Sandy beach, Club, Resort

Chaweng Beach is the most famous and busiest beach on Koh Samui. It offers the whitest sand on the island, the liveliest night scene and the largest concentration of hotels, restaurants, bars and beach clubs with discos. If you picture turquoise water, palm trees and cocktails at sunset when you think of a holiday in Thailand - you're probably picturing Chaweng. However, if you don't like too many people and nightlife, try other beaches on the…

National Park, Archipelago

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 limestone islands, an emerald lagoon amidst the rocks, vistas over the jungle and turquoise sea - exactly the type of scenery that people fly to Thailand for. The national park is located about 25km west of Koh Samui, and regular trips are also organised here from the islands of Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, as well as from the mainland. We went here as part of a day tour from Koh Samui for…

Island, Sandy beach, Animal Farm, For kids

Pig Island, officially Koh Madsum, is a small island a few kilometres south of Koh Samui. If you've ever seen a photo of a pig standing knee-deep in turquoise water, it was probably from here. Honestly? You wouldn't come here without pigs. Which is why it's good to know what to expect. It's a short, visually powerful trip. Not an adventure, not authentic wilderness - but a fun and photogenic stop during your stay on Koh Samui. Planning a trip…

Lookout, Natural formation

The Overlap Stones are one of the most interesting sights on Koh Samui and the most famous places in all of Thailand. These are giant boulders "laid" on the edge of a hillside overlooking the south of the island - and in photos they often look as if they are about to collapse. But the important thing to know is that there is not just one Overlap Stone. On the contrary - there are two different places that are quite different from each other. …

Sandy beach, Resort

Lamai Beach is the second most famous beach on Koh Samui and is often referred to as the quieter Chaweng. It has a long sandy beach, good swimming and plenty of restaurants and bars - just without the chaos. If you want a compromise between a beautiful beach and reasonable evening life, Lamai works very well. [btn "The best hotels on Lamai Beach" http://booking.com/beach/region/th/koh-samui.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-samui-lamai] A quick…

Sandy beach

Silver Beach (often referred to as Crystal Beach or Thongtakian Beach) is a small bay between Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach on the east coast of Koh Samui. In a relatively small space, you'll find a combination of light sand, calmer water and large boulders on the sides - which is why it's one of the most visually beautiful beaches on the island. 👉 If you're tackling your next island holiday planning, get inspired by our experiences of getting…

Sandy beach, For kids

Bophut Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the north of Koh Samui. It offers a long sandy beach, calmer seas than the east of the island and walking distance to the lively area around Fisherman's Village. If you're looking for a place where you can relax by the sea during the day and walk to dinner or drinks in the evening, Bophut is a very reasonable choice. Quick overview This is Bo Phut beach in a nutshell: 🌊 S wimming: more…

Sandy beach

Mae Nam Beach is one of the quietest beaches in the north of Koh Samui. If you're looking for a combination of a long sandy beach, minimal noise and views of Koh Phangan, you've come to the right place. Unlike the busier Chaweng, Mae Nam is more about quiet and morning walks than beach bars. A quick overview This is Maenam beach in a nutshell. 🌊 Water entry: quite fast, good for swimming 🏝 S and: rather coarse yellow-brown 👨‍👩‍👧 People:…

Natural formation, Coast

Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks are among the most visited places on Koh Samui. At first glance, these are just rock formations by the sea. But in reality, most people head here because their shape is strikingly reminiscent of male and female genitalia. It's a bit quirky, a bit of a tourist classic - and one of the places where almost everyone stops for a while. 👉 If you're planning an itinerary, it's also worth checking out the chapters on things…

Market

Fisherman's Village in the Bophut area is one of the most enjoyable places to spend an evening on Koh Samui. It combines beachfront restaurants, smaller bars, shops and regular night markets. It's not an authentic fisherman's village in the original sense. But it works great as a stylish and compact evening centre and I personally loved it. A quick overview 🍹 Atmosphere: lively, but quieter than Chaweng 🍽 Restaurants: great choice,…

Sandy beach

Coral Cove Beach is a small rocky cove on the east coast of Koh Samui, roughly halfway between Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach. Unlike these big beaches, it has a much more intimate feel - a few dozen metres of sand, large granite boulders and relatively clear water. It's because of the photogenic rocks that make it look like you're in the Seychelles that Coral Cove Beach is gaining the attention of travelers. [btn "Hotels in Koh Samui -…

Sandy beach, For kids

Choeng Mon Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the northeast of Koh Samui. It's only about 20 minutes from the bustling Chaweng Beach, but the atmosphere is completely different - quieter, more compact and more local too. If you're looking for a combination of a nice beach, plenty of facilities and a quieter location, Choeng Mon is one of the best choices on the island. Plus, you can walk here to the nearby islet of Koh Fan Yao - even…

Temple

Wat Plai Laem is, in my opinion, the most interesting temple on Koh Samui. Unlike the classic Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha), it is much more colorful, photogenic and overall looks more lively. The temple stands on an artificial pond and combines Thai and Chinese elements - exactly the kind of place that looks a bit "exaggerated" in photos, but in reality will pleasantly surprise you. [btn "Find hotels on Koh Samui" https://www.booking.com/region…

Temple, Statue

Wat Phra Yai, known as the Big Buddha, is the most famous monument on Koh Samui. The 12-metre-high golden Buddha statue stands on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge and is visible from afar - often even when arriving on the island, as the approach route to Koh Samui Airport passes through Wat Phra Yai. It's not a place you'd go to Thailand for, but as a diversion between beach activities, Wat Phra Yai is a great place to stay…

Market

Chaweng Night Market is one of the most popular night spots on Koh Samui. If after a day at the beach you're looking for an easy and cheap place to grab dinner, street food or just the atmosphere of an evening market, this is where a large portion of tourists from the Chaweng Beach area end up. The Chaweng Night Market is a street-food market focused mainly on food, but you'll also find a small clothing or souvenir section. [btn "Show hotels…

Market

Freewave Market is a smaller, modern night market next to Fisherman's Village on Koh Samui. In fact, it's probably not a place you'd plan an entire evening for. But as a quick stop for food or an unpretentious alternative to the larger markets, it works well. We stopped here more or less by accident - and it ended up being one of the most enjoyable "low-key" places in the whole area. [btn "View hotels on Bophut Beach" https://www.booking.com…

Waterfall

The Muang Waterfall 1 is the most easily accessible waterfall on Koh Samui. It's just a few minutes walk from the car park and there's a natural pool below the waterfall, which you can swim in if you have enough water. If you want to see the waterfall without a strenuous hike, this is the easiest option on the island. A few minutes from the car park and you're by the water Unlike other places on Samui, you don't have to deal with logistics…

Waterfall

Na Muang Waterfall 2 and the lesser known "Waterfall 3" are a completely different level than the easily accessible Na Muang Waterfall 1. This is no longer a quick stop, but a short but fairly intense hike through the jungle. And this is exactly why significantly less people get here. [btn "The best hotels on Koh Samui" http://booking.com/beach/region/th/koh-samui.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-samui-lamai] How difficult is the climb? The…

Sandy beach

Bangrak Beach is located in the north of Koh Samui between Bophut Beach and Big Buddha Temple. It's not the most famous beach on the island, but it has one big advantage - a great location. If you want to be close to the airport, marinas and main tourist areas, Bangrak works as a handy base for exploring the northern part of Samui. [btn "The best beach resorts on Koh Samui" https://www.booking.com/region/th/koh-samui.en.html?aid=2380460;label…

Sandy beach, Stony Beach

Thongson Bay is a small, unassuming beach in the northeast of Koh Samui, just a short walk from Choeng Mon Beach. It's easy to miss at first glance, but if you're looking for tranquillity and few people, it can be a pleasant surprise. It's not a beach you'd plan a whole day for. But as a short stop or "getaway" from busier places it works well. [btn "The best beach resorts on Koh Samui" https://www.booking.com/region/th/koh-samui.en.html?aid…

Pagoda, Lookout

Khao Hua Jook Pagoda is an inconspicuous temple on a hill above Chaweng Beach that offers one of the best views of Koh Samui. Unlike more famous sites like Wat Phra Yai or Wat Plai Laem, significantly fewer people head here - and that's where its charm lies. [btn "The best hotels in Chaweng" http://booking.com/beach/region/th/koh-samui.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-samui-pagoda] Quick overview ⛩ Type of place: temple + viewpoint 📍 Location:…

Garden

Tarnim Magic Garden, also known as Secret Buddha Garden, lies high in the hills in the middle of Koh Samui and feels like a world apart from the beaches down by the sea. While most of the island is all about sand, bars, discos and resorts, here you're suddenly in the jungle, by a stream and among dozens of stone statues. We drove here without much expectation - and it ended up being one of the most peaceful stops on the entire island. What it…

Department store, Market

Central Samui is the largest modern shopping mall on Koh Samui and one of the most practical places in the Chaweng Beach area. Here you'll find everything from a supermarket to restaurants to a small evening market - the perfect combination for a day when you want a break from the beach. A quick overview 🛍 Type of place: shopping mall + food court + market 🍜 F ood: wide selection (Thai and international) 🧼 Environment: modern, air…

The richly decorated white temple is located on the west coast and features interesting works of art and unique architecture. A small statue of a seated Buddha greets you at the entrance. However, this temple is famous for the mummified monk Loung Por Ruam. He has been enshrined here for over 25 years and his body still remains in very good condition. Near the temple is also the beautiful Virgin Beach.

Temple

Wat Khunaram is one of the most special temples on Koh Samui. Inside is the mummified body of monk Luang Pho Daeng, who died in a meditation position - and is still displayed in a glass box. On paper, this may sound bizarre. But in reality, it's a place of deep significance to the locals and has a much more peaceful feel than one might expect. [btn "The 10 best hotels on Koh Samui" http://booking.com/beach/region/th/koh-samui.en.html?aid…

Temple

Wat Ratchathammaram is just a few minutes from the famous Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks and also the Overlap Stones, but the atmosphere is completely different. While the rocks tend to be crowded, here you'll often see few people - or none at all. [btn "Hotels at Lamai Beach" https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?ss=Lamai+Beach%2C+Koh+Samui&aid=2380460;label=p-samui-red-temple] Red Temple without crowds The main building is distinctive at…

Market

Lamai Night Market is a smaller and more relaxed night market in the southeast of Koh Samui. It's not as well-known as the markets in Chaweng or Fisherman's Village, but that's what makes it feel so much more welcoming. [btn "The best hotels on Koh Samui" http://booking.com/beach/region/th/koh-samui.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-samui-lamai-market] Worth a visit? I went here more by chance to discover as many night markets as possible. For me,…

Statue

Magic Stone Fruits is one of those stops you'd probably never go to on your own - but when you're driving by, it's worth a quick stop. Along the roadside you'll find a collection of stone "fruits" (durian, apple, pineapple, and more) that look a bit like a bizarre garden with no clear context. It is not an attraction in the classical sense. More of a short attraction for 5-10 minutes, ideally when moving between sites around Lamai Beach or…