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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Koh Samui in August

| Last Updated: February 2025

Forget the guidebooks. August might be the best time to visit Koh Samui. Why? Lower prices, fewer crowds, and a unique charm that only this off-season month can offer. Trust me, my friends were initially hesitant, but they’re now believers!

Looking at our wallet, I’m pretty convinced we made the right choice. And that’s exactly why, in this post, we’ll show you all the things we found that made August the best month to be at Koh Samui! Read on!

What’s the weather like in Koh Samui in August?

The weather in Koh Samui in August offers pleasant temperatures (avg. 29°C/84°F) and occasional rain showers. Water sports abound in the warm ocean (avg. 28°C/82°F). It’s perfect for budget travelers seeking fewer crowds.

What to Do in Koh Samui in August

Special Events in Koh Samui in August

Asarnha Bucha Day

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When: Late July or early August

Asarnha Bucha Day is a Buddhist festival celebrated all over Thailand. Dubbed “Dharma Day” or “Sangha Day,” this holiday falls on the full moon of the eighth lunar month (late July or early August).

Asarnha Bucha marks the day Buddha first preached, sharing his enlightenment with five disciples (as such it’s viewed as the start of Buddhism). To commemorate this day, Buddhists seek merit, visit local temples, and donate candles, among other things. 

While you may not celebrate this national holiday, know that government offices and banks will close. So, a little foresight should bid you well especially if you’re on a business trip in Koh Samui. 

Pro Tip: 

Alcohol sales are usually banned during Asarnha Bucha Day, as in most Buddhist holidays, so you better buy ahead of time. Most hotels and international airports are exempted from the ban, though.

Khao Phansa

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When: Late July or early August

The day right after Asarntha Bucha is Khao Phansa, the first day of the 3-month long Buddhist Lent. These are the days when monks and serious practitioners of Buddhism strive to strengthen their beliefs. 

So, if you’re in Koh Samui, you will notice people go to the temples to deepen their faith on this day. Also, monks limit their movements to the minimum, focusing instead on studying and meditation to uphold Buddhism (Dhamma) in the temples.

Pro Tip: 

As Khao Phansa is a holy day, liquor is also restricted and stores won’t be selling them. So, if you plan to party indoors on this day, stock up on booze ahead of time.

Thai Mother’s Day 

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When: August 12

Set on the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Mother’s Day Thailand is a national holiday celebrated on the 12th of August. As such, there is no work on this day so everyone can celebrate the day with their dearly beloved mothers. 

To celebrate, early-morning ceremonies are held where monks are given food offerings. What’s more, moms visit their children at school and as a gesture of respect, each child kneels at the feet of his or her mother.

Pro Tip: 

Give jasmine flowers (dok mali in Thai) to a mother during Mother’s Day as a gift as the flower symbolizes motherhood. Also, you can just treat someone for dinner to celebrate the day. 

Hungry Ghost Festival

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When: August or September

Por Tor or Hungry Ghost Festival is another key celebration observed in Koh Samui in August. During this merit-making event celebrated all over Thailand, people “feed” the dead offering food and flowers to “wandering souls”. 

As this is mainly a Chinese tradition, head to Chinese shrines on the island to stand witness to this festival for the “hungry dead”. Markets are bound to be colorfully decorated during this time, with lion dances and live shows done to gain merit. 

Pro Tip: 

If you want to participate in this celebration, head to the markets and buy red turtle sweets, a symbol of good luck and longevity. Offer it on the altar or give it to a friend to wish them a long life. 

Best Outdoor Activities in Koh Samui in August

Have fun on Koh Samui’s beaches

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Koh Samui in August is a good time to be at the beach as the month is part of the island’s cool season. What’s more, you won’t have to worry about cloudy skies and thunderstorms as the rainy season will be in full swing by September.

As August is a low season in Koh Samui, you’re bound to find yourself having the beach to yourself!

Here are the must-visit beaches in Koh Samui:

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach is the longest on the island and is also the most well-known. It has powdery-white sand that coupled with its turquoise waters would make it IG-perfect.

Silver Beach

Also dubbed as Haad Thong Ta-khian, Silver Beach is a secluded beach on the east coast of Koh Samui. It’s picture-perfect with its rocky headlands and crystal-clear waters. 

Thongson Bay Private Beach

Thongson Bay Private Beach is a jaw-dropping private beach available only to one of the island’s posh beachfront, Melati Beach Resort & Spa.

Maenam Beach

Although less developed, Maenam Beach is a stunning beach that gives you a clear view of another beautiful island, Koh Pangan. 

Get into exciting adrenaline-pumping water sports

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Koh Samui in August typically means calm waters, perfect to grab your gear to go swimming, kayaking and snorkeling. The island’s “cool season” has relatively predictable weather and boasts less wind and rough seas.

If you want to expand your adrenaline-pumping sports repertoire, embark on an SUP (stand-up paddleboard) tour. It’s a 2-hour experience that starts either from Bangrak Beach or Choeng Mon Beach and ends up with you catching the sunset right at sea. 

Should you want to explore the underwater paradise of the sea, Koh Samui is a great place to start. Though the waters around the island are shallow, it’s a good jump point to explore the deeper waters of Koh Tao and other smaller islands. 

Explore the hidden wonders of nature

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Koh Samui has so many natural wonders to experience. For one, Koh Samui’s jungle is calling, for which a guided tour through the majestic Na Muang Waterfall (na muang waterfall) should bid you well. 

You’d be doing yourself a huge disservice if you didn’t explore nearby Ang Thong National Marine Park. This “bowl of gold” is a natural reserve of 42 islands that translates to pristine white-sand beaches, thick jungles, and hidden lakes and caves. 

There are just so many things to explore in Ang Thong, that a full-day tour may not be enough. Talk about snorkeling in secluded waters, kayaking through tunnels and enjoying a walk to the serene Emerald Lake for starters. 

To explore Ang Thong more, book an overnight stay at Koh Wua Talap, the park’s national headquarters, via a travel operator. Make sure you inform your boat tour that you’re staying the night and expect to be picked up the following day. 

Discover Buddhist temples

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Visiting Buddhist temples in Koh Samui leaves you with a touch of the divine as it’s hard not to feel spiritual standing before all those colossal statues. Plus, there may not be a better way to appreciate Thailand’s architecture over the years. 

By and by, you’ll realize doing so is also an impressive way to spend your Koh Samui days in August. Be careful though as there are tons of temples on Thailand’s second-biggest island, with the following as the most prominent: 

  • Big Buddha Temple (Koh Faan)
  • Plai Leam Temple (Koh Samui’s northeast coast)
  • Hin Lad Temple (Nathon Town)
  • Laem Sor Pagoda (Bang Kao Beach)

Just a reminder though: there are certain decorums you need to observe in Buddhist temples as these are religious sites. 

Nightlife Activities in Koh Samui in August

Get into the action with Koh Samui’s vibrant nightlife

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Koh Samui in August is filled with a vibrant nightlife scene you should make the most of. While the island isn’t packed with tourists as much as the peak season, its bars and hotspots are teeming with customers when the sun sets. 

If you don’t want to miss out on the night action, here are some of the things you should keep in mind: 

  • Full Moon Party 

These are party-till-you-drop gatherings on a full moon (depending on the organizers)of hundreds of people along the beaches of Koh Samui. And yes, August will have its fair share of the dancing and the drinking till dawn. 

  • Transgender cabaret shows

Head on to Chalong Beach for a different (yet still fun) kind of entertainment! Koh Samui won’t disappoint you when you’re looking for stunning shows that feature ladyboys’ exciting dance routines. 

  • Discos and clubs

You won’t run out of discos and clubs to drink and party on the beaches of Koh Samui in August. While you can explore other less crowded areas, expect tons of fun from Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai beaches. 

  • Night Markets

Well, why not take the night out and shop in Koh Samui? What better way to do it than in the most famous street leading to the village, Fisherman’s Village, which opens every Friday evening to give you bargain buys made by locals. 

If you want to just drink, plenty of beer bars stringed along the beaches of Koh Samui should serve you well. 

As with drinking and partying in any other place, be on your guard. Some tips to note include watching out for pickpockets and drink spikers (especially if you’re traveling solo).

Dine to the fullest

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In August, dining around Koh Samui will be a treat with all the “cool weather” and plenty of sunlight to spare. There’s a place to eat for every foodie with a lot of choices on how to fill one’s stomach. 

  • Fine dining 

Most, if not all, fine dining in Koh Samui has an ocean view facing the Andaman Sea. All that fine view added with the cool sea breeze should make you more famished yet protected from the possibility of rain inside. 

Some must-try restaurants are Pak Tai for Asian and Thai cuisine, The View Dining for seafood and Mediterranean fare, The Tent for Thai food with a contemporary flair, and The Ranch at Shook! for awesome steaks!

  • Dining by the beach

Now, if you want to take things a little farther, dining closer to the beach is the way to go. Many of these food places allow you to enjoy the open air without a single sheet of roof to protect you (just an umbrella), risky but delicious.

Top food places to choose from are Zazen Restaurant for seafood (their oysters are a must-order!), Chi Samui for modern cuisine and cocktails, and Baobab Restaurant for French delights. 

  • Specialty Dining

All that picturesque view of the Andaman Sea is perfect for dining on special occasions. Intercontinental Koh Samui offers a secluded dinner for two under a romantic private canopy right on Taling Ngam Beach. 

Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts also offers dinner by the sea. They can even prepare a table along the beach all set with delicious dinner for two! 

Family-Friendly Activities in Koh Samui in August

Bring kids to an elephant sanctuary

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Elephants can bring about extreme fun and excitement—for kids and adults alike! Elephant sanctuaries are open year-round, so the perfect activity when visiting Koh Samui in August.

Most of them allow you to feed the gigantic animals, bathe them and even ride them. 

Do choose an ethical sanctuary to support these gentle giants.

Go on an ATV tour through the forest

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Taking the whole family with you through the forest can be one of the most exhilarating experiences for everyone.

Lucky for you, there are tons of mountain safari and jungle tours you can avail of. Even better, you can arrange a hotel pick-up from these tour operators and they will whisk you off to adventure at a moment’s notice. 

Alternatively, you can just take a hike through the jungle with the help of a guide. Taking your kids to see the beauty of nature in the forest can be a more enjoyable experience for everyone. 

By the way, APV tours are best for couples. If you want to take the whole family then a 4WD or a pick-up should get the job done best. 

Enjoy the best water parks in Koh Samui

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Although Koh Samui is not short on great beaches, water parks bring a different experience altogether. For one, kids can enjoy swimming, slides, and other water activities within a controlled area. This allows for active play and quality family time!

Watch cultural shows

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Since the Thai summer break falls in August, there are a variety of cultural shows available during the month! With these, you can immerse yourself in Thai culture.

Enjoy the nightly fire shows at Coco Tam’s on Bophut Beach (7-10 PM). Alternatively, explore the vibrant Fisherman’s Village, where you can find various cultural performances, browse the bustling night market, and savor a delicious family dinner.

Many hotels have cultural shows, too, so you should keep an eye on their calendar. Or you can get in touch with the Tourism Authority of Thailand for more complete information. 

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