The monsoon season is a major deal-breaker for many. If you are looking to avoid that June-October rainfall, it is recommended to plan most of your Koh Samui trip near the beginning of the year.
Koh Samui is a mesmerizing place worth visiting, particularly during a time of heavy sunshine and bliss. So, it makes sense to wait until the best time to visit.
The best month to visit Koh Samui is from December to February, known as the dry/high season. Although it might seem extremely crowded, you will be able to enjoy your vacation, free of range. Water activities, surrounding islands, sealife, and boat tours make it the perfect time of the year to visit.
Let’s take a look at some of the months individually and the reasons why you should plan your trip accordingly. It is important to pre-prepare when it comes to visiting a place during its most crowded time.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Koh Samui?
December
Sunshine is the month of sunshine; with only nine days of rain, humidity stays at 85 percent and continues until mid-March. December is regarded as the ‘coolest’ month of the year, with an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius/ 80 degrees Fahrenheit (1). By mid-December, you should experience more sunshine and the start of the official dry season (1).
January
January is known as the peak season for traveling to Koh Samui. The weather is primarily present, at around 20 degrees Celsius/ 68 degrees Fahrenheit (1). This is the perfect month to receive plenty of sunlight and very little rain; you can get that suntan by the beach or go for an outdoor massage.
Moreover, January is the time for Chinese New Year (1). Thai islands have all kinds of celebrations for the event, with red and gold on every corner of the island. Due to the sizeable Sino-Thai community in Koh Samui, you will also come across many Chinese tourists during your stay (1).
January is a busy time for celebration; it is essential to book hotels ahead of time, apply for discounts, and avoid complications upon arrival. However, if you are looking for a bit quieter, it is recommended to visit during the first half of January, a bit distant from the Chinese New Year celebrations (1).
February
February is known as Koh Samui’s official driest season. Because it is less humid, this is the perfect time of the year to spend time at the beach without having to worry about a thunderstorm approaching (1).
However, similarly to January, the beginning of the month is near Chinese New Year, providing extensive grounds, fireworks, and lots of parties. This could be the perfect time for extroverts. However, if you enjoy solo travel and being alone, it is much more convenient to visit after the 15th. This is when the island quiets down and gives you more alone time (1).
March
March experiences very little rain and still constitutes part of the dry season. It is considered “spring break” for many, so it is mostly the time when Koh Samui experiences a crowd of young people near the beaches and main tourist attractions (1).
April
April is considered the last of the few months when it probably is not a good time to visit Koh Samui. This month is the hottest of the year; there is no sea breeze, and it’s rare to find air-conditioned places everywhere (1).
However, due to it being the hot season, you can find a lot of local celebrations. Songkran, for one, is known as Thailand’s annual water festival for Thai New Year. It is a fantastic event to experience; thousands of locals gather in the streets to hold water gun fights and parties (1). Being a foreigner gives no excuse for you not to join in and have the time of your life.
High Season
The high season in Koh Samui, also known as the dry season, is trendy due to low rainfall, manageable humidity, and pleasant temperature. Moreover, December to March is the primary time for many national and international holidays, which can be fun to celebrate on the island or get rather crowded (2).
Christmas:
Known as the most incredible month of the year, December is also a crowded time for foreign tourists who escape to the hotter region for Christmas break (2). Although Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in Thailand, Thai people praise festive decorations for appealing to foreign audiences. You will find Santa, Christmas trees, and seasonal decorations around Koh Samui (2).
New Years:
Thailand does embrace New Year, with Koh Samui being one of the best places to experience the start of something new. The island hosts fireworks, parties, and DJ nights (2). You can celebrate as a couple, a backpacker, or with friends.
Makha Bucha Day:
This is known as one of Thailand’s biggest Buddhist festivals. Koh Samui holds holy gatherings with monks to pray tribute to Buddha (2). The event usually occurs in February or March.
Conclusion
To conclude, December to March is considered the best time to visit Koh Samui. It is the high/dry season; little to no rainfall, bright sunshine, and the time for celebrations and huge events.
This is the best time to visit as there is no worry for the inconvenience; water sports activities and parties remain open and ready for everyday enjoyment. It would help if you noted these examples when planning the best time to prepare for your trip. If these factors don’t matter, then Koh Samui can also be visited in during the low season.
Like always, if you want to discover more about Thailand, stay guided with ThaiGuider. You might learn something you never knew about this unique country.
References
1. Bocco, Diana. Best Time To Visit Koh Samui . Planet Ware. [Online] December 27, 2019. https://www.planetware.com/thailand/best-time-to-visit-koh-samui-tha-1-52.htm/.
2. McDougal, Paul. The Best Time To Visit Koh Samui. Travel Medium. [Online] October 25, 2021. https://travelmedium.com/best-time-to-visit-koh-samui/.
THINKING ABOUT A TRIP TO THAILAND?
I am working on a FREE Thailand Travel Guide with a FULL 7 Day Itinerary. Be the first to receive it!
Thank you for signing up.
Something went wrong.
