Want to vacation on an island in Thailand? Phuket and Koh Samui are two of the most well-liked tourist spots in the country, but how do they compare to one another? So are you confused about which one to choose? You can decide with this comparison list.
- Getting around
Koh Samui has a more island-like vibe than Phuket. It is smaller, less developed, less populated, and has only one main ring road. As a result, traffic can be heavy on Phuket’s tangle of roads, especially in and near the east’s congested Old Town district.
Most of the top resorts are located along the west coast of Phuket, while the airport is close to the island’s northernmost point. While it takes an hour to go to Kata Beach and 40 minutes to get to the Old Town, Koh Samui’s whole coast can be driven around in 50 minutes. Most of the resort complexes on Koh Samui are situated near the popular Chaweng, Lamai, and Choeng Mon beaches, where the airport is situated.
But Phuket’s public transportation is superior. From the airport, a Smart Bus travels the length of the west coast, stopping in each resort community. The cheapest way to your hotel is by bus, which only costs a few dollars for every ride. Koh Samui has songthaews, pick-up trucks with two back seats that can seat up to 10 people, which frequently round the ring road.
Verdict: Koh Samui
- Weather
The best time to travel to Phuket or Koh Samui is from late December to early April. May celebrate the start of the monsoon season, bringing regular showers and harsher waves, especially to Phuket, severely damaged by the 2004 tsunami. The rainiest months are September through November.
Verdict: Draw
- Beaches
Due to its sheer size and the Andaman Sea’s cleaner waters, Phuket wins this debate. The majority of Phuket’s resort communities are scattered along the west coast. In 1985, Club Med opened the island’s first international resort at Kata Beach.
Patong is undoubtedly the resort town leader these days, drawing younger visitors drawn by the promise of a wide beach to fall on after a night of partying. World-class golf courses nearby draw a wealthy, active clientele to the more sedate Kamala, Surin, and Layang, popular with ex-pat residents. In addition, a long, straight section of beach, Mai Khao, is conveniently located close to the airport.
The beaches of Koh Samui are typically calmer. The most developed beaches on the island are Chaweng and Lamai, and everything in either hamlet is accessible on foot. With families and honeymooners favoring this more sedate beach on the north coast, Choeng Mon is gradually developing into Koh Samui’s upscale beach town.
Verdict: Phuket
- Nature
There are many waterfalls hidden deep within Koh Samui’s jungled interior. Some are used for swimming, while others are admired for their beauty. Due to its magnitude, accessibility, and the fact that the pools at the base of both falls are perfect for taking a refreshing dip, the twin falls of Na Muang are popular stops on day trips. The second-largest waterfall on the island is Hin Lad.
Grandpa and Grandmother Rocks are odd rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Beach. Their names derive from their similarity to male and female genitalia.
The Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, east of Thalang in the north of the island, is home to Phuket’s last genuine rainforest area. The tiny Ton Sai and Bang Pae waterfalls, which guests can swim beneath, are two notable features of this important animal refuge. A four-kilometer-long hiking track connects them all.
Besides that, Sirinat National Park is a small coastal park close to the airport. Its gorgeous sandy beaches are less well known than the fact that you can watch planes take off and land there.
Verdict: Koh Samui
