Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Koh Samui?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Koh Samui?

A weekend is generally not enough time to enjoy the scenery and sights of Koh Samui. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to relax at the beach, take advantage of the local nightlife, take in the beautiful scenery, and go scuba diving or snorkeling. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the tropical resort island, a more lengthy visit is recommended. Many travelers opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully explore the area. After all, Koh Samui is a small resort island that is extremely popular with tourists due to the many sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Koh Samui?

Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Koh Samui during their visit. After all, the tropical resort island has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery.

Ko Samui is the second largest island in Thailand. It's off the east coast of the country and it has beautiful beaches, nice diving, lush rainforest, and a beautiful culture. There are many resorts on the island that range from luxury to backpacker-friendly with everything in between.

Do you have one or two days to visit Koh Samui? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Koh Samui?

Koh Samui is home to a multitude of sights and attractions, making it an extremely popular destination for tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see everything the island has to offer. You really need more time to relax at the beach, take advantage of the local nightlife, take in the beautiful scenery, and go scuba diving or snorkeling. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the resort island. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Koh Samui

The beautiful beaches await you in Koh Samui, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. 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.

A few tour suggestions include:

Full-Day Angthong Discovery Cruise from Koh Samui ($137)
Sunset Dinner Cruise ($61)
Private Beach Picnic in Koh Samui ($112)

This resort island is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. 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.

Public transit in Koh Samui is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the resort island quite easily. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Koh Samui?

A weekend is generally not enough time to enjoy the scenery and sights of Koh Samui. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to relax at the beach, take advantage of the local nightlife, take in the beautiful scenery, and go scuba diving or snorkeling. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the tropical resort island, a more lengthy visit is recommended. Many travelers opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully explore the area. After all, Koh Samui is a small resort island that is extremely popular with tourists due to the many sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your journey.

Longtail Boats

How to spend 2 days in Koh Samui

With a weekend (two to three days) in Koh Samui, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the resort island has to offer.

Don't miss the Big Buddha Temple during your trip to Koh Samui, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Koh Samui is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's laid back vibe and quintessential beach setting make this a wonderful holiday destination. It's the second largest island in Thailand and there are resorts, hotels, and restaurants for everyone.