Friday, December 12, 2025
By mid-morning, the routine had become clear: pool, beach, eat, repeat.
That’s really the beauty of Koh Samui. There isn’t a long checklist of things you need to see or do. The whole point is to slow down and enjoy where you are. A little time by the pool, a walk along the beach, something good to eat — and then do it all over again.
Whenever I stay somewhere like this, I can’t help comparing it to Hawaii. The beaches are just as beautiful, the water just as inviting, yet the prices are a fraction of what you would pay there. In Hawaii, I’d probably be paying five times as much for a similar setting. Koh Samui still feels like one of those rare places where you can enjoy a tropical paradise without feeling like you’re being financially punished for it.
I knew we were traveling during the shoulder season, but I expected things to be busier with the White Lotus effect. I was shocked at how empty the hotel was. Don’t get me wrong — who wants to wait in line and fight crowds? I might have to repeat this trip at the same time next year.
The one thing I had really been hoping to do on this trip was visit the marine park and spend some time snorkeling. Unfortunately, the storms that had been moving through the area had other plans. All of the tours were cancelled.
That also meant my new underwater action camera — which I had carefully packed for the trip — was once again going to stay dry. This was now the second trip where I brought it along and the second time I wasn’t able to use it. At this point the camera probably thinks I just bring it on vacation to tease it.
The weather stayed stormy through the morning, but by late morning the clouds began to break and patches of sunshine started to appear. It wasn’t perfect beach weather, but it was good enough. We spent some time relaxing by the water, had lunch at the hotel, and later walked down the street for dinner.
Did I mention that I really like Koh Samui?
Something tells me I’ll be back — if for no other reason than to finally give that underwater camera a chance to do what I bought it for.
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