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Koh Samui, by people who live here

Koh Samui map, by area

A map of Koh Samui with every beach, waterfall, temple and trail. Filter by category or area, search by name, and see what sits near each place before you go.

136 places in 7 areas

Area

136 places, by area

Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors, base tiles by Protomaps, terrain from Mapterhorn, and area boundaries from OCHA's Common Operational Datasets. Found a wrong pin? Tell us

At a glance

Koh Samui at a glance

Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket, about 35 km north-east of Surat Thani town. The official area is 228.7 km². Our OpenStreetMap coastline measures 237 km², about 4% more, because the two figures come from different methods. The Route 4169 ring road runs about 51 km around the coast and links every main beach town.

Hills fill the middle of the island and the roads stay near the sea. Khao Pom is the highest point: our elevation model reads 632 m, the figure usually cited is 635 m. Chaweng and Lamai face east, Bophut and Maenam north, Nathon, Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam west. The airport sits in the north-east, 2 km from Chaweng.

Land area (OSM coastline)
237 km²
North to south by east to west
21 × 20 km
Highest point (elevation model)
632 m
Areas
7
Ring road, Route 4169
about 51 km

Areas

The seven areas of Koh Samui

Samui is split into seven areas, and each has its own pace: busy beaches in the north-east, waterfalls in the hills, quiet sunset coasts in the west. Open one to see its places on the map.

Getting around

Getting around the island

One road loops the whole island, so getting lost is hard. Here is how people move along it, what it costs, and the one thing to know before each.

Route 4169, the ring road

51 km round the coast

Non-stop
1.5 to 2 h
With stops
4 to 6 h

Side roads climb inland to temples, waterfalls and viewpoints, and every main beach town sits on the loop.

Getting around guide

50 to 100 THB a hop

Songthaews and taxis

Songthaews, the shared pickup trucks, cost 50 to 100 THB a hop. Grab and Bolt work island-wide, day and night.

Heads up: Songthaews stop around 9 to 10 pm, and street taxis rarely use a meter: agree the fare first.

Taxi and Grab guide

150 to 450 THB a day

Scooters

Rentals are everywhere. You need a motorcycle licence or an IDP with the motorcycle class.

Heads up: Known danger spots: the Nathon to Maenam hill and the Chaweng to Lamai stretch.

Scooter rental guide

about 500 THB to Chaweng

The airport

Samui Airport (USM) is small and open-air, in the north-east. Arrivals taxis use fixed zone fares, up to 1,500 THB to the far west.

Heads up: Grab and Bolt cannot pick up inside the terminal.

Airport guide

5 piers

Ferry piers

Nathon is the main mainland gateway. Bang Rak and Maenam serve Koh Phangan, and Thong Krut has longtails to Koh Tan.

Heads up: Lipa Noi has the only car ferry, to Donsak.

Ferry piers guide

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