Golf holidays in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is the second largest Island in Thailand and is sure to have featured on many images you have seen in travel magazines and online.

There are many reasons why people choose to book golf packages in Koh Samui, with the wealth of great golf courses being one of them.  However, there is so much more to this island, with sandy beaches and clear blue sea being one of the main draws.

Despite the beaches and the nightlife getting much of the attention, Koh Samui has plenty of culture to offer visitors, including the Big Buddha statue and Wat Phra Yai Temple.  Due to the location of the island, Koh Samui was once self-sufficient, with little connection to the mainland but this has changed with the construction of roads.

Koh Samui has become a great place to stay for a golf holiday and you are assured a good time, both on and off the golf course.

Geography and Travel

Koh Samui is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus, Thailand.  It has a population of over 63,000 people, which is only second to the island of Phuket and has become a popular island among locals and visitors alike.

Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui has a width of 25 kilometres at its widest point and you will find many resort islands in the northern region.  Further south, tourism is not as developed and the central areas are mostly tropical jungle.  It is here where you will find the islands highest peak, Khao Pom.

Nathon is the original capital of Koh Samui and can be found on the west coast of the island.  It is a major port and the closest city to the Thai mainland.

Despite being an island, Koh Samui is very simple to reach and you can catch a direct flight from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, to Koh Samui Airport every hour.  You can also find daily flights from Phuket and Chiang Mai, making Koh Samui a great place to add to a Thailand golf holiday.

It’s also possible to use a ferry service from Bangkok but this can take up to 12 hours. 

Where to Stay

If you want to stay in the liveliest place on Koh Samui during your golf holiday, you should consider Chaweng Beach.  This region is known for its nightlife but is also home to some of the islands best hotels, restaurants and shopping.  The beach is excellent and Chaweng Beach makes a great place for playing golf.

Lamai, on the eastern coast of Koh Samui is similar to Chaweng Beach but on a smaller scale.  So, if you want to enjoy the nightlife, beach and shopping away from the golf course but at a more relaxed pace, Lamai is a good choice.

If you would like to stay somewhere quiet, with a more traditional feel, the fisherman’s village of Bophut comes highly recommended.  

Weather and Best Time to Travel

When compared to other popular regions of Thailand, such as Phuket, the overall climate in Koh Samui is drier and the wet season is spread over just two months.

The tropical savanna climate means Koh Samui remains hot throughout the year, so whatever time of year you travel for a golf holiday, it will be warm.  However, if you want optimum conditions, the months of February, March and April are best.  This sees the lowest annual rainfall and temperatures average between 27 and 29 degrees.

October and November are the months to avoid if you want to miss the heaviest rain and for the remainder of the year, rain showers tend to be brief and will not disrupt a round of golf. 

Things to Do Away from the Golf Course

If there is one thing you cannot miss when enjoying a golf holiday in Koh Samui it’s the Angthong National Marine Park.  This archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand is home to jungle, mangroves, beaches, lakes, coves and stunning limestone cliffs.  You can spot exotic wildlife, on both land and in the sea while spending hours drifting around the islands.

The Big Buddha is Koh Samui’s most famous landmark and stands a huge 12 metres high.  You can spot the Big Buddha from miles away but you must see it close-up to get the full impact. 

If you would like to add scuba diving to your list of activities, head to Koh Tao, which means ‘Turtle Island’.  The crystal-clear water and colourful coastal reef make this the perfect diving spot and as the name suggests, you can expect to see turtles among other sea creatures.