13 Awesome Things to Do in Koh Samui for First-Timers

13 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui

1. Visit Big Buddha Temple

One of the first places I highly recommend you check out in Koh Samui is Big Buddha Temple, a massive gilded Buddha statue located right on the coastline of northern Ko Samui, inside a colorful temple complex that you can explore.

At the temple, you can stroll around the peaceful temple courtyard, climb the stairs to the top where the big Buddha statue is and enjoy a nice coastal view of much of Koh Samui's northern coastline.

It is one of the most important landmarks on the island and a perfect place to start our journey as we make our way clockwise across the island starting from the north. The temple is open from 7 AM to 6:30 PM every day and there is no entrance fee to the temple.

2. Walk Around Wat Plai Laem

Not too far from the Big Buddha Temple, you will find Wat Plai Laem, another colorful temple complex you can explore. The temple is home to many beautiful Buddhist statues, shrines, and an ordination hall, decorated in this colorful and fun aesthetic that you don't see every day in Buddhist temples.

One of the main attractions of Wat Plai Laem is the statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, which is located in the center of the temple's main pond. The statue is 18 meters tall and has 18 arms, each of which holds a different Buddhist symbol. You can walk across a bridge to reach the statue and make offerings or just admire its beauty up close.

The temple also features several other impressive statues and structures, including a large statue of the Chinese Laughing Buddha, a golden Buddha, and an ordination hall with lotus flowers surrounding its base as if the temple is floating on water. Very cool.

The temple is open during daylight from 7 AM to 6 PM every day and you do not have to pay any entrance fee to get in which is awesome. If you are exploring the north of Koh Samui, be sure to drop by Wat Plai Laem.

3. Relax at one of the many beaches on Koh Samui

Of course, one of the best features of Koh Samui is its numerous sandy beaches where you can relax. There are several awesome beaches on Koh Samui and I've been to most of them while I was driving around the island.

Since there are so many of them, I will list the best beaches I found on the island here and the pros and cons of each one, starting with the most famous one of all, Chaweng Beach, a very long strip of white sand beach with sands that are soft to the touch, plenty of amenities like bars and restaurants, but it is also the crowded beach of all.

It is located in a very active area that attracts a lot of crowds every day so if you are looking for a quiet beach, this is not it. If you are a party-goer, on the other hand, you are going to love Chaweng Beach. It's the liveliest beach of all.

Maenam Beach in the north, on the other hand, is on the opposite of the spectrum. The beach is extremely quiet with only a handful of hotels located by it and that is it. There is no community, parties, or anything that will disrupt the solitude, which makes it a great place for those who are looking for a calmer experience on the island, especially at sunset.

That said, the sands aren't as fine as Chaweng Beach, but you can still walk barefoot on it. There are a few hotels that are located right by Maenam Beach like the Escape Beach Resort you can check out. I think you are going to get the most out of it this way as you can spend the evening, walking along the beach, and watching the sunset in solitude.

Lamai Beach is the balance between the 2 extremes. The beach does have a beautiful long strip of sandy beach and while it gets a lot of tourists, it is not as many as Chaweng Beach, and it has way more amenities than Maenam Beach. If you can't decide between the 2 above, maybe Lamai Beach is the best option for you. Personally, I prefer the more quiet Maenam Beach and its beautiful sunset.

4. Check Out the View from Lad Koh View Point

As you make your way down the eastern coastline of Koh Samui, you will find Lad Koh View Point, a nice viewpoint to stop, take a break, and go for a stroll on its walking path that goes along the coastline.

From this viewpoint, you will be able to see much of Koh Samui's eastern coastline and all its mountains and beaches as well as all the cool rocky features the area is known for.

Since the viewpoint is located right along the main road that goes around the island, it is a great place for you to stop by, take a break, and enjoy the beautiful roadside scenery before we continue our journey around the island.

5. Take Photos of the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai)

Right on Lamai Beach, you will find one of the most photographed rock formations on the island, the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai), which looks... somewhat peculiar.

Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks are natural rock formations named after they resemble male and female genitalia. The Grandfather Rock, or Hin Ta, is a large rock formation that juts out of the sea and has a shape that resembles male genitalia while the Grandmother Rock, or Hin Yai, is a smaller rock formation nearby that has a shape that resembles female genitalia.

Legend has it that the rocks were formed by a couple who were shipwrecked in the area and turned into rocks as a result of a curse. Another legend suggests that the rocks are a symbol of fertility and that couples who are having trouble conceiving should come and pray at the rocks.

The latter legend is probably what attract the first foray of local tourists in the first place and the place just exploded and becomes the place where people get funny selfie photos of the rock formation. It is definitely worth a stop to check out its peculiar shapes as you explore the east coast.

6. Visit Guan Yu Shrine

Next up, we visit Guan Yu Shrine, a small but colorful Chinese temple that features a large statue of Guan Yu, the god of war, along with other Chinese deities and symbols such as dragons and lions.

The temple is beautifully decorated with Chinese-style decors in mostly red colors which for the Chinese, means luck. There are shrines you can pay your respect to as well as a small museum that preserves the lifestyle of the Chinese community who had established themselves here many centuries ago.

The shrine is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day and there is no entrance fee to enter the shrine. There is a nice Hainanese chicken rice restaurant at the entrance you can stop by for lunch before we continue on.

7. Be Amazed at All the Buddha Images of Wat Samret

Wat Samret is truly a hidden gem of Koh Samui. The temple is home to a hall brimming with Buddha images that are both fascinating and rather eerie to walk around in.

Inside that building, you will find a stunning large Buddha statue adorning one wall, while over 80 other Buddha statues surround them. Notably, a Reclining Buddha takes center stage among the other Buddha images that are typically carved in a seated position.

The coolest part is that you won't find many tourists here as not many know about this place or they just skip it and spend time at a waterfall nearby instead, so you are definitely going off the beaten path here if you visit the temple.

The temple is located inland in a remote area along the road that connects the east and the west of the island, and a great place to check out along the way as we continue our journey west.

8. See the Mummified Monk of Wat Khunaram

Another sacred temple you should check out on Koh Samui is Wat Khunaram, home to the famous and highly revered monk that has been mummified in a glass case on display right in the temple hall for anyone to see in broad daylight.

The mummified monk is the body of a former abbot of Wat Khunaram named Loung Pordaeng. According to local legend, the monk predicted his own death and asked that his body be preserved so that it could be used to teach people about the impermanence of life and the importance of leading a virtuous life.

While the mummified monk is the main draw for visitors, the temple itself is also worth exploring, as it features several ornate Buddha statues and beautiful Thai-style architecture, so be sure to spend some time exploring the temple ground. The temple is open during daylight hours and there is no entrance fee to the temple.

9. Stroll Around Tarnim Magic Garden

Located on top of a mountain, in the remote part of the island, you will find Tarnim Magic Garden, a beautiful and unique Buddhist forest park filled with stunning sculptures and lush vegetation you can stroll around in.

The garden was created by a local farmer named Nim Thongsuk, who began building the sculptures in the 1970s as a way to express his love for nature and art. Over the years, he added more and more sculptures, creating a unique and magical landscape that has become a popular destination for tourists visiting Koh Samui.

The sculptures at Tarnim Magic Garden are made from a variety of materials, including concrete, wood, and stone. They depict various scenes from Buddhist mythology and Thai folklore, as well as animals and other natural elements. The garden is also home to several small waterfalls and ponds, which add to the peaceful and serene atmosphere.

You can explore the garden at your own leisure, taking in the stunning sculptures, and enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings. It does get a bit touristy during the day so I would recommend you visit the temple as early as you can.

The temple is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day and the entrance fee is 80 THB per person. Be sure to cover yourself in insect repellant if you don't want to become a mosquito's dinner as you walk around the park. It is definitely one of the best things to do in Koh Samui so be sure to check it out.

10. Visit Namuang Waterfall

And here comes the most beautiful waterfall of the island, Namuang Waterfall, a beautiful natural spot that is easily accessible by car with a large spacious area where one can freshen up and swim in the beautiful clear water of the waterfall.

The waterfall is surrounded by lush green vegetation which makes it feel like you are in a remote area even though, it takes less than 5 minutes to walk from the parking lot to Namuang Waterfall.

Around the parking area, you will find all kinds of shops and restaurants you can check out after you are done swimming at the waterfall. One thing I want to ask of you here is to not go on the elephant ride that is being advertised here. You can even see the poor living conditions of these elephants right in the parking lot as they are chained to trees, and yet I still see people doing it here.

Riding elephants sucks for the animals as they had to go through torture to be tamed to do it. Plus, the impact of carrying people on their backs several times a day every day of the week, is irreversible. Please do your part and help rid of this activity from Thailand once and for all.

11. Hike to Namuang 2 Waterfall

Now, if you are looking for a little adventure, you can hike to Namuang 2 Waterfall, the second tier of the Namuang waterfall located way up a mountain deep in the lush green jungle of Koh Samui.

To get to Namuang Waterfall, you will have to drive to the waterfall's parking lot and then proceed to hike the trail to Namuang 2 Waterfall. The hike is short and not particularly challenging but it is slippery especially during or after the rain, so I wouldn't recommend wearing flip-flops for this.

It takes about 30 - 40 minutes to hike up the mountain to the top and up there, you will find a small pool of water where you can get a nice photo of yourself in the pool as you look over the cliff towards the horizon. The place is popular so you might have to line up to get the photo. Get there early in the day to beat the crowds if you must.

Keep in mind that the hike is quite dangerous and you will be warned not to do it right on the get-go as you arrive in the parking lot, so do it at your own risk. There have been lethal accidents here before so if you decide to do it, please be extra careful here.

12. Visit a Real Local Night Market

Of course, when it is sundown in Thailand, you have to check out the vibrant night market and you just can't beat the Nathon Night Market, the real local street food market where you can try all sorts of delicious street food without paying the tourist price.

Nathon Night Market happens in the evening from 5 PM to 10 PM every day with Tuesdays being the liveliest day of all as the nearby roads are closed off and the market becomes 5 times bigger than on other days with plenty more of street food stalls you can try.

There is also the popular Fisherman's Village but I found this to be a tourist trap with overpriced shops and restaurants, catered specifically to tourists only. There is nothing local or authentic about this place, in my opinion.

The shops and restaurants here definitely look high-end which is probably why they attract so many tourists in the first place but the food price is outrageously expensive that you won't find any regular locals eating inside, only clueless tourists.

I checked the Fisherman's Village out of curiosity and it only took me a few minutes to realize just how much of a tourist trap the whole street is. If you are looking for a high-end restaurant to try or a tourist bar, then you might like Fisherman's Village but if you are like me and prefer a more local place, just go straight to Nathon Night Market and eat the delicious street food that is 1/6 of the price you pay at restaurants along Fisherman's Village.

13. Visit Ang Thong National Marine Park

For a great day trip to make from Koh Samui, I highly recommend you go on a boat trip and visit Ang Thong National Marine Park, a beautiful and protected archipelago located off the coast of Koh Samui and can be reached by a speed boat tour.

The national park is made up of 42 islands, most of which are uninhabited, and covers an area of approximately 102 square kilometers, and is known for its stunning natural beauty, with pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical vegetation that you can enjoy.

By visiting the park as a day trip from Koh Samui, you will have plenty of time to go island-hopping around the archipelago while enjoying a wide range of awesome activities, including snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking with plenty of time left to relax at the remote beach and take in the scenery at your own leisure.

The tour will pick you up at your accommodation and you will be transported to a pier where you will be provided breakfast and coffee as well as the national park ticket, which you will have to pay separately as it is often not included in the tour price before you are ushered onto the speed boat and off you go to explore Ang Thong National Marine Park.

Your first stop will be at Koh Wao where you will be snorkeling and exploring the rich and beautiful marine life of the national park for about 1 hour before we get back on the boat and continue our journey.

Next up, we will be stopping at Ko Sam Sao where you can choose to kayak and explore the beautiful rock formation up close or you can relax at the beach. You will have around an hour on this island before we go on to 2 of my favorite islands, Ko Mae Ko and Ko Wua Ta Lap, where we are going to do some hiking.

But first, we stop in the middle of the ocean to see the Numan Island which is a rock island in the shape of a praying monkey which is pretty cool to see. Then, it will take about 5 minutes to reach Ko Mae Ko where we will be hiking to the emerald lake.

You will be dropped off at the beach on the island and you can hike to the top of the ridge to see the Emerald Lake from above. The climb is very steep but it should take you no more than 20 minutes to get to the top.

From the top, you can make your way down the same way or make your way down to the bottom of the ridge to get an even closer look at the Emerald Lake where you will find a large school of fish, hanging out by the observation deck. Unfortunately, you can't swim in the lake as there is no way to get down to the water.

After about an hour at Ko Mae Ko, you will then proceed to Ko Wua Ta Lap, the highlight of the trip where you will have lunch first, and then you will be able to hike to the top of a mountain and get an incredible view of the whole Ang Thong Marine Park from above.

The viewpoint is called Pha Chan Charat Viewpoint and it is the place that I wanted to see the most on this trip, and it definitely didn't disappoint. From this viewpoint, you will be able to see the whole marine park in its entirety from all sides and you will be able to get some really epic photos of you and all the islands of Ang Thong National Park in one shot.

But to get such an amazing reward, you will have to work hard for it and hike up to the viewpoint which can take between 40 minutes to an hour depending on how many times you stop along the way. The trail is steep and can be extremely humid thanks to all the large trees that covered most of the trail.

The trail is well-marked and well-maintained though so you should be able to follow it without a guide. To beat the crowd, I highly recommend you power through your lunch and begin hiking as fast as you can so that you will be at the viewpoint before everyone else and get all the photos you want before a queue starts forming.

Along the way, you will also see some of these sleepy monkeys that often observe hikers passing by. They rarely ever bother you unless you carry something that looks like food to them so as long as you keep everything in your bag, you will be alright.

After the hike, you will have about 30 minutes of free time to chill at the beach, take in the scenery, and rest from the hike, before you will be taken back to Koh Samui, thus completing the day trip.

Be sure to keep an eye out for pink dolphins when you get back to Koh Samui we saw a bunch of them swimming on our way back to the island. Very rare to see! If you want to spend a day exploring Ang Thong National Park, I highly recommend you reserve the tour in advance here. It is definitely one of the best things to do in Koh Samui so be sure not to miss it.

Want to see more of Southern Thailand? Check out:10 Best Places to Visit in Southern Thailand

How to Get to Koh Samui?

To get to Koh Samui, you either fly directly to Koh Samui via Bangkok Airways, the only airline that flies to the island or you can get to Surat Thani and take a ferry from there. Flying directly with Bangkok Airways can be quite expensive but it will shorten your travel time significantly which is great for those who do not have a lot of time here.

You can also fly to Surat Thani, a southern province of Thailand, where you can then catch a ferry to Ko Samui. There will be more flights flying to Surat Thani than directly to Koh Samui and they are significantly cheaper. You just have to catch a shuttle service to Koh Samui Pier from one of the ferry kiosks at the airport. You can find cheap flights here.

If you like to travel slowly, you can also take an 8-hour bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani bus station and then you will find plenty of minivans waiting to take you to Koh Samui pier. You can check the bus schedule from Bangkok here.

For ferries, there are 2 operators running the route. One is the old Raja Ferry which runs almost every hour from 5 AM to 7 PM daily. They are a tad bit cheaper than the other operators but their ferries are old, clunky, and slow. They will also drop you off at Lipa Noi Pier which is a little further from all the action on the island.

The other one, and the one I personally prefer, is Seatran Ferry. Although they do not run as often as Raja Ferry, they do have newer fleets and it arrives more than 30 minutes earlier than Raja Ferry. You will also be dropped off at Nathon Pier which is closer to the city, and it is only a tiny bit more expensive. If the available schedule aligns with your visit, this is the one I would recommend.

For those who arrive at the airport or bus station in Surat Thani, be sure to find a shuttle service that will take you to the right pier since both companies leave from a different pier. Just let them know you want to take the Raja or Seatran Ferry and they will direct you to the right van to get on. For Seatran Ferry, you can also go directly to Seatran Bus Terminal, get a ticket there, and they will take you directly to Seatran pier.

If you want to rent a car and drive, you can also do it at Surat Thani Airport and drive to either the Raja Ferry Pier or Seatran Pier. Both ferries can carry a limited number of cars each trip so be sure to reserve the ticket in advance from their website. Here are the Seatran Ferry website and the Raja Ferry website.

The whole ferry ride should take about 2 - 3 hours depending on which company you go with. On the ferry, there is plenty of space you can sit, both outside and inside. You will find a minibar you can buy some snacks from as well as readily available toilets, and air-conditioned rooms. To get out of Koh Samui, the same information applies but in reverse, so you should have no trouble getting back to the mainland.

For the best things to do in Surat Thani, check out:11 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani

How to Get Around Koh Samui?

You can either travel around the island on an organized tour or you can rent a motorbike to explore the island. Your accommodation should be able to hook you up with a trustworthy motorbike shop that you can rent for around 250 THB per day.

If you are not sure where you can rent one, I highly recommend Idan Rent Motorbikes & Cars near Chaweng Beach. The daily rate for a motorbike is 250 THB and with a 2000 THB deposit, you do not have to leave your passport with them. If you are looking for a reliable motorbike shop, check them out.

Further Reading for Southern Thailand

Looking for more information about your trip to Southern Thailand? Here is a collection of articles about Southern Thailand that you might find useful:

• Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
• One of the best places to go snorkeling in Thailand is Koh Lipe, an island in the far south of Thailand. Here is The Ultimate Snorkeling Guide to Koh Lipe.
• Looking to change things up a little? How about we head down to the south of Thailand and explore one of my favorite places in Thailand? Here is How to Travel to Khao Sok National Park, Backpacking-style.
• The pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket, is an island full of history, cultures, and stunning beaches waiting for you to explore. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Phuket.
• There are over 30+ beaches in Phuket, and it can get quite overwhelming to find the perfect beach to stay at. Don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are the 8 Most Beautiful Beaches in Phuket.
• Visiting Phuket Old Town is the highlight of your Phuket trip. You can easily spend a day exploring the Old Town. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Phuket Old Town.
• Phang Nga is probably what Phuket was like before mass tourism ruined it. From quiet, empty beaches to wild, untouched waterfalls, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Phang Nga.
• Khao Lak is the main tourist hub in Phang Nga, and it is a great place to be if you like adventure, island-hopping, and snorkeling. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Khao Lak.
• If you are in Phang Nga, you should also drop by Takua Pa and its charming little old town. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Takua Pa.
• For a complete Krabi backpacking itinerary, check out: 3 to 5 Days Backpacking Krabi Itinerary.
• Whether you are an adventurer or a beach-goer, Krabi has it all. From island-hopping to rock climbing, here are the 13 Best Things to do in Krabi.
• Krabi is not just about beaches and islands. Krabi town offers a fantastic alternative place to stay, away from the tourist crowds. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Krabi Town.
• Ko Lanta is a quiet, remote, and less-trodden part of Krabi, making it a great place to visit for those who want to go off the beaten path. If you are planning to go there, here are the 8 Best Things to do in Ko Lanta.
• Nakhon Si Thammarat is the land of countless waterfalls that no one knows about. It is an off-the-beaten-path place to visit in Southern Thailand that may surprise you. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
• You've heard about Hua Hin, but have you heard about Lemon Bay? There's so much more to the Prachuap Khiri Khan province than Hua Hin. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
• There is more to Chumphon than just Koh Tao. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Chumphon.
• Surat Thani is not just Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. There is so much more to do in this province than you might think. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani.
• Have to spend a night in Surat Thani's Old Town and not sure what to do there? Check out: 8 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani's Old Town
• If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
• Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
• Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
• Photos are worth a thousand words, but what is worth more than photos? A video. Here are travel videos I made for Thailand: Timeless Thailand, a journey into the North of Thailand, Long Tail Thailand, exploring the beautiful south of Thailand, and taking it slow with Slowed Down Bangkok travel video.
• Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about you continue on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
• Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand or Central Thailand?
• For all articles about Thailand, visit Thailand Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.