Things to do · Koh Samui · Thailand
15 best things to do in Koh Samui
15 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gunther Dihlmann, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Koh Samui are Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), Chaweng Beach and Wat Plai Laem. Of the 15 picks below, 11 are free, 2 work on a rainy day and 5 suit children. Allow about 6 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
- Free sights
- 11
- Good on a rainy day
- Thai cooking class
- Time to see the highlights
- 6 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) | Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach) | 45 minutes | Free |
| Chaweng Beach | Chaweng | Half a day | Free |
| Wat Plai Laem | Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach) | 45 minutes | Free |
| Fisherman's Village, Bophut | Bophut and Fisherman's Village | 2–3 hours | Free |
| Hin Ta and Hin Yai | Lamai | 30 minutes | Free |
| Na Muang Waterfalls | Lipa Noi and the west coast | 1.5–2 hours | Free |
| Secret Buddha Garden | Hills | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Wat Khunaram | Lamai | 30 minutes | Free |
| Silver Beach (Crystal Bay) | Lamai | 2–3 hours | Free |
| Lad Koh Viewpoint | Chaweng | 20 minutes | Free |
| Coral Cove | Chaweng | 2 hours | Free |
| Laem Sor Pagoda | South coast | 30 minutes | Free |
| Samui Elephant Sanctuary | Chaweng | Half a day | Expensive |
| Thai cooking class | Chaweng | Half a day | Mid-priced |
| Muay Thai fight night | Chaweng | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
The 15 best things to do
Religious site · Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach)
1.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. Steps lead up to the statue, which looks across the bay towards Koh Phangan, and the base is ringed by bells and souvenir stalls.
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
Samui's signature beach runs for several kilometres of fine white sand and turquoise water on the east coast. The north end, near Chaweng Noi and the reef, is quieter; the centre has beach clubs, water sports and evening fire shows.
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
A short drive from the Big Buddha, this temple stands on a lake with an 18-armed statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, and a colourful, Chinese-influenced ordination hall. Visitors buy fish food to feed the huge catfish in the lake.
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
Bophut's beachfront lane of old wooden Chinese-Thai shophouses has become Samui's most attractive dining and shopping street. On Friday evenings it closes to traffic for a walking-street market of food stalls, crafts and clothing.
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
The 'Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks' at the south end of Lamai are granite formations shaped by the sea that resemble human genitalia, linked by local legend to an elderly couple lost at sea. Stalls nearby sell kalamae, a sticky coconut sweet.
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
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. They flow strongest after the rains.
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
7.Secret Buddha Garden
Also called the Magic Garden, this hilltop sculpture garden was created from 1976 by a local durian farmer, who filled a jungle valley with stone statues of deities, musicians and animals around a stream. It is reached by a very steep road in the island's highest hills.
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
Religious site · Lamai
8.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.
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
1.Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)
A small cove between Chaweng and Lamai with granite boulders, white sand and clear water suitable for snorkelling around the rocks. A few small resorts and restaurants back the sand.
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
2.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. It is a popular quick stop for sunrise photos.
Stop here at sunrise when driving between Chaweng and Lamai.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
Beach · Chaweng
3.Coral Cove
A tiny bay at the southern end of Chaweng Noi with rocks and coral close to shore, making it one of the easiest snorkelling spots on the island when the sea is calm.
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
4.Laem Sor Pagoda
On the quiet south coast, this chedi covered in yellow tiles stands right at the water's edge, with views of offshore islands. It is part of a small temple and rarely crowded.
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
Experience · Chaweng
5.Samui Elephant Sanctuary
The island's ethical elephant sanctuary cares for elephants retired from logging and tourism; visitors observe them, prepare food and walk with them, with no riding or bathing shows.
Choose the morning programme, when it is cooler and the elephants are most active.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Programmes are small and sell out; book a few days ahead, especially in high season.
- Kids
- Nature
Experience · Chaweng
6.Thai cooking class
Several cooking schools in Chaweng, Lamai and Bophut run half-day classes covering curries, tom yum, pad thai and desserts, often starting with a visit to a local market.
Book a morning class with a market visit so you learn about southern Thai ingredients such as fresh turmeric.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Couples
Experience · Chaweng
7.Muay Thai fight night
Stadiums in Chaweng and Lamai stage regular bouts of Thailand's national sport, with traditional music and pre-fight rituals, from local youngsters to experienced fighters.
Ringside seats are pricier but give a much better view of the rituals before each bout.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Active
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Secret Buddha Garden |
| History | Wat Khunaram |
| Views | Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), Secret Buddha Garden, Lad Koh Viewpoint and Laem Sor Pagoda |
| Outdoors and nature | Chaweng Beach, Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Na Muang Waterfalls and Secret Buddha Garden |
| Food and markets | Fisherman's Village, Bophut and Thai cooking class |
| After dark | Fisherman's Village, Bophut, Chaweng Beach and Muay Thai fight night |
| With children | Wat Plai Laem, Na Muang Waterfalls, Chaweng Beach and Samui Elephant Sanctuary |
| On a rainy day | Thai cooking class and Muay Thai fight night |
What to book ahead
- Samui Elephant Sanctuary: Programmes are small and sell out; book a few days ahead, especially in high season.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Koh Samui?
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.
+What can you do for free in Koh Samui?
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), Chaweng Beach, Wat Plai Laem, Fisherman's Village, Bophut and Hin Ta and Hin Yai. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Koh Samui when it rains?
Head indoors to Thai cooking class and Muay Thai fight night.
+What is there to do in Koh Samui at night?
Fisherman's Village, Bophut, Chaweng Beach and Muay Thai fight night are best after dark.