9 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui, Thailand

Koh Samui is a beautiful island located in the Gulf of Thailand. Being the second largest island in Thailand (after Phuket), it is home to a number of pristine beaches, beautiful temples, waterfalls, and several other attractions. In recent years, Koh Samui has emerged as a popular holiday destination for tourists from all over the world. Just like other popular beach destinations in Thailand, this island is known for its stunning natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere. However, this place also has a vibrant nightlife that enthrals a large number of party lovers throughout the year. Other than this, Koh Samui is also famous for its thriving culinary season and is no less than a paradise for seafood lovers. So, for people who want to experience the beauty and culture of Thailand closely, this is an important destination to be included in their Thailand travel packages.

Best Things to Do in Koh Samui

With an endless list of tourist attractions and exciting activities to experience, Koh Samui leaves you spoilt for choice. For your convenience, here is a comprehensive list of the best things to do and see in Koh Samui.

• Visit Wat Phra Yai
• Indulge in Water Sports at Chewang Beach
• Relax at Lamai Beach
• Take a Thai Cooking Class
• Visit the Hin Ta Hin Yai Rocks
• Plan a Day Trip to Ang Thong
• Take a Stroll in the Secret Buddha Garden
• Go for Kitesurfing
• Go Scuba Diving

Visit Wat Phra Yai

Wat Phra Yai, often referred to as the Big Buddha Temple, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Koh Samui. This highly revered Buddhist temple is located on a small island called Koh Faan. It is connected to the main island of Koh Samui by a causeway and is easy to reach. If you are someone who wants to know more about the Buddhist culture in Thailand, visiting this place is among the must-do things in Koh Samui for you.

Other than being known for its cultural and spiritual significance, this temple also serves as a vantage point. To reach the main statue, you have to take the stairs, and at the base of that staircase, there are several stalls selling several knick-knacks. So, you can do some souvenir shopping as well.

Indulge in Water Sports at Chewang Beach

Any beach vacation is always incomplete without water sports. If you’re also looking for a place where you can indulge in some fun water activities, Chewang Beach is the right place for you. Here, you can enjoy several activities like snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, etc. With a large stretch of soft white sand and palm trees, it is often regarded as the best beach on this island. From small food shacks to fancy restaurants, and lively bars to small souvenir shops, this beach has a lot to offer. Whether you’re planning a fun day out or want to enjoy an overnight party, visiting this beach is definitely among the top things to do in Koh Samui.

Relax at Lamai Beach

After Chewang Beach, this is the second most popular beach in Koh Samui. With powdery white sand all around, this beach is equally beautiful but less crowded. This is also a reason why this beach is a constant in the travel itineraries of Thailand packages for couples. If you want to spend a lazy afternoon and want to relax, you can come here. In addition to this, trying some authentic Thai-style seafood here is also one of the best things to do in Koh Samui.

Take a Thai Cooking Class

Thailand is a country famous for its unique cuisine. For Thai food lovers or those who have an interest in cooking, taking a personalised cooking class is among the best things to do in Koh Samui, Thailand. There are several places that offer these classes, where you can learn to cook some authentic Thai dishes. These classes are organised by experienced chefs who can tell you more about the cuisine as well.

Visit the Hin Ta Hin Yai Rocks

Hin Ta and Hin Yai are two natural rock formations located on Lamai Beach. Known for their distinctive shape, these formations have gained popularity worldwide. Due to their resemblance to male and female genitalia, these rocks are also known as the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks. Originating from granite eroded by seawater and heat, these rocks are definitely among the best things to see in Koh Samui.

Plan a Day Trip to Ang Thong

Ang Thong National Marine Park is a protected archipelago and consists of 42 different islands. Known for its diverse natural beauty, this is among the most popular things to see in Koh Samui. This place is home to a number of towering limestone mountains, dense green jungles, pristine white-sand beaches, and several magnificent waterfalls. Other than this, you can also find a few caves here that are hardly explored. Or, if you’re a thrill-seeker, you can come to this park and enjoy an adventurous hike. Some of these hiking trails are quite simple and suitable for beginners, while others are a little difficult and require some extra skill. The best way to explore this marine park is by booking a guided tour.

Take a Stroll in the Secret Buddha Garden

Tarnim Magic Garden, also known as the Secret Buddha Garden, is another popular tourist attraction in Koh Samui. It is a private sculpture park that was built in 1976 by Nim Thongsuk, a Thai fruit farmer. Situated on the highest peak of the island, this park is home to a number of beautiful sculptures and attracts a large number of visitors on a daily basis. The main highlight of this park is the group of Buddha statues that are set amidst lush jungle foliage.

Go for Kitesurfing

With an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the beaches of Koh Samui are considered ideal for several fun activities, like kite surfing. If you’re planning a trip anytime from December to April, the weather conditions are suitable for this. If you’re a beginner, it is best to go to places like Nathon, Hua Thanon, Chaweng, Lipa Noi, etc. For intermediates, Thong Krut Bay, Lamai, Ban Harn, and Mae Nam are some great spots.

Go Scuba Diving

The crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand make Koh Samui an ideal place for scuba diving. There are several areas that are home to a number of vibrant and colourful coral reefs. Here, you can easily spot a number of marine species, like stingrays, barracudas, eels, sea anemones, etc. For all these reasons, scuba diving is one of the best things to do in Koh Samui, Thailand, for marine life enthusiasts. It gives them a chance to see several rare marine species that are native to the Gulf of Thailand.

With the help of this detailed list of top things to see and do in Koh Samui, you can make your trip a memorable affair. At Veena World, we offer an extensive collection of Thailand tour packages from Bangalore and several other Indian cities. These packages are all-inclusive, so you don’t need to make any kind of arrangements. From the accommodation and transfers to planning the daily itinerary, our team of travel experts will take care of everything.