30 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui: Islands, Temples, Beaches and More

Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island after Phuket, about 35 km off the Surat Thani coast in the Gulf of Thailand. A ring road (Route 4169) goes all the way round, so most sights are an easy drive away. Choosing is the harder part. Below, the 30 best things to do in Koh Samui are grouped by type, so you can match them to your interests, the weather and who you’re travelling with.

We are a TAT-licensed tour operator on the island (licence 44/00252). A few entries are trips we run, and we’ve marked them clearly. Most you can do on your own.

Koh Samui at a glance

Where	Gulf of Thailand, Surat Thani Province, about 35 km from the mainland
Getting there	Flights to Samui Airport, or ferries from the mainland (Don Sak)
Getting around	Ring road Route 4169; songthaews (shared pickups), taxis at agreed fares, private drivers, or tours with hotel pickup
Wettest period	Roughly mid-October to early December
Driest months	Roughly February to April. May to September is mostly dry with passing showers (see our best time to visit Koh Samui guide)
How long to stay	3 days covers the highlights. With 5 days you can add a second island trip and slower beach time
Our pick for one day	A boat day to Five Islands, Koh Tan and Pig Island

Quick picks if you only have time for a few: a catamaran day to the southern islands (#1), the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem (#7, #8), Namuang Waterfall (#14), Fisherman’s Village on a Friday night (#21, #24) and sunset on the west coast (#22).

On the water

Samui’s best days out are usually on the sea. The small islands off the south and south-west coasts are close enough for an easy day trip, and the bigger Ang Thong archipelago lies to the west.

1. Take the 1-Day Catamaran to Five Islands, Koh Tan and Pig Island (our best day out)

If you do one thing on Koh Samui, make it a full day on the water to the islands off the south coast. Our 1-Day Catamaran sails from Bang Kao Pier on a VIP four-engine catamaran with a toilet on board, and the route takes in three quite different stops in one day:

• Five Islands (Koh Si Koh Ha): limestone cliffs where swiftlets nest. The nests are collected under a state concession, not by visitors, so you see the cliffs from the boat rather than landing. Read more in our Five Islands (Koh Si Koh Ha) guide.
• Koh Tan: snorkelling, then paddleboards, kayaks, a floating sea pool, the banana boat, the springboard and the water slide. There’s a Thai massage on board too, and all of it is included in the price.
• Koh Madsum (Pig Island): the beach where pigs wander the sand and paddle in the shallows.

Lunch and free-flow drinks are served on board. Pickup from your hotel is between 9:00 and 9:40 AM, the boat leaves Bang Kao Pier at about 10:30 AM, and you’re back at your hotel around 4:30 PM.

2. Visit Ang Thong National Marine Park

Mu Ko Ang Thong is a national park of 42 islands spread over about 102 km², roughly 30 km west of Samui. Day trips usually make two classic stops. On Koh Mae Ko, a short trail climbs to a viewpoint over Thale Nai, an enclosed emerald saltwater lake. Near the park headquarters, the Koh Wua Talab viewpoint is a steep 500-metre climb (allow 25 to 30 minutes up, and wear proper shoes). Most visitors go on an organised day trip by large boat or speedboat. A national park fee applies, so check current rates.

Plan around the closure: the park is usually closed from 1 November to 15 December for the monsoon, and can close at other times in bad weather. If you can’t decide between this and the southern islands, our Ang Thong or Pig Island comparison lays out the differences.

3. Meet the pigs on Koh Madsum (Pig Island)

Koh Madsum (also spelled Koh Mudsum) is a small island off Samui’s south coast, known for the pigs that live on its beach. It’s a short boat ride from the south-coast piers, and most trips pair it with Koh Tan next door. If the pigs seem unsettled, give them space. Only feed them if the boat crew or island staff say it’s okay. Our Pig Island guide covers getting there and what to expect.

4. Snorkel at Koh Tan

Koh Tan is the bigger island next to Pig Island, with a long beach, a small community and reefs within easy reach of the boat. It’s the easiest snorkelling to get to from Samui, and a good place for first-timers when the sea is calm. Visibility depends on weather and tides, so don’t expect clear water after a rough few days. Our Koh Tan snorkelling guide has the details, and you can compare other options in our guide to the best snorkelling spots around Koh Samui.

5. Take a day trip to Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is Samui’s northern neighbour. High-speed ferries and speedboats cross in roughly 30 to 45 minutes from Nathon, Bang Rak and Maenam piers, so a day trip is realistic. Hire a driver on the other side, and check the last return sailing before you set off, as timetables change by season.

6. Dive Sail Rock or learn to dive

Sail Rock (Hin Bai) is a granite pinnacle between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, widely considered the best dive site in the Gulf of Thailand. Samui dive centres run day trips there for certified divers. New to diving? Start with a beginner course at a Samui dive school. Koh Tao itself is a long ferry ride away, so stay overnight there rather than trying to do it in a day.

To compare the different boat options side by side, read Koh Samui boat trips compared.

Culture and temples

Samui’s temples are active places of worship. Cover your shoulders and knees, take your shoes off before entering buildings with Buddha images, and never point your feet at a Buddha image.

7. See the Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai

The 12-metre golden Buddha at Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha) was completed in 1972 and is the island’s best-known landmark. It sits on Koh Faan, a small islet joined to the north-east coast by a causeway, about 3 km north of the airport. Climb the naga staircase to the statue platform for views over Big Buddha Beach. Go early, because by midday the stone is hot under bare feet.

8. Walk around Wat Plai Laem

A few minutes from the Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem is set around a lake and mixes Thai and Chinese Buddhist styles. The main sights are the white 18-armed statue of Guanyin (the bodhisattva of compassion) and a large Happy Buddha. Most people pair it with the Big Buddha in one morning.

9. Visit the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram

Wat Khunaram, on Route 4169 between Na Mueang and Hua Thanon, keeps the body of Luang Pho Daeng, a monk who died in meditation in 1973 and asked for his body to be displayed as a reminder of impermanence. He sits upright in a glass case, wearing sunglasses that were added to cover his eye sockets. This is a place of respect, not a curiosity, so dress and behave as you would at any temple.

10. Watch the sea from Laem Sor Pagoda

On the south coast, the Laem Sor chedi stands right at the water’s edge, its golden spire against the sea. It sees fewer visitors than the north-east temples and fits easily into a south-coast loop with Hua Thanon and Bang Kao. Late afternoon is a good time for photos.

11. Climb to the Secret Buddha Garden

Also called the Magic Garden or Tanim Magic Garden, this sculpture garden sits high in the hills of Khao Pom. A retired durian farmer, Nim Thongsuk, began building it in 1976 at the age of 77, and filled it with statues of Buddhas, deities, musicians and animals among the trees and streams. The road up is steep and rough, so most people go with a driver or by 4×4. There is an entry fee, so check current rates.

12. Join our Explore the Real Samui 4×4 Island Safari

If you want temples, nature and local life in one day without sorting out drivers, our Explore the Real Samui 4×4 Island Safari covers the island by 4×4 pickup truck. After hotel pickup (from 9:30 AM, depending on your area), the day runs like this:

• the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
• a Chaweng village experience, where you learn about the local way of life, make traditional khanom ko and hear about forest conservation and sustainable living
• Wat Sawang Arom, with its white ordination hall (ubosot), murals telling Koh Samui stories, and a mummified monk
• a durian orchard and tropical forest, then the mountain-top temple Wat Teepangkorn
• lunch with a view
• Namuang Waterfall 1, a rubber-tapping demonstration and the Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks, then back to your hotel around 4:30 PM

13. Take a Thai cooking class

A cooking class is one of the most useful souvenirs you can bring home. Several schools teach on Samui. One long-running example is the Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts (SITCA) in Chaweng, which has run classes since 1999. Classes usually last a few hours, and you eat what you cook. They also make a good plan B when it rains. Check class times and menus before you book.

Nature

Samui’s interior is hilly and forested, with coconut plantations on the lower slopes and waterfalls that run strongest after rain.

14. Swim at Namuang Waterfall

Namuang Waterfall is two separate falls in the south-central hills. Namuang 1 is a short walk from the road and drops over purple-tinged rock into a pool you can swim in. Namuang 2 is higher up, with a longer, steeper walk. Wear shoes with grip, and stay out of the pools after heavy rain.

15. Hike to Hin Lad Waterfall

Near Nathon on the west side, a forest trail starts at the temple of Wat Hin Lad and follows a stream up to a series of cascades and pools. The path is uneven and can be slippery. Allow two to three hours, bring water and insect repellent, and dress modestly in the temple grounds.

16. Stop at Lad Koh Viewpoint

On the ring road between Chaweng and Lamai, Lad Koh is a free roadside viewpoint with a stone pavilion looking back along the east coast towards Chaweng. Steps lead down to the rocks at the water’s edge. Give it ten minutes on your way between beaches.

17. See Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)

At the southern end of Lamai, Hin Ta & Hin Yai are granite formations whose shapes resemble male and female anatomy. Local legend links them to an elderly couple shipwrecked on this shore. The stalls on the path sell kalamae, a sticky coconut sweet the island is known for. Watch your footing on wet rock.

18. Spend a half-day at Samui Elephant Kingdom

If you want to see elephants, pick a place where you learn about them instead of riding them. Samui Elephant Kingdom, an ethical elephant sanctuary we support, runs visits of about three hours with morning or afternoon hotel pickup. You learn what elephants eat, help make “Powerball” elephant food, then feed the elephants from a raised Skywalk. As it’s only a half-day, it fits around a temple morning, a beach afternoon or a day when the sea is too rough for boats.

Before you book any elephant experience on the island, read our guide on how to choose an ethical elephant sanctuary, or the full Samui Elephant Kingdom guide.

Beaches and villages

Each part of the coast has a different character. Our best beaches in Koh Samui guide goes beach by beach, and where to stay in Koh Samui helps you choose a base.

19. Spend a beach day at Chaweng

Chaweng, on the east coast, is Samui’s longest and busiest beach, with soft sand, lots of beach restaurants and water sports, and the island’s main nightlife just behind it. Waves can pick up in the windier months, so check the beach flags before you swim.

20. Try Lamai and Silver Beach

Lamai, south of Chaweng, is the second-largest beach area and feels a little more relaxed. Between the two, Silver Beach (also called Crystal Bay) is a small bay framed by granite boulders, good for an easy swim when the sea is calm.

21. Wander Fisherman’s Village in Bophut

On the north coast, Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village is a strip of old wooden shophouses built by Chinese settlers, many from Hainan. Today they hold restaurants, cafés and small shops, with a calm beach right behind them. Go at sunset, or on a Friday night when it’s at its busiest (see #24). More in our Fisherman’s Village guide.

22. Watch the sunset on the west coast

The east-coast beaches face sunrise. For sunsets, head west to Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam or Nathon, where the sun goes down over the sea towards the Five Islands and the Ang Thong archipelago. It makes a good end to a day on the south coast. Couples will find more ideas in our Koh Samui honeymoon ideas.

23. See local life in Hua Thanon and Nathon

Hua Thanon, south of Lamai, is a long-established Muslim fishing village with painted wooden boats pulled up on the shore and a local fish market. Nathon, the island’s main town on the west coast, has the ferry pier, government offices and older shophouses. Neither is a resort area, and that’s the reason to give them an hour. Dress modestly in Hua Thanon.

Food and nightlife

24. Eat your way around a night market

Fisherman’s Village Walking Street in Bophut usually runs on Friday evenings and is the island’s best-known market. Chaweng and Lamai also have walking streets and night markets, but days and times change, so check locally before you go. Our Koh Samui night markets guide explains what to expect. Bring small notes and an appetite.

25. Watch Muay Thai

Thailand’s national sport is easy to see on Samui. Phetchbuncha Stadium in Chaweng holds regular fight nights, and other venues run events too. Check the current schedule and ticket prices directly. If you would rather try it than watch, many gyms offer beginner training sessions.

26. Order southern Thai dishes

Samui sits in southern Thailand, and the food here leans spicier and more turmeric-heavy than in Bangkok. Look for kua kling (a dry, fiery minced-meat curry), gaeng som or gaeng leuang (sour yellow curry, often with fish), khao yam (a herb-and-rice salad) and grilled seafood. Try them at local restaurants away from the beach roads.

With kids

Samui works well for families, and many of the things to do in Koh Samui listed above suit children. The catamaran (#1) has a water slide, a floating sea pool and child pricing, and Pig Island (#3) is a favourite. The elephant visit (#18) is short, and Namuang 1 (#14) is close to the road. For a full plan, see our Koh Samui with kids guide. Two more ideas:

27. Splash in shallow water at Lipa Noi

Lipa Noi, on the west coast, has a gently shelving sandy bottom that stays shallow a long way out, so young children can swim without much worry. It’s also a good sunset spot (#22).

28. Taste tropical fruit at a morning market

Most Samui towns have an early-morning fresh market. Let children pick out rambutan, mangosteen, mango or (if you’re brave) durian. It’s a cheap, easy outing.

Rainy day

Rain on Samui usually comes as heavy showers rather than all-day drizzle, but from mid-October to early December you should expect some wet days and occasional rough seas. Our full guide on what to do on a rainy day has more ideas.

29. Book a Thai massage or spa afternoon

Massage shops are everywhere on Samui, from simple shopfronts to hotel spas. A traditional Thai massage is a good way to sit out a downpour. Before you start, say how much pressure you want and mention any injuries.

30. Shop and catch a film at Central Samui

Central Samui (Central Festival Samui) in Chaweng is the island’s largest shopping centre, with restaurants, shops and a Major Cineplex cinema. It is the easiest indoor option for a family when the weather turns.

Other good wet-weather choices from this list: a cooking class (#13), the half-day elephant visit (#18), Wat Khunaram (#9) and Muay Thai (#25).

How to fit these things to do in Koh Samui into your days

• Put boat days early in your stay. If the weather postpones a sea trip, you still have days left to reschedule.
• Group by area. The north-east (Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, Fisherman’s Village) fits in one half-day, and the south (Hin Ta & Hin Yai, Wat Khunaram, Laem Sor, Hua Thanon, Namuang) in another.
• Leave one flexible day for weather or rest.
• Want a ready-made plan? Use our Koh Samui 3-day itinerary or Koh Samui 5-day itinerary.

Good to know

• Getting around: Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run along the ring road and stop when flagged. Agree the fare before you get in. Taxis on Samui usually quote a fixed price rather than use the meter, so confirm it first. Ride-hailing apps work on the island, but availability can be patchy.
• Scooters: You legally need a motorcycle licence (your home licence plus an International Driving Permit with the motorcycle category). Wear a helmet, and check that your travel insurance covers riding.
• Temple dress: Shoulders and knees covered. Keep a light scarf or sarong in your bag.
• Sun and sea: The midday sun is strong year-round. Use reef-friendly sunscreen on snorkelling days and follow beach flags.
• Booking tours: Ask whether hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, insurance and park fees are included, and what happens if the weather cancels the trip.

Planning your Samui days? Message Samui Journey on WhatsApp +66 94 751 4988 or email samuijourney.mk@gmail.com. Samui Journey Co., Ltd. is licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (licence 44/00252).

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