Koh Samui in August is the right time, right place for so many reasons. Early riser? You’ll love Samui’s long August days. If you’ve never seen a sunrise in your life and prefer to sleep in, can we all agree on happy hour? Between sunrise and sunset, you’ll find that Samui in August perfectly accommodates any itinerary you’ve got in mind. Shall we make some plans?
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Koh Samui in August
Is August a good time to visit Koh Samui?
The Koh Samui Guide: “If we didn’t have this…I really don’t think we would have had such a great time” [bsc_button size=”lg” style=”primary” block=”false” title=”Get your Koh Samui Guide” url=”https://www.thekohsamuiguide.com/” target=”_blank” nofollow=”false”]
I first visited Koh Samui in August, 2003 and … clearly, it was a pretty good sales pitch. August is fantastic but – here’s the sneakiest of tips – the island completely empties on September 1st, as families head home for the start of school. If you want August’s fantastic weather, with beaches to yourself, see if you can stretch your trip into the first few days of September.
Is August or September better on Koh Samui?
- Temperature (avg): 29°C in August vs 28°C in September
- Sunshine (hours): 6 in August vs 6 in September
- Rainy days (avg): 10 days (100mm) in August vs 11 days (130mm) in September
- Sea temperature: 28°C in August vs 28°C in September
If you have the choice, I’d pick early September only because it will likely be quieter (kids back in school). As for differences in the weather, there’s really not much in it. However, early August tends to have nicer weather than late September. *data source
What are hotel rates like for Koh Samui in August?
- High-end: Hansar Samui (£183/night)
- Mid-range: Escape Beach Resort (£40/night)
- Budget: Chaulty Towers Guest House (£27/night)
Rates via Booking.com for a random Monday night in August, avoiding major holidays and events.
To quickly orient yourself, see Where to Stay on Koh Samui. Find out which beach is where – and which one is best for you. Plus, get the best island hotel options for all budgets and tastes.
Is Koh Samui or Phuket better in August?
- Temperature (avg): 29°C on Koh Samui vs 28°C in Phuket
- Sunshine (hours): 6 on Koh Samui vs 8 in Phuket
- Rainy days (avg): 10 days (100mm) on Koh Samui vs 19 days (260mm) in Phuket
- Sea temperature: 28°C on Koh Samui vs 29°C in Phuket
Although Koh Samui and Phuket’s climates are often incorrectly grouped together – August is a much wetter time of year on Phuket than on Koh Samui. *data source
Koh Samui weather in August
How much does it rain on Koh Samui in August?
The big question: will it rain in August? It very well might – but you’re going to choose not to care. Why? Don’t fixate on the weather (something you can’t control) – Koh Samui is gorgeous always, as are its drinks, food and people.
Always expect rain in the tropics, but rest assured it never lasts very long. Plan some Koh Samui rainy day activities, just in case.
As with Koh Samui in July, afternoon showers are pretty common in August. Here’s an example:
August on Koh Samui: 3:55pm – perfect sunshine
4:12pm – storm comes out of nowhere
4:17pm – storm’s here!
Why to truly disregard the high probability of storms like this? See the plastic roll-down screen?
When the rain arrives you can almost always stay exactly where you are – enjoy the exact same hilarious company, cold beer and amazing Thai food.
How hot is it on Koh Samui in August?
Expect an average daily high of 32°C (89.6°F) – right about perfect! When it’s sunny, it’s sunny with big, blue skies like you’ve never seen. It can be humid at this time of year – definitely 2-showers-a-day territory.
If ‘humid’ immediately makes you think ‘hair’… consider adding a fix-it remedy to your toiletries bag: see my best recommendations for toiletries vs Thailand.
Weather details via Weatherspark, which promises that “snow is exceptionally unlikely to fall at this location in August”.
Is it sunny on Koh Samui in August?
Excepting the aforementioned storms, wispy white clouds are your only sun-inhibiting concern.
How to prepare for Koh Samui in August
What should I pack for Koh Samui in August?
Given the decent chance of an afternoon rainstorm, be sure to pack some rainy entertainment. I can’t think of anything better than Cards Against Humanity and some strong cocktails, but Dobble, Randomise and Uno are popular with families seeking a more PG activity.
For a full packing list see ‘How to Pack for Thailand’.
What to wear on Koh Samui in August?
Things to do on Koh Samui in August
What are the best things to do on Koh Samui in August?
Enjoy Samui at its very best! For day-trips, water-sports, beach bars and your best sunset options, The Koh Samui Guide will help you plan an ideal itinerary no matter how niche your interests. (Seriously – it even has bird-watching tips).
What fruits are in season on Koh Samui in August?
Durian. It’s durian season. Don’t worry about needing to find it, it will happily find you. (What’s durian? You might be sorry you asked. Find out).
What are the beaches like on Koh Samui in August?
Take a look – the photos in this post span fourteen Augusts (2003–2016). Your odds of blue sky, sparkly ocean and a beautiful beach? Statistically pretty good.
Can I swim in the sea on Koh Samui in August?
Yes, generally you can expect nice ocean conditions for swimming, but do note the safety aspects flagged in The Koh Samui Guide.
When are sunrise and sunset on Koh Samui in August?
Koh Samui sunset cocktails are served at 6:43 pm sharp on August 1st and a bit earlier, 6:30 pm on August 31st.
Now what?
With a weather-proof vacation plan and The Koh Samui Guide in your pocket, you can look forward to days of fantastic, relaxing things (Thai massages are just the start). Make sure to brag and brag loudly about your August holiday plans. It’s a great time of year to visit Samui, and those left behind need to be made jealous. Enjoy!
More August travel tips
More questions? Whether you’re ready to start packing or have a thousand more questions about Koh Samui in August, you’ll find every answer – and them some – below:
- Koh Samui: See inside The Koh Samui Guide
- My favourites: Beach gear for Thailand
- FAQs: When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?
P.S. You can find every tip for Koh Samui’s weather in the archive, or subscribe by email and get all the details straight to your inbox. Enjoy!
