Koh Samui
Save28 hand-picked places in 9 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
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Tips
9 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Giant seated Buddha overlooking the north coast
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Sunset
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Go early or at sunset
- Climb the steps for views
📷 Photos
- 2
Colourful temple with Guanyin statue on a lake
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Free entry
- Feed the fish
📷 Photos
- 3
Longest and liveliest beach on the island
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: At night
2 tips
- Evenings are busy with bars
- Water is calm in dry season
📷 Photos
- 4
Relaxed beach with a lively night scene
3 tips
- Try the Lamai night market
- Good for sunrise
- Swim only when flags are green
📷 Photos
- 5
Grandfather and Grandmother rocks on the coast
3 tips
- Visit at sunrise
- Be careful on wet rocks
- Small souvenir shops nearby
📷 Photos
- 6
Popular twin waterfalls inland
3 tips
- Best after the rainy season
- Wear shoes for the walk
- Swimming is possible in the pools
📷 Photos
- 7
Archipelago of 42 islands with lagoons and viewpoints
3 tips
- Book a full-day boat tour
- Bring cash for park fee
- Closed in monsoon months
📷 Photos
- 8
Old fishing village with shophouses and walking street
3 tips
- Friday walking street is lively
- Great for dinner
- Browse boutiques
📷 Photos
- 9
Temple with a famous mummified monk
3 tips
- Respect the dress code
- Quiet visit
- Free entry
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Koh Samui tips
Transportation
- Ride songthaews on the ring road: Shared pickup trucks loop Route 4169 linking Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut and Maenam; flag one down, confirm the fare first and press the buzzer to stop.
- Rent a scooter only if you are confident: Hills around Lamai and the north coast are steep and traffic is fast; you need a motorcycle licence, a helmet and insurance that covers riding.
- Book island ferries in advance: Lomprayah and Seatran boats link Samui with Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the mainland pier at Donsak; book ahead around the Full Moon Party dates.
Security
- Photograph jet skis before riding: Rental operators on busy beaches like Chaweng are known for claiming damage afterwards, so record the whole craft on video and keep your passport.
- Respect red flags in monsoon months: From October to December strong currents hit east-coast beaches like Chaweng and Lamai, so swim only where flags and lifeguards say it is safe.
- Use app taxis or agree fares: Samui taxis rarely use meters, so book through Grab or Bolt where available, or agree the price for your trip before getting in and paying cash.
Saving
- Eat at Thai markets: Lamai night market, the Friday Walking Street at Fisherman's Village and Maenam's Thursday market serve grilled seafood, pad thai and fruit shakes for little money.
- Fly via Surat Thani: Flights into Samui airport are costly, so many travellers fly to Surat Thani on the mainland and take a combined bus and ferry ticket across to the island instead.
- Stay a street back from the sand: Guesthouses a few minutes' walk inland in Lamai, Maenam or Bophut cost far less than beachfront resorts and still put you close to the beach.
Weather/Clothing
- Plan around Samui's rainy season: Unlike much of Thailand, Samui gets its heaviest rain from October to December, while January to August is mostly dry, sunny and good for beaches.
- Pack for heat and strong sun: Expect hot, humid days all year; bring breathable cotton or linen, a hat, reef-friendly sunscreen and a rash vest for snorkelling trips to Ang Thong.
- Carry a cover-up for temples: Wat Phra Yai, home of the Big Buddha, and Wat Plai Laem ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees, so keep a sarong or light shirt in your day bag.
Cultural
- Mind Thai temple etiquette: Remove shoes before entering halls, never point your feet at monks or Buddha images, and avoid touching anyone's head, which is considered the most sacred part.
- Taste southern Thai food: Look for spicy kua kling, gaeng som sour curry and fresh seafood at local restaurants; ask for mai phet if you want it milder, as southern dishes run hot.
- Visit the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem: The golden Big Buddha sits on a small islet near the airport, and nearby Wat Plai Laem has a striking multi-armed Guanyin statue on a lake.
Local Hacks
- Go to Fisherman's Village on a Friday: Bophut's old Chinese-style shophouses turn into the Walking Street market on Friday evenings, with street food, crafts and live music.
- Take a day trip to Ang Thong: Ang Thong National Marine Park offers kayaking, snorkelling and a steep climb to a viewpoint over the islands; trips are often cancelled in rough monsoon seas.
- Head to the quiet south coast: Beaches around Taling Ngam and Laem Set and the fishing village of Hua Thanon show a calmer, more local side of Samui away from Chaweng's crowds.
1-day itineraries in Koh Samui
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.