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Centara Reserve Samui, Koh Samui

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Koh Samui

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: Centara Reserve Samui

Koh Samui is Thailand's classic island in the Gulf: coconut palms leaning over white beaches, a ring road looping around the coast, and a jungle-covered interior of waterfalls and temples. It's a beach holiday first, but it's more than a place to lie down. The island is rich in colourful temples, island boat trips and good seafood, and the pace is easy.

Use the beaches as your base, then give yourself a few days out. Take a boat to the Ang Thong archipelago, ride up to the Big Buddha, swim at a waterfall and eat dinner at a table in the sand. Everything is close enough that the whole island can be seen in a week.

Don't miss

  1. 1Big Buddha
  2. 2Wat Plai Laem
  3. 3Chaweng Beach
  4. 4Ang Thong National Marine Park
  5. 5Na Muang Waterfalls

Temples and waterfalls

The island's landmarks, a short ride from the beach.

  1. Big Buddha

    Landmark

    The seated Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai
    Photo: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The island's best-known landmark is a huge golden seated Buddha at Wat Phra Yai, on a small rocky islet in the north-east joined to the mainland by a causeway. It looks out over the sea, and you climb a flight of steps flanked by dragons to reach it.

    The temple has a small market and a scatter of shrines around it, and on a clear day the view over the bay is fine.

    Tip: Cover your shoulders and knees, as for all Thai temples.

  2. Wat Plai Laem

    Landmark

    Wat Plai Laem temple in the north of Koh Samui
    Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A bright, modern and unmistakably Thai temple beside a lake, built around a vast eighteen-armed statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, with a laughing Buddha nearby. It's eye-catching, calm and just a few minutes from Big Buddha, so combine the two.

  3. Hin Ta and Hin Yai

    Nature

    On the coast south of Lamai, two weathered rock formations are known to locals as Grandfather and Grandmother. They are an easy, quirky stop on a drive around the island, with waves crashing on the rocks and a handful of souvenir stalls.

  4. Na Muang Waterfalls

    Nature

    Na Muang waterfall tumbling through the forest
    Photo: Koudkeu, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Inland in the south of the island, the two Na Muang waterfalls tumble through rainforest into pools that are cool and pleasant to swim in after the heat. They are at their best after the rains, and a short walk from the road.

    Tip: Wear sturdy sandals: the rocks and paths can be slippery.

Beaches

  1. Chaweng Beach

    Beach

    The long sandy sweep of Chaweng Beach
    Photo: User: (WT-shared) Wipkinger at wts wikivoyage, Public domain

    Samui's busiest beach is a long sweep of soft white sand with clear water, backed by hotels, restaurants, shops and a lively nightlife strip. If you want everything on your doorstep, this is the place.

  2. Chaweng Noi

    Beach

    Chaweng Noi, the calmer bay south of Chaweng
    Photo: Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY 2.0

    Just south of Chaweng, around a rocky headland, Chaweng Noi is a smaller, calmer bay with the same lovely sand and a fraction of the crowds. It suits couples and anyone who wants Chaweng's choice without its noise.

  3. Lamai

    Beach

    Lamai Beach on Koh Samui
    Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The island's second beach is more relaxed than Chaweng, with a long curve of sand, easy-going bars and restaurants, and a scattering of small temples. It has a laid-back backpacker feel that many visitors prefer.

  4. Mae Nam

    Beach

    The quiet beach at Mae Nam on the north coast
    Photo: Elmschrat, CC BY-SA 4.0

    On the quiet north coast, Mae Nam is a long, peaceful beach with views across to Koh Phangan. It's a good choice if you want calm water, a few simple beach restaurants and an early night.

Boat trips and neighbouring islands

  1. Ang Thong National Marine Park

    Nature

    Limestone islands in the Ang Thong archipelago
    Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

    A scatter of around forty limestone islands rises from the Gulf an hour or so west of Samui. Day trips by speedboat or large catamaran stop for kayaking, swimming and snorkelling, with a climb to a lookout above the islands and a visit to a hidden saltwater lake.

    Tip: Book through your hotel or a reputable operator, and check conditions: the park can close when the sea is rough.

  2. Koh Phangan

    Day trip

    Sunset at Haad Rin on Koh Phangan
    Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Samui's wilder neighbour is a short ferry ride away. It's best known for its monthly Full Moon Party at Haad Rin, but the island also has quiet bays, jungle roads and a strong yoga and wellness scene.

  3. Koh Tao

    Day trip

    Mango Bay on Koh Tao seen from a dive boat
    Photo: ScorpioZZ, CC BY 3.0

    A small island north of Phangan that's one of Thailand's main centres for learning to dive, with clear water and easy snorkelling over coral from the beach. It's a longer trip than Phangan, so most people stay a night or two.

Eat, shop and unwind

  1. Fisherman's Village, Bophut

    Market

    The old fishing quarter of Bophut is a single street of wooden shophouses turned into restaurants, boutiques and bars facing the beach. On Friday evenings the street closes to traffic for a night market of street food and stalls.

  2. Seafood on the beach

    Food

    Pick your fish, crab or prawns from a display of ice, have them grilled or steamed with lemongrass and lime and eat with your feet in the sand. Many beach restaurants light up their tables after dark, and it's the best dinner on the island.

  3. Southern Thai flavours

    Food

    Samui is famous for its coconuts, and southern Thai cooking is rich, spicy and generous with coconut milk. Try a crab curry, a fiery sour fish curry or a plate of fresh green mango salad, and cool down with a coconut from the shell.

  4. Thai massage

    Activity

    A traditional Thai massage is the island's ideal rest-day activity, and you'll find small shops and beachside salas everywhere. Many resorts also have spas, and a few offer yoga and wellness retreats.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Koh Samui →

Getting around

A single ring road circles the island, and songthaews (open-sided pick-up taxis) and taxis run along it. Hotels can arrange cars and drivers, and many visitors rent scooters, though traffic is busy and accidents are common, so take care. Ferries from Nathon, Bophut and Mae Nam reach the neighbouring islands, and flights and ferries link Samui with the mainland.

When to go

The driest and sunniest stretch runs roughly from February to April, and the sea is calmest then. Heavy rain tends to fall in the last months of the year, though it is often short and the island stays warm all year round.

Questions about visiting Koh Samui

What is Koh Samui best known for?
Its palm-fringed beaches such as Chaweng and Lamai, the Big Buddha, colourful temples, boat trips to Ang Thong and easy access to neighbouring islands.
How many days do you need in Koh Samui?
A week is ideal: enough to relax on the beach, see the temples and waterfalls and take a day trip to Ang Thong. Five days covers the highlights.
Do you need a car in Koh Samui?
Not necessarily. Songthaews, taxis and hotel drivers cover the ring road, and many beach areas are walkable, but a car or driver helps if you want to see the waterfalls and temples at your own pace.
Is Koh Samui good for families?
Yes. Calm, shallow beaches such as Chaweng Noi and Mae Nam, easy boat trips and plenty of resorts with pools and kids' facilities make it a popular choice.

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