Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island, just after Phuket. It is located in the southern part of the country, close to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, lush jungle, and vibrant nightlife scene.
In this article, we will be looking at the best things to do and see in Koh Samui. These include the beaches, viewpoints, waterfalls, temples, nightlife, night markets, and island hopping tours.
Koh Samui is packed with beautiful white sandy beaches. Most popular beaches are located on the east and northeast coast of the island. They are Chaweng, Lamai, and Bophut Beach. You can find quieter beaches on the west and north coast such as Taling Ngam, Lipa Noi, and Maenam Beach.
The island has a mountainous core, so you can explore many viewpoints and waterfalls. I recommend having a look at Overlap Stone 1,2,3 and Hin Ta Hin Yai Viewpoint. If you like swimming in the jungle or do a bit of hiking, you can check out Na Muang and Hin Lad Waterfalls.
In addition to the natural attractions, Koh Samui offers a vibrant nightlife scene with lots of bars, clubs, and night markets. Major towns such as Chaweng, Lamai, and Bophut are the best places to go for nightlife. You can also explore vibrant night markets such as Chaweng, Lamai, and Fisherman’s Village Night Market.
For those who want to see the cultural side of Samui, you can visit the Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, Wat Khunaram, and the Tanim Magic Garden.
If you want the detail of the itinerary and how I get around Koh Samui, you can read these articles:
I explored most attractions on Koh Samui by foot and a scooter. If you don’t drive, there are plenty of guided tours to choose from such as the jeep tour or one full day around the island tour.
Private taxis, and songthaews are available but it is very expensive. You can also have a look at Grab, Bolt, Indrive for better deals.
The road conditions on Koh Samui are generally good, especially along the main ring road (Route 4169), which is well-paved and connects all major beach towns like Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam, and Bophut. Some parts of the main road and rural roads are steep and winding, so be cautious and drive slowly.
Here are the best attractions and activities in Koh Samui:
30 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui
Beaches
Koh Samui has a wide range of white sandy beaches. Whether you’re looking for lively party scenes like Chaweng Beach or peaceful, hidden escapes like Taling Ngam Beach, Koh Samui has something for everyone.
#1. Chaweng Beach
Chaweng Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Koh Samui. It is located on the east coast of the island, and is known for its white sandy and vibrant nightlife scene.
The beachfront is lined with resorts, restaurants, bars, and massage shops. The beach, with its turquoise water, is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, taking a walk, and enjoying water activities like jet skiing. There are lots of bed chairs and umbrellas on the beach.
The beach road running parallel with the beach is also packed with tourist amenities such as travel agencies, ATMs, night markets, malls, cafes, bars, clubs, and restaurants.
Chaweng Beach becomes more lively when the sun goes down. Lots of restaurants and bars set the tables, chairs, bean bags on the sand. You can enjoy live music, drink, and eat on the beach.
Chaweng Beach is easily accessible by scooter, taxi, and on foot. There is limited public access to the beach as it is blocked by many private establishments such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and bars.
Sometimes, you can walk through a resort to get to the beach. I got to the beach by scooter through Sala Koy Road. I parked my scooter on the side of the road and walked to the beach.
#2. Lamai Beach
Lamai Beach is a beautiful long beach located on the east coast of Samui, just south of Chaweng. It is the quieter version of Chaweng. The beach has white soft sand, clean water, and is lined with palm trees. It is great place for swimming, taking a leisure walk, and enjoy water sport activities.
There are also many beach facilities on Lamai Beach, including beach loungers, restaurants, bars, and massage places. You can use sunbeds at the beachfront restaurants for free if you order food or drink from them.
You will also see many beach vendors walking around selling food and drinks such as grilled corn and seafood. The beach is easily accessible by scooter or by walking.
The beach has a chill vibe at night with lots of restaurants and bars setting up tables and chairs right on the sand, lit by candles and string lights.
#3. Bophut Beach
Bophut Beach is a popular beach located on the north coast of Koh Samui. The beach has golden coarse sand and clean water, which is great for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying water activities. It is quieter than Chaweng and Lamai, but still has all the amenities for tourists.
There are bed chairs, umbrellas, restaurants, bars, and massage places on the beach. Many restaurants and bars also have tables and chairs set out on the sand around sunset and in the evening. You have the option to eat both indoor and outdoor on the beach.
The small beach road and the main road running parallel with the beach provides plenty of amenities such as massage shops, eateries, bars, tattoo, and souvenir shops. You can enjoy the night markets such as The Wharf Night Market, and the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street Night market.
Bophut Beach is easily accessible by walking, scooter, and taxi. There is plenty of parking along the main road and the side street to the beach. There is both free and paid parking. The traffic around the main road is very busy, especially on Friday Night.
#4. Mae Nam Beach
Mae Nam is a long quiet beach located on the north coast of Koh Samui just west of Bophut. The Beach has laid back atmosphere, with golden sand, clean water, and is lined with palm trees. There are several resorts, restaurants, cafes with sun loungers on the beach.
The beach is home to Pralarn Pier, where speed boats and ferries from islands such as Koh Phangan arrive here. Near the pier, you can check out the Mae Nam Beach Viewpoint for stunning views of the coastline.
Mae Nam Beach is easily accessible by scooter, taxi, and on foot. As a long beach (around 7 km long), there are various roads to get to the beach.
#5. Taling Ngam Beach
Taling Ngam is a secluded beach located on the west coast of Koh Samui. The beach has golden sand, crystal turquoise water, and a peaceful atmosphere. You have a high chance of having the whole beach for yourself. There are just a few resorts located on Taling Ngam, with beach lounges belonging to them.
When visit Taling Ngam Beach on a scooter, I recommend having a quick look at the nearby attractions such as Wat Khiri Wong Karam and The Elephant Gate.
#6. Lipa Noi Beach
Lipa Noi is a long and quiet beach located on the west coast of Koh Samui. The beach has fine white sand and crystal clear water, which is perfect for swimming and enjoying water activities such as jet skiing.
It is beautiful and peaceful at sunset. The beach stretches for a few km all the way from south of Nathon Beach to the headland where the naval base is located. There are a few resorts and beach bars on the shore as well as some shades from the palm trees.
Lipa Noi Beach is easily accessible on a scooter by following Google Maps directions. You can park your scooter on the side of the road to the beach near Lipa Bay Resort.
South of Lipa Noi, you can find a smaller coastline called Thong Yang Beach. The beach is located right next to Lipa Noi Pier and is considered part of Lipa Noi Beach. It has an even more secluded atmosphere than Lipa Noi Beach.
#7. Choeng Mon Beach
Choeng Mon Beach is a quiet beach on the northeast coast of Koh Samui, close to the famous Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem. It is a long crescent-shaped beach with several resorts, beach bars, and massage shops on the beach.
You can rent deck chairs and umbrellas on the beach easily. It is easily accessible by scooter and there was plenty of parking near the beach.
#8. Bang Po Beach
Bang Po Beach is a long and quiet beach on the northern coast of Koh Samui. It is easily accessible from the main road. The beach has golden coarse sand with crystal blue water. I saw many small crabs on the sand.
There are restaurants, beach bars, cafes, and massage places on the sand. You can easily purchase food and drink from the beach bars and use their sunbeds for free.
The main road running parallel with Bang Po Beach has all tourist facilities such as motorbike rental, cafes, ATMs, restaurants, and hotels.
#9. Ban Tai Beach
Ban Tai is a small quiet beach located on the northern coast of Samui just east of Bang Po Beach. It has white sand and is lined with palm trees. There are several resorts and beach bars lining the beachfront area. You can find many tourist facilities on the road to the beach.
You can walk all the way to the east end of the beach where you can find a rocky headland, tables and chairs, and a broken squid statue. It is a good place to chill and enjoy the views of the ocean.
Viewpoints
Koh Samui is dominated by a central mountainous core, covered in dense tropical rainforest. The island is home to many scenic viewpoints that offer panoramic vistas of the jungle and beaches.
#10. Overlap Stone 1,2,3
Overlap Stone is one of the must-see viewpoints in Koh Samui. It is clustered of three different stones, including Overlap Stone 1,2, and 3 where you can climb up to a large, naturally balanced granite boulder to have stunning views of the surrounding sea and the mountain.
Overlap Stone 1 is the first Overlap Stone you’ll see if you’re coming from Lamai. The entrance is 200 baht including a soft drink. From the ticket control area, you can walk up to the big stone for 10 minutes. There are shops along the way where you can show them tickets and get your drink.
Overlap Stone 2 is bigger viewpoint areas with more sweeping views of the ocean from two sides. It is located within a few minutes drive from Stone 1. The ticket is 20 baht for parking. If you’d rather not pay the 200 baht entrance fee at Stone 1, you can skip it and head straight to Stone 2 instead.
It is a 10 minute walk uphill from the parking area to the top of Overlap Stone 2. The viewpoint has many nice settings for beautiful photos. There is a small shop at the viewpoint where you can buy drinks and snacks. When I visited on early January 25, they were building a cafe.
Overlap Stone 3 is the smallest of three. It shares the same parking area with Overlap Stone 2. If you are in stone 2, you can have a quick look at stone 3. They are both owned by a friendly Thai family.
You can reach Overlap Stone by scooter, taxi, or even walking if you stay in Lamai. The road to the Overlap Stones is steep and has lots of sharp curves. If you drive, be cautious and drive slowly.
#11. Hin Ta Hin Yai
Hin Ta Hin Yai is a famous viewpoint in Lamai, located at the southern end of the beach. It has stunning views of Lamai Beach and the Grandfather and Grandmother stones, especially at sunset.
These naturally sculpted rocks have a unique shape that resembles male and female genitalia. The place is free to explore. There is one small area where you need to pay 20 baht to head to the viewpoint to view all of Lamai Beach.
The ground of Hin Ta Hin Yai has a paid toilet, as well as many food and souvenir stalls. There are several nice restaurants and beach bars around the rocks including the popular Rock Bar.
Hin Ta Hin Yai is easily accessible by walking, scooter, and taxi. The road to the viewpoint is paved and flat. There are lots of parking spaces nearby with 10 baht for motorbike, and 30 baht for car.
#12. Phra Buddha Dīpankara
This is a lesser-known viewpoint located in the middle of Koh Samui. It is an abandoned temple complex that has stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valley. It is lesser-known because the road to the top is quite steep, unpaved, and narrow.
If you drive up, make sure you’re an experienced driver. If at some point along the road that you feel you can’t drive anymore, you can stop and walk up. That’s what I did. I parked my scooter by the side of the road and hiked up to the temple. It turned out to be a short walk, only about 10 minutes.
You can consider taking the jeep tours, where you can enjoy the ride on the 4 wheel drive trucks to the top. There are two roads to get to Phra Buddha Dīpankara. I got to this temple from the Tarnim Magic Garden. You can combine these two attractions in one single trip.
#13. Lad Koh Viewpoint
This is a popular viewpoint located on the road between Chaweng and Lamai. The viewpoint has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and beaches including Chaweng Beach.
Lots of sightseeing tours around the island stop at Lad Koh Viewpoint. If you travel on a scooter between Chaweng and Lamai, you can have a quick stop here. It has a pavilion viewing platform and you can walk down to the rock, but be cautious with the waves.
Temples
Like many other places all around Thailand, Koh Samui is home to many temples. There are several major temples worth visiting include the Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, and Wat Khunaram.
#14. Big Buddha
Big Buddha is a popular cultural attraction located on the island’s north coast. It is set in a small island, connected with the mainland through a paved road. The temple is home to a Big seated Statue and many other Buddha Statues, and halls.
The top of Big Buddha has stunning views of the sea. Outside of the Big Buddha, you can find several cafes, restaurants, and shops selling souvenirs.
Big Buddha is easily accessible by scooter and songthaew pick up truck. It is open from 7am to 6.30pm and is free to enter. If you want a quiet atmosphere and avoid tourist crowds, I recommend coming here around 7am.
#15. Wat Plai Laem
Wat Plai Laem is a popular temple in Koh Samui, located within just a few minutes drive from the Big Buddha. You can easily combine the trip to these two temples in one single trip.
The temple is home to several big statues, located in different areas on the same lake. You can find the giant laughing statue on the left, the main temple hall in the middle, and the Statue of the goddess Guanyin on the right of the lake.
Wat Plai Laem is easily accessible by scooter and taxi. Lots of tours take tourists here. There are plenty of parking on the temple’s ground. It is free to enter.
#16. Wat Khunaram
Wat Khunaram is a small and popular temple located on the southern part of Samui. It is right on the island’s main ring road, making it convenient for a quick stop when traveling between west and east Samui.
The temple is home to the mummified remains of Luang Pho Daeng, a respected monk who passed away in 1973. When visiting the temple, you can see the body remains on display in a meditative posture, wearing sunglasses to cover his eyes.
You can reach Wat Khunaram by scooter or on guided tour, songthaews. It’s easy to miss this place, and the road is quite busy, so be sure to pay attention while driving.
#17. Wat Khiri Wong Karam
This is a small local temple located near Taling Ngam Beach. The temple has a calm and peaceful atmosphere with a few tourists around. You can have a quick look when driving around Taling Ngam. Nothing much, just a typical Thai temple, close to the beach.
Waterfalls
Koh Samui has its lush tropical landscapes and it boasts several stunning waterfalls. I recommend visiting Na Muang Waterfalls and Hin Lad Waterfall.
#18. Na Muang Waterfall 1,2
Na Muang Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction in Koh Samui. It is the collection of two waterfalls, Na Muang Waterfall 1 and 2, located within a short drive apart.
Na Muang Waterfall 1 is a more popular waterfall and is a great place for swimming in the middle of the lush jungle setting. It is a short walk from the parking area. The waterfall is free to enter but the parking fee is 20 baht. There are many shops and restaurants in the area around the waterfall.
Na Muang Waterfall 2 is less crowded than waterfall 1. It requires a 15-20 minute walk uphill and can be quite dangerous in the rainy season.
There are signs that say “waterfall 2 park here” near the elephant camp, but you can actually drive all the way to the waterfall. It is a hilly road with some curves. There is one shop selling snacks and drinks at the bottom of the waterfall.
#19. Hin Lad Waterfall
Hin Lad Waterfall is a popular waterfall located in the western part of Samui, close to Nathon, the administration town of the island. The waterfall has lots of pool areas for swimming and chilling. If you just want to swim, you can find a place for it just right at the bottom of the waterfall.
If you up to a little hike, you can follow the trail and hike up for around 30 minutes. Along the way, you can stop at many places to swim. There are more less-crowded places up top.
Hin Lad Waterfall is easily accessible by scooter and taxi. It is right on the end of the road #4172, which is connected with the main road 4169. The road is flat and in good condition.
Night Markets & Malls
Koh Samui has many night markets, especially in Chaweng, the island’s main tourist town. Chaweng itself has 3 different night markets, including the one in front of Samui Central, Chaweng Walking Street Night Market, and Si Khao Night Market.
You can also find other popular night markets in Lamai and Bophut. There are smaller night markets in places like Nathon.
#20. Fisherman’s Village Night Market
Fisherman’s Village Night Market is a popular night market in Bophut of Koh Samui. It is held every Frida’s night at the Beach Road along Bophut Beach.
The street is packed with market stalls selling souvenirs and food. The Wharf Walking Street nearby offers more food and drink options.
You can easily get to the Bophut night market on a scooter or taxi. There is a large parking area near The Wharf Walking Street. You can park for free on the side of the road but the parking is limited, especially on Friday night.
#21. Lamai Night Market
Lamai Night Market is a great place to have dinner and do some shopping in the evening. It is located located on the northern end of Hat Lamai Road, within a short drive or walk from Lamai town center.
Like many other night markets in Thailand, Lamai night market has a wide range of food, including both Thai and international dishes. There is live music on site, tables and chairs to sit.
The market is open every night from 3pm to 12am. You can reach it by scooter, walking, or taxi. There is a lot of parking at the entrance to the market. It’s all free.
#22. Chaweng Night Market and Walking Street
This market is located near Chaweng lake. Opposite Central Samui. It is a great place to visit in the evening in Chaweng. The market has a wide range of food, and crafts such as T-shirts, sunglasses, beach wear, hats…
You can combine a visit to Chaweng night market with a visit to the night market located in front of Central Samui Shopping Mall. I parked my scooter at Central Samui Market and walked to Chaweng Walking Street Night Market.
#23. Si Khao Night Market
Si Khao is a small and cozy Night Market located at the intersection of Chumchon Chaweng Yai Soi 4 and 2. It is a short drive from Chaweng town center. There are lots of locals at the market, and you can find reasonably priced dishes and drinks at the market.
The market has toilets, bars, restaurants, and lots of food stalls where you can buy food then bring it to the communal area with tables and chairs to eat.
#24. Central Samui Shopping Center
Central Samui is a big shopping mall in Koh Samui, centrally located in Chaweng. If you are looking for the indoor air conditioning shopping and dining experience, Central Samui is the place to go.
You can find almost everything at Central Samui, from high-end international brands like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, as well as popular retailers such as H&M and Uniqlo . There are fast food restaurants such as KFC and many other dining options.
Nightlife
Chweng has a vibrant nightlife scene especially in popular tourist towns such as Chaweng, Lamai, and Bophut. Chaweng has the best nightlife scene, Lamai is a smaller version of Chaweng, and Bophut has a more high-end nightlife vibe.
#25. Chaweng
Chaweng is the first place to look in Samui if you want to party and have a vibrant nightlife scene. You can enjoy many bars, night clubs, and restaurants on the main street as well as along the beachfront area.
Many bars and nightclubs are concentrated in one area, so you can easily go bar hopping on foot. Some bars open until early morning. Popular bars are Ark Bar, Sound Club, Hush Bar, Soi Reggae, and Green Mango Club.
#26. Lamai
Lamai is one of the top places to go for nightlife in Samui, just after Chaweng. The mainstreet of Lamai is packed with bars, clubs, pubs, and restaurants. The nightlife in Lamai is more relaxing than in Chaweng. You can find some chill bars on the beach.
#27. Bophut
Bophut is also a great destination for a relaxing nightlife with many romantic bars and clubs. They are located on the main road and the beach road area. You can enjoy the nightlife with the Fisherman night market and the Wharf night Market.
Some popular bars in Bophut are Coco Tam’s, Kama Sutra, Gecko Bar Hill, and Emerald Irish Bar.
Island Hopping and Boat Trips
From Koh Samui, you can easily take island hopping tours to nearby islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Ang Thong National Marine Park.
#28. Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a beautiful island and is a popular boat trip from Koh Samui. It is located around 30 km west of Samui and easily explored on organised boat tours.
The island is known for its towering limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. It is a great place for swimming, hiking, and snorkeling.
Other cultural Attractions
#29. The Elephant Gate
This is a beautiful gate located on the way to Taling Ngam Beach and Wat Khiri Wong Karam. If you are traveling on a scooter, you can stop for a quick photograph.
#30. Tarnim Magic Garden
Tarnim Magic Garden is a small beautiful garden located in central Samui. The garden has old houses, a peaceful waterfall, and many intricate sculptures. Admission free is 100 baht.
Tarnim Magic Garden is easily reachable by scooter and taxi. It is located within a few km from the island’s main ring road. The road is quite steep with many turns, so be cautious and drive slowly.
See more:
These are my list of the best attractions and activities on Koh Samui. From beaches, night markets, nightlife spots, waterfalls, viewpoints, and temples, Koh Samui has something for all preferences. I hope you will add some of these to your list of things to do in Koh Samui.