ashenThailand is a country well known for its gorgeous, jaw-dropping islands that are featured in most Hollywood movies. The travelers just can’t get enough of these natures incredible creations and tourism is a vital part of the engine that runs Thailand. Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand host these Thai islands. Ko Samui is Thailand’s second largest island, situated in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. In today’s post, we will see what is the best time to visit Koh Samui so that you can reap the maximum out of your trip. Since this is a widely researched topic within the travelers community, we will go into detail about Koh Samui weather during each month and present you with a variety of options to make a wise choice to make the most out of your trip.
Koh Samui Weather
It is nothing but the tropical climate over here, ideal for the perfect beach vacation you are looking for. Just like most tropical locations, the only two seasons are dry and rainy. A common misconception that travelers have is that they believe the weather in Koh Samui is the same as that of Phuket or Bangkok when it isn’t. That said, to answer the question without exaggerations is to say that the best time to visit Koh Samui is between December and January. Why? Because it is the official geographical dry season.
October to mid-December is Koh Samui’s rainy season. April is the hottest of months and staying outdoors can be challenging for some. Here’s the Koh Samui weather month by month. Although December to January is the best time to visit, some travelers might prefer the off peak seasons and rough weather conditions. Let’s delve more into Koh Samui weather by month.
January
If you are looking to experience Koh Samui in a moderate heat, January is the best. Temperature lies around the mid 20s. Something you should know is that the Chinese New Year falls during the latter part of January. The season is festive which also means there is going to be a large number of Chinese tourists pouring in here. Every avenue will be busier than usual so if you want peace and quiet, then you better skip the second half of this month.
February
The Chinese new year party continues until the second week of February. Temperature grows a tad bit hotter and it has the lightest rainfall of any month. The tourist season is highly active and you won’t be able to enjoy much of a quiet time at the beach. Nonetheless, for those of you who don’t mind the crowd, it is the perfect month to relax at the beach since there aren’t any unexpected showers or scorching heat.
March
Temperature grows warmer with little to no rain. You will also get to interact with the younger Thai community as it is the spring break.
April
This is where the temperature peaks evenmore and when you will be at the mercy of air conditioners. The average temperature reached 32ºC. There is yet another festival in April which is Songkran, the Thai new year. The celebrations are quite interesting where the people participate in a sport spraying water on each other. Loud music and a large number of water guns is what to be expected this month. Doesn’t matter if you are a foreigner, you are likely to be sprayed or squirted on by water. April is not for regular sightseeing rather participating in an unforgettable water fight.
May
Now the rainy season begins despite the temperature rising a little more. The rains are definitely welcome even for a brief duration before the humidity rises. The tourists are disappearing now that Songkran is over and the heat is intense. Another thing to take note is that the rain brings about mosquitos. Therefore, for those of you who want to avoid the noise and crowds, May would be a better choice to experience Koh Samui.
June
The calm and quiet nature of Koh Samui increases in the month of June and there is a slight drop in temperature. It is still sweaty though, so make sure to wear breathable clothes. The rain is not as heavy as it is towards the latter part of the year. The school holidays begin at the end of the month. So plan your beach vacation before that.
July and August
These two months are tied together as the weather remains pretty much the same throughout. Best way to describe the weather would be hot, humid and rainy. The rainy days increase along with the temperature too, closing in on 32ºC. You need both waterproof and breathable clothes and gear to accommodate you through the showers and the sweat. The rainfall decreases slightly in August besides the temperature and humidity remaining the same. In our opinion, August is better than July for outdoor adventures and beach vacations as the average rainfall reduces. However, you still have to bear the heat. Know that July is the wedding season of Koh Samui so you should expect a little crowd and expensive prices.
September
The days get cloudier as the tourists steer away from the beaches given that the rainy days are beginning to up in number. The weather is still pretty dry and you can enjoy some quality quiet time at the beach.
October and November
October is when the rain begins to mess with your holiday. The month starts out with hot and sunny weather and then finishes off with rainy days. Don’t worry about it a lot though as they are short afternoon rains and not steady downpours. Humidity and average temperature drops slightly and it still can be a great time to visit Koh Samui. Yes you might experience the rain but it won’t cause immense disruptions to your trip. Most importantly, the days are cloudier and crowds are thinner. You can practically have the whole beach to yourself.
Say hello to Koh Samui’s wettest month, November. Not an ideal month for beach vacations or jungle explorations. The temperature lessens to around 28ºC. You need your waterproof clothing and mosquito repellents. The festival of lights or Loi Krathong is in November. This is one of the most beautiful traditional events of Thailand and Koh Samui is the best location to experience it.
December
December marks the beginning of Koh Samui’s dry season. Because of its cool temperatures, December on Koh Samui is the best time for hiking, jungle exploring and other outdoor activities. The occasional little showers may interfere here and there but it’s nothing to worry about. December is indeed the best time to have the most fun because the Thai celebrate both Christmas and the western New Year’s. If you want to enjoy an extreme festive season other than the Thai and Chinese New Year, December is a great season to experience Koh Samui.
Summary : It All Depends on Your Requirements
So that’s the situation of Koh Samui month by month. To summarize, the majority of the chosen visiting period is from December to March mainly because it is the best time to gain the maximum out of the Koh Samui beach and its surrounding jungles. Of course the downside remains due to fully booked hotels, crowded avenues etc.
If you are someone who is interested in studying and experiencing different cultures, April would be a great time to get to know the Thai people and witness their new year celebration. April to August is considered to be the best time for snorkeling, diving and kayaking. Lengthy sunshine and little rain is the reason behind this. An outdoorsy, adventurous person can ask for no better weather conditions to be immersed in aquatic life. After that it is the off peak season consisting of strong tropical storms. The point is that each month Koh Samui offers a different experience to its travelers.
Best Time to Visit Koh Samui Based on The Budget?
Peak season peaks both in price and crowds. Therefore, the budget oriented travelers can benefit greatly in October and November. Remember that you can still enjoy the beach because monsoon rains don’t last all day. April/ May is another choice for travelers with limited budgets. Hot weather eliminates crowds and you can have a nice time at the beach in the evenings. Regardless, make sure to gain the best out of your trip to Koh Samui. Below are some of the popular sightseeing spots,
- Namuang Safari Park
- Secret Buddha garden
- Big Buddha beach
- Chaweng beach road
- Lamai beach
