Samui Red Flags: Swimming Banned in February 2026 Winds

Red flags and a swimming ban covered Samui's main beaches on 19 February 2026 as strong winds brought rough seas.

Red flags were raised on Koh Samui's main tourist beaches on Thursday 19 February 2026, and swimming was banned along the shoreline. Strong winds had made the sea rough, with waves of about one to two metres, according to Khaosod English. The warning covered well-known beaches such as Chaweng and Lamai.

What caused the rough sea

The report explains that a mass of cold air over the Gulf of Thailand caused easterly and south-easterly winds to meet. This made the sea much rougher than usual for the time of year. Waves were expected to rise above two metres during thunderstorms.

The swimming ban was put in place because of strong currents and rip currents. A rip current is a narrow stream of water that flows away from the beach and can carry even a strong swimmer out to sea.

Boats and ferries

Ferry services kept running, although delays were possible. Smaller boats were treated with more care. Operators of small boats and speedboats on the routes to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan were advised to be very careful or to stay in port.

The rough conditions were forecast to last through 20 and 21 February, with better weather expected by the weekend.

People stayed on the sand

Khaosod English noted that some tourists remained on the beaches in spite of the warning, resting on sunbeds or in the shade of the trees. Staying on the sand is not the problem. Going into the water under a red flag is.

This event is a reminder that the sea around the island can turn rough for a few days, and that the flags on the beach are the quickest way to know.

What it means for your stay

A red flag on a Samui beach means do not swim. It is not a suggestion. If you see one, keep children out of the water, even close to the shore, because rip currents are hard to see from the beach.

A few simple habits help on windy days:

Look at the flags each time you arrive at a beach, as conditions change during the day.
If you have a boat trip booked, ask the operator the evening before if it will go ahead.
Do not push for a speedboat trip when the operator advises against it.
Use the pool for swimming until the flags come down.

A private pool is one reason many families choose a villa in Koh Samui, because a windy day does not stop the swimming. This rough spell was forecast to ease within a few days. In the meantime there is plenty on land, and you can find ideas on our page about things to do in Koh Samui.