Outdoors · Koh Samui · Thailand
7 best outdoor things to do in Koh Samui
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Chaweng Beach, Hin Ta and Hin Yai and Na Muang Waterfalls. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 13–17 hours across 4 areas; 5 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 5
- Time to see them all
- 13–17 hours
- Areas
- Chaweng, Lamai and Lipa Noi and the west coast
Outdoors in Koh Samui
Beach · Chaweng
1.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
Nature · Lamai
2.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
3.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
Garden · Hills
4.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
Beach · Lamai
5.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
Beach · Chaweng
6.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
Experience · Chaweng
7.Samui Elephant Sanctuary
Choose the morning programme, when it is cooler and the elephants are most active.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Chaweng | Chaweng Beach, Coral Cove and Samui Elephant Sanctuary | Half a day + 2 hours + Half a day |
| Lamai | Hin Ta and Hin Yai and Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) | 30 minutes + 2–3 hours |
| Lipa Noi and the west coast | Na Muang Waterfalls | 1.5–2 hours |
| Hills | Secret Buddha Garden | 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 5 free, 1 low cost, 1 expensive. Book ahead for Samui Elephant Sanctuary. The longest visit is Chaweng Beach; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Samui Elephant Sanctuary: Programmes are small and sell out; book a few days ahead, especially in high season.
How to fit them into 5 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Chaweng): Chaweng Beach, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Chaweng): Coral Cove, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Chaweng and Lamai): Samui Elephant Sanctuary → Hin Ta and Hin Yai, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Lamai and Lipa Noi and the west coast): Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) → Na Muang Waterfalls, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Hills): Secret Buddha Garden, at least 1 hour.
The best months to be outside
- February: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 5 rainy days, very busy crowds. Dry, sunny and comfortable; peak season, with calm seas for boat trips.
- March: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 5 rainy days, busy crowds. Hot and sunny with calm water; one of the best months for Ang Thong and snorkelling.
- April: highs of 33°C (91°F), about 6 rainy days, busy crowds. The hottest weeks of the year; Songkran water fights take over Chaweng and Lamai.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Chaweng — The island's busiest beach, with hotels, bars and shops
- Lamai — Second-largest beach town, more relaxed than Chaweng
- Lipa Noi and the west coast — Sunset coast of shallow beaches and secluded villas
More of Koh Samui
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Koh Samui?
Chaweng Beach. Samui's signature beach runs for several kilometres of fine white sand and turquoise water on the east coast.
+Which of these are free in Koh Samui?
Chaweng Beach, Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Na Muang Waterfalls, Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) and Coral Cove.