Looking to go on a trip to Thailand but don't exactly where to land? Well, don't worry, we got you covered! Presenting you with the best island Thailand has to offer 'Koh Samui.' Trust us, once you have a Koh Samui Vacation, nothing else will come close to it.
It's should always be the first choice when planning a Thailand getaway, whether it's a family trip, a honeymoon, spring break, or any other vacation; offering laid back to fun-filled, wacky holidays, Koh Samui Vacation is excellent, to say the least. From fun-filled water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling to adventurous ones such as trekking to exploring the island, having the best nightlife, from parties to strolls on the shore, no one can go wrong with Koh Samui.
With great fun activities, to relaxing ones, to shopping sprees, and all in between, including delicious food and different type of dining experiences, Koh Samui offers something for everyone and an incredible price.
So before we unveil the top things to do on Koh Samui vacations, let us go over some important things to know to plan a great trip to Koh Samui, Thailand.
Honeymoon in Koh Samui
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 35 kilometers in the northeast side of Surat Thani town, Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand. Measured at 25 kilometers at its widest point, the island is one of the populated islands and has numerous resorts, beaches, and eatery places that it houses. This and its other features make it a popular tourist destination.
Going to Koh Samui is relatively easy; there are numerous direct flights from other countries landing on this island. Domestic flights also work and are probably the easiest and fasted way to go to Koh Samui, and they are incredibly inexpensive.
Other than flights, there are numerous other options to domestically travel within Thailand to Koh Samui. There are ferries that can take you, buses and similar other commuting options.
Traveling within Koh Samui is very easy, too; since it is the second-largest island in Thailand, traveling is a must, especially if you plan to see all the 40+ beaches that this island has to offer. Koh Samui vacation is excellent because the commuting facilities here are exceptional, there are private transports services, public transport services, touring services, you can also rent a motorbike, they have ferries, boats, tuk-tuk, cycles and a lot of other options to avail making commuting more accessible, convenient and cost and time-efficient.
Ferry to Koh Samui
Koh Samui vacations are the best partly because the weather is nice and refreshing. However, since it is located in the Gulf of Thailand, it doesn't have monsoon consecutively, and other parts, but its deices have heavy downpours from October to December, so ideally, these months are avoided when planning a vacation.
One other thing that needs to be considered s that though June- August is a great time to visit Koh Samui, there can be a large influx of crowds, mainly because most of the other regions in Thailand encounter heavy rainfall.
But if you plan the vacation strategically right before or after the prime vacationing time or even during that time schedule things beforehand, you can have a solid great Koh Samui trip.
Starting with something fun, Koh Samui is an absolute paradise when it comes to its beaches and waters; the 40+ beaches and the crystal-clear waters make boating and diving such a great experience.
So how diving works here, you either go on your own near the shore for diving or book an institute, where expert PADI-certified instructors train you as you get down with the diving course. Once all the training is done, you are taken 60 kilometers away from Koh Samui on a big boat, and the fun begins. Usually, the dive has a duration of 40-50 minutes and is ideal for any type of individual, whether beginner or expert. And don’t worry; all the safety precautions are taken to ensure you have a great safe and secure diving experience on your Koh Samui vacation.
Diving in Koh Samui
Keeping water-based activities on the bay, a trip to Angthong Marine Park is an excellent full-day experience, where you board on a big boat, and it takes you across the island. There are so many things done on this trip, from kayaking to hiking to relaxing in the Emerald Lagoon, snorkeling at Wua Talap Island, and having a great lunch on the massive boat.
Everyone knows that Koh Samui has 40+ beaches, but Chaweng Beach is considered to be the hub of the island with being one of the busiest and populated towns the island had. With its stunning beaches, water activities, relaxing recreational activities, incredible eatery places, and a stunning landscape along with fun nightlife, you can never go wrong with this beach. It has it all and more. If you want to experience a fabulous Koh Samui Vacation, spending a whole day, from day to night, at Chaweng Beach will make the gateway worth it.
Another happening trait of Chaweng Beach is the ‘Ladyboys’ shows, an exclusive show that is performed near the beach at a different location. The show is mostly about lip syncing to popular songs in a beautiful costume and makeup and hence the name ladybirds as at times, under all the glitz and glamour, it is hard to tell whether the performer is male or female. All in all, it’s a popular activity enjoyed by locals and visitors, a light heart fun filled musical adventure if you may.
Ladyboys Show in Chaweng, Samui
Being a contrast to Chaweng Beach and its fun happening vibe Lamai Beach offers a quieter and more relaxing beach experience. With beautiful views and calming ambiance, it’s a great place for individuals who just want to relax. Unlike other beaches, the water here is relatively deeper, making it the perfect place to swim, and other than that, the transcendent beach bars and restaurants offer a wide variety of refreshing cocktails and delightful food to make the relaxation even better. In fact, there are beach massages here, too, make the trip more cozy, relaxing, and a great place to unwind.
Continuing with the beach trend, Koh Samui has another great beach experience to offer. Maenam Beach is a great economical beach that offers many funfilled activities as other beaches do at a great price; it is an ideal place for extended stays and large parties. Happen to be 7 kilometers long, Maenam beach has numerous vendors docked near the coast to offer incredible food, drinks, and even souvenirs; you can even mind authentic Thai massage here too.
Though the beach is still developing but its natural beauty, charisma, and great sunsets make it up for it. And as far as the nightlife is concerned, it is also somewhat romantic, quieter, and obviously inexpensive. Strolling on the road or at the shore under the starry night makes Koh Samui's vacation more memorable.
This beach is perfect for kids; the water is crystal clear, making the rocks, fish, and corals visible to the naked eye. The white sandy beaches make it perfect for making giant sandcastles. The shallow waters are ideal for kids to swim, and the relaxing ambiance of the beach makes it an ideal family getaway beach. And yes, the food and drinks here are to die for, and they do serve incredible food for kids to enjoy and indulge in even if they are choosy.
Lipa Noi Beach
Now let us dive into the sightseeing at Koh Samu. There is in denying that this island in Thailand is a tropical paradise and hence is considered to be the best vacation spot. It offers numerous stunning viewpoints that are just breathtaking, from lush green trees to crystal clear waters, to hilltop views, beautiful waterfalls, lagoons, Buddhist temples gardens, and so much more.
It is unquestionably an Instagram-worthy place. The top viewpoints definitely would be the following;
Koh Samui's vacation won't be complete without exploring the two stunning waterfall houses surrounded by lush green jungle, 'Na Muang 1' and 'Na Muang 2'.
The first waterfall falls into a small pool ideal for swimming. In contrast, the other waterfall, which is approximately 30 minutes away, is taller and offers many beautiful spots along its tiers. There are food stalls, souvenirs stalls, and camping options along the way. There are also beautiful lagoons to relax in. If you are not a beach person, Koh Samui's this natural beauty might be perfect for you.
Namuang Waterfall
A very popular activity at Koh Samui that is often not mentioned when talking about the wonders of this island. The safari tour can be the highlight of Koh Samui Vacaton as it offers a quick walkthrough of the beautiful sights of the Island, from Mummified Monk to Namuang Waterfall to Buddha's Magic Garden and more. The tour is properly guided and safe to go to. It's a great juxtaposition to the water-related/beach-related activities.
One of the popular landmarks of Thailand, the Big Buddha temple, locally known as Wat Phra Yai temple, is a religious site that houses numerous statues, including the 12 meters tall seated Buddha statue that can easily be spotted from the beaches around.
The spiritual place receives numerous visitors all around the year and stays the night to explore the temple properly and witness the sunrise at the top. The temples have numerous gold statues, scriptures, and other relics and foster a calm feeling with the visitors. There are multiple accommodation options, restaurants, and souvenir stalls near it. It is not just a spiritual place but a familiar touring spot too.
Big Buddha Temple Koh Samui
Hin Yai and Hin Tai rocks are also known as Grandma and Grandpa rock, respectively, are a hidden gem of Koh Samui. These rocks were discovered by the locals years and years ago, and the best part about them is that they depict like a male and female genitalia hence the name.
The rocks are an integral part of the folklore of the island about a couple of Ta Kreng and Yai Riem, and their story of traveling to the neighboring provinces to ask Ta Monglai to allow his daughter to marry their son, but on their way, the boat sank amidst the aggressive storm, and they died. It is believed that they turned into rocks and are a symbol of their intentions.
Hin Yai and Hin Tai rocks Lamai Beach
Exploring the secret Buddha garden will definitely be the highlight of Koh Samui Vacation. This is unquestionably the hidden gem of the island. This garden came to be in the late 1900s when Nim Thongsuk started to plant beautiful status in the land owned by his family in the center of the Island, surrounded by beautiful lush forests that cover this garden quite tactfully. The area is gorgeous on its own, with a waterfall and unbelievable panoramic view; the whole area is breathtaking A perfect place for romantic picnics.
Who isn’t familiar with Oktoberfest but hey, the one here is very different and quite something to be expected. It became a part of the Samui culture in the year 2004 and stuck to the Teutonic traditional features strictly, which means a lot of bratwursts, lederhosen, Oompa Loompa music, and tons and tons of beer, which is quite interesting and fun. The festival is organized by the local Rotary club of the town, and all the amount collected is dented to local schools, hospitals, and other vital causes. All in all, it’s a tremendous fun-filled, music-filled, and beer-filled experience whose outcome is excellent.
With that, our list has come to an end but hey, the activities and things to do at Koh Samui Vacation haven’t. So if this was not enough for you, don’t worry; there are numerous other activities that will keep you occupied and happy, making your Thai vacation a memorable one.
Our creative itinerary ideas will give you some travel inspirations. We will definitely tailor make unique trip for you and there are many more options available.