The Ultimate KOH SAMUI Guide

You’re planning your next trip to Thailand but don’t know where to go? This post will outline all the reasons why to visit Koh Samui! The Ultimate Koh Samui Guide is perfect for first-time visitors and anyone who loves exploring the island in its natural beauty!
In this post, you’ll learn about where to stay in Koh Samui, what to do/see, and you’ll get a sneak peek into where to eat vegan in Thailand. Stay tuned for some HIDDEN gems & tips…

This site may contain affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.

Why to Choose Koh Samui

Koh Samui, nestled in the heart of the Gulf of Thailand, is renowned for being the country’s tropical paradise. The combination of white-sand beaches, lush rainforests, and rich cultural heritage makes Koh Samui an amazing place to visit. Countless resorts line the shores of this beautiful small island to accommodate millions of tourists each year, especially during the West’s winter months.

The breathtaking Buddhist temples and the natural aspects like beaches, waterfalls, and activities make Koh Samui the perfect travel destination in Thailand and Asia. The island offers relaxation, fun/parties, mesmerizing scenery, and cultural insides of Thailand. Aside from general tips on where to stay and how to get around, this guide summarizes THE ABSOLUTE BEST THINGS TO DO IN KOH SAMUI.

Where to Stay

Koh Samui has four main areas to stay in: North, East – with the neighborhoods Chaweng / Lamai, and South/West. Each of those has its pros and cons.
Generally speaking, Koh Samui has plenty of hotels and resorts (as well as Airbnbs). Since the island is mainly built around its tourism though, finding a good deal at a resort/hotel might be the easiest.
We stayed at a beautiful resort in Bophut (northeast) and found the area great!

Here’s where I’ve stayed before: Melia Koh Samui

East | Chaweng

As the hub for Koh Samui’s tourism, the city of Chaweng is the most popular place to stay.
The longest stretch of beach, plenty of places to shop/eat, and bustling nightlife make this area ideal for first-timers wanting everything nearby. Chaweng Beach is extremely touristy and crowded though, so consider staying here outside of the busy season (December – February) when it’s a bit calmer.

East | Lamai

Similar to the rest of the East, Lamai is known for its beautiful beaches, great food places, and boutiques around town. Even though Lamai is a popular destination, it’s more laid back than the main city of Chaweng. The tropical resorts here make for a fantastic getaway close to all the popular attractions.

South & West

If the overcrowded touristy atmosphere isn’t for you (who can blame you?), consider Koh Samui’s South or Westside. Beautiful beaches can be found everywhere on the island and if staying at a resort most of the time is what you’re planning to do anyway, this might be your best choice. Since these areas are more remote, getting to popular sights and cities on the island will take some time. Generally speaking, the West is home to luxurious resorts and beaches with crystal-clear water, e.g. Lipa Noi Beach, Tong Yang, and Laem Yai.

North | Bophut

The North is also a quieter and more secluded spot in Koh Samui. Due to its location, places like Mae Nam are the island’s hub for inter-island traveling by boat. The most known city here is Bophut because of the famous Fisherman’s Village with a large night market. Numerous resorts line the northeast peninsula and take up private beach strips while offering great proximity to Chaweng and Fisherman’s Village.

How to Get Around

With all the attractions and things to see on Koh Samui, knowing how to get around places is super important. Even though the island isn’t that large, popular spots can be rather far apart making them hard to get to.

The transportation you’ll encounter the most in Koh Samui (Thailand) is Songthaews. These open trucks with a canopy roof are bigger versions of tuk-tuks and a popular taxi alternative. Songthaews drive around touristy areas and can be waved down to stop. Beware that the drivers only take cash but are generally open to bargain the price if you stay consistent. They’re a great way to get around for cheap but come with the con of not being available in more remote areas.
Alternatively, you can book commercial taxis if you don’t want to rely on a Songthaew driving by.

For maximum flexibility, you should consider car or motorbike rentals. They can get you everywhere on the island and are mostly cheap too. Driving on Thailand’s roads doesn’t come without any challenges though – extremely busy streets and narrow/unmaintained roads make for many accidents.

Additionally, depending on where you stay, some resorts offer shuttles to bigger cities/attractions for a small fee or even free. Definitely inform yourself about the transportation possibilities at your place.

Where to Eat vegan

This might be surprising but Koh Samui has an amazing selection of vegan food spots – from food spots with vegan alternatives to fully vegan restaurants – there’s something for everyone.

Here are some of my favorite food spots…

Pure Vegan Heaven:
Located in Lamai, this fully vegan restaurant offers a lovely café vibe with delicious food for any taste!

The Hungry Wolf:
With a separate vegan menu, the options here range from pizzas and burgers to tasty chocolate pies in the heart of Chaweng Beach.

Jay Tamachad:
Looking for a plant-based buffet-style food spot with authentic Thai flavors? Consider going here.

Curious about more? Check this out:
Vegan Food Guide to Koh Samui

What to Do in Koh Samui

Visit Beaches

As an island, Koh Samui is home to many stunning & beautiful beaches. Nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, the beaches here grant beautiful white sand with crystal clear waters in the middle of paradise.
Depending on the part of the island you are in, consider one of these popular beach choices:

Best Beaches in Koh Samui:

• Chaweng Beach for the most popular beach
• Lamai Beach
• Silver Beach aka Crystal Bay for a hidden gem in paradise
• Lipa Noi Beach on the Westshore

Explore Temples

Even though Koh Samui is known to be a tropical beach destination, it’s important to not forget Thailand’s culture. Koh Samui may be small but breathtaking Buddhist temples with intricate architectural designs and captivating views are easy to find. Whether it’s huge statues of Buddhist gods or traditional temples and pagodas, these definitely have to be on your list!

Koh Samui’s Best Temples:

• Wat Plai Laem – two large statues surrounded by a lake & a golden temple
• Big Buddha Temple – a golden Buddha statue with beautiful views
• Pagoda Khao Hua Jook for the island’s best views (see below)

Pagoda Khao Hua Jook

This beautiful golden Buddhist temple is situated on the top of a hill overlooking Koh Samui’s shores. Khao Hua Jook easily grants some of the best scenic views of the island, especially during sunset. The grand staircase, dragon-shaped handrails, intricate architecture, and 360°-views will make you fall in love with this place. This pagoda is easily one of the most picturesque spots in the area!
Its location near Central Festival Samui (shopping mall) makes it a great place to visit after exploring the city of Chaweng.

Na Mueang Waterfall

As Koh Samui is a tropical island, it doesn’t run short of waterfalls. And if there is one place you have to visit, it is the Na Mueang Waterfalls 1 & 2. Waterfall 1 is the first waterfall you will encounter on the hike and is easy to find but also not the most picture-worthy.
Na Mueang Waterfall 2 is hidden behind a steeper hike up the cliffs that literally takes you to the very top of the falls. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking – views of the lush jungle, the waterfall running down the cliff, and a freshwater pool on the very edge. See for yourself…

Lamai Viewpoint

On the very south end of Lamai beach, nestled in the jungle hillside, you can find the scenic Lamai viewpoint. At 107 feet above sea level, this place serves as a café/bar while overlooking the beautiful region and sea. Coming here for activities like ziplining, grabbing a drink, or enjoying the view will be worth it. This location can be reached by either hiking or taking the cable car.

Spend the Afternoon at the Jungle Club

Similar to Lamai viewpoint, the Jungle Club offers fantastic views of the Gulf of Thailand. This resort and open-air restaurant is situated on a tropical hillside and is the perfect spot for an afternoon drink with a photo session. The restaurant offers traditional Thai food, as well as French, Italian, and Mediterranean. The panoramic deck, private bungalows, and infinity pool make the Jungle Club so popular.

Night Markets

A very typical Thai activity is strolling through bustling markets and exploring street food and little boutiques. Visiting Koh Samui’s vendors is a great way to connect with the locals and find unique souvenirs and traditional items to bring home. There are a couple of locations around the island but they’re open at different times of the week. Chaweng’s night market offers stalls mainly outside, with a few being located inside the Central Festival Mall and is open daily. If you’re looking for a place with a wide variety of stalls and especially food, Fisherman’s Village will be your best choice.

Koh Samui’s Night Markets:

• Central Festival Samui in Chaweng: daily 5 – 11 p.m.
• Fisherman’s Village in Bophut: Fridays 5 – 11 p.m.

Fisherman’s Village

As mentioned above, Fisherman’s Village in Bophut is known for its weekly night market. But even aside from that, this area comes with rustic shophouses converted into lovely shops along the main walking street. Additionally, the great Bophut Beach makes coming here a worthwhile experience. The nightlife is accompanied by live music and the food spots are amazing.

Secret Buddha Garden

The Secret Buddha Garden on the one hand is similar to the temples mentioned above, on the other hand, it’s a completely unique experience. The garden is located in the Na Mueang district of Koh Samui and will enchant you with beautiful views of serene nature in a zen environment. The garden features a waterfall and stone sculptures of Buddha and various animals that make for great pictures.

Snorkeling

What would be a beach vacation without water activities?
Koh Samui is an amazing place to snorkel due to the crystal clear waters and abundant marine life. In general, the island has many good spots to explore the ocean. Some of the best beaches with the clearest waters and coral life are Chaweng, Taling Ngam, and Coral Cove.

Shopping at Central Festival Samui

The Central Festival Samui is Koh Samui’s biggest shopping center. If you run into some rainy days or feel like you’ve had enough of being outdoors, going shopping here can be so fun. There are many local shops to discover, but also some known (clothing) chains from around the globe. The mall is partly open-air with luscious greenery growing through the center of the building. Even coming here during the evening hours can be a great way to end the day.

Ang Thong National Marine Park

Probably one of the most stunning trips you can take from Koh Samui by boat is to the Ang Thong National Marine Park. This area of water consists of 42 lush green islands in the middle of the ocean and has so much to explore. Some of the best activities here are kayaking, snorkeling, hiking to viewpoints, exploring caves, and so on. You can easily book a tour online or possibly directly at your hotel if you’re deciding last minute.
Coming here will easily be worth your whole trip to Thailand!

What to see/explore:

• Koh Wua Ta Lap Beach (see image above)
• Pha Jun Jaras Viewpoint – the most pictured view of the islands
• Emerald Lake/Lagoon
• Bua Bok Cave – a magical crystal cave
• Dusky Leaf Monkeys

Celebrate the Lunar New Year

If you happen to come to Thailand between January – February, you might be lucky to be around on the day of the Chinese New Year. Since Koh Samui has a large population with Chinese heritage, many colorful and fun celebrations take place on the island. You will see the traditional dragon parades, vibrant decorations, and events at the Chinese temple of Maenam. It’s definitely worth experiencing!
Beware that during these times travel to Koh Samui is more expensive than in other months.

Good to Know – Visiting Thailand’s Temples

Last but not least, since this list includes some temples and sacred places, it’s important to know some basic etiquette. Check out this post if you’re not sure what to wear, what to bring, or if you’re new to Thailand and need some advice and tips on traveling and sightseeing temples.

You made it! This was The Ultimate Koh Samui Guide with things to do that you definitely don’t want to miss the next time you visit Thailand.
No matter if you like your trips more laid back or adventurous, this bucket list should have something for everyone.

Leave your suggestions and must-dos in the comments. 🙂

Wondering what’s next in Koh Samui? Check out these:
Vegan Food Guide to Koh Samui || Best Photo Spots in Koh Samui

Love it? Pin it!