Many of our Forum Members take the time to write a comprehensive trip report, so I thought it only fair to write my own trip report for our recent mini-break to Ko Samui. This has been our first ‘holiday’ for about 18 months due to the daily demands of our service-based business in Patong, Phuket. I’ve never been to Samui and Wallee only visited once some 12 years ago, so it was a new adventure for both of us. We had a few days clear of known appointments and we just made a spot decision early Thursday (11 Nov) morning to go. Quick pack, into our truck (Land Rover Discovery), and on the road by 07.00, pit stop about 09.00 for fuel & breakfast, pass by Surat Thani and arrive car ferry point (Don Sak) by 11.30. Just nice time to catch the 12.00 ferry. Ferries leave every hour from 06.00 – 19.00. Surprisingly cheap at just 640 Baht return fare for car/driver & one pax. The ferry was comfortable enough for just a 90-minute trip. Plenty seating, TV, air-con lounge, small shop. Toilets not so clean…

Arrive Ko Samui about 13.30, heavy rain, lots of flooding. Seems that we arrived during the rainy season. I know lots about Phuket weather, but I know nothing about Samui weather. Drove about the island looking for somewhere to stay for 2 nights. There is a good road system all round the island, only 50 km round the island. Plenty of side roads down to all the various beach areas. I had checked out latestays.com/samui for some hotel ideas but many places listed were too remote from any main town. The popular Chaweng Beach was too big & developed for my liking, so we settled on Lamai Beach (2nd biggest resort area), which is more like Kata on Phuket Island.

My dream idea of beach accommodation is a comfortable beach hut right next to the sand. I don’t mean a basic small chicken style hut; I mean a spacious bungalow with at least 3 star hotel facilities (comfortable bed, air-con, TV with all channels, mini-bar, seating area, good hot water shower). I’ve roughed it for many years of my younger life, but these days I like my comfort, and I can afford it. Samui offers many many resorts with good beach side accommodation (unlike Phuket Island which has very little to offer, almost nothing, actually on the beach). But it’s very hard to locate these places on a quick drive-by in the car as most places are down dirt tracks, off the main roads. I found that one of the disappointing aspects of Samui is that on all the major resorts you can’t actually see the sea from the road as all the hotels/resorts on the beachside completely block any view, and there a very few side roads (almost none) down to the sand. We tried a few places that seemed to suit my criteria (missing all the concrete monstrosities) but naturally all the front line bungalows were occupied. I had about given up hope when we checked out the Samui Laguna Resort in Lamai and much to my surprise we were offered a great bungalow right on the beach front for only 1,500 Baht/night, including a comprehensive buffet breakfast. Excellent value for money, German managed, well maintained, clean, all services, nice beachfront restaurant, friendly staff.

Lamai Village has a good range of shops, eateries, bars, internet shops, etc and is small enough to be able to have a comfortable walk anywhere in only 15 minutes. I was amazed to see no Tuk Tuks….. in Patong all we see are lines of parked Tuk Tuks cluttering up all the roads. No Tuk Tuks on Ko Samui, only a few meter taxis and circulating pick-up style bus transport. A few motorbike taxis. It would be wonderful if Phuket could adopt this beach transport method, but Tuk Tuks rule on Phuket Island…. !! Prices in shops, restaurants, bars & Internet were reasonable, much the same as Patong.

The weather was much the same as I would expect in Phuket’s rainy season. Bright days, plenty of sunshine, chance of a dark rain cloud moving in from the sea and dumping rain for a few minutes. I was disappointed by the beach and water quality. The sand was quite coarse at Lamai, not very well cleaned (although some hotels did clean & sweep out front their patch of the beach), lots of rubbish washed up. The seawater was rather murky looking, quite a lot of vegetation floating about, and too my eyes not very inviting (in fact I never did fully swim in the water), and a very heavy surf.

We toured the island the second day. Just the odd light rain shower. Had lunch in Chaweng. I was disappointed to see almost no budget eateries on the beach, only expensive hotel resort restaurants, so we ended up eating on the main street at a very good eatery (sorry, can’t remember the name). Afternoon shopping at the many clothes shops, evening dinner at one of the English pubs in Lamai (excellent home made cottage pie for just 130 Baht.. yum yum), play pool, and off to bed early.

Third day, morning walk about, checkout 10.00, catch the 11.00 ferry, back home to Patong by 17.00. Verdict on Samui…. I’m in no rush to go back, I think Phuket is better, and I think that Phi Phi is much better for a short get-away break. No traffic, no cars & motorbikes. Lovely warm clear water, clean beaches.

I think you may be slightly biased Alex. I have travelled to Thailand several times and have always found Samui to be more to my liking than Phuket. Granted it is becoming more developed but it still is and has always been less in your face than Phuket. I think your assessment of the beaches is also selling Samui short. I also think the fact that you stayed at Lamai and therefore based your assessment on that is misleading. Have a look at the whole place, base that aginst your knowledge of Phuket and then you can make an informed decision. Don't be too quick to bag the place when you have seen and explored stuff all of what is a beautiful island. This is a great forum but I think we need informed rather than biased opinions.

Thanks for your reply... I pride myself in trying to be unbiased and I tell it as I see it. I don't think I was critical of Samui, in fact I noted some of the better features. Samui has a lot to offer and is an excellent holiday destination. And yes, other travellers should see both islands and form their own opinions.

Totally agree with Alex.
I've been in Samui and prefer Phuket without any doubt.

I think both beaches has great to offer but does these two Phuket and Koh Samui has its not nice time during rainy days? Coz base from my experience beaches can be unenjoyable if there's always heavy rains..

What is something that Koh Samui and Phuket that you can't resist?

Having holidayed in Phuket three times my wife and I decided to include Samui this time.
For our fourth trip to Thailand we had 11 nights Phuket (Banthai Resort) and 4 nights Koh Samui (Chaba Resort)
We found Phuket wonderful as ever, but ya gotta expect the sellers to be in your face - if you can't take it don't go.
Koh Samui was also great. We were right on the beach with the shops and restaurants at our back door.
True at Samui they're not in your face and don't like hard bartering of which we are fond.
Verdict - both places are good but expect Thailand in Thailand ie some vendors are in your face, some are not.
We ate in different places and being mid 50's and retired we look for a few nice things. We ate at Holiday Inn (Sam's Restaurant) and Rim Baan Pa also Sweets, Sabia Sabai, Roma and Molly's in Phuket.
In Samui we ate at Chaba (a table on the beach in the sunset), Tropical Murphy's and also a real cheapy (Nankorn? I think - for 160 Baht about $5 AUD for two people).
A holiday in Thailand is really what YOU make it.
Davidj

Well I find THAILAND, to be awesome.. a nice place to see and visit. Any part, island, beach is something you will enjoy about.

Point taken Alex. Maybe I was a bit too quick to jump on you and maybe I was being biased myself. I love both places, just have a little bit of a soft spot for Samui.

Dont take offence to this any Phuket lovers but... Phuket is the next Pattaya. Samui rocks i spent January there and i dont think i could ever holiday anywhere else ever again.