20 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui: Beaches, Islands & Attractions
Beaches, temples, waterfalls, and day trips most visitors never see
Koh Samui pairs some of Thailand's best-known beaches with a real mix of temples, waterfalls, and day trips that most visitors never get to. Here are 20 things to do, with prices and ratings where available.
1Ang Thong National Marine Park
A 42-island archipelago reachable by full-day boat tour, from $33–50 (RM141–213).
2Chaweng Beach
The island's main beach, with watersports and nightlife, free to visit.
3Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
Rated 4.0/5 (6,836 reviews), free entry.
4Wat Plai Laem
Rated 4.5/5 (1,583 reviews). A striking multi-armed Guanyin statue, free entry.
5Na Muang Waterfalls 1 and 2
Two jungle waterfalls a short drive apart, free entry.
6Samui Elephant Sanctuary
An ethical, no-riding experience, from $42–56 (RM179–239).
7Lamai Beach
Rated 3.9/5 (2,093 reviews). Quieter and less crowded than Chaweng.
8Fisherman's Village, Bophut
Rated 4.2/5 (8,165 reviews). A walking street market with food and shopping.
9Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks
Naturally formed rock stacks near Lamai Beach.
10Secret Buddha Garden
A hidden hillside sculpture garden inland.
11The mummified monk at Wat Khunaram
A well-preserved, unusual sight worth the detour.
12Elephant Rock hike
A short walk near Lamai Beach to a rock formation shaped like an elephant's head.
13Coral Cove Beach
A small bay behind a hotel, good for snorkelling.
14Maenam Beach
Rated 4.3/5 (1,461 reviews). Known for quiet sunset walks.
15Koh Tao day trip
A well-known diving destination, from $50–70 (RM213–298).
16Laem Sor Pagoda
A golden pagoda on the island's south coast.
17Thai cooking class
From $25–42 (RM107–179).
18Muay Thai boxing match
A real local sporting event, not staged for tourists.
19Samui zipline
From $44.47 (RM189).
20Stand-up paddleboarding
At Bophut or Choeng Mon Beach, beginner-friendly, roughly $20–56 per hour.
Activity prices at a glance
| Activity | Price (THB) | Price (USD) | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ang Thong Marine Park tour | 1,200–1,800 | $33–50 | Yes, especially in peak season |
| Samui Elephant Sanctuary | 1,500–2,000 | $42–56 | Yes, this sells out |
| Koh Tao day trip | 1,800–2,500 | $50–70 | Recommended |
| Cooking class | 900–1,500 | $25–42 | Optional |
| Thai massage | 200–400 | $6–11 | No |
| Scooter rental (per day) | 150–250 | $4–7 | No |
| Na Muang Waterfalls | Free | Free | — |
| Big Buddha Temple | Free | Free | — |
Sourced from travelguidestip.com's 2026 Koh Samui guide, nomadasaurus.com's Koh Samui activity list, Tripadvisor's Koh Samui attractions listing, and Trip.com's Koh Samui top things to do. RM figures are approximate conversions and will shift with the exchange rate.
Getting around to see it all
Waterfalls and inland temples are best reached by scooter or a rented car. Ang Thong and Koh Tao trips depart from Maenam or Nathon pier, and most operators include hotel pickup. Chaweng's markets and nightlife are walkable from most east-coast hotels, and elephant sanctuary tours typically include transport as well.
Practical tips
Book Ang Thong Marine Park and the elephant sanctuary in advance during peak season. Both are named as the two attractions most likely to sell out.
Choose Lamai or Maenam Beach if you want a quieter alternative to Chaweng. Both carry strong reviews without the same crowd levels.
Look for a no-riding, ethical elephant sanctuary. This is the standard most reputable operators on the island now follow.
Rent a scooter if your itinerary includes waterfalls or inland temples. Public transport doesn't reach most of these reliably.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sticking to Chaweng Beach for the entire trip. Over a million tourists visit Koh Samui each year, and fewer than a third ever leave the main beach area, missing out on waterfalls, temples, and day trips that are genuinely part of the island's appeal.
- Booking Ang Thong Marine Park or the elephant sanctuary at the last minute during peak season. Both can sell out days in advance.
- Assuming all Koh Samui beaches offer the same experience. Chaweng is built for nightlife and watersports, while Lamai, Maenam, and Coral Cove suit a quieter pace.
- Skipping the free attractions in favour of only paid tours. Big Buddha Temple, Wat Plai Laem, and the Na Muang Waterfalls cost nothing to visit and are consistently well-reviewed.
- Not confirming whether an elephant sanctuary allows riding before booking. Choose an operator that's explicit about a no-riding, rescue-focused model.