Koh Samui Gay Travel
wolfyy’s Koh Samui gay travel guide to hotels & where to stay, things to do & local gay bars.
The Gay Travel Experience: Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui is perfect for gay travelers seeking a less-crowded island adventure. Life is calm here, away from busy destinations like Phuket. This big Thai island is one of the most popular for relaxation without total seclusion.
Koh Samui is undoubtedly accepting of the gay community. There are plenty of gay-friendly hotels and hostels in Koh Samui with wonderful and accepting Thai hosts. I visited Koh Samui while traveling through Thailand with several gay friends and I had a blast!
Gay Koh Samui: Hotels & Where to Stay
Bophut Beach and Chaweng at the northeastern tip of the island are both popular places to stay in northern Koh Samui. As the busiest part of the island, they’re close to the airport and have lots of nightlife nearby.
Both vacation rentals and hotels in Koh Samui come in all sorts of price ranges and types, from standard hotels to villas.
I stayed in a vacation rental in Fisherman’s Village at the west end of Bophut. I absolutely loved this area. Everything we needed was nearby and the neighborhood vibe was quaint and cozy.
Continuing southward, accommodations in Koh Samui become more secluded. You’ll also find many timeshares and luxury boutique hotels along the southern shores.
Socialtel
Socialtel is an oasis of color and excitement, a gay-welcoming hotel tucked away in the heart of Koh Samui’s Chaweng district. Celebrating diversity and embracing the uniqueness of every guest is what this hotel does best.
They believe in the power of community, and they foster new relationships among travelers by hosting exciting events that bring people together. Most noteworthy is Socialtel’s energetic foam pool parties!
The hotel’s pink-sand pool club is a magical place to bask in the sun, sip on tropical cocktails, and mingle with fellow adventurers. You can’t miss their secret cocktail bar, where mixologists can whip up a drink just for you.
Rooms at Socialtel range from shared dorms to private suites, and they all have a minimalist modern feel with little pops of color. The property also has a co-working space, which is perfect for digital nomads.
W Koh Samui
The W Koh Samui in Maenam is just west of Fisherman’s Village. It’s jaw-droppingly beautiful and definitely one of the favorite gay accommodations in Koh Samui.
Koh Samui Hotels I Recommend
Here are a few fantastic hotels and resorts in Koh Samui that are highly rated, affordable, and absolutely gorgeous.
Koh Samui Gay Travel Experiences
A rather big island, Koh Samui definitely has no shortage of fun things to do. Here are my top recommendations for gay travelers in Koh Samui.
Visit Fisherman's Village
The beautiful Fisherman’s Village shorefront is a must-visit. I always found myself headed to Coco Tams for drinks, which has an adorable beachfront bar.
Coco Tams also has a fun beer pong table in a grassy area under adorable string lights. It seemed like an adult playground!
I loved the French restaurant at Enjoy Beach Hotel. Tables directly on the beach are perfect for a romantic dinner. Both the service and food were amazing here.
I also enjoyed Happy Elephant and Zazen, two other restaurants in Fisherman’s Village.
Get A Beach Hut Massage
What’s a trip to Thailand without a Thai massage? Walk along Bophut beach until you find massage huts. They do a great job and it is definitely an authentic Thai experience.
Koh Samui is actually the only place in Thailand where I was able to get a massage right on the beach in a shaded hut!
Buy Some Custom-Made Clothing
Visiting Thailand is the perfect opportunity to get custom clothes and suits made. There is a suit shop in the Fisherman’s village where I got three button-down dress shirts custom measured and fitted for around $100 USD.
On the first day, you’ll get measured and choose the fabric. On the second day, you will get adjusted and then pick up soon after. Even better, this shop keeps a book of your measurements so you can have more shirts mailed back to your home country anytime you want more.
Visit The Jungle Club
The Jungle Club is perfect for some daytime relaxation. I especially loved it here since my accommodations didn’t have a pool. The resort sits on a giant cliff that overlooks the entire northern part of Koh Samui.
The Jungle Club has an infinity pool you can pay to use, although I don’t think they normally do this! Even more luxurious was their precious treehouse dining table room. You actually have to climb a ladder to get to the table!
That evening, a heavy thunderstorm rolled through as we were having dinner in that treehouse. They let down the plastic rain guards and kept the food coming. We had an absolute blast weathering the storm.
Koh Samui Day Trip Ideas
A boat tour to Koh Mudsum will be an unforgettable experience. This small island is often also spelled “Koh Mat Sum.” Your eyes will light up when you see this bit of paradise.
Check schedules first and arrange a ride at one of the travel stands in Fisherman’s Village. A tuk-tuk will drive you to the south end of the island, probably with a couple of other passengers, where you catch a boat.
Koh Mudsum is only inhabited by day and has spectacular shorelines. Shallow azure waters stretch for what seems like forever. Wading through the seashore was rather dream-like. I’ll never forget the tiny ripples breaking over my legs as I sat in the sand.
Grab a drink at the hut when you arrive and soak in the sun. Additionally, you will likely have a chance to jump off the boat to snorkel during the ride to the island. Being amongst the schools of fish in the crystal waters was a beautiful experience.
Interested in joining a gay tour through Thailand? I highly recommend Out Adventure’s Thailand gay tours that stop in several of the country’s most popular destinations.
Koh Samui Gay Bars
Most of the Koh Samui gay bars and nightlife is in the Chaweng area.
K-Club Koh Samui is one of the best bars for drag shows and a fun, flashy time. They have a lot of seating, which is always a plus for solo travelers to feel comfortable. Drag queens strut bath and forth along the runway that cuts through the middle of the room.
Grabbing drinks in the vibrant Bophut Fisherman’s Village area (which is a different area than Chaweng) was definitely a highlight of my visit.
Here you can catch some incredible firework/fire dancing shows on the beach in front of Coco Tams after sunset. Ask the bartenders which night they are planned for.
Pride Bar Samui in Chaweng has the perfect environment for meeting other travelers. They have pool tables, small-table seating, and food.
Check out their drag and cabaret shows. Pride Bar is on my list for my next visit to Koh Samui since I didn’t get the chance to go!
Koh Samui Travel Tips
Don't Overpay for Alcohol
Want even cheaper drinks? Alcohol prices can easily reach western standards, especially if you find yourself hanging out in a tourist area.
Avoid paying these prices by looking for small alcohol carts in alleyways between bars and restaurants. These are usually half the price. And since you can walk freely with your drink, why not take one to go?
Another way to save money on drinks is to stop at a convenience store to buy a bottle of whatever you’re having!
Local Taxis
NaviGo is the local taxi application in Koh Samui. The app connects you with local taxi drivers. Friends and I used it quite a bit, especially during rainy afternoons.
Pack Your Tropical Vacation Essentials
Before you head off to paradise, check wolfyy’s useful list of what to pack for tropical destinations. You’ll find my favorite waterproof gear, lightweight clothing ideas, rain gear, and tons more.
Keep a poncho handy if you will be out exploring, especially in late afternoons. Pop-up storms can bring torrential rain and flood local streets. Don’t let anything valuable get wet!
Flghts to Koh Samui from Bangkok
Even though Koh Samui is a Thai island, it’s large enough to have its own International Airport. Flights to Samui USM Airport from Bangkok are frequent, although they come at a higher price than most other domestic Thailand flights.
Samui Airport was built by and is privately owned by Bangkok Airways. Since this airline has a monopoly, they don’t have competition pushing flight costs down. If you are coming from Bangkok, there is really no other convenient route choice to get to Samui.
There are large ferries available that depart from mainland Surat Thani you can book if you’re coming from somewhere farther south in Thailand. They make stops at Koh Samui Island, Koh Phangan, and lastly, Koh Tao. This option is definitely cheaper than flying!
Next, check out the neighboring island of Koh Phangan!
If you’re headed to western Thailand, see wolfyy’s gay guides to the glorious Phi Phi Islands, or the bustling gay paradise of Phuket.
Making a stop in Bangkok? wolfyy’s Bangkok gay guide has you covered.
For more inspiration, explore wolfyy’s full collection of gay travel guides.
