March already! If you’re coming to Koh Samui in March you’ve chosen wisely: it’s the month with the fewest rainy days and the least cloud cover. For those of you still suffering winter, consider what’s waiting on Koh Samui…
Koh Samui in March: Top 13 FAQs
1. What to expect on Koh Samui in March?
Put simply? Lots of sunshine, coming your way! While Koh Samui offers warm temperatures year-round, March is Koh Samui’s sunniest month – and one of the driest. With an average of 4 rainy days in thirty-one, you stand 90% odds of nothing but sun.
2. What are hotel rates like for Koh Samui in March?
- High-end: Hansar Samui (£183/night)
- Mid-range: Escape Beach Resort (£40/night)
- Budget: Bonny Hotel (£24/night)
Rates above are for a random Monday night in March, current at the time of the last update, avoiding major holidays and events. Rates via Booking.com, links include affiliates.
3. Is March a good time to visit Koh Samui?
Yes, especially this year (2020), as Easter falls in April. You won’t have to share the sunshine with as many people – and fewer families enjoying school holidays.
4. Is March or April better on Koh Samui?
- Temperature (avg): 29°C in Mar vs 29°C in April
- Sunshine (hours): 8 in Mar vs 8 in April
- Rainy days (avg): 4 days (30mm) in Mar vs 5 days (80mm) in April
- Sea temperature: 27°C in Mar vs 28°C in April (data source)
5. Is Koh Samui or Phuket better in March?
Weather-wise, should you choose Koh Samui or Phuket in March? Rarely do I champion locations besides Samui, but truth and transparency are always on offer. As such, it’s a question of how hot you like your heat?
- Temperature (avg): 29°C on Koh Samui vs 29°C in Phuket
- Sunshine (hours): 8 on Koh Samui vs 8 in Phuket
- Rainy days (avg): 4 days (30mm) on Koh Samui vs 8 days (40mm) in Phuket
- Sea temperature: 27°C on Koh Samui vs 29°C in Phuket (data source)
Actually, there’s not much difference – March is the centre of Phuket’s hot season (March 11 is its average hottest day of the year, whereas Koh Samui’s is mid-April). Need something to sway your vote? Measured by average cloud cover, March 16 is Koh Samui’s sunniest day of the year! Honestly? Don’t over-think it: both are lovely and weather never abides by averages anyway.
6. Is Koh Samui busy in March?
This year, probably less than other in years when Easter falls in March, as families love Samui as a school holiday destination.
7. What to wear on Koh Samui in March?
Hint: leave your socks at home. If you’re coming for ‘regular vacation stuff’ (eating, swimming, a little sight-seeing, repeat), then just follow the advised dress codes for what to wear in Thai beach towns and resorts. These suggestions will keep you both comfortable in the heat and earn a cultural gold medal.
Note that, for men, a light-weight pair of trousers/pants are more appropriate for dinner at nice restaurants. It’s hot though, so choose the lightest option you can find (learn which fabrics are best to wear in Thailand’s heat). If you have exploratory intentions, pack protective clothing for excursions into ‘nature’.
8. What should I pack for Koh Samui in March?
It’s Samui’s sunniest month of the year, folks – double up on your sunscreen (these are my favourite non-toxic options for Thailand), and definitely pack a wide-brimmed sun-hat. If you burn easily (or are travelling to Samui with children), also consider some UPF-protective clothing like swim shirts/rash-guards, etc (suggestions here).
Things to do on Koh Samui in March
9. What are the best things to do on Koh Samui in March?
Relish the sunshine you’ve been longing for. To enjoy sunny days on the water, see the many water-sports and island day-trips recommended in The Koh Samui Guide. Some excursions are more suitable for children… and some involve Prosecco.
10. Koh Samui events in March?
Island events in March 2020 include the Koh Samui Midnight Run (date TBD!) – a popular charity fun-run through Samui’s busiest beach town, Chaweng. Mostly, though, it’s thirty-one days of picture-perfect skies and cold Singha beers.
12. What are the beaches like on Koh Samui in March?
While The Koh Samui Guide explains the pros and cons of each beach, plus the different sand you can expect, you’ll generally find that hotels groom their beachfront. (The more expensive the hotel, the more obsessively the beach is tended. At Four Seasons Resort, for example, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s sieved four times daily). In general, excepting big storms and rainy season (Oct-Dec), Koh Samui’s beaches are beautiful.
If you’d like to leave Samui’s beaches in even better condition when you leave, consider joining a weekly Trash Hero Samui clean-up party. It’s a great way to meet and befriend Thai people outside of the tourist/service industry – with plenty of sanuk on offer.
13. What time does it get dark on Koh Samui in March?
Just shy of 7 pm (6:52 on March and April 1st). Are you a smug morning person? Dawn is at 6:13 am at the start of the month, and the roosters will be happy for your company.
More Koh Samui questions?
Whether you’re only beginning your Thailand research or are already on the countdown for your trip, The Koh Samui Guide has been proven to make time go more quickly. And it definitely makes your Samui holiday better.
