemas. You can also enjoy some cultural events, such as Visakha Bucha Day in late May, which is a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
Weather in June
June is the start of the second peak season on Koh Samui, with an average low of 26°C (79°F) and high of 32°C (90°F). The rainfall is moderate, with 100 mm of rain. The sea is mostly sunny with occasional showers, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F). This is a great time to enjoy the beach, go surfing or windsurfing, visit the elephant sanctuary or butterfly garden, or join a yoga or meditation retreat.
Weather in July
July is another good month to visit Koh Samui, with an average low of 25°C (77°F) and high of 32°C (90°F). The rainfall is moderate, with 120 mm of rain. The sea is mostly sunny with occasional showers, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F). This is a perfect time to explore the island, go hiking or biking, visit the Big Buddha or Wat Plai Laem, or relax in a spa.
Weather in August
August is one of the most popular months to visit Koh Samui, with an average low of 25°C (77°F) and high of 32°C (90°F). The rainfall is moderate, with 100mm of rain. The sea is mostly sunny with occasional showers, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F). This is a great time to enjoy the beach, go snorkeling or diving, visit the Ang Thong National Marine Park or Koh Tao, or join a cooking class.
Weather in September
September is the end of the second peak season on Koh Samui, with an average low of 25°C (77°F) and high of 31°C (88°F). The rainfall is high, with 130 mm of rain. The sea is mostly sunny with occasional showers, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F). This is a good time to visit some indoor attractions, such as museums, art galleries, or cinemas.
Weather in October
October is the start of the low season on Koh Samui, with an average low of 25°C (77°F) and high of 30°C (86°F). The rainfall is very high, with 300 mm of rain. The sea is rough and cloudy, with an average temperature of 27°C (81°F). This is the worst time to visit samui weather-wise, as it is rainy season. You will need to pack a raincoat, an umbrella, and waterproof shoes. You will also have to deal with the risk of flooding and landslides on the island. On the bright side, you will enjoy the lowest prices and least crowds on Koh Samui during this period. You can also enjoy some indoor activities, such as museums, art galleries, or cinemas. You can also visit some natural attractions, such as waterfalls, rainbows, and lightning.
Weather in November
November is another rainy month on Koh Samui, with an average low of 24°C (75°F) and high of 29°C (84°F). The rainfall is still high, with 430 mm of rain. The sea is still rough and cloudy, with an average temperature of 27°C (81°F). This is not a good time to visit samui weather-wise, as it is still rainy season. You will still need to pack a raincoat, an umbrella, and waterproof shoes. You will also still have to deal with the risk of flooding and landslides on the island. On the bright side, you will still enjoy the lowest prices and least crowds on Koh Samui during this period. You can also enjoy some indoor activities, such as museums, art galleries, or cinemas. You can also visit some natural attractions, such as waterfalls, rainbows, and lightning.
Weather in December
December is the end of the low season and the start of the peak season on Koh Samui, with an average low of 24°C (75°F) and high of 29°C (84°F). The rainfall is decreasing, with 210 mm of rain. The sea is becoming calm and clear, with an average temperature of 27°C (81°F). This is a transitional time to visit Samui weather-wise, as it is changing from rainy season to dry season. You will need to pack a mix of clothes for both wet and dry weather. You will also have to deal with the increasing prices and crowds on the island. On the bright side, you will enjoy a festive atmosphere on Koh Samui during this period, as there are many celebrations for Christmas and New Year.
