3 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 and Chaweng Beach, then Fisherman's Village, Bophut in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

      A 12-metre golden seated Buddha built in 1972 stands on a small islet joined to the north-east coast by a causeway.

   2. Late morning

      Wat Plai Laem

      Combine it with the Big Buddha; children enjoy feeding the fish from the walkways.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khao yam

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

   4. Afternoon

      Chaweng Beach

      Samui's signature beach runs for several kilometres of fine white sand and turquoise water on the east coast.

   5. Evening

      Fisherman's Village, Bophut

      Visit on a Friday after 5pm for the market, then stay for dinner on a beachfront terrace.

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

   Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Wat Khunaram and Silver Beach (Crystal Bay), then Muay Thai fight night in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hin Ta and Hin Yai

      Go in the early morning before tour buses, and wear shoes with grip for the slippery rocks.

   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)

      Arrive before 10am to get a spot; it gets crowded later.

   5. Evening

      Muay Thai fight night

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

3. Day 3: Na Muang Waterfalls and Secret Buddha Garden

   Na Muang Waterfalls, Secret Buddha Garden and Lad Koh Viewpoint, then Chaweng in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Na Muang Waterfalls

      Two waterfalls in the island's interior: Na Muang 1, about 18 metres high with a swimming pool at its base and a short walk from the road, and the taller Na Muang 2, reached by a steeper trail through the forest.

   2. Late morning

      Secret Buddha Garden

      Go with a 4x4 tour or an experienced driver; the access road is too steep for most scooters.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tom kha gai

      Most Thai restaurants across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Lad Koh Viewpoint

      A roadside viewpoint on the coast road south of Chaweng, looking north along Chaweng Noi and over granite boulders to the sea.

   5. 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

With 3 nights, Chaweng keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Lamai ($$) suits budget, couples, beach and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–19 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in January to 12.7 hours in June.

More or fewer days

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

Questions travellers ask