“Koh” means island – and “samui” means perfect. Okay, not really, but you can’t help but think that Koh Samui, off the east coast of Thailand, is the perfect island. From above, Samui looks like concentric circles of color: The center, dense with lush jungle, is surrounded by a ring of fine white sand, surrounded by an endless sea of jade-colored water. This is a screensaver of a landscape. Giant mountains rise from the ocean and quaint bamboo huts line the shore.
To dive into all that luxury, we’ve focused on the things to do, best places to stay, eat, explore and rejuvenate, leaving you feeling like you’re on the island – just maybe. “samui” more.
Where to stay in Koh Samui – Accommodation Koh Samui
Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands, each rugged and unique. Throughout the park, you’ll find limestone cliffs, rock caves, jungle, lakes and rivers, waterfalls, coral reefs, lagoons, hiking trails, and sandy beaches, all connected by the brilliant blue ocean.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is well protected as a national park, so exotic wildlife can thrive and human development never exceeds its limits.
Some activities that you should not miss like snorkeling, kayaking, and relaxing.
Visit The Big Buddha is definitely a must on any list of things to do in Koh Samui. Formerly known as Wat Phra Yai, this Buddhist temple complex is located on a small island off the northeast coast of Koh Samui. The giant golden Buddha sitting at the top of the temple’s stairs is 12 meters high and was built in 1972. If you fly to Koh Samui, you can sometimes see the Giant Buddha from the plane.
The Wat Phra Yai temple grounds also host a small market with souvenirs, interesting clothes and religious ornaments on sale.
You simply cannot visit Koh Samui without visiting some of the island’s stunning beaches. Remember to take note of these beaches in your list of things to do in Koh Samui.
Each beach has its beauty. So pick any beach in Koh Samui and you’ll feel like you’re in paradise.
This is one of the most interesting Koh Samui attractions and has many things to do in this garden.
Spend an hour strolling through the peaceful green forest and admire all the interesting statues; There’s a sense of mystery here at the very intriguing Secret Buddha Garden.
Some adventure tours around Koh Samui stop at the Secret Buddha Garden as part of their itinerary, although you can also drive on your own.
This is the best natural sights in Koh Samui. It is also the top 10 things to do that you should not miss.
Na Muang Waterfall One is super easy to access because you can basically drive right up to the entrance. It has a wide natural pool that is perfect for swimming (especially during the rainy season).
Waterfall Two demands some climbing, which is why you should wear strong, waterproof shoes. The dense jungle provides breathtaking natural scenery, and the view from the top of Waterfall Two is well-known among travelers.
This is definitely one of the craziest things to do in Koh Samui.
The Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks, located on a rocky beach on the island’s southeast shore, are notable for their resemblance to male and female genitalia. They are also known as the Grandfather and Grandmo ther’s Rocks, and there are a few local legends surrounding their formation.
Whether you’re interested in the tales behind the sites or not, the adjacent beaches are worth a visit.
Those looking for energetic activities on Koh Samui could visit Elephant Rock, which is located between Chaweng and Lamai Beach. This gigantic rock structure is known as “Elephant Rock” because it resembles a giant boulder the size of an Asian elephant. Climb Elephant Rock for a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding seas and beaches.
Muay Thai is an important component of Thai culture that visitors should strive to experience while in Thailand.
Chaweng Boxing Stadium, which is also the island’s oldest stadium, is the greatest site to see a Muay Thai boxing match on Koh Samui. Here, you may watch talented local athletes participate in combat, the strategies and tricks of which emerged from the Siamese Empire’s historic fighting methods.
Thai cuisine is full of flavor and fresh ingredients, and every meal feels like an adventure for your taste buds.
Local cuisine is a little different depending on where you are in Thailand. So if you’re a true foodie, you might want to take a few different Thai cooking classes around the country. Koh Samui has many cooking schools that offer full-day cooking classes, most of which include a tour of the local market followed by a tutorial on how to prepare classic dishes.
So dedicate at least one day in Koh Samui to a fun Thai cooking class.
The Gulf of Thailand is known for some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Southeast Asia with crystal clear water and colorful and dynamic wildlife.
Koh Samui has some nice snorkeling sites, but the best places for snorkeling or diving are next to other nearby islands like Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
Your best option is to book a day tour through a local tourism company, or contact us. Hanoi Voyages can make a plan and take you around the best snorkeling spots by speedboat.
The most popular places to stay on Koh Samui are definitely Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, Bobhut or Maenam Beach which have many hotels, resorts, villa…
On Chaweng Beach you’ll find a great range of options, including resorts with private pool villas, boutique choices and more
My suggestion
Boutique resorts in Chaweng
Mid-range and budget options
Budget and mid-range options
My suggestion
Lamai Beach is a long and relatively straight stretch of beach with hotels, resorts and bungalows for all tastes.
My suggestion
Budget and mid-range options
Koh Samui, like other tourist locations in Thailand, has a wide variety of delicacies ranging from Tom Yum to Pat Thai to mango sticky rice and numerous other cuisines. There are 50 restaurants on the island, not including those in the hotel and numerous little roadside cafes, so you’ve arrived in an eating heaven. The following are the most popular dining establishments on Koh Samui that you should visit:
For getting from Bangkok to Koh Samui there are several fantastic options to choose.
With only 70 minutes flight time, the fastest way from Bangkok to Koh Samui is definitely via a direct flight. Currently, only Bangkok Airlines lands on Koh Samui, which offers nine flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui daily.
Because Bangkok Airlines is the only airline that connects the island with Thailand’s capital, the ticket prices are accordingly more expensive and should therefore be booked as early as possible.
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
It is best to take the night train from central Bangkok Hua Lamphong station to Surat Thani. Then continue to take the bus to the ferry terminal and take the ferry to Koh Samui. Traveling by train is inexpensive and certainly one of the most convenient ways to get to Koh Samui. Tickets with reservations must be booked in advance.
Duration: train 12 hours + 3 hours for bus & ferry
This is probably the cheapest option to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui by night bus. The bus will bring you directly to the ferry port Pier Donsak and from there you will have to take the ferry to the island. The journey by bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui usually takes place at night, in the morning you can take the boat to the island.
Duration: 12 hours bus + ferry 1.5 hours
Two of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations, Phuket and Koh Samui have their own attractions. If you want to discover more about the beautiful island, we are always ready to help you plan your trip to Phuket. But to move between two famous places, we give you some suggestions below:
This is the quickest and most convenient way to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui. Bangkok Airways operates daily direct flights from Phuket to Koh Samui and usually departs in the morning and afternoon. Time-saving, with the flight typically lasting around 55 minutes. However, It seems like the most expensive option.
This option is to take a combined bus and ferry journey. The journey starts with a bus ride from Phuket to Surat Thani or Donsak Pier, followed by a ferry to Koh Samui. The combined bus and ferry journey typically takes between 6 and 8 hours, including:
Despite being economical and eco-friendlier than flying, It’s a long journey and travelers can be tired and confused.
Private cab rides from Phuket to the ferry port, followed by a ferry to Koh Samui, may be the finest option for individuals who appreciate comfort and a personalized experience. Private transfers are available at any time of day. Following the vehicle trip to Donsak Pier, there is a ferry voyage to Koh Samui.
Private transfers and ferry can take around 5 to 7 hours, including
There are two seasons in Koh Samui: dry season and wet season.
The best time to visit Koh Samui is during the dry season from December to March, when temperatures, rainfall and humidity are low. The weather in Koh Samui is the best, and it’s perfect for sunbathing, beaches, hiking, island-hopping and all the other adventures that Koh Samui has to offer.
If you are planning a beach vacation in the dry season, the water is calm and clear during this time, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. The beaches are also less crowded, so you can soak up the sun without fighting for a spot in the sand.
*Maybe this period is very busy with crowds of countless tourists, but don’t worry, try to relax on your trip.
