Things to Do in Koh Samui in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Koh Samui
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season conditions - February is statistically the driest month on Koh Samui with just 40 mm (1.6 inches) of rain across maybe 10 days. Those brief showers typically happen late afternoon and clear within 20-30 minutes, so you're not losing beach days. The sea is calm enough for boat trips to Ang Thong Marine Park and Koh Tao, which often get cancelled in monsoon months.
- Comfortable temperatures without the April-May furnace - You're looking at 30°C (86°F) highs and 24°C (75°F) lows, which is genuinely pleasant by Thai standards. The 70% humidity is noticeable but manageable, especially with the breeze on the beaches. Compare this to March-April when it pushes 35°C (95°F) and feels oppressive even for locals.
- Shoulder season pricing with high season weather - Chinese New Year aside (more on that below), February sees fewer crowds than December-January but maintains excellent weather. Accommodation rates drop 15-25% after the first week, and you'll actually get space on Chaweng Beach without the elbow-to-elbow tourist density. Restaurants don't require reservations except at the handful of fine dining spots.
- Optimal visibility for diving and snorkeling - Water clarity peaks in February with visibility often reaching 20-30 m (65-100 ft) around Sail Rock and Chumphon Pinnacle. Water temperature sits around 27°C (81°F), warm enough that you might skip the wetsuit for shallow snorkeling. The plankton bloom that clouds water in other months hasn't started yet, and the seas are flat enough that even nervous swimmers feel comfortable on boat trips.
Considerations
- Chinese New Year creates a 7-10 day chaos window - When Lunar New Year falls in February (it shifts annually, in 2026 it's February 17), Chinese tourists flood the island and prices spike 40-60% for that week. Hotels that were ฿2,500 suddenly want ฿4,000, boat tours fill up weeks ahead, and popular beaches become uncomfortably packed. If your dates are flexible, avoid February 14-24, 2026 specifically. The island genuinely struggles with the surge.
- Wind patterns can disrupt west coast beaches - While the east coast (Chaweng, Lamai) stays calm, February occasionally brings northeasterly winds that kick up waves and debris on west coast spots like Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam. It's not consistent, maybe 4-5 days in the month, but worth knowing if you've booked a west-facing resort expecting mirror-flat water. Check wind forecasts the week before you arrive.
- Still feels like proper summer heat for cold-climate visitors - That 70% humidity and UV index of 8 is no joke if you're arriving from a Northern Hemisphere winter. First-timers from Europe or North America often underestimate how draining the heat is, even in the cooler months. You'll sweat through cotton shirts, need to reapply SPF 50+ every 90 minutes, and find yourself seeking air conditioning by 2pm. It's lovely weather, but it's not Mediterranean spring.
Best Activities in February
Ang Thong Marine Park boat tours
February offers the calmest seas for visiting this 42-island archipelago 30 km (19 miles) northwest of Samui. The combination of minimal rainfall, flat water, and clear skies makes this the best month for the viewpoint hike on Ko Wua Talap - 430 m (1,410 ft) of steep stairs that would be miserable in the heat of April or the rain of November. Visibility for kayaking through the limestone karsts is excellent, and you'll actually enjoy the beach time on Ko Mae Ko rather than hiding from storms. Tours typically run 8am-5pm, giving you the full day before those brief afternoon showers.
Dive trips to Sail Rock and Chumphon Pinnacle
The 20-30 m (65-100 ft) visibility in February makes this prime time for Koh Samui's best dive sites. Sail Rock, 25 km (15.5 miles) north, is famous for whale shark sightings from February through April - your odds are maybe 30-40% on any given day, highest in early morning dives. Chumphon Pinnacle offers schools of barracuda and the occasional bull shark. Water temperature at 27°C (81°F) means you can dive in a 3mm shorty rather than full wetsuit. Seas are calm enough that even newer divers handle the boat ride comfortably.
Motorbike loops around the island interior
The dry roads and comfortable temperatures make February ideal for exploring the 50 km (31 mile) ring road and interior routes through rubber plantations and jungle. The coastal loop takes 3-4 hours with stops at viewpoints like Lad Koh (for that postcard Chaweng Beach view) and Lamai Viewpoint. Interior routes through Na Muang toward the waterfalls are actually rideable - in rainy season these dirt sections turn to mud. Start early, by 7am, to avoid the midday heat and finish before any afternoon showers. The UV index of 8 means exposed skin burns fast on a bike.
Fisherman's Village walking street and night markets
Friday nights in Bophut transform the beachfront road into a walking street with 200+ stalls selling everything from ฿60 pad thai to ฿150 grilled seafood skewers. February weather means you're not dodging rain or sweating excessively while browsing. The crowd is manageable outside Chinese New Year week - you can actually move and taste food without queuing 20 minutes. Local vendors sell seasonal mango (peak season starts late February) and the humidity keeps everything tasting fresh. Go between 6pm-9pm for the best energy before it gets too packed.
Sunset sessions at beach clubs
February sunsets happen around 6:15pm-6:30pm, and the clear skies mean you actually see them rather than cloud cover blocking the view. Beach clubs on Chaweng and Lamai offer day beds for ฿500-1,500 with minimum spend that includes drinks and food. The temperature drops from 30°C (86°F) to a comfortable 26°C (79°F) by sunset, making this the pleasant part of the day. Go for the 4pm-7pm window when you get the beach, the sunset, and avoid the midday UV intensity. The scene is relaxed in February compared to the December-January party crowds.
Cooking classes using seasonal ingredients
February marks the start of hot season produce - mangoes, mangosteens, and rambutans start appearing in markets. Half-day cooking classes typically include market tours where you're selecting ingredients in the comfortable morning temperatures rather than the oppressive heat of later months. You'll learn 4-5 dishes in 3-4 hours, usually starting 9am or 10am, finishing before the afternoon heat peaks. The experience is hands-on, and you leave with recipe cards. Classes run ฿1,800-2,800 per person at various locations around the island.
February Events & Festivals
Chinese New Year celebrations
In 2026, Lunar New Year falls on February 17, and the island's significant Chinese-Thai community hosts temple ceremonies, lion dances, and night market expansions. Nathon town center becomes the focal point with street performances, firecrackers, and food stalls. It's genuinely interesting culturally, but also brings the tourist surge mentioned earlier. If you're on island during this week, embrace it - the energy is incredible, temples like Wat Phra Yai get decorated elaborately, and the food scene explodes with special New Year dishes.