Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s top tourism destinations, with a massive range of things to do for travellers of all ages and backgrounds. From adventures to relaxing health spas, we’ve listed all of Koh Samui’s best things to do below.
Beaches
The Beach, Koh Samui © tombooth
- Koh Samui is a large island with several great beaches, ranging from undiscovered stretches of sand to easily accessible, popular beaches like Chaweng and Lamai. If you want to swim in the warm water of the Gulf of Thailand or just sunbathe, Koh Samui is a great place to do it.
- The busiest beaches on Koh Samui are found on the eastern coast of the island. Chaweng is a long, impressive beach that’s lined with hotels and restaurants and arguably the most popular beach on the island. Lamai, to the south, has a slightly quieter, more laid back feel.
- In the north of Koh Samui, Bophut Beach is a popular swimming and sunbathing spot that’s only a short walk from the famous Fishermen’s Village. Mae Nam Beach is a quiet, chilled out beach with great views of Koh Phangan that’s popular with backpackers.
- Samui’s most isolated and naturally beautiful beaches can be found in the south and southwest of the island. Taling Ngam, a long stretch of white sand with clear water and a beautiful reef just off the beach, is a popular holiday destination for tourists seeking peace and quiet.
- One of the best qualities of Koh Samui as a beach destination is its variety. Whether you want to explore a completely deserted beach or enjoy watersports with friends and family, you’ll have no trouble finding a beach that meets your needs on Koh Samui.
- See our complete guide to Koh Samui Beaches for even more info about which beach is best for you.
Recommended Koh Samui Hotels
Snorkelling
Around Koh Samui
- Many of Koh Samui’s beaches have coral reefs and underwater rock formations that are good for snorkelling. Taling Ngam is one of the best beaches on the island for snorkelling, with clear water and a reasonably good population of fish just off the beach.
- Koh Samui’s north coast beaches are usually too rough for snorkelling, with poor visibility and less coral. For the best snorkelling experience, try booking a snorkelling day trip to Koh Tao or the Angthong Marine Park, where you’ll enjoy better visibility and a greater variety of fish.
Things To Do On Koh Samui
As one of Thailand’s top destinations, Koh Samui has a massive range of things to do. From undersea adventures to health spas, you’ll find something for all ages and tastes.
Angthong Marine Park
ANGTHONG MARINE PARK © 23542547@N07
- Angthong Marine Park is a beautiful protected marine reserve with more than 40 jungle-covered islands, a short distance from Koh Samui. One of the most popular day trip destinations close to Samui, Angthong Marine Park is one of the best places in Thailand to snorkel.
- Snorkelling tours, as well as to Angthong Marine Park are available from many travel agents on Koh Samui. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the marine park by speedboat. Most tours offer a mix of snorkelling, kayaking and exploring the islands on foot.
Diving
- Koh Samui is a short distance from Koh Tao, one of Thailand’s most popular diving spots. There are lots of dive companies on Koh Samui offering everything from beginner dive training to night and adventure diving trips for experienced divers.
- Most dive trips from Koh Samui visit Sail Rock, a large rock pinnacle approximately one hour from Koh Tao by speedboat, or the Chumphon Pinnacle. Koh Tao, a nearby island famous for its diving, is a popular dive destination from Samui with a variety of beginner-friendly sites.
- Check out :- Discovery Dive Centre, 100 Degrees East Dive Centre or CSI Samui.
Boat Tours and Yachting
- There are several yacht and speedboat companies on Koh Samui offering private tours to the nearby islands, fishing sites and snorkelling spots. Sailing around Koh Samui, whether for the whole day or before sunset, is a great way to take in the island’s natural beauty.
- Check out :- Nautiness Sailing or Samui Ocean Sports Yaught Charter.
Golf
- There are several golf courses on Koh Samui, some of which offer fantastic sea views and a unique tropical setting. The two courses listed below are the the island’s best, with challenging holes, beautiful settings and good course maintenance.
- Santiburi Samui Country Club
Located a short distance from Mae Nam Beach in the north of Koh Samui, the Santiburi Samui Country Club is a beautiful 18 hole golf course. The course is spread out over several hills and offers beautiful views of the beach while teeing off. - Royal Samui Golf and Country Club
The Royal Samui Golf and Country Club is a smaller nine hole golf course built along the hills behind Chaweng and Lamai. The course has simple facilities but offers some of the best sea views of anywhere on the island.
Sports and Outdoor Activities
- Samui Football Golf Club
Samui Football Golf Club is a fun 18 hole football golf course designed to challenge both young children and adults. The course is located a short distance from Chaweng Beach and is a great way to spend an hour or two away from the beach. - Samui Frisbee Golf
Another fun outdoor activity for non-golfers, Samui Frisbee Golf is a challenging course that’s an ideal place to spend the afternoon. The nine hole course has tee pads for beginners and expert frisbee golfers, the latter of which have plenty of trees and other challenging obstacles. - Canopy Adventures
Koh Samui’s dense jungle is the perfect environment for ziplining. Canopy Adventures covers more than 2,000 metres above the jungle of Samui’s interior, with 15 separate ziplines and an incredible course made up of 21 elevated platforms.
Cultural Sites, Historical Sites and Temples
Wat Plai Laem Koh Samui © FLASHPACKER TRAVELGUIDE
- Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
Built in 1972, the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) is an icon of Koh Samui and one the most popular religious sites on the island. The temple is built on Ko Phan, a tiny island accessible by pedestrian causeway from Bang Rak Beach. - Wat Plai Laem
Wat Plai Laem is an impressive Chinese-Thai Buddhist temple famous for its statue of Guanyin, the eighteen-armed Goddess of Mercy. The temple is a short distance from Wat Phra Yai and is ideally visited as part of one trip. - Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)
Known as the ‘shrine of the Mummy Monk’, Wat Khunaram is a small temple in the far south of Koh Samui that’s home to the mummified corpse of Luang Pho Daeng, who dedicated his body to the temple to act as an image of the temporary, fragile nature of human life. - Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks (Hin Yai & Hin Ta)
Hin Ta and Hin Yai are two interesting rocks located between Lamai Beach and Hua Thanon on Samui’s eastern coast. The rocks are famous for their extremely similar resemblance to human anatomy and are a popular photo location for Thais and foreign tourists alike.
Nature and Wildlife
- Paradise Park Farm
Paradise Park Farm is an animal park located on a hillside near Taling Ngam Beach. The park has a fantastic collection of birds from Thailand and around the world, as well as an infinity pool with incredible views over the island and Gulf of Thailand. - Secret Buddha Garden
Located near the centre of Koh Samui, Secret Buddha Garden is a remote and beautiful garden that’s full of unique sculptures. The garden, which also features a small waterfall, was built over a period of almost 40 years by local farmer Nim Thongsuk and his family.
Hiking Trails and Waterfalls
View From our Villa © sackerman519
- Khun Si Waterfall
Located in the hills overlooking Mae Nam Beach, Khun Si Waterfall is a remote waterfall that’s easy to access by motorbike and on foot. There’s a small rock pool and river at the bottom of the waterfall that’s ideal for cooling off after exploring the area. - Na Muang Waterfalls
The Na Muang Waterfalls are two waterfalls, each about 20 minutes walk from each other, on a hill in the south of Koh Samui. The remote waterfalls are a popular stop on day trips of the island and have two natural pools that are suitable for swimming.
Shopping
- Central Festival Koh Samui
Central Festival Koh Samui is Koh Samui’s largest shopping mall, with a good selection of Thai retailers and international clothing brands like Uniqlo and Adidas. You’ll also find a good variety of cafes and restaurants, from Starbucks and The Coffee Club to an open-air food court. - Bophut Fisherman’s Village
Bophut Fisherman’s Village is a charming street market with a selection of small shops, cafes and restaurants. After sunset, a variety of streetside bars pop up, as well as live performances of Thai music and culture.
Thai Massage and Spas
- Tamarind Springs Forest Spa
Tamarind Springs Forest Spa is a beautiful open-air forest spa near Thong Thakian Beach. The spa offers a variety of relaxing treatments and spa packages, many of which include use of the resort’s herbal steam caves and rock plunge pools. - Eranda Herbal Spa
Eranda Herbal Spa is an upmarket spa in Chaweng with a fantastic view of the sea. A variety of spa treatments are available, ranging from therapeutic Thai massage to luxurious four-hour spa, massage and skin packages for honeymooning couples. - Magnolia Spa
Another Chaweng day spa, Magnolia Spa specialises in Dead Sea skin treatments. Treatments range from one-hour traditional Thai massage to herbal body scrub and hot stone massage. The spa also has two studios that host yoga, pilates and meditation classes.
Buy Ferry Tickets To Koh Samui
You can buy bus and ferry tickets to Koh Samui online. Use the search box below to find out departure times, prices and to book online. Enter a different starting point if you’re not coming from Bangkok
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