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Nature & wildlife on Koh Samui

The animals you may meet on and around the island, from monkeys and monitor lizards to birds, turtles and dolphins, with what is safe, what to avoid and how to watch wildlife ethically.

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  1. Birdlife: hornbills, sea eagles and swiftletsKoh Samui's forests, gardens and coasts hold tropical birdlife including oriental pied hornbills, white-bellied sea eagles and the swiftlets whose…Read guide
  2. Ethical wildlife viewing: general guidanceSimple rules make wildlife encounters around Koh Samui safe for you and the animals: observe at a distance, never feed or touch, choose responsible…Read guide
  3. Irrawaddy (pink) dolphins near KhanomThe shallow mainland coast opposite Koh Samui, around Khanom and Donsak, is one of the last refuges of the Irrawaddy dolphin in Thailand. Around 60…Read guide
  4. Jellyfish and box jellyfish safetyBox jellyfish occur in the Gulf of Thailand around Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and severe stings - including rare fatalities - have been…Read guide
  5. Monitor lizards (Asian water monitor)Large Asian water monitor lizards live on Koh Samui near streams, waterfalls and wetlands. They look intimidating but are shy and harmless if left…Read guide
  6. Monkeys: macaques and the coconut-harvesting traditionWild crab-eating (long-tailed) macaques are common on Koh Samui, and pig-tailed macaques have traditionally been trained in southern Thailand…Read guide
  7. Mosquitoes and dengue feverMosquitoes on Koh Samui can transmit dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Dengue is the main risk, especially in and after the rainy season. Day-biting…Read guide
  8. Sea turtles in the Gulf of ThailandGreen and hawksbill sea turtles still live in the waters around Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Ang Thong. Koh Tao is named after turtles, but nesting has…Read guide
  9. Snakes on Koh Samui: awareness and cautionKoh Samui has many snake species, mostly harmless, but venomous species including the king cobra and Malayan pit viper live in the island's forests…Read guide
  10. Stray dogs (soi dogs) and catsKoh Samui has large numbers of free-roaming 'soi dogs', reportedly in the tens of thousands. Most are relaxed around people, but bites happen and…Read guide

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