Koh Tao Or Koh Samet

[moonos21]

Hi there,

Ill be in Thai at the start of October. Just wondering which of these two islands will be better weather wise. Also any recommendations for accomodation under 1500-1600 baht.

Thanks in advance.

[think_too_mut]

Hi there,

Ill be in Thai at the start of October. Just wondering which of these two islands will be better weather wise. Also any recommendations for accomodation under 1500-1600 baht.

Thanks in advance.

Never been to Koh Thao, but many times to Koh Samet.

Koh Samet is reportedly the driest place in Thai.

If you search the forum you can find many posts, including mine, about the place.

One thing that may ruin the idea of a sandy, palms hanging beach - could be jet skis. Fumes, noise and kind of people who would rent them.

Enough to make me never return to Koh Samet.

Hope it's better at Koh Thao.

[moonos21]

Hi there,

Ill be in Thai at the start of October. Just wondering which of these two islands will be better weather wise. Also any recommendations for accomodation under 1500-1600 baht.

Thanks in advance.

Never been to Koh Thao, but many times to Koh Samet.

Koh Samet is reportedly the driest place in Thai.

If you search the forum you can find many posts, including mine, about the place.

One thing that may ruin the idea of a sandy, palms hanging beach - could be jet skis. Fumes, noise and kind of people who would rent them.

Enough to make me never return to Koh Samet.

Hope it's better at Koh Thao.

Thanks, Ive been to Koh Tao in November or late October I think and the weather was fine. Might just head to Tao. Any recommendations for accomodation would be appreciated.

[jonniebkk]

Hi there,

Ill be in Thai at the start of October. Just wondering which of these two islands will be better weather wise. Also any recommendations for accomodation under 1500-1600 baht.

You are going in shoulder season...the weather will be transitioning from sunny and warm to rainy and stormy. The transition starts in September and is pretty much finished by mid-end of October. Not a very good time to be in the Gulf of Thailand (where Samui and Tao are located). If you go, I would recommend Tao...if you want more of a laidback and inexpensive trip. Samui has much more lively nitelife and such. Both are fun, however. Tao is also better if you plan to learn to dive.

[moonos21]

Hi there,

Ill be in Thai at the start of October. Just wondering which of these two islands will be better weather wise. Also any recommendations for accomodation under 1500-1600 baht.

You are going in shoulder season...the weather will be transitioning from sunny and warm to rainy and stormy. The transition starts in September and is pretty much finished by mid-end of October. Not a very good time to be in the Gulf of Thailand (where Samui and Tao are located). If you go, I would recommend Tao...if you want more of a laidback and inexpensive trip. Samui has much more lively nitelife and such. Both are fun, however. Tao is also better if you plan to learn to dive.

Does this mean Samet would be a better bet? Plus its easier to get to from BKK

[think_too_mut]

Does this mean Samet would be a better bet? Plus its easier to get to from BKK

If you have to choose, Koh Samet is indeed easier to access.

Pics from the beach. The reclining mats are laid out 5pm...in preparation for the all night party on the beach.

Watch out how close your accommodation is - the loudspeakers are about the size of industrial fridges.

It's a national park, no roads, no cars (except what locals have, modified pickups), no ferry for cars.

7-11s, ATMs exist.

[JimsKnight]

Koh Taos got a big party atmosphere but the weather does suck greatly from September thru to December (and either side of those months depending on the weather).

The near-mainland Koh Samet may be better for the weather.

Bikes, Cars etc are all over Koh Tao. Some say too many for the island to cope with.

Koh Taos not a national park so has a lot more development (again many say too much nowadays).

Koh Tao has about 3 main beaches and about 5 'sub-beaches'. It's slightly dearer on Koh Tao and accomodation prices are on average about 1500 baht (higher or lower according to season).

Divings a big plus on Koh Tao, it's very easy to learn to dive here as almost every business is trying to ram a dive course down your throat. If you don't like watersports theres other stuff to do, but not that much unless you like off-road biking/quading, rock-climbing and thai cooking.

[cm das]

I haven't been to Samet in a couple of years but there used to be a nice assortment of beaches - some more crowded & lively, others further down the coast more quiet. I'd be surprised if by now every beach had jetskis & huge loudspeakers.

[tigerbeer]

where is ko samet?

[sunreader]

http://www.jepbungalow.com/

Staid here in January this year, great food in the evening and laid back during the day. Bring a good book.

Koh Samet doesn't have all night parties....so don't think Had Rin/Koh Pha Ngan thank god!

More likely to hear Jack Johnson and a bit of Cafe Del Mar.

[Jimjim]

Koh Tao I would think would have a bit more rain, and you'll be catching the end of rainy season.

[Kinter]

I would forget both and go to Kho Phangnan (more beautiful, far more to do and far far better value for money). Otherwise Koh Tao anyday. Samet unfortunately has been slightly ruined (it does have some nice sand in the crowded northern beaches), whereas Koh Tao still has some nice places to stay away from the port town.

Weatherwise, either one is a lucky dip that time of year. They are only about 300km apart as the crow flies and I've been rained out for days in both places, on the other hand you could be lucky and not see any rain.

Travel time is about 5hrs to Samet, 10hrs to Koh Tao (leave Bkk late at night and sleep on the VIP bus) and add an extra hour to Koh Phangnan.

Hope you have a nice holiday.

[moonos21]

http://www.jepbungalow.com/

Staid here in January this year, great food in the evening and laid back during the day. Bring a good book.

Koh Samet doesn't have all night parties....so don't think Had Rin/Koh Pha Ngan thank god!

More likely to hear Jack Johnson and a bit of Cafe Del Mar.

Thanks everyone for their two bobs worth. I think Koh Samet is the best bet. We dont have much time so dont want to spend too much time getting there either. Heard some good reviews about Jepbungalow on another site also. Will we need to book at this time of year?

[LaoPo]

where is ko samet?

LaoPo

[Furbie]

I would forget both and go to Kho Phangnan (more beautiful, far more to do and far far better value for money). Otherwise Koh Tao anyday. Samet unfortunately has been slightly ruined (it does have some nice sand in the crowded northern beaches), whereas Koh Tao still has some nice places to stay away from the port town.

Weatherwise, either one is a lucky dip that time of year. They are only about 300km apart as the crow flies and I've been rained out for days in both places, on the other hand you could be lucky and not see any rain.

Travel time is about 5hrs to Samet, 10hrs to Koh Tao (leave Bkk late at night and sleep on the VIP bus) and add an extra hour to Koh Phangnan.

Hope you have a nice holiday.

Kinter, I would agree with you on Kho Phangnan, some of the nicest beaches I have seen.

OP, that being said, you need to be very careful of which beach you choose. Haad Rin is not my style, but there are plenty of quiet beaches with nice, very affordable accomodations. The only problem is the class of tourist you get sometimes, especially at the party beaches. If that's your thing, great, but if not, you do need to consider carefully where you stay on the island.