Koh Samui is the largest of the three islands on Thailand’s east coast, alongside Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan. The island attracts not only international travelers but is also loved by Thai people, who enjoy spending their holidays here. Because of its size, Koh Samui feels less intimate than Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan, yet that makes it more diverse and vibrant. Before our trip we often wondered whether Koh Samui was truly worth visiting, as we had also heard some less positive stories. Still, we decided to include the island in our Thailand itinerary and ended up having a wonderful time. In this article I share what you can see and do on Koh Samui and the things we believe you should not miss during a stay on this tropical island.
Read this article in DutchRent a car on Koh Samui
With an area of more than 228 square kilometres, Koh Samui is much larger than its neighbouring islands Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan. This is exactly why renting a car is a great idea, allowing you to explore the island’s highlights at your own pace. The north and east tend to be quite busy, but with a rental car you can reach quieter spots on the west and south coast in no time, or head into the interior where you will barely encounter any tourists. I always rent a car with full coverage, which gives real peace of mind, especially in a country where people drive on the left and traffic can be chaotic. If you arrive by plane, you can pick up your rental car directly at Koh Samui Airport. We arrive by ferry from Koh Pha Ngan and take a taxi to the airport to collect our car.
Stay in a central location
If you plan to explore Koh Samui by car, it is convenient to choose accommodation in a central part of the island. We stay in Mae Nam, in the north of Koh Samui. It almost feels like the inland countryside, yet we are still close to the main road, Route 4169. This circular road runs around the island and tends to be busy in the east, especially during rush hour, while the western section is much quieter. Ideal, because it allows you to easily drive to the west coast and then cut straight across the island to the east. We find this route often faster and more relaxed than continually following the main road. Staying in a central location is therefore a real advantage unless you are visiting Koh Samui purely for a few days of beach relaxation.
We stay at The Blue Lotus and also visit several other beautiful accommodations, such as Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, where much of season three of the HBO series The White Lotus was filmed, and The Rock Samui Beachfront Villas, close to the unique rock formations of Hin Ta Hin Yai.
Photograph from beautiful viewpoints
If you are exploring Koh Samui by car, you will definitely want to take photos. And you can, because it is an incredibly photogenic island. The many viewpoints in particular are a joy to visit, and there are plenty of them. Some of the places with stunning views include Overlap Stone, Mae Nam Viewpoint, The Roof Samui, The Best Samui, Lamai Viewpoint and of course the Ang Thong National Marine Park Viewpoint.
Eat at good restaurants
Koh Samui has no shortage of great restaurants. Whether you prefer dining on the beach with your feet in the sand and views of the sea, or high up in the hills overlooking part of the island, there are plenty of beautiful spots to choose from. For breakfast, lunch and dinner you can go in any direction. Some of the places we enjoy most are The Roof Samui, Cali’s Café Koh Samui, Hidden Hut Samui, The Best Samui, Coco Tam’s, Cape Away Beach and of course the Fisherman’s Village Night Market for the tastiest street food.
Climb to beautiful waterfalls
Koh Samui has several beautiful waterfalls you can visit. The best time to see them is between October and January, when the rainy season is in full swing or has just ended and the waterfalls are at their most impressive. We are there in August and notice that several waterfalls are dry or have only a small flow of water, as you can see in the photo of Na Muang Waterfall 1. Other waterfalls that are said to be worth visiting, especially during the months mentioned above, include Na Muang Waterfall 2, Hin Lad Waterfall, Tan Rua Waterfall and Khao Yai Waterfall.
Relax on one of the beautiful beaches
Many people visit Koh Samui for its beautiful beaches, whether for a beach holiday or as a relaxing end to a trip through Thailand. The most popular, and therefore the busiest, beaches are Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach. Smaller and quieter options include Lipa Noi Beach, Coral Cove Beach, Mae Nam Beach and Silver Beach. Wherever you are on Koh Samui, the beach is always close by.
Wander through Chinatown
Taking in some local culture is of course part of travelling abroad. On Koh Samui you can do this in several places, but one spot I personally enjoy a lot is Chinatown. As soon as you walk under the golden arch you enter Walking Street, lined with cosy restaurants and small shops on both sides. Chinatown is also home to a beautiful Chinese temple, and from the little lighthouse you have a lovely view of the beach and the sea. It is a great place for a relaxed stroll.
Take photos at these Instagrammable spots
Koh Samui has no shortage of Instagrammable places. I would personally prefer to avoid these popular and often over the top spots, but our children of course love stopping by for a few fun photos. Fortunately it is not busy when we visit, so there is no waiting in line and we end up having a great time together. At the top of the list of Instagrammable spots are The Roof Samui, Overlap Stone 1 and Overlap Stone 2 (The Best Samui). The latter also has the famous hand sculpture and several other fun photo spots.
Visit Fisherman’s Village Night Market
What is an evening in Thailand without a night market? And when you think of night markets on Koh Samui, Fisherman’s Village is the first place that comes to mind. Here you will find countless stalls selling Thai specialities. You can sit down somewhere, but to be honest it is just as easy to wander from stall to stall with something tasty in your hand. Besides Fisherman’s Village, Chaweng Night Market and Lamai Night Market are also popular spots if you want to enjoy Thai street food.
Enjoy the most delicious breakfasts
Oh, the breakfasts in Thailand are reason enough to get out of bed in the morning. Whether you choose Thai dishes or something more Western, many places turn your breakfast plate into a little work of art. One spot we love for breakfast is Hidden Hut Samui, not far from our accommodation in Mae Nam. It is wonderfully peaceful, far from the crowds and right in the countryside. Highly recommended.
Visit Ang Thong National Marine Park
Unfortunately our pre-booked tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park is cancelled due to bad weather, which we are really disappointed about. We can only enjoy the beautiful islands from a distance, spotting them from several viewpoints. I hear nothing but good stories about this place, especially if you choose a tour with fewer people that stays away from the crowds inside the national park.
Relax on the rocks at Hin Ta Hin Jai
What a lovely spot Hin Ta & Hin Jai is, on the eastern side of Koh Samui. If you want to enjoy it in peace, make sure to come early in the morning or later in the afternoon, as tourist buses stop here regularly during the day. Besides a small beach, you will find beautiful rock formations and little natural pools that are constantly refreshed with cool seawater.
Kayak to uninhabited islets
In several places on Koh Samui you can kayak along the coastline. We rent two kayaks from Samui O.P. Water Sports and paddle with the four of us to the uninhabited islets just offshore. In the evening we return and kayak along the coast in illuminated kayaks, watching the fire shows from the water. Both experiences are great fun and highly recommended.
Climb to Overlap Stone
If you search online for Overlap Stone you will quickly find confusing information, as there are actually two places: Overlap Stone 1 and Overlap Stone 2. You can reach Overlap Stone 1 by car, although there are only a few parking spaces available. It is therefore more convenient to use the jeeps waiting at the parking area below, which operate as taxis to both Overlap Stone 1 and 2. The parking area is directly on the main road, right after the turnoff. During our visit, construction work was in full swing at Overlap Stone 1 for a new café, and the place looked a bit run down. Once at the top, after many steps, the view is absolutely breathtaking. With the same jeeps you can also head to Overlap Stone 2 (The Best Samui), where you will find a newly built café and several photo spots, mentioned earlier above.
Visit beautiful temples
All over Koh Samui you will come across temples, each one more elaborate and colourful than the next. The temples that make the biggest impression on us include Wat Chaeng in the northeast of the island, the red temple Wat Ratchathammaram (also known as Wat Sila Ngu) in the east near Overlap Stone and the well known Wat Plai Laem near the airport.
Enjoy drinks with a view at The Roof Samui
The Roof Samui is a true hotspot on Koh Samui. You cannot reach it with your own car, as the road up is simply too steep. We do see some people riding up on scooters, but even that does not always go smoothly. If you follow the route to The Roof Samui on Google Maps, you will eventually reach a parking area where you can leave your vehicle. From there, jeeps are waiting to take you the rest of the way up.
The ride itself is spectacular and incredibly steep. The power those jeeps must have to make it up is unbelievable. In short, getting there is already an experience in itself. At The Roof Samui you can relax in the lounge, enjoy great food and take in the stunning views. Do not forget to make a reservation, as it is a very popular place.
Watch the fire show at Coco Tam’s
In Thailand you can watch fire shows on the beach in many places, but one of the most spectacular ones is at Coco Tam’s. While enjoying a delicious meal, with or without your feet in the sand, you can look out over the beach and sit in the front row for the fire show. It is a beautiful way to end your trip through Thailand.
