Koh Samui Nightlife Guide for Men

Chaweng, if you want the most bars and clubs within walking distance; it is the island's busiest beach and nightlife center. Lamai is quieter, a little cheaper and has its own bar plaza, so it suits men who want a few drinks without the Chaweng crowds. Bophut, around Fisherman's Village, is calmer again and better for couples than for nights out.

The quickest way is a direct flight from Bangkok to Samui International Airport (USM), which sits close to Chaweng. Bangkok Airways owns the airport and dominates the route, so fares run higher than to other Thai airports. The cheaper route is a flight to Surat Thani on the mainland, then a bus and ferry across. Combined bus-and-boat tickets cover the whole journey but take much longer, so they suit a flexible schedule.

Koh Samui is on the Gulf of Thailand, so its weather differs from Phuket and Krabi. The heaviest rain usually falls from about October to December. January to August is generally the better time to visit, which means Samui can be a good choice when the Andaman coast is in its wet season. Hotel rates peak around Christmas, New Year and July to August.

Within Chaweng or Lamai you can walk. Between beaches, use Grab or Bolt, or local taxis and songthaews, agreeing the fare first because island taxis rarely use meters and prices are high. Many visitors rent scooters, but the roads are hilly and accidents are common, especially at night. Wear a helmet, ride sober and check your insurance covers it.

Compared with Pattaya or Chiang Mai, yes. Resort pricing reaches most things, from hotel rooms and taxis to drinks on Chaweng Beach Road. The beer bars and night markets keep costs down if you know where to go. VIP members see our Samui bar and hotel reviews with this season's prices, which is the easiest way to keep resort prices off your bar tab.

Yes. The Full Moon Party is on Haad Rin beach on Koh Phangan, Samui's neighboring island, and boats run across from Samui. They fill up on party nights, so book your return, or a room on Phangan, before you go. The party runs all night with buckets, fire shows and huge crowds: watch your drink and valuables, stay away from the fire-skipping ropes and leave your passport in the hotel safe.

Mostly in Chaweng's beer bars. Soi Green Mango packs bars and clubs into one lane, the women working the bars are bar girls and the usual bar fine rules apply. Lamai's bar plaza is smaller, cheaper and more relaxed, with an older expat crowd. There is no gogo strip on the scale of Bangla Road, and the beach clubs draw holidaymakers and couples rather than working girls. Away from the bars, dating apps are the usual route.

Take a boat trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park, a group of limestone islands west of Samui with kayaking, snorkelling and a viewpoint climb. On the island, the Big Buddha temple sits in the north-east near the airport, Na Muang waterfalls are in the hills inland, and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks are a quick stop at Lamai. Snorkelling trips also run to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, and Fisherman's Village in Bophut is good for lunch.