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Koh Samui - Things to Do in Koh Samui in November

Things to Do in Koh Samui in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Koh Samui

30°C (86°F) High Temp
24°C (75°F) Low Temp
150 mm (5.9 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

  • Transition period weather means you get the best of both worlds - mornings are typically gorgeous with calm seas perfect for snorkeling and diving, while afternoon showers cool things down without ruining your day. Rain usually arrives predictably around 2-4pm and clears within 30-45 minutes.
  • Shoulder season pricing kicks in properly by mid-November, meaning accommodation costs drop 25-35% compared to December peak rates. You can actually book that beachfront villa you've been eyeing without the high season premium, and restaurants aren't packed with tour groups yet.
  • Sea conditions are genuinely excellent - the northeast monsoon hasn't fully arrived, so the Gulf of Thailand stays relatively calm. Visibility for diving around Sail Rock typically reaches 15-20 m (49-66 ft), and boat tours to Ang Thong Marine Park run reliably without the choppy seas you'd get later in the season.
  • Loy Krathong festival usually falls in November (dates shift with the lunar calendar), and experiencing it on Koh Samui is something special. You'll see locals releasing krathongs (floating baskets) at beaches like Fisherman's Village and Bang Rak, and the atmosphere is authentically Thai rather than tourist-focused like you'd find in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

Considerations

  • Weather unpredictability means you need flexibility in your plans - some years November is practically perfect, other years you'll get 3-4 days of sustained rain. The transition between monsoons can be moody, and you might wake up to overcast skies that either burn off by 10am or stick around all day. Not ideal if you've only got a 4-day trip and can't adjust.
  • It's genuinely a gamble month for serious sun-seekers. If your primary goal is guaranteed beach lounging weather for 7 straight days, you might be disappointed. The rain isn't usually all-day affairs, but the humidity stays high (that 70% average is real), and some days just feel heavy and gray even when it's not actually raining.
  • Some beach clubs and restaurants operate on reduced schedules or close for annual maintenance before the December rush. You'll find this especially around the quieter beaches like Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi. The island isn't dead by any means, but don't expect every single venue to be firing on all cylinders like they will be in three weeks.

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Best Activities in November

Ang Thong Marine Park kayaking and island tours

November is actually one of the best months for this because the seas are calmer than they'll be once the northeast monsoon properly arrives in December, but you've missed the intense heat and tourist crowds of summer. The 42-island archipelago is about 30 km (18.6 miles) northwest of Samui, and tours typically include kayaking through limestone caves, hiking to viewpoints about 200 m (656 ft) up for panoramic views, and snorkeling in protected bays. Morning departures work best since afternoon weather can be variable - most tours leave around 8am and return by 4pm.

Booking Tip: Tours typically run ฿1,800-2,500 per person depending on group size and inclusions. Book 7-10 days ahead through licensed operators - you want ones that check weather forecasts and will reschedule if conditions look rough. Look for tours that include national park fees (฿300) in the total price. November weather means morning departures are more reliable than afternoon ones. Check current tour options in the booking section below for operators running trips during your dates.

Scuba diving day trips to Sail Rock and Chumphon Pinnacle

The visibility window in November is excellent before the northeast monsoon stirs things up - you're looking at 15-20 m (49-66 ft) visibility on good days, sometimes better. Sail Rock, about 20 km (12.4 miles) north of Samui, is famous for whale shark sightings (no guarantees, but November-December is when they're most commonly spotted). Water temperature sits around 28-29°C (82-84°F), so a 3mm wetsuit is comfortable. Chumphon Pinnacle offers great macro life and is slightly closer at about 15 km (9.3 miles) away. Both sites work for intermediate divers - depths range from 5-25 m (16-82 ft).

Booking Tip: Day trips with 2-3 dives typically cost ฿3,500-5,000 including equipment and lunch. Book at least 5-7 days ahead in November since dive shops run trips based on minimum numbers. Make sure operators are PADI or SSI certified and check their safety equipment. If you're doing a discover dive (no certification), add ฿1,000-1,500 to the price. Weather can affect trips, so keep your schedule flexible - most operators will reschedule if seas are too rough. See current diving tours in the booking section below.

Fisherman's Village evening food walks and night market browsing

Bophut's Fisherman's Village comes alive on Friday nights for the Walking Street market, but honestly any evening in November is pleasant for wandering the beachfront road. The humidity drops after sunset (though it's still warm at 26-27°C or 79-81°F), and the ocean breeze makes it comfortable. You'll find everything from ฿60 pad thai to ฿400 whole grilled fish, plus local handicrafts and the occasional live music setup. The area has kept more authentic character than Chaweng - you'll see actual fishing boats pulled up on the beach and older Chinese-Thai shophouses. November means fewer crowds than peak season, so you can actually browse without being shoulder-to-shoulder with other tourists.

Booking Tip: This is free to explore on your own, though food tours focusing on local cuisine typically run ฿1,500-2,200 per person for 3-4 hours with 5-7 tastings. If you book a guided tour, look for ones led by Thai guides who can explain ingredients and cooking methods, not just walk you to tourist-friendly spots. Friday nights (Walking Street) get busiest from 6-9pm - arrive before 6pm or after 9pm for easier movement. Bring cash in small bills (฿20, ฿50, ฿100) since many vendors don't take cards. No advance booking needed for independent exploring.

Waterfall hiking and jungle temple exploring

November's rain actually makes the waterfalls worth visiting - Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2 have decent flow compared to the dry season trickle you'd get March-May. Na Muang 1 is easily accessible with a short 500 m (0.3 mile) walk from the car park, while Na Muang 2 requires a steeper 30-40 minute hike up about 150 m (492 ft) elevation gain through jungle. The trail can be slippery after rain, so morning visits (8-10am) after the ground has dried from overnight are smarter. Combine this with Wat Khunaram to see the mummified monk - it's on the way and adds cultural context. The jungle is lush and green in November, and temperatures under the canopy stay cooler than the beaches.

Booking Tip: Entry to Na Muang waterfalls is ฿80-100 per person. You can hire a songthaew (shared taxi) for around ฿600-800 round trip from your hotel, or rent a scooter for ฿200-300 per day and ride yourself (about 12 km or 7.5 miles from Chaweng, 20-25 minutes). Guided jungle treks that include waterfalls, temples, and viewpoints typically cost ฿1,800-2,800 and last 4-5 hours. Wear proper shoes with grip - flip-flops are genuinely dangerous on wet rocks. Bring insect repellent since the jungle is buggy, especially after rain. Check the booking section below for guided nature tours if you want a knowledgeable guide.

Sunset viewpoint tours and coastal photography spots

November's variable weather actually creates dramatic sunset conditions - you get interesting cloud formations that make for better photos than the clear-sky sunsets of dry season. Key spots include Lad Koh Viewpoint (free, short walk), Chaweng Viewpoint (free, roadside), and the Buddha viewpoint near Big Buddha temple. The golden hour typically runs 5:45-6:30pm in November, and temperatures cool to a comfortable 26-27°C (79-81°F) by then. If you've got a scooter, you can hit 3-4 viewpoints in an evening loop. The west coast beaches (Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam) face the sunset directly and are much quieter than the east coast.

Booking Tip: Viewpoints are free to visit independently - just rent a scooter (฿200-300/day) and go. Guided sunset tours that include 3-4 viewpoints plus dinner typically run ฿1,200-1,800 per person. These work well if you're not comfortable driving yourself or want photography tips. Check weather forecasts - overcast days won't give you dramatic sunsets, though the soft light can be nice for portraits. Bring a light jacket since viewpoints can be breezy. No advance booking needed for independent exploring, though guided tours should be booked 3-5 days ahead in November.

Thai cooking classes with market tours

November's weather makes this perfect for a half-day indoor activity when afternoon showers roll in. Most classes start with a morning market tour (7-8am) in Lamai or Nathon where you'll learn about ingredients - galangal vs ginger, different curry pastes, how to pick ripe mangoes. Then you head to the cooking school for 3-4 hours of hands-on cooking, usually making 4-5 dishes like green curry, pad thai, tom yum, and mango sticky rice. Classes are typically small (6-10 people) and held in open-air pavilions with fans, which is comfortable even in November's humidity. You eat what you cook, so come hungry.

Booking Tip: Half-day classes typically cost ฿1,800-2,800 per person including market tour, ingredients, recipes to take home, and lunch. Book 5-7 days ahead since classes fill up - November is busy enough that popular schools run daily sessions. Morning classes (8am-1pm) are better than afternoon ones since you'll be done before the typical 2-4pm rain window. Look for schools that limit class sizes and provide individual cooking stations rather than demonstration-only formats. Vegetarian and dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated if you mention them when booking. Check current cooking class options in the booking section below.

November Events & Festivals

Early November

Loy Krathong Festival

This happens on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, which typically falls in November (2026 dates will be around November 4-5, though confirm closer to time). Locals make krathongs - small floating baskets from banana leaves, flowers, and candles - and release them on water to pay respects and ask for forgiveness. On Samui, the best spots are Fisherman's Village in Bophut, Bang Rak Beach near Big Buddha, and Nathon Pier. You'll see families gathering at sunset, street food vendors setting up, and sometimes traditional performances. It's genuinely a Thai cultural event, not a tourist show, which makes it special. You can buy pre-made krathongs for ฿50-150 or make your own at workshops some hotels organize.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho - afternoon showers in November last 20-45 minutes and happen about 10 days out of 30. Those cheap plastic ponchos sold everywhere work fine and cost ฿50-80, but a proper breathable rain jacket is more comfortable in 70% humidity.
Reef-safe mineral sunscreen SPF 50+ - UV index hits 8 even on cloudy days, and you'll burn faster than you think when snorkeling. Chemical sunscreens are increasingly discouraged at marine parks, so mineral formulas (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are smarter. Bring more than you think - you'll go through it quickly.
Quick-dry clothes in breathable fabrics - cotton and linen work better than polyester in this humidity. Your clothes won't fully dry overnight in 70% humidity, so pack extras or plan to do laundry. Avoid anything that needs ironing since hotel irons are hit-or-miss and the humidity will wrinkle things immediately anyway.
Closed-toe water shoes with grip - essential for waterfall hikes, rocky beaches, and boat trips. The rocks at Na Muang waterfalls get genuinely slippery, and some beaches have sharp coral fragments. Flip-flops are fine for walking around town but useless for actual activities. Expect to pay ฿300-600 if you buy them on the island.
Small dry bag (10-20 liter) - invaluable for boat trips, beach days, and protecting electronics from sudden rain. You can buy cheap ones on the island for ฿200-400, but quality ones from home are worth bringing. Even in shoulder season, you'll be on boats or near water constantly.
Long lightweight pants and shirt with sleeves - for temple visits (Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem require covered shoulders and knees) and for evenings when mosquitoes are active. A sarong works too and doubles as a beach cover-up, towel, or picnic blanket. Temples will rent you coverings for ฿50-100 if you forget, but they're usually worn-out and unflattering.
High-DEET insect repellent (30% or higher) - November mosquitoes are active, especially around sunset and in jungle areas. The rain creates breeding pools, so you'll encounter them more than in dry season. Local brands work fine and cost ฿80-150 at 7-Eleven, but bring your preferred formula if you have sensitive skin.
Portable phone charger/power bank - you'll be using your phone constantly for photos, maps, translation apps, and booking scooters. November's humidity can drain batteries faster, and not every beach restaurant has outlets. A 10,000-20,000 mAh capacity should get you through a full day out.
Lightweight backpack or day pack - for carrying water, sunscreen, rain jacket, and whatever else you accumulate. Something water-resistant is smart given the afternoon shower pattern. You'll see these everywhere on the island for ฿300-800, but a decent one from home is more comfortable for all-day wear.
Modest swimwear plus a rash guard - Thai beaches are conservative compared to European destinations, and a rash guard protects you from sun during long snorkeling sessions better than sunscreen alone. Water temperature is 28-29°C (82-84°F), so you won't need a full wetsuit for swimming, though divers typically wear 3mm suits.

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodation for late November at least 4-6 weeks ahead - many travelers assume shoulder season means empty hotels, but late November gets busy as people arrive early to secure spots before December peak pricing kicks in. Mid-November is easier, but Thanksgiving week (US holiday) can create unexpected demand spikes.
The afternoon rain pattern (typically 2-4pm) is predictable enough that you can plan around it - schedule outdoor activities for mornings, use afternoons for massages, cooking classes, or shopping, then head out again after 5pm when things clear up. Locals have been doing this forever, and it makes November weather manageable rather than frustrating.
Scooter rentals get cheaper with longer commitments - instead of paying ฿250-300 per day, booking for a week drops it to ฿150-200 per day. November is perfect for having your own transport since you'll want flexibility when weather shifts. Just make sure you have proper insurance and an international driving permit - police checkpoints happen regularly and fines are ฿500 without proper documentation.
The west coast beaches (Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam, Nathon area) are dramatically quieter than the east coast and offer better sunset views, but they have less developed infrastructure. If you want authentic local vibes and don't mind fewer restaurant options, stay west. If you want walkable nightlife and tons of dining choices, stick to Chaweng, Lamai, or Bophut on the east coast.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming November weather will be exactly like the forecast you checked two weeks before arrival - this is transition season, and conditions genuinely shift. Build flexibility into your plans, don't book every single day with rigid activities, and have indoor backup options (museums, cooking classes, spa days) ready if you get unlucky with rain.
Renting a scooter without checking your travel insurance coverage or getting proper documentation - accidents happen frequently on Samui's hilly roads, especially when they're wet from afternoon rain. Many travel insurance policies exclude scooter accidents entirely, and Thai hospitals require payment upfront. Get the rental shop's insurance (usually ฿100-200/day extra) and carry your international driving permit and passport copy always.
Packing only for beach weather and then being uncomfortable in the humidity or unprepared for temple dress codes - November isn't just hot, it's humid, and that changes what clothes work. Also, you'll probably want to visit at least one or two temples, and showing up in beach clothes means either paying for rental coverings or being turned away entirely.

Explore Activities in Koh Samui

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October

Travel guide for October

December

Travel guide for December

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Koh Samui

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