Landmarks in Koh Samui
- 01
Chaweng Beach
Samui's longest and busiest beach: about 7 km of white sand on the east coast with restaurants, shops and nightlife behind it. The easiest base for a first trip.
- Time needed
- Half a day or longer
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon; February to April is the best weather
- Tickets
- The beach is free to use. Loungers and food are paid at beach restaurants. Water sports are available; use reputable operators.
- 02
Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)
Two weathered granite formations on the shore at the south end of Lamai, known as Grandfather and Grandmother. A short, free stop with a local legend and a sea view.
- Time needed
- 20-30 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Around 8:30-9 am for softer light and fewer visitors
- Tickets
- Free to see. Parking is a small charge reported at about 20 THB for a bike and 40 THB for a car; check on arrival.
Read the Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks) guide →
- 03
Lamai Beach
Koh Samui's second-largest beach, calmer and less frenetic than Chaweng, with gentle water and easy access to the southern sights.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning swim; late afternoon for a walk
- Tickets
- Free access. Loungers and food are paid at beach restaurants.
Temples in Koh Samui
- 04
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
A 12-metre gold-painted seated Buddha on the small islet of Ko Phan, joined to Samui by a causeway. It is the island's best-known landmark and easy to fit into a morning.
- Time needed
- 45-75 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler and quieter
- Tickets
- Entering the temple grounds is described by most guides as free, with donations welcome; check current rules locally. Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes before approaching the statue.
- 05
Wat Plai Laem
A modern Thai-Chinese temple built around a lake, best known for its white eighteen-armed Guanyin and a large Laughing Buddha. Easy, free and photogenic.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Free entry is reported by most guides, with donations welcome; check current hours locally. Cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes before entering any building.
Neighbourhoods in Koh Samui
- 06
Fisherman's Village, Bophut
A compact street of Chinese-Thai shophouses beside a calm bay on Samui's north coast, now filled with cafes, galleries and restaurants. Famous for its Friday evening walking street.
- Time needed
- 1.5-3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon into evening; Friday for the walking street
- Tickets
- No entry charge. The Friday walking street is free to enter; stalls and restaurants charge for what you buy. In October to December the event may be cancelled in bad weather.
- 07
Nathon Town
Samui's working west-coast port and former island capital, with the main ferry pier, local shops and a slower, less touristy feel.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon
- Tickets
- No entry cost. Shops and cafes are paid.
Day trips in Koh Samui
- 08
Ang Thong Marine National Park
A protected archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand about 28 km from Samui. Reached only by authorised tour boats in a full-day trip.
- Time needed
- Full day (about 8-9 hours with boat time)
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Calm months, typically February to April
- Tickets
- Access is limited to authorised tour operators. Park entry fees are reported to vary by nationality and age and boat access costs extra; check the operator's price and what it includes.
Experiences in Koh Samui
- 09
Na Muang Waterfalls
Two waterfalls in Samui's southern interior: Na Muang 1 (about 18 m) is a short walk from the car park, while Na Muang 2 (about 80 m) needs a steep hike.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes for Na Muang 1; 2-3 hours with Na Muang 2
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- October to January has the strongest flow; arrive before 9 am
- Tickets
- Na Muang 1 is reported as free; Na Muang 2 around 50 THB, with a small parking fee. Hours are roughly 8 am to 5 pm; check locally. No songthaew serves the site.
Gardens and parks in Koh Samui
- 10
Secret Buddha Garden (Magic Garden)
A hillside garden of Buddhist and folk-art statues created from 1976 by a retired durian farmer. Atmospheric, but steep and demanding.
- Time needed
- 1.5-2.5 hours
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Dry morning
- Tickets
- Entry fees and hours differ across sources; one reports around 80 THB. Check locally before you go.
Places of worship in Koh Samui
- 11
Wat Khunaram
A working temple on Samui's main road where the preserved body of the monk Luang Pho Daeng is displayed. Not a conventional sight, but a memorable one for those comfortable with it.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning
- Tickets
- Entry is reported as free with donations welcome; check locally. Dress modestly, remove shoes before shrines, and be quiet.
