The Best Things to Do in Koh Samui: Dreamy Island Paradise in Thailand

Koh Samui (also spelled “Ko Samui” or sometimes simply referred to as Samui) is one of Thailand’s most popular island destinations.

Samui offers up pristine beaches and a sparkling marine national park; a huge variety of luxury and 5-star resorts and villas; wellness retreats; elephant sanctuaries; and stunning temples.

Because of its compact size it is easy to get around the island so that you can spend your mornings sightseeing and visiting clifftop viewpoints, followed by laid-back afternoons lazing on one of the white sand beaches. Koh Samui is the perfect place to end up in at the tail-end of your Thailand trip.

Wondering what to do in Koh Samui? Here are some Koh Samui sightseeing checkpoints to make the most of your time on this delightful island paradise.

Important things to know before visiting Samui

✈️ The main airport in Koh Samui is Samui International Airport (airport code: USM). There are currently direct flights to Koh Samui from Singapore and Hong Kong, or you can fly via Bangkok (Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi)/Phuket/Krabi with Bangkok Airways which codeshares with many international airlines.

🛂 Thailand visa requirements: Thailand currently offers visa-free travel to nationals of nearly 100 countries. Visitors from ASEAN or Western countries, including most European, Commonwealth, and North American citizens, are not required to have a Thai visa for visits less than 60 days in Thailand.

📱 Stay connected and buy a local SIM card at the airport: I usually go with DTAC and get excellent connectivity throughout Thailand. You can get great deals on local SIM cards by clicking here, simply show the voucher and pick up your SIM card on arrival at the airport.

🚗 Get around Koh Samui easily by Grab (similar to Uber) or car charter: Make sure you download the Grab app ahead of your trip, or charter a private car + driver via Klook here.

💱 The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht: The exchange rate is approximately US$1 or 1 Euro to 32-35 Baht. Cash is king so exchange some money when you arrive at the airport or withdraw cash from an ATM. There are many ATMs available in the major cities.

🇹🇭 The main language spoken in Thailand is Thai: You may experience a language barrier in Thailand, though most people working in the hospitality sector will speak English. You should take a photo of your hotel’s address in Thai just in case, or call the hotel if you need any help with translation.

🚰 You cannot drink tap water in Thailand: Make sure you boil the water before drinking or use a water bottle that filters water.

👚 Dress code in Thailand: Thailand is a majority Buddhist country. I recommend dressing on the conservative side – it’s not a problem to wear sleeveless tops and shorts when you’re walking around town, but I don’t recommend wearing any extremely revealing clothing in public. However, if you are visiting any places of worship and temples in Thailand you will have to cover your shoulders and knees so bring a long skirt or pants and a scarf to cover your shoulders.

🎟️ You can purchase skip-the-queue admissions tickets and tours ahead of time in Thailand: Just click here and search for places you want to go, and book online for discounted entry or head on over here to read more about how to use Klook to book travel experiences.

🏖️ The best time to visit Koh Samui is widely considered to be during the northern hemisphere’s winter months between December to February, the “dry” season. This also means that this is Samui’s peak tourism season and the island receives the highest volume of tourists during these months. The hotter and wetter months of the year tend to be from about March to September though I have visited many times during these months and the rain and heat have always been manageable.

Looking for even more Thailand travel guides and tips? Click here!

Where to stay in Koh Samui

I usually stay at Villa Waimarie in Lipa Noi – we own this together with two other families and have coming here for years! It is on one of the most pristine, quiet and uncrowded beaches in Koh Samui, Lipa Noi in the west. The beachfront villa has 6 bedrooms, a tennis court, an indoor and outdoor lounge area, pool and amazing kitchen. It comes fully staffed with a villa manager, private chef, housekeepers and groundskeepers.

It’s a fantastic luxury villa in Koh Samui to book if you are traveling with a group and want some peace and quiet away from the busy resort areas of Bophut and Chaweng. Click here to check availability and rates for Villa Waimarie.

Prefer to stay closer to the airport? Here are a few additional luxury and boutique hotels in Koh Samui that you may want to consider, or click here to see other highly rated hotels in Koh Samui!

Wild Cottages Sanctuary: Samui Elephant Haven recently partnered with Wild Cottages to open a brand new boutique hotel in Bophut that overlooks a new sanctuary that spans approximately 10 acres. This has allowed a few of the herd to move over to roam around the larger space and Wild Cottages similarly offers elephant interaction and observation experiences led by Samui Elephant Haven. You can check reviews and availability here.

Marasca Samui: I’ve had my eye on this boutique hotel for a while now! Marasca Samui is a brand new beachfront hotel in Chaweng with an attached beach club. The rooms are stunning and modern, and even offers 2-bedroom suites as a option for families. Check rates and availability here.

Hyatt Regency Koh Samui: If it is facilities you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Hyatt Regency in Chaweng. There are several pools to choose from – including a pool for adults and separate kids pool, as well as a kids club that past guests rave about. The rooms are modern and spacious, and reviewers say the service is top notch. Check rates and availability here.

🛏️ Booking hotels in Thailand: We love to use Booking.com to find and book accommodation in Thailand as it has a huge range of options and the review system makes it easy find out what previous guests liked (or disliked). From luxury hotels with rooftop pools to boutique guesthouses, you’ll have no problems finding something that fits every budget. Explore the huge range of hotel options in Thailand here.

The best things to do on Koh Samui

Planning your Koh Samui holiday? Here are some of the top attractions in Koh Samui – don’t worry, I’ve left plenty of time for lounging on the beach and sipping on king coconuts and cocktails!

Although you could fairly easily do all your sightseeing in Koh Samui within 1 day, ideally you’d want to spend a minimum of 3 days in Koh Samui to make the most of your time on the island.

1. Spend a morning at an ethical elephant sanctuary in Koh Samui

As more and more people travel to Thailand for its beaches, food, temples and culture, unfortunately as does the number of people who are unaware of the cruelty involved with riding elephants in Thailand or visiting elephant shows where they are forced to stand on their front legs and trunks, paint and “play” soccer.

However, the good news is that there are places in Koh Samui like Samui Elephant Sanctuary and Samui Elephant Haven spearheading the way for more elephant tourism operators to transition into more ethical and sustainable programs for their herd.

The ethical elephant tours typically run twice daily: you can either book the morning tour (9 AM to noon) or afternoon tour (2 to 5 PM). Once you have arrived at the sanctuary, you will sit through a short safety and instruction briefing, usually followed by observing and feeding the elephants some treats and occasionally walking through the jungle with them and their mahouts. I highly recommend doing this in Koh Samui for adults and children alike.

2. See the colourful statues and temple at Wat Plai Laem

Surrounded by a tranquil lake, Wat Plai Laem is a Buddhist temple featuring several gigantic statues – the most famous of which is the 18-armed Guanyin. Within the temple itself you will see that the internal walls are adorned with paintings from Buddhist stories, teachings and legends.

Though it is one of the most famous attractions in Koh Samui, it remains peaceful and quiet – entrance is free, and you should dress appropriately with shoulders and knees covered as it is a place of worship.

Ready to book your Koh Samui getaway? For a luxury villa option check out Villa Waimarie on Lipa Noi beach in the west. This 6-bedroom villa comes fully staffed with a tennis court, swimming pool, indoor TV and lounge room and dining room. You might also consider Wild Cottages Sanctuary (boutique hotel overlooking an elephant sanctuary in Bophut), Marasca Samui (modern boutique hotel in Chaweng with an attached beach club) or Hyatt Regency Koh Samui (5-star property with the facilities to match). For more options click here to see other highly rated hotels in Koh Samui!

3. Visit the Giant Buddha at Wat Phra Yai

Just a stone’s through away from Wat Plai Laem is Wat Phra Yai, one of the most famous landmarks on the island. Also known as the Big Buddha Temple, the iconic 12-metre-tall golden statue depicts Buddha in a seated position.

The statue itself is located on an elevated platform with a set of stairs leading up to it, consequently it also happens to offer pretty spectacular views of Bang Rak beach and the Bo Phut coastline in the distance.

4. Take in the views at Lad Koh

Though it isn’t a landmark per se, the Lad Koh viewpoint is worth a quick roadside pit stop during your Koh Samui sightseeing tour around the island for sweeping views across Chaweng.

5. See a real-life mummy

In the heart of the Wat Khunaram temple is none other than a sunglasses-wearing mummified Buddhist monk draped in saffron robes. No, really.

Luang Pho Daeng was the temple’s abbot who passed away while meditating more than 50 years ago in 1973. His preserved body was kept in a glass box as a symbol of devotion and the impermanence of life.

6. Spot oddly-shaped rock formations

The slightly risqué Hin Ta and Hin Yai (also known as the “Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks”) are located just south of Lamai Beach on a rocky outcrop of the island.

It doesn’t take much to figure out where the names came from! There is a small beach neighbouring the ultra-phallic Grandfather Rock where you can go for a quick dip.

Looking for more odd rock formation places to visit in Koh Samui? You might also like to make the trek up to the Overlap Stone 1 or 2.

Looking for the best places to stay on Koh Samui? For families and groups traveling together consider booking a luxury villa for more privacy! Check out Villa Waimarie on Lipa Noi beach on the western coast of the island. This 6-bedroom beachfront villa comes fully staffed with a tennis court, swimming pool, indoor TV and lounge room and dining room. You might also consider Wild Cottages Sanctuary (boutique hotel overlooking an elephant sanctuary in Bophut), Marasca Samui (modern boutique hotel in Chaweng with an attached beach club) or Hyatt Regency Koh Samui (5-star property with the facilities to match). For more options click here to see other highly rated hotels in Koh Samui!

7. Swim in a waterfall

There are a number of waterfalls in Koh Samui, the most famous being the Na Muang Waterfalls – Na Muang Waterfall 1 and the neighboring Na Muang Waterfall 2.

Both waterfalls are easily reachable by car – the first set of falls is just a 5-minute walk from the parking lot, and the other requires a 20-30 minute trek to get to the top.

Na Muang Waterfall 1 can get fairly busy as it is one of the top places to see in Koh Samui, but you can go for a quick dip if the water flow is strong.

However, you should be aware that there is an on-site elephant camp which offers elephant rides – it can be fairly distressing and saddening to see the captive elephants.

You may also want to check out Hin Lat Waterfall or Khun Si Waterfall for alternative, lesser-visited waterfalls on Koh Samui.

8. Take in the views of Koh Samui from above

It would be a mistake not to seek out sweeping views of Koh Samui when the coastline looks like this.

If you’re looking for the best viewpoint in Koh Samui consider taking the vertical, vertigo-inducing road up to The Jungle Club, a restaurant (and hotel) with stunning outdoor seating. The best time to visit would be at sunset (bookings highly recommended), though we only had time to visit during the afternoon and were still left breathless by the scenery.

For something more casual, we also loved Organic Farm & Coffee Shop which had seating overlooking Nathon on the west side of Koh Samui. The staff are lovely and the setting is incredibly cosy!

9. Go on a Ang Thong Marine National Park day trip

Located 40 kilometres or so from Koh Samui in Thailand is an archipelago of 42 islands covering 102 square kilometres. Together, the islands and surrounding waters form Ang Thong Marine National Park, which was designated a national park in 1980.

This is one of the best day trips in Koh Samui to go on – head to the stunning Ang Thong Marine National Park for a full day of snorkeling, kayaking and swimming in crystal clear water.

Most Ang Thong National Marine Park day trip itineraries involve sailing for an hour to get out to the islands, snorkeling at Koh Wao, lunch, kayaking, visiting the emerald lake and/or hiking up to the Wua Ta Lap viewpoint. You’ll need to set aside 1 full day during your Koh Samui itinerary to fit this Ang Thong day trip in. Read more here.

Wondering where to stay in Koh Samui? For families and groups traveling together consider booking a luxury villa for more privacy! Check out Villa Waimarie on Lipa Noi beach on the western coast of the island. This peaceful 6-bedroom villa comes fully staffed with a villa manager and chef, not to mention a tennis court, swimming pool (with shallow area for kids), indoor TV and lounge room plus a dining room.

You might also consider Wild Cottages Sanctuary (boutique hotel overlooking an elephant sanctuary in Bophut), Marasca Samui (modern boutique hotel in Chaweng with an attached beach club) or Hyatt Regency Koh Samui (5-star property with the facilities to match). For more options click here to see other highly rated hotels in Koh Samui!

10. Laze on one of the best beaches in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is home to half a dozen or so picture-perfect beaches. Whether you are looking for a buzzy atmosphere or complete quiet away from the hustle and bustle, there’s a beach for everyone on Koh Samui.

For a lively evening scene, head to Chaweng Beach or Bophut Beach and check out one of the beach clubs – Cabanas by Marasca is an upscale, luxury beach club in Koh Samui that I’ve been meaning to check out.

For a peaceful beach in Koh Samui consider Mae Nam Beach in the north or Lipa Noi Beach in the west, perfect for watching sunsets and wading in the crystal clear waters. We often stay beachfront at Villa Waimarie in Lipa Noi.

Looking for something in-between? The white-sand Lamai Beach on Koh Samui offers a number of bars and restaurants, as well as easy access to the night market once the sun has gone down.

Tips for visiting Koh Samui with kids

We absolutely love spending time with our toddler on Koh Samui. Countless hours have been spent in the pool and wading in shallow waters at the beach, and Thai food can easily be modified to be less spicy. Not to mention, the abundant tropical fruit and fruit smoothies are a huge win!

Though young children are unlikely to be interested in Koh Samui sightseeing, you may want to consider taking them to one of the ethical elephant sanctuaries in Samui to learn about these gentle giants – our family loved it!

Many hotels in Koh Samui offer a kids club with indoor play facilities – some even have outdoor playgrounds and water parks! The Hyatt Regency, Melia, Kimpton Kitalay Samui, Intercontinental Samui and Anantara Bophut are popular options.

For younger children you can also take them to Central Samui, a huge shopping mall with an undercover play area (paid), small arcade area and free rental strollers.

Kids who are comfortable with longer day trips and can enjoy snorkeling might also enjoy going on a day trip to Ang Thong Marine National Park – this might be suitable for kids 3 years and up, but infants are welcome on the boat too.

Are you planning a trip to Koh Samui? Tell me all about it in the comments section!

Where to stay in Koh Samui: I usually stay at Villa Waimarie in Lipa Noi – it is on one of the most pristine and uncrowded beaches in Koh Samui. The beachfront villa has 6 bedrooms, a tennis court, an indoor and outdoor lounge area, pool and amazing kitchen. It’s a fantastic luxury villa in Koh Samui to book if you have a group of friends or family, and the in-house chef serves up the most incredible Thai food. Click here to check availability and rates for Villa Waimarie, or click here to explore other highly rated hotels in Koh Samui!

You may also enjoy these reads:

• Make sure you check out the Koh Samui Elephant Sanctuary and Samui Elephant Haven if you’d like to observe and interact with elephants in Koh Samui
• Here is my guide to spending a day at Ang Thong National Marine Park
• Planning a trip to Thailand and need some ideas on where to go and what to see? Check out my 10 day Thailand itinerary here
• Read these essential Southeast Asia travel tips before your trip
• And click here for even more Thailand travel tips and destination guides

Have you been to Ang Thong Marine National Park or are you planning a trip to Koh Samui? Tell me all about it in the comments section!

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Video music credit: Anno Domini Beats – Intentions / Youtube Free Music

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