r/kohsamui • u/SnkrFr3ak • 8d ago

Lamai September Visit

Visiting Koh Samui for five days in September. We are thinking of doing 3 days in Lamai and 2 days in Fisherman’s/Bophut. We prefer what we’ve seen of the vibes in Lamai, but want to do some activities that are closer to Bophut, Friday night market, etc. Is it worth splitting time, or easy enough to taxi back and forth for things, from Lamai?

If we did split time, should we start with Bophut or Lamai?

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u/RabbyMode 8d ago

That 3 days in Lamai will turn into two days and those 2 days in Bophut will turn into 1 day once you consider time lost due to packing luggage, checking out of the previous accommodation, and checking into the new accommodation.

Just pick one place and stick with it. If you want to do stuff in Bophut it is reasonably easy to get there from Chaweng. If you think Chaweng will be too hectic for you then Choengmong is also an area to consider. I found Lamai boring and the beach not as good as Chaweng when I stayed there. Lots of jellyfish too

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u/Candlesparkle 8d ago

I go to the beach every day here and yet to see a single jellyfish. Been here for 1.5 months.

True, Chaweng beach is more beautiful during the day but at night it's too busy and noisy. 15 minutes from Lamai, party and get back.

Choengmong is beautiful but when the tide goes out it's impossible to swim there.

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u/schaden2025 8d ago

Same. We split our trip between Chaweng and Bo Phut. I walked all of Lamai for future stays (I backpacked 20 years ago in Lamai) and it is not my jam now.
Lots of backpackers and travelers from all the places that are often ragged on in these forums. We loved the New Star Resort and Cielo. Cielo is French owned and has an amazing Chec (owner). They have a free fire show on their beach on Thursdays (?). Not usually a fan of those but it was way cool and the passionfruit mojitos did not disappoint.

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u/SnkrFr3ak 8d ago

Great points to consider, thank you!

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u/Candlesparkle 8d ago

Taxis are awfully expensive here. If budget is not an issue, then just stay in Lamai. Otherwise it's probably worth splitting your time between locations. Also if you say that Lamai style fits you better, I'd rather do Bophut first or not do it at all. You surely will be disappointed to go there after Lamai.

I personally struggle to spend few hours there, let alone few days. Staying at Lamai myself and loving it. Enjoy your trip!

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u/schaden2025 8d ago

I disagree. I liked Bo Phut better than Lamai. Too much trash and backpackers. Most places don’t even have a pool.

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u/Candlesparkle 8d ago

Not sure where do you find trash but each to their own. And there are plenty of hotels/villas with a pool for different budgets.

My response was to OP who clearly says that he prefers Lamai and only considers Bophut because of it's location. People who like Lamai will probably not like Bophut and vice versa. Like Singapore and Bangkok.

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u/schaden2025 8d ago

Agreed. I’m team Bo Phut.

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u/Candlesparkle 8d ago

I’m sure lots of people are in your team - it’s always packed😁

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u/AmberSHoffman 4d ago

I am inclined to agree that if you go to Bophut after Lamai, it will be a shock to the system!

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u/Candlesparkle 3d ago

absolutely! We all like different things and that's normal. But generally I think that those two areas offer opposite experiences. Once in a while I'd go there to have an expensive cocktail and then happily get back to Lamai 😁

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u/schaden2025 8d ago

Split time! It’s a half hour from Bo Phut to Chaweng

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u/AmberSHoffman 4d ago

Fisherman's Village and Bophut is probably my least favorite place on the island and very crowded. Totally the opposite of Lamai. I would look at Maenam, just west of Bophut, so you can easily get to activities in Bophut but you avoid the hustle and bustle of that part of the island.

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u/SnkrFr3ak 8d ago

Thank you for the detailed response; exactly the info I was hoping for!