A year on Ko Samui left us knowing this island like the back of our hand. We’ve driven it end to end and peeked into every nook and potentially interesting spot. We’ve eaten untold kilos of chicken cashew nuts, fried rice, and mango sticky rice, and even found the perfect pizza, a restaurant with delicious Indian cuisine, and the best coffee. We’ve met wonderful people, restaurant owners, formed friendships, and left pieces of our hearts on this island.
Where is Ko Samui? Let’s start from the beginning — where exactly is Ko Samui? The island sits in southern Thailand, in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s the country’s third-largest island and belongs to the Surat Thani province. The interior is hilly and mountainous, while the coast is a lowland of sandy beaches. Nearby are two smaller islands — Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The first is known for its monthly full-moon festivals; the second for its ideal diving conditions. Samui is a remarkable island — whether you expect a holiday of reading on the beach or something more party-flavoured, this island delivers.
Getting from Bangkok to Ko Samui: • plane — from Bangkok you can fly direct with Bangkok Airlines. Ticket prices unfortunately start at around 500 PLN per person, but it’s by far the fastest and most comfortable option — the flight itself takes about an hour. • ferry: Stage 1: Bangkok – Surat Thani: train (~12 hours) — around 130 PLN/person; bus (~10 hours) — around 70 PLN/person; taxi (~11 hours) — around 960 PLN/person; car (~11 hours) Stage 2: Surat Thani Town – Donsak Seatran Pier: • bus (~1 hour) — around 20 PLN/person • taxi (~1 hour) — around 190 PLN Stage 3: Donsak Seatran Pier – Ko Samui: • Raja Ferry (departs from Donsak Raja Pier) — I definitely don’t recommend it, the boat is older and the trip is much longer • Seatran Ferry (departs from Donsak Seatran) — around 32 PLN/person (the trip takes about 2 hours).
8 PLACES WORTH VISITING ON KO SAMUI: Let’s get to the point! We’ve made it to the island — what can you actually do here? I’ve gathered 8 activities you’ll love:
1. THE BEACH
It sounds obvious, but I want to point out that you’ll find beautiful and delightfully varied beaches on the island. Each has something completely different to offer. And which one tempts you is entirely up to you! More about the beaches in a separate post.
2. TARNIM MAGIC GARDEN
This is a private sculpture park on top of Khun Nim mountain, one of the highest peaks on Ko Samui. The place was founded in 1976 by Khun Nim Thongsuk, a retired farmer and durian grower, who kept creating this incredible garden until his death at the age of 91. Entering the garden is like stepping into another world. A stream winds through the grounds, and you can hear a small waterfall in the distance. You walk across moss-covered stones, only to suddenly spot Buddha statues with various meanings, a mysterious house being reclaimed by nature, and incredible sculptures. All of it surrounded by trees and flowers characteristic of the region. The place has its own unique atmosphere, precisely because nature creates it. You can really catch your breath here — away from the scorching sun or the bustle of the street. The garden is shaded, so it’s pleasant and crisp, and the whole setting radiates an aura of peace and contemplation.
On the steep hills surrounding the garden there are durian and coconut plantations and bamboo trees, all of which provide a stunning view down to the ocean.
Tickets:
80 THB/person (around 10 PLN) Tickets sold on site.
Opening hours:
Daily from 9:00 to 18:00
Note: worth bringing mosquito spray (available at any 7/11)
3. ANG THONG NATIONAL MARINE PARK
The islands of Ang Thong Park and their surrounding waters make an ideal day-trip target from Ko Samui. If you like peeking at underwater life, there’s plenty of snorkeling on offer, plus kayak trips, beach time on paradise-like uninhabited islands, and hiking. You’re guaranteed moment after moment of wow — all courtesy of nature itself. In my opinion, this is the best of the trips available from Ko Samui — don’t think twice.
Ang Thong was established as a marine national park in 1980. Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is an archipelago of 42 islands covering 102 km², east of Ko Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. The islands take up 50 km² of the park, with the main ones being Ko Phaluai, Ko Wua Ta Lap, Ko Mae Ko, Ko Sam Sao, Ko Hin Dap, Ko Nai Phut, and Ko Phai Luak. They consist mostly of rugged, steep limestone hills, sinkholes, caves, and inland salt-water lakes. Ko Wua Ta Lap and Ko Phaluai have nomadic villages; the other islands are uninhabited.
Ko Mae Ko, conventionally called the mother-island, is home to the emerald saltwater lake Thale Nai, connected to the sea by underwater caves. A trail — a 20-minute walk — leads from a nearby beach to a magnificent viewpoint over the lake. The lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs. The island also has several white-sand beaches.
Tickets — viewpoint:
Children 3–14 — 150 THB (around 19 PLN) Adults — 300 THB (around 38 PLN)
And if you get hungry, on Koh Phaluai you can eat delicious traditional Thai dishes, including seafood. It’s the largest island in the Mu Ko Ang Thong group (19.1 km²). It’s inhabited by Sea Gypsies, who still make their living from fishing. On this island you can spot oriental pied hornbills in the trees.
Opening hours — Mu Ko Ang Thong Park:
Daily from 8:00 to 16:00 Closed each year from 20 October to 20 December
Note: the only way into the park is via licensed tour operators.
Tour cost:
Price depends on the operator and the number of participants.
Note: worth packing a swimsuit, towel, hat, water/food, sunscreen, mosquito spray, and a snorkel mask (if you prefer your own).
4. WAT PHRA YAI (THE BIG BUDDHA TEMPLE)
The Big Buddha, visible from kilometers away, is often the first landmark you can spot from the plane. Wat Phra Yai is located on the small, rocky island of Koh Faan in the north-east of Koh Samui. A note on history and Buddhist religion: This golden, 12-meter seated Buddha statue was built in 1972. By tradition, a Buddha figure must be dressed in monk’s robes, be shown in one of four positions, and have its hands in distinctive gestures (mudras) symbolizing important events in the Buddha’s life. Here you see the Bhumisparsha mudra (the gesture of calling the earth to witness). The seated Buddha is in the half-lotus position, right hand resting on the knee (palm facing inward), fingertips touching the earth. The left hand lies on the thigh, palm facing the sky. The Bhumisparsha mudra comes from the legend in which the Buddha, meditating under the Bodhi tree, was tempted by the evil spirit Mara — who used his three beautiful daughters: Passion, Desire, and Pleasure. The Buddha remained unmoved in his meditation. When that goal wasn’t achieved, Mara demanded the Buddha prove his power. The Buddha then touched the earth and called on the earth goddess Torani. The goddess wrung water from her hair and washed away the evil powers. That’s why the Bhumisparsha mudra, symbolizing determination in the pursuit of enlightenment and reaching Nirvana, is also called the gesture of victory over Mara.
Tickets:
Free entry.
Opening hours
Daily from 7:00 to 18:30
Note: appropriate dress required — shoulders and knees covered.
5. WAT PLAI LEAM
Wat Plai Leam is the most colourful temple I’ve ever had the chance to see. As the saying goes, “you praise the stranger’s, but don’t know your own”. I was enchanted by the incredible temples of Chiang Mai, but it’s the temple visible from my window that made the biggest impression on me. To everyone visiting Ko Samui — I recommend seeing this stunning temple! Wat Plai Leam is on the north-east tip of the island, between Big Buddha and Choeng Mon beach. Here you can encounter Chinese Buddhism. Already from the road you can see the huge statue of the 18-armed goddess Guanyin, the Chinese goddess of mercy and compassion. It’s said she has so many arms because she can help many people at once. Guanyin is the source of unconditional love and the protector of all beings. The other large statue is the laughing Chinese Buddha, also known as the Budai Buddha. In Chinese culture the fat Buddha symbolizes wealth and prosperity. This imposing statue is 30 meters tall and grabs the eye with vivid reds and golds. Between the two statues sits the viharn — a place for laypeople to pray. The viharn stands on a huge lotus flower. It’s guarded by two fierce-looking guardians and snakes above the balustrade. But the Buddha’s gesture tells you you’re welcome. Inside the temple you can see scenes from Buddhist teachings about life. Recommended: appropriate dress covering shoulders and knees.
Tickets:
Free entry.
Opening hours:
Daily from 6:00 to 18:00
Note: appropriate dress required — shoulders and knees covered.
6. NA MUEANG II WATERFALL
Na Mueang Waterfall 2 is reportedly the most beautiful waterfall on the island. To get there, head toward the Samui Elephant Kingdom (a place I definitely don’t recommend visiting). Then you can continue by car/scooter following signs to the waterfall, or walk (about 15–20 min uphill). On the right you’ll see a small hut where you can buy drinks. From there, there’s a 30-minute climb through the jungle — at times fairly steep, over slippery rocks, with a rope to hold onto. Even so, I absolutely recommend it — the effort is rewarded at the top with cool water, beautiful views, and a pleasant breeze.
Tickets:
Free entry.
Note:
I recommend sports shoes and a hat, bringing water, mosquito spray, and a swimsuit/towel if you plan to get in the water. A 7-year-old and an 11-year-old managed the climb without trouble, but I don’t think the trip is suitable for small children.
7. WAT RATCHATHAMMARAM
You can’t miss this temple — its brick colour catches the eye from the road. But it’s the inside that takes your breath away. The walls and ceiling literally came alive before my eyes! Except for the floor, the entire temple is covered in bas-relief, and on every square centimeter something important and magical is happening. Sea demons poke their heads out of stormy waves; giant fish swallow someone; on a carved wooden shutter you can see a warrior-man setting off into the jungle on an enormous wild beast. And only in the farthest corner does a golden Buddha figure stand out. Just past the entrance gate grows a huge tree — the spirit tree. Beneath it sits a dark-faced Buddha with hands folded in meditation. If you follow the complex deeper, you’ll reach a viewpoint from which you can descend to the beach. Magic happens there too.
Tickets:
Free entry.
Opening hours:
Daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
Note: appropriate dress required — shoulders and knees covered.
8. KOH TAEN – KOH RAP
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Koh Rap
A cruise along the Ko Samui archipelago is certainly one of the best ways to discover the neighbouring islands. This time I recommend a trip just a few hundred meters off the cape, toward the Five Islands. Specifically two islands, Koh Taen and Koh Rap, to discover their unique charm — white sandy beaches framed by palms and lush vegetation on limestone hills, clean blue water, a captivating coral reef, and a secret Ko Samui has guarded for generations. Namely: on the Five Islands there’s a harvesting of bird’s nests — or, as the locals call it, “white gold”. These very islands are home to protected swiftlets. The nests of swiftlets are the main ingredient of bird’s nest soup — a 400-year-old Chinese delicacy. The price of bird’s nest soup is around 30,000 PLN/kg. The only inhabitants of the Five Islands are so-called sea gypsies living in small wooden houses on the cliffs. Their main role is to protect the nests from poachers. Koh Taen is a virgin island known for its quiet beaches and a colourful tropical coral reef. It’s a perfect place for snorkeling and kayaking through mangrove waters, or simply relaxing on the beach.
Koh Rap A tropical paradise far from mass tourism. A stunning uninhabited island with breathtaking nature, vast white beaches, and impeccably clear water. You can book a tent on the beach and spend a night in this extraordinary place.
Tickets:
Entry to the islands is free. The cost of the trip depends on the operator and the number of participants.
Recommended:
Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, snorkeling gear (if you prefer your own), water, food, sunscreen, mosquito spray.
Not recommended:
A trip to Koh Madsum (the so-called Pig Island) — due to the crowds and the island’s limited appeal.