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What places to visit in Koh Samui?

What to see in Koh Samui

We usually do not go to Koh Samui for its monuments but there are still some interesting places to see like Wat Khunaram and its mummified monk.
I also listed at the end of the page some good tours, excursions and activities that you can do in Koh Samui or from Koh Samui. Click here to see them.

Must-visit places in Koh Samui

big-buddha.jpg

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

วัดพระใหญ่
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
in the North of the island, close to the airport. It is quite impressive.
koh-samui-wat-plai-laem.jpg

Wat Plai Laem

วัดปลายแหลม
My opinion :
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This Buddhist and Chinese temple is especially remarkable for its large statue of the goddess Guanyin and its 18 arms. Located near the Big Buddha, it may be interesting to add to the big Buddha visit.
koh-tan-snorkeling-samui.jpg

Koh Taen island

เกาะ แตน
My opinion :
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This small island and its neighbor Koh Matsum are located in the south of Koh Samui, about twenty minutes by boat. Still wild, there is a reef where you can snorkel among multicolored fishes. It is a half day or full day trip tour still preserved from mass tourism.
koh-samui-hin-ta-hin-yai.jpg

Hin Ta Hin Yai

หินตา หินยาย
My opinion :
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Located on the seafront between Lamai and Hua Thanon, these rocks have the shape of a penis and a vagina and attract many tourists who want to photograph them.
koh-samui-top-view.jpg

Koh Samui Summit

พระพุทธ ทีปังกร
My opinion :
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On the highest point of Koh Samui when the weather is good you have a magnificent view over the island. At the top, there is a temple, Wat Theepangkorn with a large standing Buddha image on a large esplanade that gives access to the view. Few people know it but the best view is not there...
ang-thong-national-marine-park-thailand.jpg

Ang Thong National Marine Park

อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะอ่างทอง
My opinion :
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The Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of about 42 islands offering breathtaking sceneries. All the islands are uninhabited and undeveloped except two: Koh Paluay, inhabited by gypsies of the sea and Koh Wua Talap where the park office and the bungalows for those who would like to spend the night there are located. There are also two lovely beaches, the Buaboke Cave and the most famous viewpoint of Ang Thong. The other must-see of any excursion in the park is Thale Nai, a beautiful emerald saltwater lake. Admission to the park costs 300 baht per person. All Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao agencies offer boat trips to the Ang Thong Marine Park with snorkeling and diving but it is Koh Samui which is the nearest island.
koh-matsum-pig-island-samui.jpg

Koh Matsum

เกาะมัดสุม
My opinion :
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Known now as the pig island since a small family of wild pigs has been introduced on the island to make it more popular with tourists, Ko Madsum is almost always associated with visiting or at least snorkeling off Koh Taen, the neighbor island.
samui-overlap-stone.jpg
My opinion :
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This large rock which seems to be threatening to fall into the void at any time offers a very nice viewpoint on Lamai Beach and has become one of the best known viewpoints in Ko Samui. Only problem, it is not so easy to get there.
Find a room in Koh Samui

Other nice places to visit in Koh Samui

Samui Elephant Sanctuary

Samui Elephant Sanctuary

starstarstarstarstar This respectful elephant sanctuary opened in early 2018. It is the first elephant sanctuary on an island that had until then only elephants trekking camps. By going there, you will live a beautiful encounter with elephants while being sure to not involuntarily participate in their abuse.
Khao Hua Jook Pagoda

Khao Hua Jook Pagoda

starstarstarstar and its golden chedi temple close to Chaweng Beach. Perched on a hill, Kho Hua Jook pagoda offers a beautiful view on the airport runway and the lake
Khao Chedi

Khao Chedi

starstarstarstar This small temple not far from the Laem Sor Pagoda is perched on a little hill in the South of Koh Samui and doesn't lack of charm with its refined white Buddhas. It also offers beautiful views on Koh Taen and Koh Matsum islands and the Bang Kao bay.
Lamai Viewpoint

Lamai Viewpoint

starstarstarstar This small viewpoint offers stunning views over Lamai Beach. Located just above the Grandpa and Grandma rocks, many tourists miss it because its access is a bit hidden.
Koh Phangan island

Koh Phangan island

starstarstarstar Opposite Koh Samui, Koh Phangan island deserves you to stay there for several days and nights to really discover and enjoy it but it is possible to just go there fore the day and visit the main places and beaches, snorkel ect... either by tours via travel agencies or by yourself but you have to calculate it good with the ferry between Samui and Ko Phangan timetables.
Wat Khunaram

Wat Khunaram

starstarstar and its mummified monk with sunglasses. The building is modest but seing this well-preserved mummified monk in meditation position with his sunglasses is pretty funny.
Wat Sila Ngu

Wat Sila Ngu

starstarstar This small temple still little known to tourists has a red hall with magnificent relief sculptures. Located on Hua Thanon beach in the south of Koh Samui, it can be accessed from the main road or from the beach via a staircase.
Secret Buddha Garden (Tarnim Magic Garden)

Secret Buddha Garden (Tarnim Magic Garden)

starstarstar This small private garden has earned a reputation in Koh Samui. In a beautiful setting with rocks, trees and waterfalls, there are statues of Buddhas and figures of Buddhism. This garden is a charming place but tis not secret anymore as every day many people visit it. But it is interesting to go there especially if you have the chance to visit it when there is nobody else.
Laem Sor Pagoda

Laem Sor Pagoda

starstar located at the southern tip of the island, on the rocky coast, it has a golden chedi and was built from thousands of golden tiles.

Other visits suggestions in Koh Samui

  • The coast
    is still a beautiful place with little parts preserved for tourism development.

Tours in Koh Samui and around

This selection includes tours, excursions and activities that I have personally tested or were tested by people I fully trust but also offers by recognized agencies or websites known for their seriousness and quality.

angthong marine park by speed ​​boat

Angthong Marine Park by Speed ​​Boat

Offered in Englishenglish guide
The Ang Thong Marine Park near Koh Samui island is one of the most beautiful of its kind in Thailand. It is definitely a must visit if you are in Samui or Koh Phangan.

koh samui out f the beaten tracks in 4×4

Koh Samui out f the beaten tracks in 4×4

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Explore the inner beauty of Koh Samui island far from the regular tourist sites in a small group with a English guide. Discover Samui local life and the hidden places that most tourists never see.

koh tan & koh matsum by long tail boat

Koh Tan & Koh Matsum by Long Tail Boat

Offered in Englishenglish guide
The small Koh Tan island is half an hour by longtail boat from Koh Samui. Prestine sand beach, seabed with multicolored fish, mangroves, temple..., with its neighbor Koh Matsum and its wild pigs, it offers a nice setting for a day trip from Samui.

koh samui: mix land and sea

Koh Samui: Mix Land and Sea

Offered in Englishenglish guide
This offer invites you to discover the interior of Koh Samui island, its fruits plantations, a secret waterfall, the local life, amazing viewpoints and will finish the afternoon by taking you to a small neighboring island for snorkeling, an barbecue, local rhum drinking, relaxation and swimming.

traditional thai cooking class

Traditional Thai Cooking Class

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Thai cuisine is reputed to be one of the best in the world, particularly due to the variety of its flavors, ingredients and spices. A Thai Chef in Koh Samui will welcome you to her home to teach you how to choose ingredients and cook 5 traditional Thai dishes.

Tours from Koh Samui

discover koh phangan on a 4x4
Samui Insolite

Discover Koh Phangan on a 4x4


Discover the natural beauty of Koh Phangan island differently on a day that will focus on local life and atmosphere. Departure from Koh Samui possible.

Places to see elsewhere in Thailand

Wat Lan Khuat

wat lan khuat

or Wat Lan Khuat, entirely built with empty glass bottles and cement. This is certainly the curiosity of the province!


arrow_circle_right View details about Wat Lan Khuat

Sala Kaew Ku

sala kaew ku

a park with huge amazing cement sculptures. Mix of Buddhism and Hinduism figures and character from its creator's dreams, the aprk houses dozens of statues. The biggest are over 20 meters high....


arrow_circle_right View details about Sala Kaew Ku

Koh Ma island

koh ma island

This small wild island, even if there are some bungalows, faces Koh Phangan and is connected to the main island at low tide by a sand bank. The picture of Koh Ma and this sandbank is probably one...


arrow_circle_right View details about Koh Ma island

Kanchanaburi Skywalk

kanchanaburi skywalk

This 12 meters high skywalk, in the city of Kanchanaburi, with a glass floor , is installed at the mouth of the 3 rivers and offers a amazing view of the surroundings with the rivers and the...


arrow_circle_right View details about Kanchanaburi Skywalk

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