10 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui (Thailand)

This list of the best things to do in Koh Samui will help you make the most of your days on one of the most beautiful islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s known for being the largest of the islands in the Gulf of Siam, as well as the 3rd largest in Thailand.

But that’s not all Koh Samui can boast of. Since Koh Tao is known for diving and the backpacker atmosphere, and Koh Phangan for its Full Moon Party and more bohemian or alternative visitors, Koh Samui is a more family-friendly island. It offers a greater range of resorts and good restaurants, perfect for those who want comfort. It’s also an island that is very developed, touristically speaking, and easily accessible, as it has its own airport.

Do you still have doubts? Then, keep reading. I assure you that Koh Samui is a perfect option to enjoy during your route through Thailand. It offers a combination of the beach with other busier activities, temples, excursions, and a huge range of hotels and restaurants.

Based on the experience of my trips to this Asian corner, I give you a list of everything you can visit in Koh Samui, including excursions, tours, and planning tips. Let’s start!

What to See in Koh Samui

In the following paragraphs, you will see that there are many things to do in Koh Samui. If you take a look at the map of Koh Samui, you will see that it is an island of considerable size with a multitude of different activities to keep you busy.

How many days do you spend in Koh Samui? With two days, you can see the main Koh Samui attractions. However, since you are surely coming here to discover its beaches, a more reasonable figure would be at least four days to be able to enjoy it to the fullest.

On the other hand, you will see that the distances in Samui are quite large. Therefore, if you want to move around on your own, I recommend that you consider renting a car, a motorcycle (with caution, please) or, if you want comfort and have little time, book a guided tour of the Koh Samui main points of interest. On the island, you will also find Songthaew (small public buses) and Tuk-tuk for short distances.

Below, I share with you a list of the 10 best things to do in Koh Samui (Thailand).

1. Discover the Temples of Koh Samui

If there’s something that differentiates the list of things to see in Koh Samui from those of Koh Tao or Koh Phangan, it is its temples. You have some really photogenic ones and also very interesting, culturally speaking. Among the most recommended are:

Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai): Possibly the most famous temple to visit in Koh Samui. As its name suggests, it is known for its 12-meter-high golden Buddha statue. This represents Buddha in a state of calm and purity, having overcome temptation and fear, in the so-called Mara posture, with his left hand resting palm up and his right hand resting palm down and on his right knee. To get to it, you will have to climb some stairs, so you can also enjoy good views.
Wat Plai Laem: close to the previous one, this is another of the best-known temples on the island that you cannot miss. It is a Buddhist temple with a design that incorporates elements of Thai and Chinese tradition and stands out for its sculpture of Guanyin, with 18 arms.
Wat Ratchathammaram: Located in the southeast of the island, this modern terracotta temple is one of the most beautiful you can visit. In addition to admiring its architecture, you should know that the golden pagoda contains relics of Buddha.

Wat Khiri Wongkaram: It is known for housing the mummified body of Luang Por Ruam, a monk who died in 1973 while meditating. It is a place highly revered by Thais.
Khao Hua Jook Pagoda: include this pagoda on your list of places to visit in Koh Samui because it is very picturesque and offers spectacular views since it is located on the top of a hill.

2. Silver Beach, Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, Choengmon Beach, and other Beaches to Visit in Koh Samui

I’m sure that one of the main reasons you have considered visiting Koh Samui is its beaches. Being an island with a long coastline, you will find it almost anywhere, although the most beautiful are located to the north and east. These are also the most frequented and touristically developed. However, if you look around them and walk a little, you will always find some quiet corner to lay your towel.

What are the best beaches in Koh Samui? Below, I talk about the best-known and other more “secret” ones:

Silver Beach: I believe this is the most beautiful beach on Koh Samui. It is the most paradisiacal, with fine white sand, crystal clear waters, and the typical rounded ones of this area of Thailand. It is a small beach that is usually quiet. Do not miss it!
Chaweng Beach: Chaweng is the largest town on the island, so here you will have everything on offer, including a very long beach (almost 7 kilometers), much more impressive than you would expect. Being so long, there are sections for all tastes, but, without a doubt, it is one of the most lively.

Lamai Beach: the second busiest area of Koh Samui, also a long beach with all kinds of services, with white sand and calm, transparent waters. The atmosphere is similar to Chaweng, although it is a little quieter.
Choengmon Beach: small and charming; this is, for me, one of the best beaches to visit in Koh Samui. It has some of the best resorts on the island, so it is a great place to indulge in sleeping by the sea.
Bo Phut Beach: another of the most developed corners of the island is the Fisherman’s Village, which I will tell you about below. This is good for stopping to eat or take a dip.

Lipa Noi Beach: It is a beach on the east coast and still undeveloped. It is one of the best spots in Koh Samui to enjoy the sunset.

3. Fisherman’s Village

Fisherman’s Village is an area located north of Koh Samui, full of bars, restaurants, hotels, and massage centers. It is a part of the island with a lot of atmosphere. There, you will find a lot of places to eat fresh fish and seafood on the beach itself, so it is a good place to stop for a while, whether at lunchtime or in the evening.

As mentioned above, Bo Phut Beach is here, and the Big Buddha is very close. In addition, at night, there is also a market where you can buy crafts or put on your boots at the food stalls. Therefore, I think a visit here is one of the best things to do in Koh Samui.

4. Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park: One of the Cool Places to Visit in Koh Samui

If there is one excursion in Koh Samui that you cannot miss, even if you only have two days on the island, it is the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park. Here, you may see some of the most beautiful beach landscapes in all of Thailand, and, most importantly, you will enjoy virgin beaches, something that is increasingly difficult to find in the country.

This park is made up of 42 islands with lush vegetation and impressive limestone rock walls. Being a protected area, you will not find macro-constructions or similar. Instead, you will see lagoons and beaches in the same state as decades ago.

Although it can be visited from Koh Tao or Koh Phangan, the truth is that it is more accessible from Koh Samui. The excursions can be done by boat or speedboat (much better, since you will have more time in each place) and include snorkeling stops. Also, the so-called “Emerald Lake” or Talay Nai on the island of Koh Mae Koh. Then, you spend a few hours in Koh Wua Talap, where you can take a kayak ride and go up to the viewpoint. From there, you can get some brutal views.

Consider that the park closes from November 1 to December 15 due to it being the rainy season and maintenance.

5. Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks: A Top Attraction in Koh Samui

If you are going to take a tour of the island on your own, another of the points of interest in Koh Samui are the so-called Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks or Hin Ta and Hin Yai. Although it is nothing spectacular, it is a well-known spot at one end of Lamai Beach. These are rocks with a theoretical resemblance to the female and male sexual organs and, therefore, symbols of fertility.

Around the rocks, you usually see a lot of souvenirs and food stalls since Thais love to stop here.

6. Viewpoints to Visit in Koh Samui

Other places to visit in Koh Samui are its viewpoints. Being an island of considerable size and somewhat mountainous, you will also find some quite high points that provide a panoramic view that mixes the coastline with palm trees and other types of jungle vegetation. In some, there are also little bars, in case you feel like stopping with a drink in hand.

These are the best viewpoints in Koh Samui:

Lamai Viewpoint & Valentine Stone: Admission is 200 baht but includes cable car access. Once at the top, you can enjoy the views, have a drink at the bar, or go on a zip line.
Lad Koh View Point: It is a viewpoint located between Chaweng Noi and Lamai on the east coast of the island. It’s free and provides a postcard view of Chaweng Bay.

Jungle Club: Possibly one of the best things to do in Koh Samui is to come to this restaurant/hotel to eat or take in the views while having a coconut. As it is well known, I recommend that you reserve a table as soon as possible.
Woobar: Another bar in the Heights between Bo Phut Beach and Mae Name Beach. The prices are somewhat high, but the service and facilities are unbeatable. Without a doubt, it is perfect for a special occasion or to give yourself the pleasure of watching the sunset from an incomparable place with an infinity pool. It is advisable to reserve a table in advance.

7. Beautiful Waterfalls to See in Koh Samui

If you want to do inland tourism, another thing to do in Koh Samui is explore its waterfalls. There are two very well-known ones, the most beautiful being, from my perspective, those of Namuang or Na Muang. These, in fact, are two: Namuang 1 and Namuang 2.

The first is the best known, with about 40 meters of drop into a pool-like pool, where you can take a dip. The second, since it is accessible by walking for about 20-30 minutes with some elevation, is much quieter.

Entry is free, but you will have to pay 20 baht for parking. Since it is a very popular place, I recommend that you go first thing in the morning, as you will enjoy it more this way. Unfortunately, the entrance offers the possibility of taking an elephant safari. Please be a responsible traveler and reject all the activities you will see on the island related to animals that encourage their mistreatment.

Although less high, the Hin Lat Waterfall offers a more virgin experience as you will have to take a 30 to 40-minute walk through the jungle to reach it. It is not very steep, but it is advisable to bring water and wear appropriate footwear. There are several levels and pools to bathe. Admission is free.

8. Tarnim Magic Garden

Although I do not consider it a must, something interesting to do in Koh Samui is to go up to the Tarnim Magic Garden. This jungle tour is full of statues and small waterfalls that form the streams. Although the state of conservation of the park is not the best, the entrance only costs 80 baht, and the path to the garden is really impressive.

I advise you to visit it early in the morning or late in the afternoon, which is when it is usually quieter. Wear good shoes because, being a humid place, the ground is slippery.

9. Koh Samui Markets and Flea Markets: Popular Places to Visit in Koh Samui

Like any other corner of Thailand, in Koh Samui, you will find a lot of markets both during the day and at night. There, you will be able to buy crafts and souvenirs, but it is also a good place to dine at local prices if you are not scrupulous about street food.

Among the best markets to visit in Koh Samui are Nathon Night Food Market, Fisherman’s Village Walking Street, Chaweng Night Market, and Lamai Night Plaza.

10. Snorkeling and Diving, Something Fun to do in Koh Samui

A list of the best things to do in Koh Samui would not be complete without talking about its seabed. Although Koh Tao is the island best known for its reefs and also the enormous number of diving centers it has (more than 80!), Koh Samui is a good point to do the Open Water or Advanced Open Course Water.

If, in addition, you do not plan to visit other islands in the area, from Samui, you can also take a diving excursion to Sail Rock (possibly the best diving spot in the entire gulf. Here, you will have many opportunities to see the whale shark) or in Koh Tao. Some Koh Samui dive centers also run diving tours to Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

You have already seen that it is a very large island with different beaches, so my recommendation is that, if you are excited to be in a beautiful beach area, opt for a good resort, and there are plenty of those in Samui.

The best beaches on the island are in the north and east. In the south and southeast, there is less tourist development and, although the beaches are not as impressive, you will find spectacular hotels by the sea and much more relaxed.

To give you an idea, these are the areas to stay in Koh Samui:

Lamai Beach: although it is one of the best-known beaches on the island, it is somewhat quieter than Chaweng. Simply try to get away from Lamai Central, and you will find the peace you want.
Chaweng Beach: if you are looking for a lot of services and some nightlife, this area to stay in Koh Samui should be your option. Being such a long beach, you should consider that the north and center are busier, while the south is calmer.
Maenam Beach: it is an area with a wide range of budget hotels, so you will find a more backpacker atmosphere. If you want to treat yourself and sleep with the sound of the sea in the background, Shangrilah Bungalow is your place. Keep in mind that the beach as such is not the most beautiful, although it is pleasant.

Bo Phut Beach: This part of the island may have a bit more of a family atmosphere. Although it is not as touristically developed as Chaweng or Lamai, here you will find everything, basic accommodation, and good resorts.
Choeng Mon: Perhaps the most exclusive part to stay in Koh Samui, with imposing resorts located right on the beach.

If none of the above suits you, you have a great offer of accommodation in Koh Samui on Booking.

How to get to Koh Samui

Getting to Koh Samui is very easy, as it is an island well connected to the rest of Thailand. It has an airport, although it must be noted that it is owned by the airline Bangkok Airways. Therefore, flights to Koh Samui are not as cheap as to other areas of the country. Even so, it is worth comparing because you save a lot of time traveling. Afterward, you can take a taxi or hire a transfer to reach your hotel comfortably.

A cheaper alternative is to look for flights to Surat Thani and, from there, get on one of the boats that leave for the island. In fact, some low-cost companies such as Air Asia or Nok Air sell planes, vans, and boat fleets to make it easier to get to Koh Samui.

If you want to save money, you can also go by bus or train to Surat Thani. If you are in Bangkok, you have buses from Sai Tai Mai station (the southern one) that last between 10 and 12 hours. If you opt for the train, you can choose between night and day trains that depart from Hua Lamphong. The tour lasts between 10 and 14 hours. Once in Surat Thani, you will have to go to the port, where you have several companies that operate in the port of Nathon.

Also Read: 20 Top Tourist Attractions in Rome

FAQs about things to do in Koh Samui

While I hope I’ve helped you plan your visit to Koh Samui, here are the answers to travelers’ most frequently asked questions about this island:

How many days do you stay in Koh Samui?

The minimum, I would say, is two full days. But to enjoy the beaches, it is much better if you stay for at least four days.

What to do in Koh Samui in one day?

You can take a tour of the entire north and east of the island, passing by the Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, and the Khao Hua Jook Pagoda, as well as the Silver Beach, Chaweng, Bo Phut, and Choengmon beaches at least. You can stop at a viewpoint and those known as Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks.

What are the best excursions in Koh Samui?

Without a doubt, the one in Mu Ko Ang Thong is the essential one, although you could also do the one in Koh Nang Yuan if you don’t plan to go to Koh Tao.

What to do in Koh Samui in 4 days?

In addition to the tour, you can visit the two most important waterfalls on the island (Na Muang and Hin Lat) and, of course, enjoy its beaches.