Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island and the Gulf of Thailand’s largest island.
Over the years Koh Samui has built up a reputation for being expensive. But in recent years, cheaper accommodation alternatives have started to crop up.
As for the attractions, Koh Samui is replete with white sandy beaches and offers plenty of snorkeling & diving opportunities.
For a more relaxed experience, Koh Samui island hosts the famous secret Buddha garden (not so secret after all), some lovely waterfalls, a lot of temples, and amazing Thai food.
If you are planning your Koh Samui itinerary, this list of the top 10 very best things to do in Koh Samui will give you plenty of inspiration!
Top 10 Very Best Things to do in Koh Samui: TL;DR
- Koh Samui Beaches
- Secret Buddha Garden
- Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
- Fisherman’s Village
- Wat Plai Laem
- Na Muang Waterfalls
- Khao Hua Jook Chedi
- Chaweng Night Market
- Elephant Rock
Top 10 Very Best Things to do in Koh Samui
1. Relax at the Koh Samui Beaches
Picturesque beaches are undoubtedly the most famous Koh Samui attraction. Selecting from the array of options can be confusing. Here are the top beaches you should consider while visiting Koh Samui:
Chaweng Beach:
Koh Samui’s most famous beach is Chaweng Beach.
It’s not the most beautiful, but it is one of the most developed with a bustling nightlife and many beach bars.
Chaweng Beach is also home to some of Koh Samui’s more luxury resorts where you can experience world-class hospitality if you have deep pockets.
Lamai Beach:
Koh Samui’s second-most popular beach, Lamai Beach is less crowded and offers a more relaxing experience.
Lamai Beach is where you’ll find Hin Ta and Hin Yai – two distinctive rock formations that look like male and female genitalia. (Many an Instagram moment). Hin Ta means Grandpa and Hin Yai means Grandma.
Coral Cove Beach:
A secluded oasis with a backdrop of luscious green hills, Coral Cove Beach is hidden by the ring road around Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach.
This red sand beach is littered with corals, smothered by boulders, and lapped by crystal-clear turquoise water, giving it a breathtakingly romantic vibe.
Silver Beach:
Lined by palm trees, Silver Beach is a picturesque bay flanked by smooth granite boulders. Its calm waters make it a perfect destination for a great snorkeling experience.
Lipa Noi Beach:
Lipa Noi Beach offers calm, clear, and shallow waters, making it one of the best beaches for children. There are barely any rocks or corals that can pose a threat.
Maenam Beach:
Much quieter than Chaweng Beach, Maenam Beach offers a sweeping view of the blue sea. You can see Koh Phangan right from the beach. Here you can find cheap backpacker bungalows to lofty five-star resorts.
2. Explore the Secret Buddha Garden
The Secret Buddha Garden is one of Koh Samui’s top attractions. It sits atop Pom Mountain. A local farmer named Nim Thongsuk started the work in 1976 and continued for 14 years until his death.
You can find statues of Buddhas, various deities, random creatures, and animals. You will even come across little houses with vegetation-covered roofs that Nim Thongsuk made for traveling monks to rest and meditate.
The Secret Buddha Garden also houses the farmer’s tomb because he wanted the place to be his final resting place.
Pro tip: Prepare yourself for a long and difficult climb. Wear proper shoes.
3. Tour the Ang Thong National Marine Park
An archipelago of 42 islands including Koh Samui and the nearby Koh Phangan, the Ang Thong National Marine Park is breathtaking.
You will need a boat tour that will take you from one island to another with stops for kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking to viewpoints where you can enjoy postcard-worthy photo ops.
The most popular attractions of the Ang Thong Marine Park include the famed Koh Mae Koh’s Emerald Lake surrounded by tropical forest-clad limestone cliffs and Koh Sam Sao island with amazing snorkeling sites.
Pro Tip: Ang Thong National Marine Park has limited accommodation. So, plan a day trip.
4. Visit the Big Buddha Temple or the Wat Phra Yai Temple
Officially known as Wat Phra Yai, the Temple is located in the northeast corner of Koh Samui, and is very close to both Bophut Beach and Maenam Beach.
This Buddhist temple houses a 12-meter-high Buddha statue that sits right on top of the temple stairs.
There are small markets on the temple grounds where you can buy religious ornaments, interesting clothes, and souvenirs.
If you reach there early in the morning, you can see local monks offering daily prayers.
Pro Tip: Dress decently and respect the locals.
5. Walk the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street
On the northeast coast of Koh Samui is the Bophut area which is known for its fisherman’s village. The village wears a rustic charm because of its old buildings and local Thai culture.
The main attraction is Bophut Beach Road which turns into a walking street market every Friday at 5 PM and stays open till 11 PM.
The walking street night markets offer live music, street food stalls (where you can find delicious Pad Thai), artwork, and souvenirs.
While shopping for merchandise from local shops and street vendors, you can enjoy a variety of street performers.
6. Pause at the Wat Plai Laem
The Wat Plai Laem is dedicated to Guanyin – the Chinese goddess of mercy and compassion. The temple has a massive statue of Guanyin depicted in her ancient form with 18 arms.
The gold and white statue of Guanyin sits on a platform pavilion with a massive dragon decoration.
There is a fish pond surrounding the temple from all sides. For a small fee (donation), you can grab a bag of fish food and feed the fish.
7. Marvel at the Na Muang Waterfalls
