A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Similan Islands vs. Koh Samui for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Koh Samui can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a idyllic, remote, and spectacular island chain. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a laid back, beautiful, and tropical resort island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Similan Islands and Koh Samui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Samui. Although Similan Islands and Koh Samui are both popular with visitors, Koh Samui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Samui is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and shopping, while Similan Islands is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling. Koh Samui is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. It is also home to The Big Buddha Temple. Similan Islands is popular for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Koh Samui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Samui and Similan Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Koh Samui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Koh Samui has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Food on the island is fresh and delicious. You'll find fine dining restaurants as well as hole in the wall dives where you can enjoy local flavors. There are also international restaurants if you need a break from the curries. Beachfront restaurants offer a beautiful setting and sunset dinner cruises are a not to be missed experience. Authentically local dishes usually include some form of coconut but there are also other common Thai dishes available almost anywhere like curries or Pad Thai.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is an amazing resort island to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Koh Samui has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. All night beach parties, cheap bars, and lively dance clubs all give this island its party atmosphere. Young travelers from around the globe head here to enjoy music, cheap drinks, and world class fun. For the most active nightlife, head to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach or Bophut Beach.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is an amazing resort island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Koh Samui is a world class resort vacation destination. The island is filled with countless resorts, hotels, and private villas that you can rent. You can choose from beachfront properties or resorts that are located in the hills, which offer beautiful views. The resorts often have pools and range from five star all the way down to budget-friendly.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is an amazing island chain to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Similan Islands a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Koh Samui. It's easy to arrange snorkeling or scuba diving trips through hotels or travel companies, but it's also possible to snorkel right off the shore in places like Chaweng Beach. Due to the island's popularity, the coral isn't always the healthiest, but the water is clear and you'll likely see some interesting sea life just off the shore.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Beaches?

Both Similan Islands and Koh Samui are considered to be terrific beach destinations.

Similan Islands is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Koh Samui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The white sand beaches are lined with coconut trees and look out on crystal blue waters, making this a perfect tropical destination. There are lively activity-filled beaches as well as quiet retreats where you can enjoy a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Samui. Hikes will take you inland through the beautiful rainforest. There are hidden waterfalls as well as Buddha gardens and ridge trails with breathtaking views. Hikes range from easy to challenging, so make sure you understand the skill level required before you set out.

Similan Islands offers some nice hiking trails. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

Koh Samui is a resort island with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Koh Samui. The resort areas have the most interesting shops and you'll find the most options around Chaweng. There are boutique shops as well as some malls. You can sometimes negotiate prices down in independently run stores, but some places advertise fixed prices.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Families?

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Koh Samui is very family-friendly. The island is one of the slightly calmer, family-friendly options in Thailand. It has a number of activities that all ages can enjoy including water parks, water sports, and temples to explore. Snorkeling is also fun and there's an aquarium and zoo that you can check out.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Similan Islands. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is an amazing island chain to visit for couples. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for romance.

Similan Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Koh Samui is a very popular place to visit for couples. Dinner cruises, beachfront restaurants, and beautiful sunsets all make this island a romantic destination for couples. There are also spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants that you can enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Koh Samui. The island feels a bit more like a holiday destination than a backpacker destination, but it still has a lively nightlife and affordable accommodation around Lamai Beach. It's also a nice place to go for yoga or Muay Thai classes.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koh Samui is a resort island with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Koh Samui has some public transit options. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Koh Samui a more walkable city?

Similan Islands is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

Koh Samui is generally not very walkable. The roads have a good amount of traffic and generally aren't designed for walking.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Samui or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

Both Similan Islands and Koh Samui have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Koh Samui has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Koh Samui than Similan Islands. In general, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 3-7 days is enough time in Koh Samui.

Families should spend more time in Koh Samui than Similan Islands. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Koh Samui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Samui than Similan Islands if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Koh Samui.

One day in Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the island chain of Similan Islands. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The rainforest-covered destination of Koh Samui offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the spectacular destination of Similan Islands. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island chain offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The resort island of Koh Samui offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the spectacular island chain of Similan Islands. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island chain makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island chain has to offer.

Koh Samui is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort island offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

Similan Islands is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Similan Islands, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The tropical resort island of Koh Samui offers shopping and nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Koh Samui, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands than you might in Koh Samui.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Similan Islands Expensive? and Is Koh Samui Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Koh Samui?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Koh Samui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Koh Samui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Koh Samui. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Koh Samui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Koh Samui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Koh Samui. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. October to December in Koh Samui is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Koh Samui. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Similan Islands is generally a little warmer than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Koh Samui in the Winter?

Both Koh Samui and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February. In January, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Similan Islands is a little warmer than Koh Samui in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Koh Samui fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Koh Samui in the Spring?

Both Koh Samui and Similan Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Koh Samui. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Koh Samui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Typical Weather for Koh Samui and Similan Islands