Considered as a district of Surat Thani Province, Koh Samui is the largest island of the Gulf of Thailand and 2nd largest island of Thailand (the largest one in Phuket, locating on the Andaman Sea).

The island has everything tourists could ask for. Whether you want to relax on a beautiful beach, explore the island's rich nature, go for a snorkeling or diving trip, experience the local culture, or play golf on some unique mountain courses, and more!

This Samui Guide will introduce you to famous activities to do in and around Koh Samui. To ensure that you will get the best experience, we recommend you make a booking with a leading tour company or on our website.

1.A day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park

Considered as a "wonder of nature", Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands covering more than 100 square kilometers. The islands featuring emerald clear water with many species of aqua life, fine grain white sand beaches paved with coconut trees, and dense jungle with hidden waterfall and cave and a variety of wildlife.

Koh Wua Ta Lap

Koh Wua Ta Lap is the main island of the park. The most famous activity here is walking to the 6 viewpoints on Wua Ta Lap Mountain which you can overlook the whole Ang Thong Marine Park area from the top one! Please keep in mind that you need good physical strength to walk up 500 meters to the top viewpoint.

Other famous activities are kayaking along the island's coastline, relaxing on the white sand beach, or snorkeling in clear seawater.

Many tour company will bring their guest to have lunch at the Park Headquarter's restaurant.

There are bungalows at the park headquarter where tourists can spend a night on the island and you can make a booking at its official website. If you want to sleep under the sky, you can choose to stay at the camping site. Some tour companies can bring you to the island on one day and bring you back to Koh Samui on another day with the price of one day trip.

Thale Nai (Inner Lake, Emerald Lagoon)

Another famous island of the national park is Koh Mae that has a beautiful beach. However, the real attraction is "Thale Nai"  the amazing inland saltwater lagoon surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs. The lagoon has an underwater cave that is connected to the sea.

Tourists can walk around 400 meters along with wooden steps to the viewpoint and see Ang Thong National Park from the top then walk down to see the beautiful lagoon at its surface level.

A good time to visit the national marine park is from March until October and the park may close on bad weather days from November to January (no fixed schedule).

Ang Thong Marine Park is only about 30 km from Koh Samui and you can go to the island faster and have more time to enjoy the place by joining this Ang Thong Marine Park Speed Boat Tour or travel smoothly and enjoy the beauty of the sea along the way with this Ang Thong Marine Park Tour by Big Boat program.

2.Day Trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan

Koh Tao

Koh Tao (Turtle Island) is one of the most famous scuba diving areas in Thailand. Actually, the island's economy is driven by the scuba diving business. 

The island is a gift of mother nature, the crystal clear sea has a rich marine ecosystem such as vibrant coral reefs, various kinds of marine life including sea turtles (that why it has been called Turtle Island).

On the island, you will find beautiful beaches, the longest one is Haad Sairee which stretches almost 2 kilometers along the west coast. This is the most popular beach and you can find any kind of accommodation, restaurant, diving school, bar, etc.

Many tourists stay at Koh Tao for weeks or longer. It's also normal to see a foreigner's own business like a restaurant and scuba diving school. 

Koh Nang Yuan

Many tourists saw a beautiful picture of 3 small islands connected by nature-made sand bridges (showing above) and decided to come to visit Koh Nang Yuan.  This picturesque island is only a 15-minute long-tail boat ride from Koh Tao. If you come from Koh Samui, most tour operators will bring you to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.

The most famous activity here is, of course, walking on the soft white sand bridges. 20-minute hiking to the viewpoint is another famous activity and worth doing as you will overlook the whole island from that viewpoint....a real scenic view.

You can also have options to relax on the beautiful beaches or snorkeling in clear water. Within few meters from the beach, you can find lots of corals and beautiful fishes.

Nang Yuan Island Dive Resort is the only accommodation on the island and also there is only one restaurant on Koh Nang Yuan where you can buy food and drink (much pricier than average Thai restaurants).

Please be informed that you can not bring a plastic bottle into the island so, bring the non-plastic ones instead. 

From Koh Samui, you can join this Koh Tao & Nang Yuan Speed Boat Tour to visit both islands.

3.Visit Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui

The Thai Elephant is the official national animal of Thailand. In the past, the adorable animal has its roles in transportation, industries, and even in war. 

Bring your family to create an unforgettable moment with elephants in their natural habitat. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui is an ethical elephant conservation center where you can learn about these adorable creatures.

The place got a 5-star rating on Tripadvisor and with good reasons. The animal has been taking care of by veterinary and well-trained staff. There is no activity to create stress on them (elephant riding, picture drawing, or playing football for example).

You will not only watch and learn about them but you will also have a chance to get in touch with them through the feeding and bathing activities.

The place provides roundtrip transfers to any accommodation in Koh Samui. Visiting the place takes only half-day and you can choose to join Morning or Afternoon program.

To visit Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui, you can make a reservation here.

4.Explore Koh Samui's Jungle with 4WD Jeep

For tourist who wants to see every corner of Koh Samui in one day, you can join this kind of one day trip.

Using a modified ex-military 4WD Jeep, the tour operator will bring you into the jungle of Koh Samui and you will have plenty of activities to do like swimming in a waterfall, boost your adrenaline by playing zip line, go to the viewpoint on the mountain top, visit mummified monk, etc.

You will have lunch at mountain viewpoint restaurant.

Please be informed that playing slider at the waterfall and zip line riding are options (not included in tour price)

If you like to join this adventurous tour, please click here.

5.Riding Zipline

If you are looking for a more exciting activity to boost your adrenaline, we suggest you try Ziplining (Cable Riding).

You will have a chance to see Koh Samui in aerial view while moving from a treetop to another at around 50 mph speed. 

Most of the Zipline program will take only half a day, including trekking along the jungle to a waterfall after you finish ziplining.

We recommend you choose an operator who provides certified equipment and professional instructors as safety is the utmost concern in this kind of activity. 

Sky Fox has more than 10 years of experience in this business with an impressive safety record. You can book the ride here.

6.Visit Pig Island (Koh Mudsum) and Koh Tan

If you want to enjoy snorkeling in clear water and relax on a beautiful beach but don't want to effort a long traveling time, Koh Tan and Koh Mudsum are ideal for you. The two small islands are part of Koh Samui and only 5 kilometers away. 

Form Koh Samui, you will arrive at the islands within 15 minutes by speed boat.

Koh Tan

Also known as "Coral Island", Koh Tan is surrounded by coral reefs and paved by white sand beaches. Tourists can enjoy snorkeling in nature-rich sea or sunbathing on the beaches.

This small and isolated island is home to about 50 people living in the pristine village and can be accessed only by boat.

Koh Mudsum (Pig Island)

Located on the opposite side of Koh Tan, Koh Mudsum is famous for its peaceful beach lined with palm trees. There are pigs around the beach and they are familiar with tourists. There is no accommodation or any kind of infrastructure on the island.

Most of the tour operators will prepare lunch (or dinner) for their guests on the island. Famous activities to do on the island are going to the viewpoint on a mountain, kayaking, and playing with pigs on the beach.

You can visit both islands by joining this half-day Koh Mudsum, Koh Tan Speed Boat Tour.

7.Koh Phangan

Famous for the "Full Moon Party" held at Haad Rin during New Year Eve, Koh Phangan is only 12 kilometers from Koh Samui.  The island is the 5th largest island of Thailand and has an overall area of around 170 square kilometers. 

The only transportation to the island is a ferry, either from Koh Samui or Surat Thani Mainland. The visitor will be impressed by the unspoiled beauty of the island with many beautiful long white sand beaches, hilly tropical jungles, and several waterfalls.  

From Thongsala and Haad Rin piers, you can go to over 20 diving and snorkeling points nearby the island. 

There are many kinds of accommodations in Koh Phangan from Guest  House to Private Pool Villa and the price is generally lower than comparable ones in Koh Samui.

As mentioned, if you want to stay in Koh Phangan you can take a ferry from Koh Samui or Mainland Surat Thani but if you are staying in Samui and want to visit this paradise island you can join this Koh Phangan - Full Day Trip.

8.Visit Famous Beaches

There are many beautiful beaches in Koh Samui and most of them have some common characters like you can find accommodation, restaurants, and bars on almost every beach. However, if you look into details, each one has its own uniqueness.

Chaweng Beach - The Most Beautiful and Busiest Beach

The longest, most beautiful, and most popular beach of Koh Samui, Chaweng Beach stretches 6 kilometers along the island's east side. Tourists will find that the beach has many snorkeling or even diving points.

There are plenty of accommodations, restaurants, and nightlife places around the beach. If you stay at this beach, don't miss to wake up early to see the beautiful scene of the sun rising from the sea horizon.

Lamai Beach - The Place of Grandpa and Grandma Rocks

The second most famous beach of Koh Samui, Lamai Beach has less crowded than Chaweng Beach while having the same beautiful beach stretching 4 kilometers along the south-eastern side of Koh Samui.

This crescent-shaped beach is the place of the famous "Hin Ta and Hin Yai" (Grandpa and Grandma) rocks which are named after the iconic part of men and women.

The beach has many kinds of accommodations, hotels, bars, and restaurants. There are also places to do snorkeling but not as many as Chaweng Beach.

Mae Nam Beach - The Choice of Backpackers

Not a very beautiful but very peaceful beach, Mae Nam Beach is good for tourists who concern about their privacy.  

You can find affordable accommodations here and travel to Koh Phangan is easy as the pier is right at this beach. Also, you can see Koh Phangan from this beach. 

Famous activities on this beach are sunbathing, playing water sports and sightseeing.  

Choeng Mon Beach - If  are you looking for luxurious resorts and villas

If you are looking for a secluded area, Choeng Mon Beach is the place for you. The place is not far from the most famous Chaweng Beach and also nearby the iconic Big Buddha Temple. 

Having less crowded, Choeng Mon beach has fewer restaurants and bars. Tourist who loves to stay in style can find various luxury accommodations including villa with private beach. 

This is the widest beach in Koh Samui and the wide area of shallow seawater nearby the beach makes it perfect for child play.