21 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is a pristine archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. The islands feature towering limestone mountains, thick jungle, white-sand beaches, fertile mangroves, waterfalls and hidden coves and lakes to explore.

Within sight of Koh Samui, Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is a protected area covering more than 100 sq km of land and sea. It's home to a rich variety of exotic wildlife and sea creatures. Snorkelling, hiking, sea kayaking, diving and simply relaxing are the main activities to enjoy at Ang Thong. The only way of getting to the park is through licensed tour operators so be sure to book with a reputable company.

The Big Buddha at the Wat Phra Yai on the northern coast of Koh Samui is one of Thailand's famous shrines and probably Samui's most well-known landmark. The 12-metre-tall golden Buddha statue can be seen from several kilometres away. The Buddha figure sits in the Mara posture, depicting a time during Buddha’s journey to enlightenment where he successfully subdued temptations and dangers thrust at him. The pose is a symbol of steadfastness, purity and enlightenment.

Inside the surrounding temple are many different shrines and other smaller Buddhas. There's also a small market selling a wide range of lucky charms and other souvenirs, alongside numerous food stalls. Be sure to adhere to the temple’s dress code before entering.

Fisherman’s Village in Samui is a historical part of Bophut, with rustic-style buildings housing boutique stores, trendy restaurants and a small selection of hotels lining the narrow Beach Road. Every Friday night, the whole area becomes the site of the Fisherman’s Village market, attracting huge numbers of shoppers from across the island for the impressive variety of wares and the lively atmosphere.

This old part of Bophut Beach takes its name from the fact that it was once home to a thriving fishing community. The fishermen have moved on and the main pier has collapsed, but the old wooden shophouses remain, with a warren of narrow alleys running between many of them.

The Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks are some fascinating rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Beach on Koh Samui. They've been a source of giggles and wonder on the island since they were discovered by the locals many years ago. Known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai), the rocks look, respectively, like male and female genitalia.

A signboard near the rocks tells of the legend of an old couple by the name of Ta Kreng (Grandpa Kreng) and Yai Riem (Grandma Riem) who lived with their son in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The views from the rocks and the area around them are spectacular, stretching across the sea to nearby islands.

Koh Samui is home to several incredibly iconic and ornate temples. Among the most beautiful is Wat Phra Yai, which is commonly called the Big Buddha Temple. This temple is famous for its stunning golden Buddha, which is 12 metres tall.

An equally popular temple in Koh Samui is Wat Plai Laem. It has colourful décor, stunning architecture and an 18-armed Guan Yin statue. For a truly unique experience, make sure to add Wat Khunaram Temple to your list, it’s home to a sacred mummified monk. Tours are available if you’d like to pack in as much sight-seeing as you can during your trip.

The Na Muang Waterfalls are among Samui's most picturesque waterfalls, though it's technically 2 consecutive falls. Its name refers to the massive purple rocks found surrounding the area. Rocks and tree roots form a natural staircase that leads to the base of Na Muang 1. A large natural pool sits under the waterfall, while a 10-minute walk further up the mountain leads to Samui's most beautiful waterfall, Na Muang 2.

The best time to visit is in the wetter months of September through November, when the waterfalls are in their full-flowing glory. Na Muang is a popular place for families to relax and swim. Many Samui tours include a refreshing stop at the Na Muang Waterfalls on their itinerary.

Secret Buddha Garden is a tranquil, sculpture-filled garden hidden high up in the hills in Koh Samui's interior. Thanks to its altitude, the unique site offers majestic views and an unusual collection of statues amid lush jungle surrounds. The gardens are a creation of an old Samui fruit farmer, Nim Thongsuk, who began erecting several statues and temples around his family's verdant land in 1976.

The statues depict several animals, deities and humans in various poses, including one of Khun Nim himself, sitting on a rock in a relaxed position. The garden has a waterfall and stream flowing through, all shaded by thick foliage. With the steep and bumpy road, getting up here is a challenge best undertaken in a 4WD vehicle.

Cabarets in Samui offer some exciting entertainment, nd Chaweng Beach has plenty to choose from. Expect to see a plethora of glamorous dancers and performers decked out in sparkly costumes in many venues clustered in the same area.

A popular option is Divas Cabaret, which performs family-friendly shows with a dynamic soundtrack every night of the week. Down the street is Cabaret Paris Follies, who claim to be Koh Samui’s biggest cabaret show. Featuring dances from all over the world as well as tributes to pop music icons, you’re sure to be dazzled.  

Samui's Buddha footprints may be a bit hard to find, but it's well worth putting in the extra effort to get to the site. Located on a hilltop shrine near the Butterfly Garden, they are in fact 4 footprints, engraved one on top of each other. The engraved footprints are an important religious symbol, said to reflect Buddha's mortal presence among the living.

The journey to find the site may be hard due to the overgrowth, so we recommend hiring a guide if you can. After you negotiate the 163 steps to the top, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views on the island.

Hua Thanon is a fishing village just south of the Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks. It is home to a large proportion of Samui's Muslim population. It still retains a quaint, old-Samui feel, with rickety teakwood houses lining the road, as well as some decent seafood restaurants and ethnic clothing and jewellery boutiques.

While you may not see too many long-tail boats setting off to cast nets these days, it's worth checking out the teak houses put to modern usage, with cars often parked in the front rooms.

The Lamai overlap stone is a set of impressively balanced boulders that are a challenge to get up to but offer spectacular views. The sights alone are worthwhile for the adventurous traveller. The steep, rough, dirt-track road leading to the viewpoint should only be attempted on a dirt bike or with a 4WD, and the last stretch may have to be walked, depending on conditions.

Alternately, another way of getting to the unique site is a hard 20-minute climb on foot, but there is a refreshment stall at the top and it's an exhilarating experience. Look for the signs on the right-hand side of the beltway 1 km south of Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks in Lamai Beach.

Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is taken very seriously throughout the country and Koh Samui is no exception. Although Thai boxing is regarded as the world's most dangerous martial art, it's surprisingly graceful to watch.

Chaweng has 3 stadiums that hold regular Muay Thai bouts, some of which feature both Thai and international fighters. Chaweng Stadium is the biggest on Samui and hosts all the major fights on the island, usually 2 or 3 nights a week. Phetch Buncha Stadium has a more authentic experience with traditional music accompanying the fights, while the Samui International Stadium offers English commentary for non-Thai visitors.

Samui Water Park is a spacious and modern waterpark near Maenam. The attraction features a range of high-quality rides and facilities, promising a fun and safe day for the whole family. The waterpark has an isolated feel, being set 1,500 metres from the Samui beltway, in a palm grove in the already relatively quiet Maenam area of Koh Samui.

You’ll have to tear the kids away from the pirate ship and play lagoons, and they’re sure to love the wave pool with sea water. There are a few high-speed slides for the adventurous ones and a Jacuzzi area for those who want to chill out and relax.

Also known as Crystal Bay Beach, Silver Beach in the beautiful little Thong Takhian Bay is located just off the main road down the hill into north Lamai from Chaweng. It’s worth a visit for the stunning scenery alone, boasting crystal-blue waters and white sand bordered by craggy limestone rock formations and verdant hills.

The water is shallow at low tide and there’s only one area good for bathing, to the left of the bay. The water is wonderful here, and snorkellers will see colourful fish around the rocks and reef. You can dine at any of the 3 resorts' beachfront restaurants, and one has a pool for diners and guests.

The Lamai temple is the social epicentre for the local community. Alongside weddings, funerals and religious festivals, it plays host to some lively temple fairs throughout the year with concerts, fairground games, food and even an outdoor cinema. The temple fairs last for over a week and, if you're in Lamai when one is being held, are certainly worth checking out.

The Cultural Hall inside the temple complex houses a quaint and unique collection of artefacts from Samui's past, including cooking implements, wooden agricultural tools, weaponry, ancient bicycles and a 2,000-year-old metal ceremonial drum unearthed in Lamai village. The monks know little English, so go equipped with a few Thai phrases if you can.

Diving in Koh Samui is among the top reasons to visit this tropical wonderland, with clear blue and warm waters together with amazing marine life. It's no surprise that the area is an extremely popular destination for both experienced divers and those wanting to take up the sport.

Short accredited dive courses are readily available, and prices are very reasonable compared to most countries. There's a wide range of dive shops offering all levels of instruction and, if you look around, it's not difficult to find courses conducted in the language of your choice. Chumphon Pinnacle is a great option, and Sail Rock is hailed as one of the best dive sites in the whole of Thailand.

Samui cooking classes let you learn how to prepare some of the most popular Thai dishes through cheerful courses led by culinary experts. You will learn about the importance of the balance of flavours in Thai cuisine and how to use the most important ingredients.

From appetiser to main course to dessert, you’ll cook a Thai meal and then enjoy eating it. A fun and insightful cooking class in Samui lets you have a lot of fun and gain valuable skills. Get ready to impress your friends and family once you get back home. You’ll find a huge range of classes available from culinary schools around the island, and some even include market visits.

Football Golf is an original and increasingly popular game created in Thailand at Samui Football Golf. The idea is simple enough: it's a hybrid of football and golf in which players try to steer a ball into 18 holes in as few strokes as possible: using their feet of course.

You and your group can play the game for at least 1 hour. At the same time, you can enjoy a refreshing tropical garden walk around a beautiful coconut plantation that forms the 18-hole course near Choengmon Beach. With special options for birthdays and other celebrations, it’s a great option for special occasions.

Samui Disc Golf is an extremely popular venue for the whole family. The facility is 1.2 km south of the Samui beltway in Maenam. The origins of Disc Golf, also known as Frolf or Frisbee Golf, date back to the beginning of the 20th century, but this fun activity only started to become recognised in the ‘60s before becoming hip, leading to the doubling of Disc Golf courses in the world since the turn of the millennium.

Samui Disc Golf’s 9-hole course is set in a fruit orchard, offering a pleasantly shaded area to play. This leisure activity offers Samui visitors a half-day of fun at affordable rates. Samui Disc Golf also organizes professional tournaments and private events for groups.

Santiburi Samui Country Club is the most renowned golf course and the only championship course in Koh Samui. Offering 18 holes through the magnificent, lush hills, coconut plantations, rock-filled valleys, streams and waterfalls above Maenam in Samui’s northern area, Santiburi has spectacular views over to the Gulf of Thailand and is indeed a world-class golf course.

The course features sumptuous facilities: a clubhouse with a top-notch restaurant, comfortable changing rooms and a well-stocked pro-shop. All these features have made Santiburi a top pick among the best golf courses in Thailand. Make sure you check online because the club often has deals.

Thong Krut is a fisherman's village in Koh Samui with a peaceful shallow-water bay where you can charter long-tail boats out to neighbouring islands. The beach is tranquil and picturesque and is a lovely spot to enjoy a picnic and build sandcastles. It’s charming at high tide and at sunset, and a stroll along the sandy expanse offers views.

You have the choice to eat at several large seafood restaurants, all with excellent sea views and fresh catches. There are several resorts lining the coast too, so you’re bound to have a restful stay.