VisitKohSamui.com
Aerial view of the north coast of Koh Samui with Bophut and the airport

Things to Do on Koh Samui

Thirteen places that turn a beach holiday into a proper island trip.

You could spend a week on Koh Samui without leaving your sunbed, and plenty of people do. But the island rewards a little exploring: golden temples a few minutes from the airport, waterfalls and a sculpture garden hidden in the hills, night markets in old fishing villages, and some of the best island day trips in the Gulf of Thailand.

We have grouped the essentials into three: the beaches and villages you might stay in or visit for an evening, the temples, rocks and waterfalls that make up the classic round-island loop, and the island day trips by boat. Each guide covers what to do, how to get there and the tours that include it.

Beaches & villages

View over resort rooftops and palms to the bay at Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui Beaches & villages

Chaweng Beach

Samui’s longest, liveliest beach

Several kilometres of pale sand on the east coast, backed by the island’s biggest concentration of hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife. Chaweng is busy and commercial, but the beach itself is beautiful and everything is within walking distance.

Explore
The wide sandy curve of Lamai Beach on Koh Samui on a sunny day Beaches & villages

Lamai Beach

The relaxed second beach, with deeper water

Samui’s second resort beach is a wide curve of sand south of Chaweng with a calmer, more low-key town behind it. The water gets deep quickly, which makes for good swimming, and the Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks sit at its southern end.

Explore
Beachfront houses and restaurants of Fisherman’s Village in Bophut seen from the water Beaches & villages

Fisherman’s Village, Bophut

Old wooden shophouses and the Friday walking street

A single beachfront lane of old Chinese-Thai wooden shophouses in Bophut, now filled with restaurants, boutiques and small hotels. On Friday evenings it becomes the island’s best-known walking street market.

Explore

Temples, rocks & waterfalls

The giant laughing Buddha statue at Wat Plai Laem on Koh Samui Temples, rocks & waterfalls

Wat Plai Laem

A colourful lake temple with an 18-armed Guanyin

A modern temple complex set on a lake a few minutes from the Big Buddha, known for its white 18-armed statue of Guanyin, a huge laughing Buddha and richly painted halls that mix Thai and Chinese styles.

Explore
Granite boulders and the sea at the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks near Lamai, Koh Samui Temples, rocks & waterfalls

Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rocks

The Grandfather and Grandmother rocks

Two natural rock formations on the headland at the southern end of Lamai that happen to resemble male and female genitalia. A local legend, a pretty stretch of granite coast and stalls selling coconut toffee make it a classic quick stop.

Explore
Water pouring over the rock face at Na Muang waterfall on Koh Samui Temples, rocks & waterfalls

Na Muang Waterfalls

Samui’s two best-known jungle falls

Two waterfalls in the island’s forested interior. Na Muang 1 is a short walk from the car park and has a natural pool; Na Muang 2 is higher and reached by a steeper uphill walk. They are at their best during and just after the rainy season.

Explore
Moss-covered stone statues among the trees at the Secret Buddha Garden, Koh Samui Temples, rocks & waterfalls

Secret Buddha Garden

A hilltop sculpture garden in the jungle

Also called the Magic Garden, this cluster of mossy statues beside a stream was created high in Samui’s hills by a local fruit farmer, Nim Thongsuk, who began it in 1976. Most people come by 4WD on a jungle safari.

Explore
An ornate white and gold temple building at Wat Khunaram on Koh Samui Temples, rocks & waterfalls

Wat Khunaram

The temple of the mummified monk

A working temple on the ring road in the south of the island, where the preserved body of the monk Luang Pho Daeng, who died in 1973, sits upright in a glass case in the meditation posture.

Explore

Island day trips

Green limestone islands scattered across the sea in Ang Thong National Marine Park Island day trips

Ang Thong National Marine Park

42 limestone islands, a viewpoint and an emerald lake

A protected archipelago of 42 jungle-covered limestone islands west of Samui. Day trips combine the climb to the Ko Wua Talap viewpoint, the Emerald Lake on Ko Mae Ko, kayaking under the cliffs and snorkelling.

Explore
The sandbar linking the islets of Koh Nang Yuan seen from the viewpoint Island day trips

Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan

The Gulf’s best snorkelling, on a long day trip

Koh Tao is Thailand’s best-known dive island, and tiny Koh Nang Yuan next door is three islets joined by a sandbar. Speedboat day trips from Samui combine snorkelling stops with the viewpoint over the sandbar.

Explore
Longtail boats on the white sand of Haad Rin Sunrise Beach, Koh Phangan Island day trips

Koh Phangan

Full Moon Party island — and far more besides

Samui’s neighbour to the north is famous for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin, but most of the island is quiet beaches, jungle and yoga retreats. Ferries cross in around half an hour, so it works as a day trip or a night out.

Explore
The shore of Koh Tan, the island next to Koh Madsum off the south coast of Koh Samui Island day trips

Koh Madsum (Pig Island)

A sandy islet with friendly pigs off the south coast

A small island off Samui’s south coast where a group of pigs wanders the beach. Half-day boat trips pair it with snorkelling off neighbouring Koh Tan, making an easy, family-friendly outing.

Explore
A sensible week: Day one, settle in and swim. Day two, a half-day loop of the Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, Hin Ta & Hin Yai and Wat Khunaram. Day three, Ang Thong Marine Park. Day four, beach and a massage. Day five, a 4WD safari to Na Muang and the Secret Buddha Garden — or Pig Island with children. Day six, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, or a ferry to Koh Phangan. Day seven, Fisherman’s Village (ideally on a Friday) and a sunset dinner.

Not sure where to base yourself for all this? Start with where to stay, then see the tours we rank highest.

Plan your days in the Gulf of Thailand

Turn a Koh Samui beach holiday into an island adventure

Kayak the lagoons of Ang Thong, snorkel at Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, ride a 4WD up to the Secret Buddha Garden and watch the sun set from a sailing boat. Compare the best-rated experiences and book in a couple of taps.

Browse Koh Samui tours Compare all tours