Must-see attractions in Ko Samui

  • Bathers at Nam Tok Na Muang waterfall.

    Na Muang Waterfall 1

    Ko Samui

    Spilling down from the island's highest points, this is the first of two waterfalls – close to each other – that are lovely in full spate, pouring frigid…

  • Fisherman's Village

    Ko Samui

    This concentration of narrow Chinese shophouses in Bo Phut has been transformed into cool boutique hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. The accompanying…

  • The Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai temple

    Wat Phra Yai

    Ko Samui

    At Samui’s northern end is Wat Phra Yai. Erected in 1972, the modern golden Buddha (sitting in the Mara posture) stands 15m high surveying an area…

  • 'Grandfather' rock

    Hin-Ta & Hin-Yai

    Ko Samui

    At the south end of Hat Lamai, you’ll find these infamous genitalia-shaped stone formations (also known as Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks) providing…

  • Chedi Laem Saw.

    Laem Sor Pagoda

    Ko Samui

    Framed against the sea, Laem Sor Pagoda, at the southern end of Samui, is home to an intriguing, highly venerated old Srivijaya-style stupa with scenic…

  • Samui Elephant Sanctuary

    Ko Samui

    The (high) entrance fee here reflects visitors desire to support a project genuinely caring for rescued elephants, and the half-day experience is more an…

  • Ko Samui Central Mosque

    Ko Samui

    This photogenic green and gold, domed mosque, built in the Mughal style, sits in the heart of Ko Samui's historic Muslim village. Arrive outside of prayer…

  • Orthodox Church of the Ascension

    Ko Samui

    Ridiculously photogenic, this beautiful, baby blue, Russian orthodox church with gold onion domes (similar to the nearby mosque) sits halfway up a…

  • Masjid Nurul Salsabeel

    Ko Samui

    The lush jungle-covered hills surrounding the bright yellow onion domes of this tiny mosque is an idyllic picture. Built in 2013 by Imam Adam, for the…

  • Ban Hua Thanon

    Ko Samui

    This vibrant little village is home to Ko Samui's historic Muslim community, where the headscarf and pâh sîn (male sarong) count peaks. You get a genuine…

  • Wat Hin Lat

    Ko Samui

    Near the waterfalls of the same name, this temple houses two beautiful white Buddha statues surrounded by naga (snake god) heads – one overlooking the…

  • Na Muang Waterfall 2

    Ko Samui

    The smaller of the two Na Muang waterfalls is a challenge to access for the young and elderly, but those that make it are rewarded with stunning views and…

  • Wat Samret

    Ko Samui

    Wat Samret, west of Ban Hua Thanon has several standout features, a Mandalay sitting Buddha carved from solid marble, common across India and northern…

  • Guan Yu Temple

    Ko Samui

    The shrine of the 3rd-century Chinese general, Guanyin (also called Yunchang), worshipped as a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, is dominated by a…

  • Hat Ban Hua Thanon

    Ko Samui

    This beach in the south of the Muslim village of Ban Hua Thanon offers an authentic picture of a real Thai fishing community. Ancient, disintegrating…

  • Wat Plai Laem

    Ko Samui

    The most arresting statue on the island is the thousand-arm Guanyin (Kwan Im), the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion, displayed with 18 arms in a fan…

  • Mae Nam Viewpoint

    Ko Samui

    It's quite a hike on foot, but a scooter can whisk you up most of the way to this viewpoint among the trees just before the Tan Rua waterfall. The…

  • St Anna Catholic Church

    Ko Samui

    This small green-tiled church north of Na Thon is an interesting Catholic outpost on the island. Visitors can simply push down the latch and let…

  • Wat Racha Thammaram

    Ko Samui

    This temple (the name means Snake Stone) on the south side of Rte 4169 has a recently built red-clay temple hall, decorated with a fascinating display of…

  • Nam Tok Wang Saotong

    Ko Samui

    This high-drop waterfall is just north of the ring road near Ban Hua Thanon and visitors love exploring the trail leading up to it. There are signs…

  • Magic Alambic Rum Distillery

    Ko Samui

    The only rum distillery in Thailand produces Caribbean agricole-style spirits (distilled from fresh, fermented sugarcane juice) in a variety of all…

  • Coconut Museum

    Ko Samui

    This tiny museum is a nod to Ko Samui's history as one of Thailand's premiere coconut supplying islands. As well as the chance to become educated on Samui…

  • Wat Khao Hua Jook

    Ko Samui

    This golden pagoda – gloriously illuminated at night – sits on top of the hill north of Chaweng Lake, offering spectacular panoramic views over the island…

  • Tan Rua Waterfall

    Ko Samui

    A short walk up dilapidated wooden steps and past the Mae Nam Viewpoint is this lovely waterfall, spilling down through tendrils of green foliage…

  • Nam Tok Hin Lat

    Ko Samui

    Near the wát þàh (forest temple) of the same name, this waterfall is reached after a mildly strenuous 30-minute hike over streams and boulders. The reward…

  • Wat Chaeng

    Ko Samui

    Saffron-robed monks shuffle around quietly in this peaceful wát, where a huge seated golden Buddha in front of the wheel of dharma is amongst the standout…

  • View Top

    Ko Samui

    For the best views over the island, take your scooter up to the View Top near the Mae Nam Viewpoint. There are some pretty steep switchbacks, but you'll…

  • Lad Koh Viewpoint

    Ko Samui

    This great viewpoint, a short distance south from Dr Frogs at the top of the hill on the way to Lamai, looks out onto supreme views of the Gulf of…

  • Ao Phang Ka

    Ko Samui

    This lovely beach at the southwest corner of the island is even lovelier at low tide, when the water recedes to reveal a huge plateau of sand stretching…

  • Hainan Temple

    Ko Samui

    Fronted by a pair of golden Chinese lions and adorned with bright coiling dragons, this is probably the most colourful Chinese temple (and guildhall) on…

  • Hat Mae Nam

    Ko Samui

    This 5km stretch of sand sees relatively low visitor numbers, making it easy to find somewhere to sunbathe or go swimming. It's a standout beach, with…

  • Mae Nam Chinese Temple

    Ko Samui

    With four dragons coiling up its pillars, two inside and two outside, this very colourful temple in the heart of the village is worth a visit; the Chinese…

  • Wat Khunaram

    Ko Samui

    The mummified remains of the temple's former abbot who foresaw his own death in 1973, Luang Phaw Daeng, is the key reason worshippers visit this small…

  • Hat Chaweng

    Ko Samui

    Lovely for sunrise, by evening this is the busiest and loudest beach on Ko Samui, and during the day it's often hopping too, thanks to the sheer number of…

  • Hat Na Thon

    Ko Samui

    When the tide is out, it's fun picking your way along the sand flats around Na Thon, especially south of the scrawnier beach near the pier. These really…

  • Wat Lamai

    Ko Samui

    This simple temple is worth an exploration as a diversion from Lamai beach life. There's a folklore museum containing a display of Buddhist artefacts and…

  • Wat Phukao Thong

    Ko Samui

    A dark Buddha is seated under a golden pavilion up a long flight of steps lined with glittering green dragon banisters at this quiet wát away from the…

  • Hat Bo Phut

    Ko Samui

    Rather coarse and shelly, Bo Phut’s beach inclines quite steeply into cloudy water, but the views are scenic to Ko Pha-Ngan, an island that acts as a…

  • Nam Tok Wang Saotong

    Ko Samui

    The high drop at Nam Tok Wang Saotong is in the hills above Ban Hua Thanon. There are signs warning visitors not to climb the falls as there have been…

  • Hat Bang Po

    Ko Samui

    Stretching along several kilometres of the island's northern shore, this beach is a quiet length of sand and an excellent choice for escaping the crowds.

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