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Responsible travel on Koh Samui

The island's real environmental pressures, from coral reefs and plastic to waste and water, and simple ways to travel with a lighter footprint, including the marine park rules.

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  1. Ang Thong National Marine Park rulesAng Thong is a protected national park since 1980: entry fee 300 baht (foreign adults), no fishing, no touching coral, stay on trails, and note the…Read guide
  2. Beach cleanups and community effortsRegular beach cleanups happen on Samui, organised by local communities, dive centres, hotels, and volunteer groups. Visitors are usually welcome to…Read guide
  3. Box jellyfish: a real but manageable riskDangerous box jellyfish occur around Samui, Phangan, and Tao, mainly in the rainy months (about June-December). Heed warning signs, swim at…Read guide
  4. Coconut palms: landscape, livelihood, and preservationCoconut palms define Samui's landscape, but groves are being lost to development and old palms are not being replanted at the same rate. Supporting…Read guide
  5. Coral reefs: fragile and under pressureCoral reefs around Samui, Phangan, and Tao are fragile and have suffered bleaching and damage from warming seas, tourism, and pollution. Snorkel…Read guide
  6. Getting around with a lighter footprintSamui's ring road is congested and scooter accidents are the island's top tourist injury. Walking, shared songthaews, and bicycles for short hops…Read guide
  7. Monsoon sea safety and respecting the seaSamui's rainy season (roughly October-December) brings rough seas, rip currents, and cancelled boats. Red flags mean no swimming. Respecting weather…Read guide
  8. Plastic reduction on SamuiSingle-use plastic is a visible problem on Samui's beaches and in the sea. National and local campaigns exist - including 2024 WWF 'Plastic ACTion'…Read guide
  9. Reef-safe sunscreenCommon sunscreen chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate damage coral. Thai marine parks moved to require reef-safe sunscreen from 2021. Choose…Read guide
  10. Responsible wildlife viewing: elephants and beyondAnimal welfare groups agree: do not ride elephants, watch shows, or bathe with them. Riding and performances rely on harmful training. Ethical…Read guide
  11. Waste management: the broken incineratorSamui's incinerator has been out of service for over a decade, so rubbish goes to an open landfill that smells and pollutes local water. Less…Read guide
  12. Water scarcity on an islandSamui's water supply is limited: the mainland pipeline delivers about 21,000 cubic metres a day, below demand, so many resorts truck in water or use…Read guide

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