Koh Tao vs Koh Samui: Why I Love One More Than The Other (Honest Review 2026)

With so many amazing islands in the south of Thailand, I feel like it’s often really hard for me to decide which one to fly to because they all seem to be amazing.

Beautiful turquoise waters, palm trees, white sand beaches, and amazing food, that’s pretty much the case for most of the islands here. But today I want to talk about two islands I’ve been to very recently: Koh Tao and Koh Samui.

I visited Koh Samui and Koh Tao back-to-back just last December and I loved both of them, but for very different reasons. 

I can totally see how some of you would prefer one over the other, so I figured I’d put together this little guide on Koh Tao vs Koh Samui to help you figure out which one is better suited for you so you can finally plan your next Thailand trip.

Koh Tao vs Koh Samui: My Experience

I’ve been to Koh Tao and Koh Samui twice now each, the first time was a while back when I was backpacking through Thailand, and then I visited again recently for an adult family vacation. Because of that, I have a pretty good idea of how to compare the two, and I’ve seen firsthand how much they’ve changed over the years.

On this last trip, we visited Koh Tao first and then took the ferry over to Koh Samui, which was actually a perfect flow for us. 

Since there were no kids and it was just us adults, it worked out great because Koh Tao is a little more adventurous and has more of a “backpacker” feel, whereas Koh Samui is much more about resorts and just relaxing on the beach. 

It was nice to get all the exploring and scuba diving out of the way in Koh Tao first so we could just collapse at our hotel in Samui afterward.

I can already tell you that, in the end, it really just comes down to personal preference. Koh Tao is a little more rough around the edges, while Koh Samui is a major resort island and I often like to compare it to places like Cancun in Mexico.

Even though I loved staying in a nice resort in Koh Samui with my family, my heart will always belong to a place like Koh Tao. I just love being able to jump on my scooter, ride to remote beaches, hike up to viewpoints, and grab drinks at little beach shacks. 

That’s much more “me.” So, this guide isn’t really about which island is “better”, it’s more about which one is right for you depending on what type of traveler you are.

Beaches in Koh Samui or Koh Tao – Which Are Better?

From my experience, I would say that both islands have amazing beaches, but they feel very different.

Koh Samui, because it’s so big, has much larger, wider stretches of white sand. Depending on where you are on the island, these can be a bit busier and more built-up, but they are classic “paradise” beaches. 

Koh Tao, on the other hand, is much, much smaller. It has one main stretch of beach (Sairee) and then loads of tiny, rocky bays and hidden spots with beautiful water, though they’re often much harder to get to!

As much as I love riding my scooter to a remote beach with no hotels and hardly any people around, I think I have to give this one to Koh Samui. The beaches there are just so pristine and the water is genuinely beautiful. It’s a really close call, but for those long, picture-perfect stretches of sand, Samui wins by a little bit.

Winner: Koh Samui

Hotels in Koh Samui vs Koh Tao – Which Hotels Did I Like More

Again, I would say both islands have such different vibes when it comes to their accommodation. Koh Tao is very much full of divers, backpackers, and off-the-beaten-path travelers, so the rooms there are just more catered to that crowd. 

Don’t get me wrong, we stayed in some beautiful little boutique hotels in Koh Tao, but it definitely felt less “flashy” overall.

On the other hand, Koh Samui is much more about 5-star beach resorts and luxury hotels. I’ll be totally honest: I’m not necessarily a “resort person”, I’m a backpacker at heart, but wow, the places we stayed in Koh Samui were incredible. They were definitely some of the most beautiful resorts I think I’ve ever stayed at.

We moved around a bit in Koh Samui because we like to check out different hotels and parts of the island, and my two absolute favorites were Moorea Boutique and Explorar Koh Samui. They were both absolutely incredible! For me, Koh Samui takes the win here just because the level of luxury is on another level.

Winner: Koh Samui

Where Has Better Food Koh Tao or Koh Samui?

As I mentioned above, Koh Samui is much bigger than Koh Tao and much more built-up, so it’s got loads of nicer restaurants, flashy beach clubs, and trendy cafes. Koh Tao has that too, but on a much smaller and more intimate scale.

However, when I’m in Thailand, I just love eating Thai food so much that it’s pretty much all I care about. I wouldn’t really bother with Western restaurants because I’m there for the local flavors, and I think for that, Koh Tao was much better.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that the local food is almost always better at the cheaper, authentic restaurants. I promise you, 10 out of 10 times, if I go for Thai food at a place with plastic chairs and a simple menu, the food will be better than at any fancy-looking restaurant. 

Because of its smaller scale and less mass-tourism vibe, Koh Tao just has way more options for amazing, authentic local food. That’s pretty much all we ate (and wanted to eat!) the majority of the time, so I’m giving the point to Koh Tao.

Winner: Koh Tao

Things to Do in Koh Tao vs Koh Samui, Which is Better?

I feel like often islands, especially in tropical countries like Thailand, are fairly limited in what there is to do apart from the typical island activities like boat tours, island hopping, or snorkeling.

Koh Samui definitely has a little more going on just because it’s so much larger and more built-up. It even has its own Muay Thai stadium where they hold fights every weekend, which is pretty cool to see. 

However, I personally pick Koh Tao over Koh Samui when it comes to activities. This is mainly because I love scuba diving and snorkeling, and it is just so much better in Koh Tao. If you’re looking into getting your Open Water certification, Koh Tao is absolutely amazing for that.

Koh Tao also has some really cool little hikes and viewpoints that I enjoyed a lot and it just feels a bit more rugged and active. So yeah, because of the diving and that explorer vibe, Koh Tao takes this one for me.

Winner: Koh Tao

Snorkeling & Diving in Koh Tao or Koh Samui, Where Did I Prefer it?

I love myself some scuba diving and snorkeling. I’ve had my Advanced Open Water for a while now and I’ve been diving all over, from Latin America to Asia and I honestly love it; it’s one of my favorite things to do when I’m traveling.

Koh Tao in particular is amazing if you want to get certified. It’s actually one of the cheapest places in the world to do it, and because the island basically runs on diving, the competition between schools is huge, which is great for us because the prices stay low! 

If you’re even remotely into the idea of breathing underwater, I would highly recommend doing your course here.

While we were in Koh Tao, we went snorkeling just by grabbing a mask from our hotel and jumping straight into the water, and honestly, the marine life is right there. I also went on a fun dive by myself, and it was great with loads of fish and beautiful coral. 

In Koh Samui, I only went snorkeling a little bit, and I’ll be blunt: it didn’t even come close. The visibility in Samui can be hit or miss, and it just lacks that the underwater life a little.

Winner: Koh Tao

Prices in Koh Samui or Koh Tao: Which is More Expensive?

I’ll keep this section fairly brief: Koh Samui is more expensive, without a doubt.

As I mentioned earlier, Koh Tao is much more geared toward backpackers, divers, and adventure travelers. Because of that, the accommodation is often a little more basic, but it’s also much cheaper. Koh Samui, on the other hand, definitely has more of a mass-tourism vibe. When I was there this past December, it was super expensive!

Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time staying at luxury resorts, but I definitely felt like I was paying a little too much considering I was in Thailand. 

And it’s not just the hotels; it’s the food and activities, too. Everything just felt like it had a “resort tax” added to it. If I was looking for a cheaper, high-value island vacation, I’d pick Koh Tao every single time.

Winner: Koh Tao

Overall Vibe: Which is Cooler, Koh Tao or Koh Samui?

Overall vibe is obviously super subjective, but in my experience, I prefer Koh Tao way over Koh Samui.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved staying in the fancy resorts in Koh Samui with my family, but parts of that island were just way too hectic. It’s so built-up that sometimes I’d look around and think I was in a full-on city rather than a tropical island.

In Koh Tao, it was a totally different story. I was riding around on my scooter with the ocean on one side and palm trees on the other, discovering cute little beaches and super chill beach shacks where I could grab a cheap beer or a cocktail. That is much more my speed. It felt a little more “cast away” and rugged, and I personally love that!

Winner: Koh Tao

FAQs About Koh Samui vs Koh Tao

Is Koh Tao worth visiting? 

Absolutely! Koh Tao is easily one of my favorite islands in Thailand. It feels so much less built-up and more “off the beaten path” than Koh Samui. If you’re looking for a raw and authentic island charm, it’s a must.

Is Koh Samui worth visiting? 

I think it is, but honestly, only under certain conditions. I personally love Koh Samui for one specific thing: a resort vacation. We went to Koh Samui on a big family trip and stayed at some beautiful beach resorts, and for that kind of experience, it was amazing. But if you’re looking for a quiet, authentic island experience, you might find it a bit too commercial.

Can I take the ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui? 

Yes, absolutely! There are all types of transport, from high-speed catamarans to slower ferries, running every single day between the two. I always book my tickets online through 12go.asia or Bookaway, and I’ve never had any issues. It’s super straightforward.

Are there good hotels in Koh Tao? 

Yes, for sure! While Koh Tao doesn’t have quite as many flashy 5-star luxury resorts as Koh Samui, it has some incredible boutique resorts and unique hotels with amazing views. You can definitely find something special there.

Final Thoughts: Should I Go to Koh Tao or Koh Samui?

All in all, I don’t think I can say one is “better” than the other. From my own experience, and from talking to people I’ve met on the road, it really just comes down to the vibe you’re after.

My parents, for instance, would definitely prefer Koh Samui. They love a proper resort vacation where they can lounge by the pool, hit the beach, and have everything taken care of. 

I’m the opposite! I’d pick Koh Tao every time because I love that authentic island feel where I can hop on my scooter, find authentic Thai restaurants for cheap food, and have more of a backpacker experience.

I hope this guide gave you a good idea of which island fits your style. Now go plan that Thailand trip, and happy travels!

Check Out My Other Koh Samui Guides

Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

How to Get to Koh Samui: The Easiest Ways to get there

Best Time to Visit Koh Samui: When I Would Come Again

Koh Tao vs Koh Samui: Which One Do I Like Better