Koh Samui

The Coconut Island — white-sand beaches, tropical jungles, and sunsets that take your breath away

What We Can Arrange

About Koh Samui Resort

Koh Samui is Thailand's third-largest island, situated in the Gulf of Thailand 35 km from the mainland coast. Covering 228 km², the island is blanketed in dense coconut plantations and tropical forest, and rimmed by white-sand beaches with turquoise water. For a long time Koh Samui remained a secluded haven — the first road was built only in the 1970s. Today the island balances tropical unspoiled nature with a well-developed tourism infrastructure: boutique hotels, world-class spas, restaurants, and nightlife.

The island is celebrated for its exceptional landmarks. The 12-metre gilded statue of the Big Buddha on Koh Fan island is Koh Samui's defining symbol, visible from the aircraft on approach. The Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks (“Grandfather and Grandmother”) are a striking natural formation on Lamai Beach. The twin Na Muang waterfalls deep in the jungle are a popular destination for trekking and swimming in natural pools. And Ang Thong National Marine Park — an archipelago of 42 islands with emerald lagoons — is considered one of the most beautiful places in Thailand.

AMIST tour operator arranges Koh Samui tours from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with full concierge support. The journey with a connection via Bangkok (domestic Bangkok Airways flight) takes 10–16 hours. Koh Samui has its own airport — one of the most scenic in Asia, built in a tropical open-pavilion style. Russian citizens may enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days. More than 25 years of experience guarantee a flawless holiday.

Big Buddha — the defining landmark of Koh Samui
60 days visa-free
10–16 hrs flight
+28…+31 °C year-round
THB (฿) Thai baht
−4 hours from Sakhalin

When is the best time to visit Koh Samui

Koh Samui has a distinct climate compared to Thailand's western coast. Best time to visit — December through April: dry season, temperatures of +28–32 °C, calm seas, and clear skies. The rainy season falls in October–December. Summer (May–September) is warm and relatively dry — an excellent time for a cost-conscious holiday.

Jan +29°
Feb +29°
Mar +30°
Apr +31°
May +30°
Jun +29°
Jul +29°
Aug +29°
Sep +28°
Oct +28°
Nov +28°
Dec +28°

Getting There

Connecting flight via Bangkok — total travel time 10–16 hours depending on the connection. Domestic flight Bangkok — Koh Samui (Bangkok Airways, 1 hour).

  • AMIST arranges complete support: flights, transfers, and accommodation
  • Koh Samui has its own airport USM — one of the most scenic in Asia
  • Alternative: fly to Surat Thani + ferry (2.5 hours)

Koh Samui Airport (USM) is located in the northeastern part of the island, 10–30 minutes from the popular beaches — Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut.

  • Taxi — fixed rates: to Chaweng from 300–500 baht
  • Minibus — shared transfer from the airport
  • AMIST Transfer — airport meet-and-greet and hotel transfer are included in the package

Koh Samui is a compact island with a single ring road (50 km), and exploring it is most convenient with a variety of transport options:

  • Songthaew — shared minivans between beaches, from 50–100 baht
  • Grab — Thai ride-hailing app, card payment accepted
  • Scooter Rental — 200–300 baht/day, licence and helmet required
  • Car Rental — convenient for families, rental points near the airport

Interesting Facts about Koh Samui

9 remarkable facts about the coconut island in the Gulf of Thailand

01

Coconut Island

Koh Samui was once so densely covered in coconut plantations that it earned the nickname “Coconut Island.” To this day, around 2 million coconuts are exported from the island every month. Macaque monkeys are still used to harvest the nuts — a tradition that stretches back hundreds of years.

02

Big Buddha — the island's iconic symbol

The 12-metre gilded Big Buddha statue on the small island of Koh Fan, connected to Koh Samui by a causeway, is the island's foremost landmark. The statue is visible from the aircraft on approach to the airport. Wat Phra Yai temple atop the hill is an active place of worship, with Buddhist ceremonies held daily.

03

Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks

At the southern end of Lamai Beach stand the celebrated Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks — natural stone formations with distinctive shapes resembling male and female figures. According to Thai legend, they are an elderly couple turned to stone during a storm. They are among the most photographed sights on Koh Samui.

04

Ang Thong — 42 Islands

Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands with emerald lagoons, hidden lakes, and pristine jungle. Regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Thailand, this archipelago inspired Alex Garland's novel “The Beach,” later adapted into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

05

One of Asia's most beautiful airports

Koh Samui Airport (USM) is one of the most scenic airports in the world. Its terminals are built in a tropical open-pavilion style surrounded by gardens. The airport is owned by Bangkok Airways and is the only privately operated commercial airport in Thailand.

06

Na Muang Waterfalls

Deep in the jungles of Koh Samui lie the two Na Muang waterfalls. The first (18 metres) is easily accessible and has a natural swimming pool. The second (80 metres) — the tallest on the island — requires a 30-minute trek through tropical forest. Both falls are at their most powerful from November to December.

07

Mummified Monk

Wat Khunaram temple preserves the mummified body of the monk Luang Pho Daeng, who passed away in 1973 during meditation. The body has been preserved naturally without embalming — the monk sits in a lotus position behind glass, wearing sunglasses. It is one of the most unusual attractions in Thailand.

08

Koh Tao — the world capital of diving

Koh Tao, 70 km from Koh Samui, issues more PADI certificates than any other location in the world. Underwater visibility reaches 40 metres, and the resident marine life includes whale sharks, reef sharks, and sea turtles. A high-speed catamaran from Koh Samui to Koh Tao takes approximately 1.5 hours.

09

The first road was built only in the 1970s

Until the 1970s there was not a single paved road on Koh Samui. Residents travelled on foot through the jungle or by boat along the coast. The 50-km ring road was built only in 1973, and Bangkok Airways operated its first flight to the island in 1989.

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Tours to Koh Samui

Discover the Coconut Island — from beach relaxation to underwater adventures

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Excursions on Koh Samui

From marine parks to tropical waterfalls — the finest routes with expert guides

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Traveller Reviews

What Our Guests Say

★★★★★

Koh Samui is paradise on earth! Chaweng Beach with its white sand, warm sea, and breathtaking sunsets every evening. AMIST found us the perfect beachfront hotel.

O. Sergeyeva beach tour, January 2026
★★★★★

The elephant park — the kids were thrilled! And the trip to Ang Thong — we had never seen such beauty. 42 islands straight out of a film. Thank you, AMIST!

K. and N. Fedosovy family tour, December 2025
★★★★★

Koh Tao is out of this world. We saw a reef shark and a massive turtle. PADI Open Water certificate in 3 days. AMIST arranged the entire itinerary from Sakhalin.

D. Romanov diving tour, February 2026
★★★★★

A week of detox in the Koh Samui jungle — sunrise yoga, Thai massage, and fresh fruit. I came back a different person. The best gift you can give yourself!

L. Kravtsova SPA tour, March 2026
★★★★★

A beachfront villa with a pool, a sunset catamaran cruise, and dinner on the beach — we did not want to leave. AMIST always delivers the highest standard.

A. and V. Chen VIP tour, November 2025
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Ready to head to Koh Samui?

Call or message us — we will select the best programme to match your preferences

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