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Visitors come to Koh Tao for its beaches and bays. There are too many beaches to write about but here are some of the most popular highlights.
ANG THONG NATIONAL MARINE PARK
The Ang Thong Archipelago, which achieved fame from its appearance in Alex Garland’s novel The Beach and its film adaptation, is made up of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Characterised by beaches covered in white sand, limestone mountains, jungles, waterfalls, and the like, the area is popular with hikers, sea kayakers, divers, and vacationers in general. The island of Koh Paluay is inhabited by a sea-gypsy community revolving around traditional fishing. This makes for an ideal day trip from Koh Samui.
Art Samui
This venue features trick art exhibits that aim to bewilder your eyes and turn pictures into three-dimensional objects and spaces. The gallery features work in four themes: Parody, Aquarium, Dinosaur Park, and Jungles.
Ban Tai Beach
This small and lesser-known beach spans only about half a kilometre, but its fine sands, palm trees, and clear waters make it an option for divers and swimmers. Worth noting is a strip of seaweed not far from the shore, along with a stony bed.
Bang Por Beach
Located on the northern coast of Koh Samui, this quiet beach features white sand and palm trees. Snorkelers should appreciate the calm shallow waters, coral reefs, and large varieties of fish.
Big Buddha Temple
Also known as Wat Phra Yai, this temple features a golden 12-metre-tall statue of the Buddha. In addition to more Buddhist art around the complex, the temple also has a courtyard and vendor area where visitors can find amulets, clothing, souvenirs, and food.
Bang Rak Beach
Also known as Big Buddha Beach, this rapidly developing spot is not only a hub by which to head to the airport or nearby islands, but also offers various accommodations, spas, shops, markets, and local nightlife.
Bophut Fisherman’s Village
Taking its name from its origins as a fishing community, this place features rustic buildings, boutique shops, restaurants, and hotels along the Beach Road. In addition, it is the site of the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street market.
Bophut Beach
Located between Bang Rak and Maenam Beaches, this area is known to be somewhat pricier, while visitors can find attractions like the Fisherman’s Village, boutiques, vendors, cuisine ranging from street food to high-scale restaurants, and dive shops.
Canopy Adventures in Koh Samui
This attraction features 21 platforms and 15 cable rides covering over 2000 metres that allow riders to zoom through the jungle canopy at speeds of up to 80 kilometres/hr over white sandy beaches, rainforests, and waterfalls.
Central Festival Samui
This shopping complex offers over 200 shops, bars, restaurants, activities, an open-air atrium, and a garden with a playground for children.
Chaweng Beach
Chaweng features not only one of the top beaches in Samui, but also offers more in accommodation than the rest of the island, with hotels, resorts, restaurants, beachside attractions, and even nightlife around to entertain visitors.
Chaweng Night Market
Located along Chaweng Beach Road, this is less a market and more an open-air food court that sells some clothing and souvenirs to go with local Thai food and international cuisine at low prices. There are also some small bars in the area for those in need of a drink.
Chaweng Thai Boxing Stadium
Visitors to Samui interested in Muay Thai might want to take a trip to the first boxing stadium on the island, which features a total of six fights each Tuesday and Friday night.
Chaweng Walking Street
Visitors eager to visit this place should expect something that is one part food court, one part night market. Here, shoppers can find dine on local street food while browsing, among other things, the clothing, counterfeit watches, souvenirs, and cosmetics on sale.
Choeng Mon Beach
This beach features soft white sands, as well as much in the way of nearby bungalows, massage huts, and restaurants. The area itself attracts older international crowds, with the accommodations to match.
Crazy Golf Samui
This mini-golf course features nine holes within a landscaped garden filled with various obstacles. Older visitors can head to the bar area, which includes a table football set, a pool table, and television sets to go with drinks and snacks.
Elephant Rock
For those wondering, this rock formation takes its name from its large size rather than any particular resemblance to the animal. Visitors can also hike within the rocky terrain or head to the summit for a view of the Gulf of Thailand.
Elephant Walk Koh Samui
Located in the Fisherman’s Village, this small night market is made up of local boutiques selling clothing, spa products, souvenirs, and other items, albeit at a higher price than in most such markets. Some of the stores are open during the day, while diners can find Issan-style cuisine along with a roadside bar.
The Escape Hunt Experience
This venue, located above the Tropical Murphy’s pub on Chaweng’s beach road, has three escape rooms that can be played with two to five players.
Escapology
Located within the Beach Republic resort in Lamai, the venue features two themed escape rooms—Cuban Crisis and Shanghaied—from which visitors seek to escape using the clues and items left to them.
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street
Each Friday from 5 – 11 PM, Beach Road and neighbouring streets become sites for the most popular weekly market on Koh Samui, as market stalls selling wares at affordable prices crowd the area. Aside from the goods that can be found at other night markets, one can find extensions of items sold at the local shops, as well as standout items such as handicrafts, herbs and spices, rare jewellery, and street performers.
High Park Slide Club Samui
This water park in Chaweng features two main waterslides measuring 15 metres in height and 31 in length with ramps at their ends. Also onsite is a smaller ramp for those unsure about braving the main ones. The venue also includes several bars and a restaurant.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai
These rocks on the coastline between Lamai and Hua Thanon village are infamous for resembling male and female genitalia. The seaside view from the rocks is wonderful, and a small nearby beach features white sand and clear waters.
Khao Chedi
Also known as the Rattanakosin Chedi, this pagoda on a hillside near Bang Kao Beach offers visitors an amazing view of the area and islands south of Koh Samui. The name of the structure comes from its white colouring, with the resident Buddha images keeping up the colour scheme.
Khao Hua Jook Chedi
This temple features many golden Buddha idols and various sculptures to go with its golden chedi. Its location in a hilly area means that visitors can admire the view of the nearby coastline and valleys near Chaweng Lake.
Koh Mudsum
Also spelt as Koh Matsum, this small island south of Samui is popular among daytrippers eager to enjoy white sands and waters fit for snorkelling and kayaking.
Koh Phangan
Thailand’s fifth-largest island is a granite beach topped with white-sand beaches and several dive sites surrounding a hilly tropical interior. However, what draws thousands of travellers is being the site of the Full Moon Party and other related events on New Year’s Eve.
Koh Samui Shooting Range
Visitors to Koh Samui’s primary shooting range have the opportunity to train with instructors in proper firearm usage and how to handle various weapons, as well as testing their skills with real ammunition against paper cut-outs.
Paris Follies Cabaret
The least family-friendly female impersonator show in Koh Samui presents an hour-long show featuring music and impersonations of singers like Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, and Madonna three times a night. Visitors should be prepared for the possibility of being invited onto the stage.
Koh Tao
If you are into scuba diving then taking a day trip to ‘Turtle Island’ is one of the best things to see, with white sand-covered beaches, clear waters, coral reefs, and diverse aquatic fauna (among them the titular sea turtles) making it an ideal travel destination.
Laem Sor Pagoda
Located near Bang Kao Beach within the Wat Laem Sor complex, the yellow tiles of this pagoda give it a golden glow that goes nicely with the oceanside scenery. It also features a Boat Hall popular with locals eager to pray and make wishes, as well as a small forest and a lake.
Laem Yai Beach
This somewhat secluded spot is one more for relaxation, appreciating the view, and walks than it is for water sports, making it ideal for anyone looking for peace and quiet.
Lamai Beach
Lamai Beach is the second-largest resort area on Koh Samui island which offers not only accommodation, dining, and shopping, but plenty in the way of local attractions. The beach itself is covered in white sand and palm trees, while the water is great for beach activities.
Lamai Night Plaza
Located in the heart of Lamai, this night bazaar features fake goods, flip-flops, and other items you might find in such markets. In addition, there are nearby eateries for hungry shoppers.
Lipa Noi Beach
Combining white sand and clear waters with close proximity to Koh Samui’s primary car ferry pier, this is one of the best beaches not just for families, but also those looking for a quiet spot to relax and unwind. Nikki Beach Koh Samui is a Resort and Spa right on Lipa Noi and is a popular place to stay amongst travellers.
Maenam Beach
Stretching somewhere between five to seven kilometres, this spot not only offers great views of Koh Phangan but is also popular with backpackers and those looking for a chilled beach on Koh Samui.
Na Muang Waterfalls
Also known as Namtok Na Muang (Purple Waterfalls) due to the purple colouring of their rock faces, these two waterfalls located about 12 kilometres inland from Nathon Bay are popular spots for visitors to relax or swim on Koh Samui.
Pink Elephant Samui Water Park
This Koh Samui water venue features rides, slides, and jacuzzis aimed at the entire family along with accommodations such as a restaurant catering to various diets, bars and refreshment stands, baby feeding rooms, and easy access for the handicapped.
Samui Butterfly Garden
Also known as the Na Tian Butterfly Garden features a lovingly landscaped garden home to various tropical flowers and butterfly host plants, along with the titular butterflies found on Koh Samui. There is also an onsite Insect World museum displaying rare insects, as well as a bee house.
Samui Football Golf
This venue on a beach road, the first of its kind in Koh Samui and Asia, involves playing golf via kicking a football into a hole using as few kicks as possible over 18 holes built on a coconut plantation. Also onsite is a botanical garden that is home to over 350 tropical plant species and various forms of wildlife wherein visitors can enjoy the scenery.
Koh Samui Go-Kart
This attraction next to Bophut Beach accommodates drivers of varying ages and skill levels as they race along a 500-metre track, with the go-karts available ranging from low-power engines capable of going 40 km/hr to ones with 25-horsepower engines that can reach 125 km/hr.
Koh Samui Snake Farm
This venue features daily shows involving snakes, centipedes, and scorpions, along with demonstrations of cockfighting. Also onsite is a reptile zoo where visitors are allowed to interact with the more docile denizens. It is most famous for being the site of a Guinness World Record involving holding a scorpion in one’s mouth and living among them, in addition to another record featuring a stay among centipedes.
Samrong Beach & Thongson Bay
The northernmost attractions in Koh Samui feature clear waters, white sands, and beautiful scenery. A third spot worth mentioning is the nearby Naturism Beach, which offers more of the same.
Secret Buddha Garden
One of the best things to do on the island is to visit the Secret Buddha Garden (also known as Heaven’s or the Magic Garden) which features a spectacular view from Pom Mountain and a private sculpture park within the natural surroundings. The sculptures depict various animals, deities, and humans, alongside Tar Nim Waterfall. You can hike up to the viewpoint or take a private tour.
Silver Beach
Also known as Haad Tong Ta-khian, this lesser-known Koh Samui beach 250-metre beach offers clear waters for snorkelling and swimming, as well as being a decent spot for sunbathing.
Sky Fox
Sky Fox Koh Samui visitors can glide through the canopy on cables across seven different stations. This cable ride accommodates everyone from children younger than 10 to senior citizens. Riders can also go on a tour of the wild jungle and a nearby waterfall.
Starz Cabaret Samui
This small female impersonator theatre on Chaweng Beach Road features an affordable show in which cast members do song and dance routines mixing traditional Thai culture with celebrity impersonations.
The beach is a quiet spot to get away from it all and appreciate the local scenery from a boat, although in recent years people looking for a little peace have been building accommodations and residents nearby, so try to get in your time away from it all while you can.
Thong Krut
This relatively quiet fishing village serves as a departure point to Koh Tan and other small islands off Koh Samui’s south. Visitors may be interested in seeing kor lae and the local Muslim culture, going fishing, or admiring the view across this small bay.
Wat Jee Kong
This Koh Samui temple near the Laem Dim market is a lovely example of Chinese architecture and the past Chinese- Thai population of Chaweng Beach during the 19th to early 20th centuries.
Wat Khunaram
One of the stranger sites on the island is Koh Samui’s famous temple which houses the mummified body of a monk that has been kept on display in a glass casket wearing a pair of Rayban sunglasses. People come to light candles, incense, and make offerings since his passing in 1973.
Wat Laem Sor
This Koh Samui temple was built to resemble a ship, with the blue structure being surrounded by a pool of water. Within the complex, visitors can also spy a rather large palm tree, while the greater complex includes Laer Som Pagoda and Khao Chedi.
Wat Plai Laem
This Buddhist temple in the northeast part of the island of Koh Samui gives insight into Chinese-Thai religious beliefs on top of what comes expected in a place of worship. It is known for an 18-armed image of Goddess Quan Yin, along with Buddhist art such as a white laughing Buddha statue and a lake where visitors who make a donation may feed the fish.
Wat Namtok Hin Lad
Also known as Hin Lad Waterfall Temple, this Buddhist shrine near the Hin Lad Waterfall features magnificent scenery and is a fine place for those needing to unwind and perhaps engage in self-healing on Koh Samui.
With its fine beaches, palm trees, and scenic views of the sea, Koh Samui, Thailand personifies the tropical paradise many travellers seek, it’s easy to see why it remains one of the top resort destinations in the country. Seeking to discover the best beach in Koh Samui from among the many choices will be a tough task. In addition to notable names like Chaweng and Lamai beach, other options include Silver Beach, Bophut, Lipa Noi, Maenam, and Choeng Mon. Koh Samui nightlife mainly happens around Chaweng beach. Some of the best restaurants in Koh Samui sit within resorts such as Saffron at the Banyan Tree or the contemporary-style Jahn at the Conrad. Many tour operators offer great Koh Samui deals to take day tours and enjoy various activities all around the island including visiting the iconic Big Buddha and island hopping.
RELATED INFORMATION
Koh Samui is the second-largest island of Thailand, in the Gulf. It is under the jurisdiction of Surat Thani province. It is a resort island famed for its palm-lined beaches and activities beckoning guests – from beginner to advanced. There are water sports like scuba diving, sea kayaking, swimming alongside colourful sea creatures, taking a boat tour to nearby Koh Taen and wonder at the whale sharks, visit Coral Island and the other limestone islands nearby to try clambering up the rocks. So many temptations to confuse you to decide on what things to do in Koh Samui.Samui Island, Surat Thani, south of Thailand, has 3 main beach towns. A tour, with or without a guide, inland will show you food stalls and more, adding to the island vibe of the coconut fringed shores.
For those wondering about things to do in Koh Samui, KoSamui.com recommends attractions such as Angthong National Marine Park, the Big Buddha, the Fisherman’s Village Samui, Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Koh Tao, Wat Plai Laem, Namuang Waterfall, the Secret Buddha Garden, seeing the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram, and enjoying a ladyboy cabaret show. There is no shortage of Koh Samui tours to choose from and get to experience the tourist attractions of the island.
This is one location that you cannot miss out on when you go to Koh Samui, Surat Thani. A visit to Koh Samui’s Magic Garden of Sculptures should be in the top 5 things to do in Koh Samui bucket list.Also known as Namtok Tar Nim, Heaven’s Garden or Magic Garden was created by an old fruit farmer, Nim Thongsuk. In 1976 he started putting up statues and temples in his family’s land northwest of Lamai Beach. The statues are of animals, deities and humans, in varying sizes and p including one of Khun Him himself. He planted the garden with beautiful foliage, with a waterfall and a stream. Situated on a hill with a steep and bumpy road, getting here would mean an ATV tour.Khun Nim Thongsuk was a gifted fruit farmer, held to be significant in Samui’s fame for the durian, the prized fruit of Southeast Asians, pungent to foreigners. He opened the family land to the public and developed the garden further, putting in representational sculptures of Buddhist folklore.The Secret Buddha Garden is situated on top of the Tar Nim Waterfall peak, thus presenting a panoramic vista from the gardens and the road upwards to it, making the tour one with temptations to stop many times and savour the beauty before you.
According to Viator.com, some of the best outdoor activities in Koh Samui include an ATV tour and safaris, tours of the deeper jungle (preferably with an English speaking guide), fishing trips, snorkelling, trips to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, ziplining, and boat rides to Koh Madsum and other nearby areas of interest.
According to GetYourGuide.com, some of the best day trips include Samui: 7-Hour 4WD Wild Jungle Safari Tour Including Lunch (organized by Mr. Ung’s Magical Safari Tours), Koh Samui: Island Hopping & Snorkeling with Pig Island Visit (organized by Tours Koh Samui), Mu Ko Ang Thong Park: Semi-private Sunset Cruise Tour (organized by Tours Koh Samui), and Koh Samui: 4×4 Off-Road Island Safari Tour Including Lunch (organized by Major Safari Tour).
See the below question on things to do with the entire family.
The short answer is ‘yes’ but if you need more convincing, this page and the greater website might further our argument.
As many as you like, but if you want a more specific answer, OnceInALifetimeJourney.com argues that travellers should consider whether they wish to go sightseeing, do things around Koh Samui, or relax at a beach or resort. Those who wish to engage in a combination of all three should probably spare four days for a trip.
Like any place, Koh Samui is safer in some places than others, but more specifically, there are things to be aware of. According to KoSamui.com, while it is mostly safe, tourists should be aware of potential taxi scams (involving meters, so keep an eye on them), general road safety issues due to lax driving standards, the jet ski scam, the typical dangers of enjoying the nightlife, and potential hazards from local wildlife like diseased mosquitoes.
According to Holidify.com, some free things to do in Koh Samui include visiting holy places like the Big Buddha temple, Wat Ratchathammaram, and Wat Plai Laem, seeing the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram, checking out the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rock formations, experiencing the Namtok Na Muan waterfalls, enjoying the sights at Lad Koh viewpoint, taking a trip down to the Fisherman’s Village, heading to the beaches, and enjoying a ladyboy cabaret show.
According to PeakLife.in, in addition to the usual attractions and things to do in Koh Samui, there are nightlife options for bachelors in Chaweng, which features clubs, bars, and discos. Aside from that, various outdoor activities that might appeal to singles are available.
For those wondering about the best time to visit Koh Samui, according to Planetware.com, January is the top peak month due to the weather being at its most pleasant. Furthermore, Chinese New Year often falls in January, although it can slip to February, allowing visitors to witness celebrations. February tends to be dry and lacking in humidity, while March sees little rain or clouds, making them both decent fallback options. However, travellers looking at other factors may opt for travelling at other times of the year.
According to LoveAndRoad.com, it depends on the audience. Chaweng Beach is ideal for those who don’t mind busy areas with much to do, Lamai is a less crowded version of Chaweng, Choeng Mon is recommended for those who want some peace and quiet, while Bophut is ideal for those wanting to stay in a trendy area, with Maenam Beach being preferred for those looking for luxury resorts and budget accommodations.
The rainy season in Koh Samui typically lasts from September to November.
According to TheTopVillas.com, Koh Samui is not particularly expensive and can fit many budgets, however, the cost of living is slightly higher than on the mainland. According to BudgetYourTrip.com, the average price of food there is about 570 baht per day.
KohSamuiSunset.com recommends activities such as a road trip to attractions like the Jungle Club or the Santiburi Country Club, exploring the natural scenery, chilling by the pool or the beaches, visiting the local temples and their associated attractions, taking a day trip to Angthong Marine Park, volunteering at Dog and Cat Rescue Samui, and considering the family-friendly parts of the local nightlife.KoSamui.com also recommends going to Aquapark Samui or Pink Elephant Samui Water Park, braving Samui Canopy Adventures, having fun at Samui Go-Kart, playing around at Crazy Golf, trying to make it through the escape rooms offered by Escapology at the Beach Republic in Lamai, trying out Samui Football Golf, and shopping at Central Festival Samui.
Trip101.com recommends activities such as the Picnic Tour, arranging for a romantic sunset dinner on a cruise ship or other such meals at a hotel or resort, a date on the beach, going on a safari tour, and kayaking, for starters. Visitors should also look into intimate activities like tours that are not particularly crowded that visit more secluded spots.
Samui is the second-largest and is in the top three among the most popular islands in Thailand. It was one of the first popular islands and it is easy to imagine that it has become touristy. There are just numerous hotels of all kinds, from luxury to budget accommodations, with a wide range of international cuisine to delight one’s taste buds.Koh Samui is referred to as a divers’ paradise with diverse dive sites, from rocky seamounts to lofty pinnacles, colourful coral reefs. Water sports, swimming, kayaking, or sun-worshipping on the soft white sands by day and gaping at the breath-taking sunsets by dusk.There are incredibly lush and green mountainous rain forests to trek, with amazing waterfalls along the way or nearby. At night, chill out at any of the beach clubs and bars or for a luxurious unwinding, indulge in the famous Thai massage, simple or aromatherapy. After all, Koh Samui is also known as one of the best yoga and massage destinations in the world.There is absolutely no lack of things to do in Koh Samui.
There are no whale sharks around Samui, these sea creatures would be found in the deepr waters. The aggressive kinds seldom venture into the waters near Thailand’s famed beaches. Harmless kinds sometimes think the swimmers may be fish food and this could cause incidents.The sharks in Thailand belong to non-threatening species and are reportedly decreasing in number. The last recorded fatality in Thailand was in 2000 and not in the seas around Koh Samui. The possiblity of a shark attack, espcially fatal, in Thailand is very low.But, it is still best for safety to heed official notices and guidelines issued by the government and reminders and tips from the tour operator or guide.
Koh Samui is the island of Thailand to go to party in style. There are so many bars – lounge bars, beach bars and beer bars, as well as discos and beach clubs located in the centre or nestled in the hilltops. There is even a themed bar where the ambience is gleaned from the bar’s name itself, a perfect place to literally chill out after a hot day trekking or swimming. There is a bar that is open from morning to night. It isn’t just nature, it’s also partying among the things to do in Koh Samui.
At the Lamai Beach, Koh Samui area can be found one of the two red light districts of the island. In Lamai, there are bars with scantily clad women dancers on the lookout for customers.Chaweng has two red light districts within the area. The first is in Soi Reggae behind the lake. The second is in the Soi Green Mango. Numerous lady’s bars with dancers and small clubs abound here.
There is no single best place to stay on this island. Koh Samui island and all of its natural features offer different things. Each place is unique and with various tourist attractions, there is no lack of things to do on this island. Even at the Ang Thong National Marine Park, one of the famous tourist attractions in the whole of Thailand, are many things visitors can do.As an island, water sports and other water activities are the expected things to do. There is sea kayaking, or a boat tour around the island or to nearby islands, or swimming in its clear waters.
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