This is your ultimate CHEAT SHEET to the BEST Things to do in Koh Samui to make your vacation truly memorable.
Sawasdee Ka from Koh Samui! Picture this…. You’re laying on a day bed, cocktail in hand. The emerald waters are lapping on the white-sand beach. Palm trees gently swaying in the breeze, and endless adventures awaiting around every corner.
We’ll dive into the best things to do in Koh Samui, from the best beaches, EPIC day trips, unforgettable restaurants and beach clubs, must-sees temples, and so much more.
Get ready for an unforgettable journey because Koh Samui is calling, and we’re here to make sure you don’t miss a thing. 🌞 So Let’s go!
FIRSTLY before we dive in, you might want to grab our PINNED Google Map to make your trip EASY BREEZY: Best Things to do in Koh Samui (make sure you SAVE it)
AND make sure you checkout our Bangkok Itinerary and MAP if you are stopping over in BANGKOK! Bangkok 4-Day itinerary & MAP
Table of contents
Where we stayed on Koh Samui
We absolutely LOVED our stay in Koh Samui and felt so SPOILT in this luxury Resort. What I love about traveling through Koh Samui and Thailand is the BANG you get FOR YOUR BUCK! You can expect to stay in 5 star luxury resorts for a fraction of the price it would be in other corners of the globe.
The Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa is located on a quiet beachfront stretch on Sunrise Beach, in Bophut. It’s location is close to the popular Fisherman’s Village walking street & markets.
It has one of the most beautiful infinity pools, with a swim up bar, and loads of day beds to chill, and also where you will find their new beach club, The Club by Zazen.
HOTEL LINK: Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa
Other facilities include use of their kayaks, Gym, Le Spa Zen Spa, wellness programs,
Including sunrise yoga sessions, detox programs, guided meditation, and more.
We stayed in a Beachfront Villa, which has to be seen to be believed!
Watch Instagram Reel
3 x Best Day Tours from Koh Samui
Next on our list of the BEST things to do in Koh Samui we are going to explore Day Tours & Excursions!
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to DAY TOURS in Koh Samui with so many options and vendors to choose from.
To help you narrow it down, these were our best 3 x Day Tours in Koh Samui and ones we would NOT MISS! We thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of these!
➡️ Don’t forget you can always use our discount code to book tours, hotels, transfers in Koh Samui with Klook, to get up to 10% off –
CODE (and link): TRAVELLIVNKLOOK
1. Day Tour from Koh Samui to Koh Madsum (aka Pig Island)
Koh Madsum is located only a short boat ride from the north of Koh Samui. Known as Pig Island, for obvious reasons lol, it offers a VERY unique experience and one that would have you thinking you were in the Bahamas.
You can visit Koh Madsum by booking a Day Tour, like this one we went on: Madsum Island & Koh Tan 1/2 day snorkeling tour
It is a 1/2 day tour (8am-1pm) which ALSO included a stop at a snorkeling spot off Koh Tan AND a buffet lunch.
The day starts off with a speedboat transfer from Koh Samui to Koh Madsum Island. There you will spend 2-3 hours playing with the pigs, swimming and relaxing.
Koh Madsum has a restaurant with drinks and food available to purchase. To enjoy the best interaction with the pigs, I suggest buying some pig food for roughly $4aud (PS: the pellets are the most popular to get the pigs attention, they didn’t really like the greens).
After your island escapade you will stop for a 30-40 minute snorkel off the boat near Koh Tan, before heading back to the mainland for a delicious buffet lunch.
WATCH our Instagram Reel to get better look at the whole experience.
This quirky Thai Island is perfect for the gram, and for photography and offers crystal-clear waters for swimming and snorkeling.
DAY TOUR LINK: Madsum Island & Koh Tan 1/2 day snorkeling tour (from Koh Samui)
2. Day Tour from Koh Samui to Ang Thong National Marine Park
Another TRIP HIGHTLIGHT was visiting the Ang Thong National Marine Park. Located about an hour by SPEED BOAT from Koh Samui.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a national treasure and is a stunning group of 42 islands.
The Day Tour we booked included the following stops:
- Snorkeling through a cave – THIS WAS AMAZING!
- Hike to viewpoint to view Emerald Lake.
- Buffet lunch on a private beach.
- Kayaking and exploring the hidden coves and lagoons.
- A hike to the viewpoint on Koh Wua Talap for breathtaking views of the emerald waters and surrounding islands. (Be PREAPRED it is a BIG HIKE) 1 hour return AND a very steep climb.
TIP: There are many tour operators that offer day trips to the Ang Thong National Marine Park BUT they DO NOT all offer the same quality. WE STRONGLY recommend booking with a company that uses a speed boat. I saw other big and SLOW tug boats that would take double the time to get there and back, meaning less time to explore. Koh Samui Ang Thong National Marine Park by Speed Boat Day Tour
3. Day Tour from Koh Samui to Koh Tao & Nangyuan
Koh Tao, is an island paradise renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs and is home to the most beautiful set of islands joined by a sand bank, Nang Yuan Islands.
Located a 2-3 hour ferry ride (or shorter speed boat trip) away from Koh Samui, you have the option of exploring Koh Tao by a Day Tour OR by staying a little longer and spending a day or three.
Most day tours include round-trip transportation from Koh Samui, and a visit to Nang yuan Islands. Like this one: Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan & Koh Tao by Lomlahk Khirin from Samui
Overnight in Koh Tao
We opted to do our own overnight tour from Koh Samui and stayed at the most incredible hotel that had uninterrupted views of Nang Yuan Islands. It also offered a private boat transfer service to Nang Yuan for 300 baht, making it a very affordable way to visit the iconic islands.
EVEN better our room was only $110AUD for a FULL ISLAND VIEW and included breakfast and transfers to the hotel from the pier!
CLICK HERE: Dusit Buncha Koh Tao by Riya Group
FERRY from Koh Samui: Booking tickets to Koh Tao is easiest through 12go, they offer pickup and drop off service, which ever you need, and it is easy to search ALL available ferry options and compare prices and times. We use this all across ASIA and THAILAND!
Getting around Koh Samui
Taxis or Grabs are easy to find in Koh Samui, although not the cheapest. If you are planning on doing some exploring, you could consider one of these options:
- Motor Bike Hire – Day Rate: 300-400 Baht
- Rental Car Hire – 1000 Baht (you can compare ALL rental companies through Klook)
- Hire a Private Driver for roughly 3000 Baht
FERRYS: To look up ALL Ferry options we used 12go.com or you can also use Klook
Top 10 Best Things to do on Koh Samui
Wat Plai Laem
Wat Plai Laem features a striking 18-arm statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, a Giant Budda, and other colorful sculptures and serene water features. It was alot bigger than I was expecting.
Big Budda
One of the island’s most iconic landmarks, the Big Buddha statue (Wat Phra Yai) stands at 12 meters tall.
Wat Ratchathammaram Red Temple
A beautiful Terracotta Red Temple located by the sea, decorated with sculptures of sea monsters and warriors.
Chaweng Beach
Shop, dine and relax at a Beach Club, along the popular stretch of beach, in Chaweng
Silver Beach
In my opinion, one of the BEST beaches in Koh Samui, go for lunch, a massage and a swim.
Grandmother rock and Grandfather rock
Another beautiful beach area, with rocks that oddly resemble the body parts of a man and female genitalia….lol
Overlap Stone 1 and 2
Located on top of the mountainside, you will find a huge rock and lookout. Be prepared as it’s a decent hike up both stairs and a very steep incline. The EFFORT is well worth it though, as when you reach the top the view is worth it.
COST: 200 baht which includes a drink (Soft Drink or Water)
Parking also available for free.
Visit one of Koh Samui’s Elephant Sanctuaries
BEST things to do in Koh Samui at NIGHT!
Koh Samui definitely has some great options when the sun goes down for ALL types of travelers. From food and fashion markets, fireshows, to cabaret shows or a beachclub, local bar or dancing the night away in a CLUB. No matter what, your nights in Koh Samui will be a blast
Koh Samui Nightlife Suggestions:
- Chaweng walking street and night market
- Fire shows along Chaweng or Bophut Beach.
- Cabaret Show at Paris Fillies in Chaweng Beach
- Lamai Walking Street and Night Markets
- Bophut’s Fishermans Village markets.
- Bar hopping along Chaweng.
Visit Bophut’s Walking Street and Night Markets
Bophut’s famous Fisherman Village night markets, run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with Fridays being the biggest night.
Lad Koh View Point
Visit Lad Koh View point for stunning view up the Koh Samui’s Coastline.
Best Koh Samui Beach clubs & Restaurants
- Cocoon Viewpoint Restaurant
- Pi Samui (Beach club)
- Coco tams (Beach club)
- 79 (Beach club)
- Jungle Club (Viewpoint Restaurant)
- Anantara Beach Club
- The Club, by Zazen
- #LOVE (Beach Club)
- Elephant (Beach Club)
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Continue your Thailand Itinerary and read our Bangkok Itinerary: Bangkok 4-Day itinerary & MAP
