# 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.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Koh Samui: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/in-1-day.md): Wat Plai Laem's 18-armed Guanyin, the golden Big Buddha, Bophut Fisherman's Village, Na Muang waterfalls and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks — with lunch.

## All 10 places with the YesGo score

- [Big Buddha](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/koh-samui-big-buddha.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free. The Big Buddha is a 12 m golden statue at Wat Phra Yai on the islet of Ko Fan, joined to Samui by a short causeway. It's the island's…
- [Wat Plai Laem](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-plai-laem.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · free. Wat Plai Laem is a modern lakeside temple 1 km from the Big Buddha. Its main statue isn't the Buddha but a white 18-armed Guanyin, the…
- [Fisherman's Village, Bophut](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/bophut-fishermans-village.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free. Fisherman's Village is Bophut's old quarter on Samui's north coast: a street of wooden shophouses along the sea, now cafés, restaurants…
- [Chaweng Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/chaweng-beach.md): YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free. Chaweng is Samui's longest and liveliest beach: about 6–7 km of white sand on the east coast. The north is calmer and shallower, the…
- [Red Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-sila-ngu.md): YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free. The Red Temple is the hall of Wat Ratchathammaram (Wat Sila Ngu) south of Lamai, built of unpainted red clay and stone and covered in…
- [Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/hin-ta-hin-yai.md): YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free. Hin Ta and Hin Yai ('Grandfather' and 'Grandmother') are granite boulders on the shore at the south end of Lamai Beach. Their shapes…
- [Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-khunaram.md): YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · free. Wat Khunaram is a temple in southern Samui where the body of the monk Luang Pho Daeng, who passed away in 1973, sits in meditation in a…
- [Na Muang Waterfalls](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/na-muang-waterfalls.md): YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Na Muang 1 free; Na Muang 2 ≈ 30–50 baht. Na Muang is a pair of jungle waterfalls in southern Samui. Na Muang 1, about 18 m high, is five minutes from the car park, with a big…
- [Secret Buddha Garden](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/secret-buddha-garden.md): YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ 80 baht. The Secret Buddha Garden is a private park of stone sculptures in the jungle on Pom Mountain, one of Samui's highest points. The farmer…
- [Ang Thong National Marine Park](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/ang-thong-marine-park.md): YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · park fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra. Ang Thong is a marine national park of 42 limestone islands about 28 km west of Koh Samui. You visit only on a full-day tour: a climb to…

## 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.

## Trip 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
- Arrival card: Online TDAC before you fly
- 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

## Key facts

- **12 m** — height of the golden Big Buddha, built in 1972 (source: Wikipedia, “Big Buddha Temple (Ko Samui)”)
- **42** — islands in the Ang Thong National Marine Park (source: Wikipedia, “Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park”)
- **≈ 51 km** — length of the ring road around the island (source: Wikipedia, “Ko Samui”)
- **Coconuts** — the island lived for centuries on coconut plantations (source: 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.

| Where | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Northeast** | [Big Buddha](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/koh-samui-big-buddha), [Plai Laem](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-plai-laem) | 1.5 h |
| **Bophut** | [Fisherman’s Village](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/bophut-fishermans-village) | evening |
| **Chaweng** | [Chaweng Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/chaweng-beach) | ½ day |
| **Southeast** | [Hin Ta & Hin Yai](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/hin-ta-hin-yai), [Red Temple](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-sila-ngu) | 1.5 h |
| **South** | [Wat Khunaram](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-khunaram), [Na Muang](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/na-muang-waterfalls) | ½ day |
| **Hills** | [Secret Buddha Garden](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/secret-buddha-garden) | 1 h |
| **Sea** | [Ang Thong](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/ang-thong-marine-park) | 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.

| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

| How | From | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Flight** | [Bangkok](https://yesgo.io/thailand/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.

- **January in Koh Samui**: day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 10. Rains clearing, ≈ 29°.
- **February in Koh Samui** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 5. Dry — a great time.
- **March in Koh Samui** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 5. Dry, ≈ 31°.
- **April in Koh Samui** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 6. Hot, calm sea.
- **May in Koh Samui** (best time): day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 30°C, rainy days: 13. About 33°, dry.
- **June in Koh Samui** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 30°C, rainy days: 12. Dry, warm sea.
- **July in Koh Samui** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 13. Good — the summer season.
- **August in Koh Samui** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 13. Good, short showers.
- **September in Koh Samui**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 15. Short showers.
- **October in Koh Samui**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 19. Rainy season begins.
- **November in Koh Samui**: day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 20. The wettest month.
- **December in Koh Samui**: day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 15. Rain and waves.

## 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.

- [Big Buddha](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/koh-samui-big-buddha) — free
- [Wat Plai Laem](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-plai-laem) — free
- [Fisherman's Village, Bophut](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/bophut-fishermans-village) — free
- [Chaweng Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/chaweng-beach) — free
- [Red Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-sila-ngu) — free
- [Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/hin-ta-hin-yai) — free
- [Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-khunaram) — free
- [Na Muang Waterfalls](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/na-muang-waterfalls) — Na Muang 1 free; Na Muang 2 ≈ 30–50 baht
- [Secret Buddha Garden](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/secret-buddha-garden) — ≈ 80 baht
- [Ang Thong National Marine Park](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/ang-thong-marine-park) — park fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra

## 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.

## Questions

### 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

- 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

Facts checked: 09.11.2026

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