Things To Do In Koh Samui, Thailand

If Thailand is the land of smiles, Koh Samui is a complete paradise. Koh Samui is an astonishing island group in Thailand’s Chumphon archipelago. And is situated just off the east coastline of Kra Isthmus, in the Gulf of Thailand. Its palm tree shorelines, pristine rainforests make it an ultimate destination for travelers. It has ample of natural and man-made attractions, that will suffice to satisfy the hunger of all kinds of tourists. While, such is its popularity that it has earned the title of second most visited place in Thailand, after Phuket.

Koh Samui is home to pristine beaches, wildlife, and marine life. You can indulge in all kinds of activities, be it adventurous, leisure, or just some bar fun. Besides, this Buddhist country also has some fantastic temples and equally relaxing waterfalls, and serenity filled spaces. These, plus many more locations in Koh Samui make it an unusual tourist attraction. All in all, there’s a lot to see, click and enjoy in every nook and cranny of Koh Samui. So, all you need to do is know about what’s best, and make yourself an excellent itinerary. 

How To Get To Koh Samui?

The island of Koh Samui is located about 800 km south of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. But, there’s only one direct travel option for reaching Koh Samui from Bangkok, which is by air. For this, you’ll need a ticket from Bangkok to Koh Samui Airport. The Airport is located near Bophut Beach and is nothing less than exotic in itself. The Bangkok Air flights are scheduled at nearly an hours gap, though the tickets might seem expensive by Thai standards.  You can also book your seats with Thai Airways from Bangkok, which flies twice a day on this route. You’ll enjoy sitting in the cosy nook at the airport while you await your boarding formalities. However, it’s best to save on your travel budget by booking your seats in advance.

If you need to reach Koh Samui from Thailand’s Phuket or Chiang Mai or Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia, you can book a flight, which generally fly twice a day. In case you fancy a boat ride to enjoy fantastic views of the ocean, the Catamaran Ferry Service from Bangkok to Ko Samui will be a perfect choice. This is a part of bus and ferry service by Lomprayah, which includes 5.5-hour boat travel, of the total time. It is a good, fast, and fascinating way of travelling from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Plus, you can book yourself in any of the Koh Samui hotels, as most are located next to scenic beaches.

Now that you know about how to reach Koh Samui, shall I address another critical question – What to do in Koh Samui? Well, here you go!

Read And Learn Of The Best Things To Do In Koh Samui

Photo from Safari boat

The waters of Angthong National Marine Park have a wide variety of marine wildlife, which makes it a snorkeling paradise. Likewise, its primitive beaches offer some of the most spectacular sights in the country. Besides, its steep Limestone cliffs are beautifully carved by centuries of erosion. It also contains four different types of forests spread across 80 islands, which can be best explored via Kayaks. This area is considered excellent for snorkeling as it has one of the most transparent waters to enjoy the marine life. You can also treat yourself to the comfort of a bungalow, or a camping tent for some new adventure. 

Photo from i.pinimg

Experience the rustic culture of the fisherman community, where you’ll find a lot of places to shop from. Besides, most of the shops are on the beach, and of course, right next to the stunning beach views. But the best part is on Fridays. Plus, the entire area comes to life as it is visited by people from all over the island and all age groups. The most picturesque part is the main road in the village, which is a sight to behold, especially at sunset. And did we mention, you must also savour on the delicious seafood which is, without doubt, mostly Thai special. Plus, there’s no shortage of pubs and bars, for fun-filled nightlife.

Photo by travel corner

Hin Ta and Hin Yai translate to the Grandpa and Grandma rocks. If you are confused, it is a strikingly unusual formation of rocks, which is nothing but nature’s play. However, a legend states that when an old couple got shipwrecked in the area, their bodies washed ashore and created these rocks. Though a tragic tale, these rocks invite embarrassed chuckles, besides amazing white sand beaches. Though these waters are not suitable for swimming, you can find plenty of sites to capture the alluring scenery. Located on the southern coastline of Koh Samui, on Lamai Beach, these rocks never fail to amaze tourists. There are no charges to visit here and it’s open all day long. It is only 17 km from the airport, and all you need is a cab to reach the spot. 

Photo from ArrivalGuides

Though Koh Samui is home to countless waterfalls, the Namuang waterfalls are most famous for their exceptional beauty. So swimming in the cold waters of Namuang Falls is one of the best things to do in Koh Samui. These are two different waterfalls, the first one is at a lower height, and falls in a small natural pool. The second one is just minutes away up the hill and is quite a stunner. Set in the backdrop of a jungle, trekking is another thing that you can do in this part of Koh Samui. There are no charges for visiting Namuang waterfalls, and you’ll get plenty of souvenir shops on the way. These are perfect for couples, solo travelers as well as families. So these waterfalls deserve a spot on your itinerary. You can reach here from the ring road 4169, as its halfway between Lamai Beach and Nathon.

Photo from Samuipedia

The Big Budha sits in a majestic Mara position atop a small island of Koh Samui. So to get a little break on your adventure-filled trip, spending some time here is the best thing to do in Koh Samui, Thailand. The 12-meter tall statue of Budha was built back in the 1970s. Locals call it Wat Phra Yai. It is surprisingly visible from kilometers away and is also one of the first eye-catchers when you are about to land in Koh Samui. The pose of the sitting Budha depicts calmness, purity, and enlightenment, and the peace that prevails here is unbeatable. Thailand, having a majority of Buddhists in its population, gets a lot of local footfall in the Big Budha Shrine.

Photo by LittleIslandTakara

The Secret Budha Garden is hidden within the jungles of Koh Samui. Surrounded by lush green forests, visiting this location is one fantastic thing to do here. A Koh Samui fruit farmer is credited with the creation of this secret garden, as he began erecting these statues in his family land. The statutes are of different kinds, depicting animals, birds, humans, and deities. And the farmer had been erecting these statues until his death at the age of ninety-one. Since it is set up in a jungle, the environment is calm, and all you can hear is the sounds of wild animals or the hustling wind. Being located on Lamai Beach, a day trip is the best way to explore and unravel the mysteries of this garden fully.

Photo from AdventureInYou

Koh Tao or Turtle Island has ambient white sand beaches and super clear Thailand Gulf waters. With vibrant coral reefs makes marine life, which makes it one of the best scuba diving locations in Thailand. Turtles are another highlight of Koh Tao, and so are a collection of impressive beaches nearby. The glittering blue waters and equally blue skies make it worth a shot for your camera. This island has been recently discovered, and thus the natural beauty fo the location is still intact. However, due to the massive demand for tourism, many hotels and restaurants have popped up in the area. So night stay will always be comfortable in this side of Koh Samui.

Photo from VideoBlocks

Located close to the Big Budha Temple, Wat Plai Laem is another temple in Koh Samui that hosts a sizeable striking statue. The statue is that of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, with 18 arms. It has fantastic architecture and also several sculptures and murals in and around the temple. However, despite the centuries-old architectural style, this temple was recently built and welcomed devotees daily. A giant white laughing Budha statue is also eye candy. Another awe-inspiring attraction next to the temple is a fish-filled lake that adds to the tranquility. While it’s free to visit, the donations are encouraged. Plus donatees, get to feed the fish. How awesome is that?

Photo from JustGola

Koh Samui is also home to one of the greatest marvels of time, an ancient mummified monk whose body has been well preserved. Few kilometers west of Lamai Beach, this is a very spiritual spot for the Buddhists. The mummy is that of monk Luong Pordaeng, who took his last breath in 1973. The mummy is in a meditating position and placed in a glass case. While the best part is that there are minimal signs of decay on the monk’s body. However, the credit for the condition of his body is said to be his healthy habits and meditation. Only his eyes have been covered with black glasses, as they have suffered some deterioration. 

Photo from ActivityFan

Though it might not be everyone’s like, the Lady Boy Cabaret has a great fan following. Thailand’s third sex are known for their beauty and also for their highly feminine looks. Moreover, Thai culture is much open to the third gender than any other. Besides, they are known to be a prominent part of Thailand’s entertainment industry. Cabaret being no exception. The shows involve lip-syncing of popular songs coupled with an amazingly choreographed dance performance. To catch a performance, you’ll have to go to Chaweng, as that’s where you will find the most Ladyboy Cabaret Shows.

Photo by HolidayIQ

Chaweng Beach is one of the most happening beaches in the country. It is also the biggest town in Koh Samui and is home to most beautiful beach locations. Its three-kilometre long beach strip is replete with many romantic spots. And if you are with friends, get to a beach sidebar, just like in Hangover 3 (the movie) and make some fun memories. In case you need a quieter setting, the Lamai Beach in Koh Samui is a great alternative.

Photo from Amazing-pixels

If you are an adventure junkie, you must definitely not forget to hire a Flyboard ride. The Flyboard rider has a water jet pack that emits water with such ferocity that you’ll hover over water. Alternatively, you may also dive into the water, as you please. Besides, it’s your chance to taste what it feels like to be Iron Man. Up for it? Some other water sports available at Koh Samui, Thailand are Parasailing, Surfing, Jet Ski, Stand Up Paddleboarding, and many more.

Thus, Koh Samui in Thailand is full of adventures, and breathtaking views. And this is one island group worth exploring if you are traveling to Thailand. Besides, now you know about the most prominent places to visit and things to do in Koh Samui, Thailand. So snorkel, kayak or swim in the pristine waterfalls of Koh Samui, there are plenty of adventure and leisure options here. And now that you know where to spend your time and energy in Koh Samui, Thailand, I hope you will have an ultimate trip. So its time to book your seats and pack your bags, and reserve one of the astonishing Koh Samui hotels. Good Luck!