A gem when it comes to the best island destinations around the globe, the stunning beaches and turquoise waters of Koh Samui in Southern Thailand are truly hard to beat. With incredibly picturesque tropical views, crystal-clear waters, and stunning sandy beaches, Koh Samui is simply unmissable for all travelers visiting Thailand. Besides its natural beauty, Koh Samui boasts a bustling nightlife scene, world-class luxury resorts, vibrant local markets, and magnificent Buddhist temples. Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, a group of friends, or traveling with a large family, there is something for everyone on this island paradise. To help you experience the best aspects of Koh Samui, here is a list of the 10 Best things to do the next time you find yourself in the Gulf of Thailand.
Top Things to do in Koh Samui
Beach Hopping
Boasting some of the most majestic beaches on the planet, exploring the island’s coastline by hopping around its many beaches takes the cake as the best thing to do in Koh Samui. The beaches are the undisputed main attractions on the island, and it’s no surprise why roughly 2.7 million tourists flock to this part of the world each year.
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Chaweng beach
Chaweng is, without a doubt, the best all-around beach on the island. Located on the eastern coast, Chaweng boasts a vast stretch of soft white sand and calm, clear waters, surrounded by endless tropical palm trees. Chaweng is also the liveliest part of the island, with an endless array of restaurants, hotels, shops, food stalls, bars, nightclubs, and buzzing beach clubs.
- Location: The East coast of Koh Samui island, approximately 15 minutes from the Airport.
- Taxi fare: A 15-minute ride from the airport will cost around 425-500 THB ($11-13 USD).
Lamai Beach
A little further down south from Chaweng lies the famous Lamai Beach, another spot teeming with life and activity. Lamai boasts a gorgeous beach of its own, and just like Chaweng, it has its share of restaurants, trendy bars, and a bustling Sunday market, making it another extremely popular spot for tourists and locals.
- Location: South Eastern island coastline, approximately 35 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Chaweng beach.
- Taxi fare: A taxi from the airport will cost around 700-900 THB ($19-24 USD).
Silver Beach
Sandwiched between the popular hotspots of Chaweng and Lamai is Silver Beach, also affectionately known as Crystal Bay. This absolute gem gets its name from its unbelievably translucent waters and tranquil atmosphere. While it is much smaller than the other two beaches, the Silver beach should not be underestimated. With majestic natural rock formations and clear waters, Silver beach is ideal for a quick Instagram pic or a place to kick back, soak up some sun, and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.
- Location: The island’s eastern coastline is around 25 minutes from the Airport.
- Taxi Fare: A taxi from the airport will cost around 800-1000 THB ( $22-27 USD).
Choeng Mon
Further up north on the island lies the relatively underrated Choeng Mon beach, which has its unique atmosphere and vibe. A much quieter spot with many luxurious resorts that mainly cater to families, Choeng Mon is great if you prefer a much more laid-back and easygoing beach. Here you can grab a lovely coconut ice cream from a local vendor, go for a walk to enjoy the sunset, or treat yourself by dining at a high-end beachside restaurant for some amazing seafood and southern Thai cuisine.
- Location: North Eastern tip of the island, Choeng Mon, is around 10-15 minutes from the airport.
- Taxi Fare: A taxi fare typically costs 350-420 THB ($9-11 USD).
Lipa Noi
On the far West side of Koh Samui lies the relatively isolated but undoubtedly stunning beach of Lipa Noi. While it isn’t as popular with tourists as Chaweng or Lamai, Lipa Noi is, without a doubt, the best place on the island to catch an unbelievable sunset. Lipa Noi also has several local restaurants spread across its vast sandy beach and is the perfect place to check out with your significant other for a romantic stroll along its sandy shores.
- Location: On the far Western coastline of Koh Samui, Lipa Noi is approximately 45-50 minutes away from the airport.
- Taxi Fare: Taxi fare ranges from 1200 – 1500 THB ($33-41 USD).
Koh Samui is blessed with incredible beaches, and beach hopping around the island for a few days is a truly awesome experience. While it’s hard to add all the beaches on this list, other honorable mentions include Maenam beach, Taling Ngam, Bo Phut, Bang Rak, and Thongson Bay.
Island Hopping
While Koh Samui is home to so many incredible beaches, many world-class smaller island destinations surround the main island. Once you’ve had your fair share of exploring the vast coastline of Samui, hopping on a speedboat or longtail boat to check out the many pristine islands nearby is a must.
Ang Thong Marine National Park
Made up of 42 little islands, Ang Thong Marine National Park is one of the most incredible places to visit in the Gulf of Thailand. About 2-3 hours off the coast of Koh Samui, the national park has incredibly picturesque beaches, lush greenery, limestone cliffs, and a host of rare wildlife species. The National park also boasts some of the best swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving experiences in the world and is a perfect day out as a solo traveler or for families. Entrance fees to the park will cost 300 THB ($8) for foreigners and 150-200 THB ($4-6) for children, and prices typically start around 1,000+ THB ($28 +) to get there. However, this depends entirely on the type of transportation chosen and the tour you book (private or group).
There are hosts of travel agencies and trip organizers scattered across Koh Samui, so booking an island escape is a very simple task! If you’ve already ticked these islands mentioned above off your bucket list, others include Koh Madsum, Koh Taen, Koh Wua Talap, and Koh Nang Yuan.
- Location: North East of Koh Samui island, around 2-3 hours away by boat.
- Ferry Prices: The cheapest option to get there is the big boat group day tour, which starts early in the morning and costs approximately 1300-1890 THB ($33-52 USD). The prices depend on whether or not you choose the kayaking option.
- Ticket prices: Entrance fees to the National Park are 300 THB ($8 USD) for adults and around 150-200 THB ($4-6 USD).
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Koh Phangan
The world-famous island of Koh Phangan is an ideal choice as the first island to visit from Koh Samui. Well known for its crowded full moon parties, yoga retreats, and beaches, Koh Phangan is an extremely lively and vibrant island, mainly frequented by younger crowds. It will take 30-90 minutes from Samui to get to Koh Phangan, depending on your port of departure and the boat you use. Ferry prices typically start from 180 THB ($5 USD), and speedboats usually cost significantly more. Regular ferries will depart from Bang Rak or Nathon pier in Koh Samui and disembark at Thong Sala pier on the Southern tip of Koh Phangan island.
- Location: North of Koh Samui, and around a 30-90 minute boat/ferry ride from either Bang Rak or Nathon Pier in Koh Samui.
- Ferry Prices: Prices start around 180 THB ($5 USD) per person from Nathon Pier and around 310 THB ($10) from Bang Rak Pier, which is closer to the airport and Chaweng beach. You can also book a shuttle from the airport + the ferry for around 550 THB ($15 USD).
Koh Tao
A 2.5-hour ferry from Samui lies the scenic little island known as Koh Tao, nick-named “Turtle Island” by locals. Koh Tao is a world-class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, and it also offers visitors a chance to swim with rare giant sea turtles while surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful little islands in the country, Koh Tao is full of life both on its shores and under its warm waters.
- Location: 2-2.5 hours north of Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand.
- Ferry prices: Prices start from 620 THB ($17 USD) at Bang Rak Pier in Koh Samui.
Outdoor adventures
Aside from exploring the unreal waters found throughout the island’s coastline, Koh Samui is also full of in-land beauty, offering visitors various outdoor experiences. For hiking enthusiasts and Instagram addicts alike, trekking in the dense jungles to check out the many stunning waterfalls on the island is an absolute must. Some popular ones include Namuang 1 and 2, Hin lad, Tang Rua, and Khun Si waterfalls. Many of these waterfalls also have nearby souvenir stalls and shops for tourists and visitors, so getting yourself a bottle of water, snacks, bug spray, or sunscreen shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Waterfall Locations
- Namuang 1 and 2 are located in Tambon Namuang, just a few minutes from Lamai Beach.
- Hin lad waterfall is 20 minutes from Lipa Noi beach in Tambon Angthong.
- Khun Si waterfall is located near the island’s center in Wat Thale.
- Tang Rua waterfall is located in Tambon Maenam, about 15 minutes from the Elephant Sanctuary in the North of Koh Samui.
ATV/Quad
For thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, you can try a guided ATV/Quad bike tour deep in the jungles and hills of the island, rent a jet ski for a few hours and speed around the calm waters of Chaweng beach, or try your hand at some rock climbing on the islands limestone cliffs. ATV tours can be booked through the many travel stalls littered across the island, and Jet-skis can be booked on touristy beaches like Chaweng or Lamai, but keep in mind that these tours can be a little on the pricier side, and both typically cost around $75-180 USD per person.
Activity Location & Price
- ATV tour location: Two companies providing ATV tours are X-quad (Soi 7 Mae Nam, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320) and Samui Quad (Maenam soi 1 Ko Samui). Both are located in the Maenam area of North Samui.
- ATV Prices: Prices depend on single or shared ATV rides and the tour length; with single ATVs, rides go for 2600 THB ($71 USD), and shared rides cost around 3800 THB ($105 USD) for 90 minutes. A 4-hour tour will range from 4500 THB ($124 USD) for single ATVs and 6800 ($179 USD) THB for shared rides. These tours typically include a 200 THB ($5-6 USD) extra charge for small children.
- Jet Ski prices: You can always book an online tour, but the simplest way of renting a jet ski is going to popular beaches like Chaweng or Lamai where they are easily found. Prices vary depending on the ride length but typically cost around 1800 ($50 USD) THB for 20 minutes, 2300 THB ($63 USD) for 30 minutes, and 3800 THB ($105 USD) for 1 hour.
- Jet Ski Location: Popular beaches like Chaweng, Lamai, or Choeng Mon.
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Samui Elephant Sanctuary
A day trip to the Samui Elephant Sanctuary is another wholesome and truly rewarding experience. The elephant sanctuary is an award-winning and ethical way of interacting, feeding, bathing, and socializing with rescued Asian Elephants, bringing you closer to nature and helping you appreciate these majestic animals. After all, you can’t come to Thailand without seeing or being close to an Elephant at least once! A half-day guided tour with these gentle giants will cost upwards of 3000 THB per person, but it is an experience that is seriously worth it.
- Location: 108/52 Taweerat Pakdee Rd, Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320.
- Prices: Around 3000 THB ($82 USD) per person.
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Restaurants and Street Food
Besides its natural beauty, Koh Samui is also home to many great restaurants, street food vendors, and night markets. With it being such a tourist hotspot, you can try cuisine from all across the world, as well as delicious street food snacks, and enjoy freshly caught seafood while dining by the seaside. One obvious place to start for good food would be either Chaweng or Lamai beach, the busiest and liveliest place on the island. Here you’ll find endless restaurants and eateries serving everything from Local Thai, Western, Italian, Russian, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Korean, Fast Food chains, and local street food stalls. Prices here depend on the type of restaurant or stall you dine at, with the Western eateries ranging anywhere from $20-100 USD per person, while the local restaurants will cost far less on average.
Fisherman’s village in Bophut beach, located north of the island, is another must-visit spot. A very relaxing and calm market-like street with a host of souvenir shops, traditional massage spas, and many great restaurants and food stalls to check out. There are also many markets scattered across the island, like the ones in Bang Rak, Nathon pier, and Lamai, where you can buy loads of fresh fruits, veggies, local delicacies, street snacks, and freshly caught seafood at very cheap prices.
If you are in the mood for a fancier place with incredible views, some of the best places to check out are the Jungle Club, Salefino, Dr. Froggs, Chez Francois, and COCO Tam’s. At the Jungle Club, you can enjoy 180-degree views of Chaweng and other beaches on the island, and at COCO Tam’s you can relax and dine by the beach while enjoying an incredible fire show once the sun sets. But remember that they can get a bit expensive compared to local restaurants, and prices here can average between $30-200 USD per person, depending on what you order and how hungry you are!
Restaurant Locations
1. The Jungle Club: 44/11 Moo 3, Bophut, Chaweng Noi Jungle Club Boutique Restaurant, Chaweng, Bophut 84320, Thailand.
2. Chez Francois: 33/2 Moo1 Fisherman’s Village, Bophut, Surat Thani 84320.
3. Salefino: 4171, Tambon Bophut, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
4. Dr. Froggs: 103 B, Moo Bophut 3 Chaweng Noi Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
5. COCO Tam’s: 62 Tambon Bophut, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
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Temples and Stupas
Koh Samui is also blessed with many incredibly serene and tranquil Buddhist temples and places of worship. The Big Buddha statue in the Phra Yai temple on Bang Rak beach is a great place to start, and the premises is also one of the best spots to catch a wonderful sunset at dusk. Not too far away is the massive Wat Plai Laem temple complex, where you can marvel at the two grand Buddha statues on a man-made lake and also opt to feed bread pellets to the thousands of fish and turtles in the water!
You can also visit the incredibly beautiful and tranquil secret Buddha Garden, a private sculpture park situated on one of the highest mountains on the island amidst a stunning backdrop. Wat Na Phra Lan, Wat Phra Chedi Laem, Khao Hua Jook Chedi, are other stunning temples to explore for those who love and appreciate Thai culture and its unique traditional architecture. Exploring temples on the island is a perfect way to conclude your trip, and here you can truly understand Thai (Theravada) Buddhism.
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Temple Locations
1. Phra Yai Temple (Big Buddha): H3C5+7XV, Tambon Bophut, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320.
2. Wat Plai Laem: Wat Plai Laem, Road 4171, Thailand.
3. Wat Na Phra Lan: HXJM+VJ4, Tambon Mae Nam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330.
4. Wat Phra Chedi Laem: Tambon Taling Ngam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140.
5. Khao Hua Jook Chedi: G3P5+VFQ, Tambon BoPhut, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
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