Free things to do · Koh Samui · Thailand
11 free things to do in Koh Samui
Koh Samui without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Koh Samui without paying an entry fee: Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), Chaweng Beach, Wat Plai Laem and Fisherman's Village, Bophut are all free. Flying to Surat Thani and taking the bus-and-ferry combination is usually much cheaper than flying direct to Samui.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 1
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- November
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach)
1.Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
Go at sunrise or late afternoon for softer light; cover shoulders and knees, and wraps are available at the entrance.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Views
Beach · Chaweng
2.Chaweng Beach
Walk the north end in the early morning, when the sand is empty and the water is clearest.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
- After dark
Religious site · Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach)
3.Wat Plai Laem
Combine it with the Big Buddha; children enjoy feeding the fish from the walkways.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Kids
- Photo spot
Street · Bophut and Fisherman's Village
4.Fisherman's Village, Bophut
Visit on a Friday after 5pm for the market, then stay for dinner on a beachfront terrace.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- After dark
- Couples
Nature · Lamai
5.Hin Ta and Hin Yai
Go in the early morning before tour buses, and wear shoes with grip for the slippery rocks.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Nature
Nature · Lipa Noi and the west coast
6.Na Muang Waterfalls
Visit after rainfall for the best flow, wear sandals with grip and avoid climbing on the wet rocks at the top.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Religious site · Lamai
7.Wat Khunaram
Dress respectfully and make a small offering if you wish; combine it with the Na Muang Waterfalls nearby.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Beach · Lamai
8.Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)
Arrive before 10am to get a spot; it gets crowded later.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Chaweng
9.Lad Koh Viewpoint
Stop here at sunrise when driving between Chaweng and Lamai.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
Beach · Chaweng
10.Coral Cove
Bring your own snorkel and wear reef shoes; avoid standing on coral.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · South coast
11.Laem Sor Pagoda
Combine it with lunch in one of the south-coast seafood restaurants and a boat to Koh Tan.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
- Views
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach) | Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) and Wat Plai Laem | 45 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Chaweng | Chaweng Beach, Lad Koh Viewpoint and Coral Cove | Half a day + 20 minutes + 2 hours |
| Bophut and Fisherman's Village | Fisherman's Village, Bophut | 2–3 hours |
| Lamai | Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Wat Khunaram and Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) | 30 minutes + 30 minutes + 2–3 hours |
| Lipa Noi and the west coast | Na Muang Waterfalls | 1.5–2 hours |
| South coast | Laem Sor Pagoda | 30 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Garden · Hills
Secret Buddha Garden
Go with a 4x4 tour or an experienced driver; the access road is too steep for most scooters.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Views
More ways to save
- Flying to Surat Thani and taking the bus-and-ferry combination is usually much cheaper than flying direct to Samui.
- Eat at local restaurants a street back from the beach, where prices drop sharply.
- Use Grab or agree taxi fares in advance; unmetered taxis are among the most expensive in Thailand.
- Visit in May, June or September for lower rates with mostly good weather.
- Villa rentals split between a group can cost less per person than resort rooms.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Koh Samui expensive to visit?
Koh Samui is moderately priced for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Koh Samui?
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai): Go at sunrise or late afternoon for softer light; cover shoulders and knees, and wraps are available at the entrance.