What's the Weather like in Ko Samui in November
Temperature
Ko Samui's temperature patterns are pretty stable throughout the year. November, one of the coldest months of the year, has an average daily temperature of 27°C, still warm by all accounts. The average daily high temperature in November is 29°C, while the average daily low is 24°C. These temperatures are basically constant throughout the month and comparable to December. In terms of temperature, there is very little variation between November days. The island is warm all year round, but there is also always the opportunity to cool off in the comfortably warm sea.
Average Sea Temperature
The sea temperature in November is 27°C, exactly the same as the average air temperature.
Sunshine Hours
Just like any other month, November's days are pretty much equal in length. Because of the resort's location near the equator, there is very little variation in day lengths throughout the year. This month's longest day is November 1 with 11.47 hours of daylight. The shortest day is November 30 with 11.36 daylight hours. The average amount of sunshine in November is 6 hours per day, a number that has been the same for more than half a year, since the wetter part of the year started in May.
This means that a little more than half of a typical November day is sunny. The rest of the day is cloudy as November falls in the middle of the monsoon season. The average percentage of cloud cover in the course of the month is 86, which is very high. Even though it does not vary substantially as the month passes, a small decrease can be noticed. November 8 is historically the cloudiest day of the month with 87% of cloud cover. By the end of the month, on November 30, cloud cover is 85%. November is a very cloudy month; on a typical day the skies are clear or mostly clear for only 5% of the time and overcast for 46% of the time.
Rain
November is also an extremely wet month. It receives a total amount of rainfall of no less than 430mm in the course of the month, which is far more than any other month. October is the second-wettest month with 290mm of precipitation. November also has 15 days of rainfall, one day less than October, but that is probably due to the fact that November is a day shorter. This month is the absolute peak of the monsoon season. However, in the course of the month there already is a visible decrease in the chance of precipitation. The highest chance of rainfall occurs in the beginning of the month at 55%. By November 30 that chance has dropped to 46%. The three most common types of precipitation are light rain, thunderstorms and moderate rain, in that order. Light rain occurs on 42% of all rainy days, thunderstorms on 35% and moderate rain on 22%. November also has five fog days, which is about the yearly average.
Humidity
The average humidity in November ranges around 85%, a percentage that will stay virtually the same until the end of March.
Ko Samui Hotels in November
Peace Resort
Peace Resort is a four-star resort on Bophut Beach, a peaceful and calm beachside village with strong Chinese-Thai heritage. The Peace Resort consists of 102 bungalows and 28 deluxe rooms. Both types of accommodation have a satellite TV, air conditioning, DVD player and mini-bar. The deluxe rooms, also called mini-houses, have an additional private terrace and bathroom with bathtub and shower. Additional amenities of this wonderful resort are the Sea Wrap Restaurant, a private beach, an internet room, an outdoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi, children pool and playground, a pool bar serving hot and cold drinks and cocktails, a reading room, a spa, Thai cooking classes and Thai massages.
Bo Phut Resort & Spa
Another high-rated resort in Bophut is Bo Phut Resort & Spa. This four-star resort offers accommodation of eight different types: Junior Suite, Garden Villa, Garden Plunge Pool Villa, Garden Pool Villa, Deluxe Garden, Deluxe Outdoor Jacuzzi, Beachfront Villas and Premier Pool Villa. They all have facilities, such as en-suite bathrooms, bathrobes, private balconies, daybeds, cable TV, Wi-Fi, refrigerators and a mini-bar. The L Ocean is the flagship restaurant, located next to beach and serving extensive breakfasts and international and Thai buffets. Sala Thai is another dining venue where you can go for Thai dinners. The resort also has its own spa, offering all kinds of relaxing massages, treatments and therapies.
Ko Samui Beaches for November
Hua Thanon
Hua Thanon is a traditional and quiet fishing village in the southeast of the island. Located not too far from Hin Ta and Hin Yai, it is equally as undisturbed and home to some long-term backpacker retreats. This Muslim town it has the only mosque on the island is also where the last traditional fishing fleet is located and provides a great insight into what life on the island used to be like before the crowds of tourists arrived. The beach is quiet and if you don't like crowds and are looking for a quick tropical holiday, this is where you need to be.
Bang Kao
Another quiet beach is found at Bang Kao. This one is located quite some distance off the ring road and is reached via minor roads. It is one of the least developed areas on the island and shops are focused on locals rather than tourists. The beach is five kilometres long and lined with lush tropical plants and trees. Off shore you will find a beautiful coral reef, excellent for snorkelling.
Bars and Restaurants
4K Restaurant
An excellent restaurant in Hua Thanon is 4K Restaurant, pronounced 'fork'. The restaurant is part of the X2 Samui Resort and is situated on the beachfront. It serves unique fusion food, as well as classic Thai and western dishes and their own fusion pizza. The interior is chic and classy and you can also go there for snacks and tapas.
Jungle Club
In Chaweng, the island's main hub for entertainment and nightlife, you can go for an unforgettable dining experience at Jungle Club. This resort is located on a hillside and its restaurant overlooks the illuminated bay of Chaweng. The restaurant is built with all-natural materials and is made up of several levels.
There are many dining areas, including a wooden deck with Thai cushions and individual thatch-and-bamboo pavilions. The menu consists of both Thai and French cuisine, featuring baguettes, steaks, salads and fish, accompanied by a selection of wines. The resort and restaurant are reached by 4WD or dirt bike and you can ask to be picked up at the foot of the hill.
Things to do in Ko Samui in November
Wat Plai Laem
A major highlight on the island is Wat Plai Laem, a magnificent site of Buddhist temples on the northeast coast. There are two spectacularly detailed temples to be found there, one of which you are allowed to enter. The biggest landmark, however, is the enormous white statue of the 18-armed Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. This towering statue is located in the centre of the temple grounds and is a striking, yet humbling sight to see. The goddess Guanyin has her origins in China, but her influence has spread across all of Southeast Asia. Wat Plai Laem provides visitors with an insight into Chinese-Thai beliefs and religion. Two long halls are situated on each side of the statue, featuring murals and frescoes that depict mythological Buddhist tales.
Visit Guanyin
Guanyin is regarded as a source of unconditional love and protection, as well as a fertility goddess. Many people go there to pray for the health and well-being of their children. Other people visit to pray to the Buddha, who is also present in the form of sculptures and paintings. Although it is a fairly new complex, it is built and decorated to represent and old temple. The site is surrounded by a still lake, which definitely adds to the peaceful and tranquil feeling of the area. If you make a donation, you receive a bag a fish food to feed the carp and catfish in the lake.
Spa Day
A great thing to do on a rainy day is treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon at a spa. Ko Samui was a place of relaxation and rejuvenation even before spas became well-known. There are many spa and wellness centres all over the island, as well as meditation centre and places offering body cleanses, liver fasting etcetera.
Absolute Sanctuary
Absolute Sanctuary is the island's main detox and yoga resort. They combine luxurious accommodation with many detox programs, yoga classes, numerous spa treatments and all kinds of other therapies. Another excellent spa is Eranda Herbal Spa, calling itself 'the spa with a view'. It is in fact set on a hillside and overlooks the blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It provides the ultimate natural luxury spa experience.
On offer are massages, body scrubs, facial treatments and numerous therapies, all set within an environment made up of waterfalls, thatched roof pagodas, stone walkways and tropical gardens.
Ko Samui is home to countless spas and most of the hotels and resorts have their own spa and wellness centre.
