11 Best Things to do in Koh Samui, Thailand

With an area of over 228 square kilometres, Ko Samui is the second-largest island in Thailand. It is also one of the biggest tourist draws of the Southeast Asian country. How about snorkeling with the fishes in the color palette of all colors, or beautiful turtles in Koh Samui. Thailand is a culturally rich and diverse country in Far East Asia with its mainland and more than 1400 islands in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Siam.

Koh samui has a lot of things to offer. Wonderful white sand, beautiful palm trees, breakfast in pajamas on the beach, Koh Samui has everything a tourist wants. It is perfect for backpackers as well as it provides luxury and private accommodation for couples who want a little privacy.

This island has some of the most popular tourist spots in the world with some of the best beaches in Asia for a honeymoon in Thailand, great atmosphere, full party and nightlife scene. Travel around Thailand for infinite opportunities of spiritual exploration, relaxation, and recreation. You can enjoy the luxury of private and less crowded beaches at the resorts of some of these islands.

To witness the best palm-fringed beaches in Thailand, plan a trip to Koh Samui. With ample luxury resorts, it is one of the top Thailand tourist places to experience breathtaking sunsets. This place also has many spas and temples including the Wat Phra Yai with a 12-meter tall Big Buddha.

Just imagine camping in a hammock swinging between two palm trees with a gentle sea breeze flowing, and the white sand merging with the clean sea at the shore. The feeling of bliss is out of the world. But each island is quite different from the other. They are rich in their own features, and you have an infinite number to choose from.

Following is one of the best island destinations in Thailand. Choose your island to visit with respect to the occasion and your own preference whether you want to enjoy some time with your loved one privately, or party till dawn, eat local foods at the shore or getting snappy. But before you head out to the most awaited Thai vacation, we will like to recommend you how to save on your flights and accommodation.

Always acquire the services of renowned travel agents to book cheap flights to Bangkok or any other international airport in Thailand. You can also book accommodation and other travel services from travel agents in advance. It is always advisable to plan ahead of your trip to avoid any issue afterward.

Do you wish to visit the tropical islands, the enthralling temples, the local markets and the stunning beaches of Koh Samui, but need some travel suggestions about the beautiful places and activities around there? Koh Samui is one of the most attractive destinations in Thailand with palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, dense mountainous rainforests, plus luxury resorts and posh spas.

Well, we have listed some things to do in Koh Samui for couples that you will love to explore. With cheap huts and bungalows available, it has some of the best beaches in the world.

Things to do in Koh Samui

Below you can find some amazing places, that will make your vacation in Koh Samui a memorable one.

1. Chaweng Beach


Koh Samui's coastline is covered with some beautiful beaches along. Here you will find some calm and peaceful beaches, as well as some vibrant beaches. The famous and sometimes crowded beaches are Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach, on the eastern side of the island. Some more places that you can visit in Koh Samui are Chaweng Beach, Bophut Beach, Nathon pier Beach, Taling Ngam Beach and Lamai Beach.

Also, the towns of these two beaches offer the most interesting things to do for tourists. In Chaweng beach you can enjoy a nice soft sandy beach in the day time and night clubs (the popular street called The green mango street where you can see a lot of bar and night club a long this street) and many restaurants a long the Chaweng beach road.

2. Bo Phut Beach


If you prefer a calmer atmosphere, then you must go to Bo Phut Beach or Maenam Beach. Although the sand is a bit rough compared to the beach in Chaweng but here you can find it more peaceful and there is a street called Fisherman village. It’s one of the old town in Samui which is very unique and you can do shopping of cloth and hand-crafted products here.

Every weekend there is a night market here offering street food. The weekend night market here is quite popular. Big Buddha temple is located near Bophut beach. You will see the big buddha image on the hill walking up the stairs and pray to the Buddha and see the scenery of Bophut beach. You can even find some secluded beaches like the Bang Por Beach in Koh Samui.

3. Wat Plai Laem


Do you believe in God? Are you worshipper or like to visit temples? In any case, you must visit the magnificent temples of Koh Samui once. Here, there is more to see than the famous Big Buddha, the Wat Plai Laem or the Wat Khunaram which has a mummified monk.

4. Laem Sor Pagoda


The Laem Sor Pagoda and the Wat Rattanakosin, near the pagoda on a small hill, belong to the list of the most beautiful temples of Koh Samui. You can visit all of these places on a motorbike because they are all located in the south of Koh Samui.

5. Wat Samret


However, we are not finished yet. With the Wat Kiri Wong Karam close to the Elephant Gate in Taling Ngam, the Wat Samret or the Khao Hua Jook Pagoda with a view of the airport of Samui, you can find some more temples.

6. Nathon Night Food Market


Nightlife is always exciting in Koh Samui. If you are fond of Thai markets and Thai food, then you are at the right place. You will find several spreads around the towns of the islands at Koh Samui. Besides the delicious variety of Thai foods, which you can try in these markets, you will find clothes, cocktails, souvenirs and just everything you can imagine.

In fact, the food tastes incredibly good at night, and the little stalls on the streets of Koh Samui offer some incredible food choices.

7. Khao Hua Jook Pagoda


Koh Samui offers a range of viewpoints from the hills as the islands are located in the Gulf of Thailand. Whether it is the view from the Wat Rattanakosin or the Khao Hua Jook Pagoda, everything seems mesmerizing in Koh Samui. Whether you go to the beaches of Koh Samui or the markets of Koh Samui, you will always be fascinated by nature and the fascinating views that Koh Samui will provide you.

8. Hin Ta Hin Yai


Hin Ta Hin Yai is one of the most famous sights of Koh Samui that you should surely visit on your trip to Koh Samui. The Grandfather's Grandmother's Rocks, known as Hin Ta and Hin Yai in Thai, is famous for its story. Hin Ta Hin Yai is situated on the south of Lamai Beach and represents the male and female sexual characteristics.

Hin Ta and Hin Yai have some fascinating rock formations in Koh Samui’s south coast, and it has been a source of amusement and wonder on the island since they were discovered by the locals many years ago. Grandmother and grandfather rock is located in Lamai beach. You will see rocks formed in the shape similar to male and female organs.

9. Secret Buddha Garden


The Tarnim Magic Garden is also known as Secret Buddha Garden. The Secret Buddha Garden is hidden high in the hills, in Koh Samui's interior, offering majestic views and an unusual collection of statues amid lush jungle surrounds. When you visit Tarnim Magic Garden, you will discover a huge garden that has many statues.

You will see many Buddha statues, but along with these, there are also some others like birds, snakes and mythological creatures at Tarnim Magic Garden.

A trip on a bike is ideal if you want to explore Koh Samui on your own. Exploring the place on your own on a motorbike is a whole new experience, as you get to know the place and their culture more closely. You can even rent a bike from near by hotels or shops that rent motorbikes nearby the island of Koh Samui.

10. Lamai Beach


The beach in Lamai is quite long and the sand is also soft (little rough compared to Chaweng beach). There are also a lot of shopping and nightclubs and bar here. On Silver Beach many Russians and Italians probably mastered the island because these languages are heard everywhere. Tong-Takian beach is located between Chaweng and Lamai beach where you can enjoy laying down in the day time.

11. Na Muang Waterfall


Namuang Safari Park is situated on the southern side of Koh Samui and is about 30 minutes from the airport. Moreover, it is located only a few kilometres from the Nathon pier and thus has become an exciting tourist attraction in Koh Samui. The park has been an adventure destination since the last ten years, and now they are extremely famous for its elephant trek and crocodile show.

Visit Namuang waterfall 1 and 2 where you can enjoy the nice fresh water and the scenery. There, you will see the Elephant sanctuary and enjoy feeding and riding the elephant.

So this was a list of places around Koh Samui that you must visit to make your trip unforgettable. Koh Samui is one of the most beautiful places to travel in Thailand.
Kalyan Panja