2 days in Koh Samui

Day by day

1. Day 1: Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) and Wat Plai Laem

   Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), Wat Plai Laem, Chaweng Beach and Fisherman's Village, Bophut, then Muay Thai fight night in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

      Steps lead up to the statue, which looks across the bay towards Koh Phangan, and the base is ringed by bells and souvenir stalls.

   2. Late morning

      Wat Plai Laem

      Visitors buy fish food to feed the huge catfish in the lake.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khao yam

      Morning market stalls in Nathon and Lamai and southern Thai restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Chaweng Beach

      The north end, near Chaweng Noi and the reef, is quieter; the centre has beach clubs, water sports and evening fire shows.

   5. Late afternoon

      Fisherman's Village, Bophut

      On Friday evenings it closes to traffic for a walking-street market of food stalls, crafts and clothing.

   6. Evening

      Muay Thai fight night

      Ringside seats are pricier but give a much better view of the rituals before each bout.

2. Day 2: Hin Ta and Hin Yai and Wat Khunaram

   Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Wat Khunaram, Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) and Na Muang Waterfalls, then Chaweng in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hin Ta and Hin Yai

      Stalls nearby sell kalamae, a sticky coconut sweet.

   2. Late morning

      Wat Khunaram

      On the ring road near Lamai, this temple displays the mummified body of Luang Pho Daeng, a revered monk who died in meditation posture in the 1970s, seated in a glass case and famously wearing sunglasses.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Gaeng som pla

      Local rice-and-curry shops away from the beachfront.

   4. Afternoon

      Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)

      A few small resorts and restaurants back the sand.

   5. Late afternoon

      Na Muang Waterfalls

      They flow strongest after the rains.

   6. Evening

      Chaweng

      Clubs and bars around Soi Green Mango and beach parties at Ark Bar, busy until late.

If it rains

• Swap in Thai cooking class (Chaweng): Book a morning class with a market visit so you learn about southern Thai ingredients such as fresh turmeric.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–18 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in January to 12.7 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Bus. Shared songthaews run along the ring road by day, stopping on request; agree the fare before getting on, as prices for visitors vary.

More or fewer days

• One day in Koh Samui
• 3 days in Koh Samui
• 5 days in Koh Samui

Questions travellers ask