Things to do in Koh Samui: top sights and where to go
Koh Samui is an island, not a walkable city: the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem sit by the airport in the northeast, Fisherman's Village is in Bophut on the north coast, Chaweng Beach runs down the east side, and near Lamai in the southeast you find the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks, the Red Temple and the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram, with Na Muang waterfalls and the Secret Buddha Garden in the jungle inland. Drive the ring road in one day by car or scooter, and keep a second full day for the boat trip to Ang Thong Marine Park.
Sights
Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)
Koh Samui, Thailand
30 minfreeviewsnaturesunsets
Na Muang Waterfalls
Koh Samui, Thailand
1 h 30 min≈ Na Muang 1 free; Na Muang 2 ≈ 30–50 bahtwaternaturewalks
Ang Thong National Marine Park
Koh Samui, Thailand
4 h≈ park fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extrawaternatureviews
Koh Samui itineraries
Koh Samui travel guide
Before you go: the Big Buddha and temples, Chaweng and Lamai beaches, Fisherman’s Village, waterfalls, Ang Thong, getting there and weather.
Koh Samui on your own: the essentials
- How many days
- 5–10 days: beaches, temples, islands
- When to go
- January–September; autumn is rainy
- Visa
- Depends on your passport — many are visa-exempt
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Arrival card
- Online TDAC before you fly
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Thai baht (THB); cash for songthaews
- Getting there
- ≈ 1 h flight from Bangkok or a mainland ferry
- Airport
- Samui (USM) in the northeast — 10–15 min to Chaweng
- Sea
- Gulf of Thailand: ≈ 27–30°, a different season from Phuket
- Getting around
- Ring road, songthaews, taxis, scooters
- Time zone
- UTC+7 all year
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Big Buddha Temple (Ko Samui)”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Ko Samui”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Ko Samui”Things to do in Koh Samui
The top things to do in Koh Samui are the Big Buddha and neighbouring Wat Plai Laem, Chaweng Beach, Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village, the Red Temple, the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks, the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram, Na Muang waterfalls and the hilltop Secret Buddha Garden. Ang Thong Marine Park takes a full day. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Northeast | Big Buddha, Plai Laem | 1.5 h |
|---|---|---|
| Bophut | Fisherman’s Village | evening |
| Chaweng | Chaweng Beach | ½ day |
| Southeast | Hin Ta & Hin Yai, Red Temple | 1.5 h |
| South | Wat Khunaram, Na Muang | ½ day |
| Hills | Secret Buddha Garden | 1 h |
| Sea | Ang Thong | 1 day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order.
Where to stay in Koh Samui
Where to stay in Koh Samui: Chaweng for the longest beach, restaurants and nightlife; Lamai for a calmer beach near Hin Ta and Hin Yai; Bophut for Fisherman’s Village and quiet evenings; Maenam for peace and lower prices; the south and west for sunsets and secluded villas.
| Chaweng | Beach, dining, nightlife | Busy and loud |
|---|---|---|
| Lamai | Beach, calmer | ≈ 15 min to Chaweng |
| Bophut | Fisherman’s Village, families | Smaller beach |
| Maenam | Quiet, budget | Far from Chaweng |
| South and west | Sunsets, villas | Transport needed |
How to get to Koh Samui
Fly from Bangkok to Samui’s own airport (USM) in about an hour; Chaweng is 10–15 minutes away. Cheaper is a flight to Surat Thani plus the ferry from Donsak — 3–4 hours in total. Boats also link Samui with Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
| Flight | Bangkok | ≈ 1 h |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Airport — Chaweng | ≈ 10–15 min |
| Ferry | Donsak, Surat Thani | ≈ 1.5 h |
| Speedboat | Koh Phangan | ≈ 30 min |
Koh Samui weather by month
Koh Samui’s weather differs from Phuket’s: the dry season runs January to September, ≈ 29–33 °C by day with the sea at 27–30 °C. The rainy season is October to December, with downpours and waves. In summer, when the Andaman coast is wet, Samui is at its best.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 29° | 30° | 31° | 32° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 30° | 29° |
| Night | 24° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° |
| Sea | 27° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 27° |
| Rain | 10 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 15 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: February–August
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 10 days
Rains clearing, ≈ 29°. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 5 days
Dry — a great time. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 5 days
Dry, ≈ 31°. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 26°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 6 days
Hot, calm sea. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 26°
- sea ≈ 30°
- rain 13 days
About 33°, dry. Warm for swimming, water — about 30°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 26°
- sea ≈ 30°
- rain 12 days
Dry, warm sea. Warm for swimming, water — about 30°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 13 days
Good — the summer season. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 13 days
Good, short showers. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 15 days
Short showers. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 19 days
Rainy season begins. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 20 days
The wettest month. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 15 days
Rain and waves. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
Koh Samui ticket prices
The Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, the Red Temple, Wat Khunaram, the beaches and Fisherman’s Village are free. You pay for the Secret Buddha Garden, the Na Muang waterfalls (the second has a park fee) and an Ang Thong tour with its park fee.
| Na Muang Waterfalls | 28 | 1 h 30 min | Na Muang 1 free; Na Muang 2 ≈ 30–50 baht |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Buddha Garden | 24 | 1 h | ≈ 80 baht |
| Ang Thong National Marine Park | 16 | 4 h | park fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra |
Free — 7 places: Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, Fisherman's Village, Bophut, Chaweng Beach, Red Temple (Wat Sila Ngu), Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks), Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk).
Tips
- On Friday evenings Fisherman’s Village hosts a walking street with street food.
- Cover shoulders and knees in temples; shoes come off at the Big Buddha.
- Renting a scooter needs a motorbike licence — without one you risk fines and void insurance.
FAQ
Is Koh Samui worth visiting?
Yes, for palm-lined beaches, temples, waterfalls and Ang Thong — and its dry season falls when Phuket is rainy.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
It depends on your passport: many nationalities are visa-exempt for a set number of days, and all visitors fill in the online TDAC arrival card. Check the official rules for your passport.
How do I get to Koh Samui?
Fly from Bangkok in about an hour, or fly to Surat Thani and take the Donsak ferry — 3–4 hours in total.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?
January to September is dry; October to December is the rainy season.
What is the weather like in Koh Samui in November?
Rainy season: about 30 °C by day with frequent downpours and waves.
What is the best beach in Koh Samui?
Chaweng for energy, Lamai for something calmer, Bophut and Maenam for quiet family beaches.
Where to stay in Koh Samui?
Chaweng for nightlife, Lamai or Bophut for a quieter base, Maenam for budget peace.
What is Ang Thong Marine Park?
A national park of 42 islands west of Samui, with kayaking, a viewpoint and an emerald lagoon — a full-day boat trip.
What to do in Koh Samui with kids?
Bophut and Maenam beaches, the Big Buddha, Na Muang waterfalls and a boat to Ang Thong.
How far is Samui airport from Chaweng?
About 10–15 minutes by taxi.
Sources and fact-check
- Wikipedia, “Ko Samui”; “Big Buddha Temple (Ko Samui)”; “Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park”; Samui climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand — official website
- Samui International Airport — official website