Koh Samui Top Attractions | Places to Visit in Thailand

Koh Samui
Top Tourist Attractions

Koh Samui - Top Tourist Attractions

It’s not hard to see why millions of tourists flock Koh Samui each year. The most developed island on the Gulf of Thailand has everything a traveler could ever ask for—from significant historical landmarks to natural wonders, from world-class beaches to huge shopping centers—and it continues to surprise even returning visitors with its new offerings.  Koh Samui’s top attractions range from the typical to the extraordinary and here are some that you should include in your itinerary:

Angthong National Marine Park

What makes Angthong National Marine Park a popular tourist destination in Koh Samui? The...

The Big Buddha Temple

Even before you set foot on Koh Samui, you're likely to get a glimpse...

Fisherman’s Village, Bophut

The Fisherman’s Village lives on even when the fishermen have moved on and the...

Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Lamai Beach

Want to see rock formations imitating life? You should book a trip to the...

Koh Tao - Turtle Island

Do you want to see turtles in their natural habitat, get to know them...

Wat Plai Laem

Not far from the Big Buddha Temple is Wat Plai Laem, a Buddhist temple...

Namuang Waterfall, Nathon

Koh Samui not only boasts of gorgeous beaches and majestic temples but also the...

Secret Buddha Garden, Hills of Samui

Located high on the Hills of Samui, the Secret Buddha Garden, also known as...


Koh Samui - Top Tourist Attractions

Your Definitive Guide to Koh Samui’s Top Attractions

It’s not hard to see why millions of tourists flock Koh Samui each year. The most developed island on the Gulf of Thailand has everything a traveller could ever ask for—from significant historical landmarks to natural wonders, from world-class beaches to huge shopping centers—and it continues to surprise even returning visitors with its new offerings.

Koh Samui’s top attractions range from the typical to the extraordinary and here are some that you should include in your itinerary:

The Big Buddha

Koh Samui’s most famous landmark sits majestically on the northeastern corner of the island. Locally known as Wat Phra Yai, the 12-meter high sitting Buddha was built in 1972 and has since been Koh Samui’s top tourist attraction.

The Buddha is assuming the Mara posture where the left-hand rests on the lap palm up and the right hand down with fingers hanging over the knee. This represents a time in Buddha’s journey when he deterred the dangers and temptations by the devil figure Mara through meditation.

Aside from the massive statue, you can also find several smaller Buddha statues around the complex and a market where vendors sell anything from various lucky charms to local delicacies.

Ang Thong National Marine Park

Beautiful limestone mountains, powdery white sand beaches, hidden waterfalls, stunning lakes and pristine jungles—Ang Thong National Marine Park defines everything that makes Thailand a great travel destination.

Consisting of 42 islands, this archipelago spans 100 square kilometers of land and sea that’s protected by the government. Here, you can either be as active as you want with hiking, diving, snorkeling and sea kayaking being some of the things that you can do or just relax by the beach for a day.

Koh Tao

Literally translating to “Turtle Island,” Koh Tao is a dream destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.

The 21-square kilometer island located north of Koh Samui is surrounded by white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, but its rich marine life including several turtles really make it a go-to spot for travelers visiting Koh Samui.

From its discovery in the early 80s, the island is now home to several hotels, resorts and budget guesthouses as well as restaurants and bars for guests to enjoy.

Wat Plai Laem

Another magnificent structure dominating Koh Samui is Wat Plai Laem located just near the Big Buddha. This beautiful Buddhist temple’s main attraction is the 18-ar, image of Guanyin or the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion and a large white Chinese Buddha on the lake.

Wat Plai Laem is still an active temple where devotees visit to pray and the surrounding lake is filled with fish where visitors who make a donation to the temple are given a bag of food to feed the fish.

Mummy Monk at Wat Khunaram

There are several mummified monks around Thailand, but the most popular of them is located in Wat Khunaram in Koh Samui. This mummy is a monk named Luong Pordaeng who died in 1973 and still shows little signs of decay.

It is said that before the monk died, he told his followers that if his body didn’t decompose, he wanted to be put on display to serve as a reminder of Buddha’s teachings.  

Are you ready to experience the wonders and attractions of Koh Samui?

What makes Angthong National Marine Park a popular tourist destination in Koh Samui? The 42 karst islets made of limestone and the hidden natural wonders worth exploring. The islets are home to beaches, caves, cliffs, and wildlife. Here, you have the chance to see dolphins, birds, and monkeys in their natural habitats. This park is where you can see, smell and enjoy evergreen forests in one end and white sand beaches in another. What is even better is that going to Angthong National Ma... Read More

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Angthong National Marine Park

Don’t lose 3 hours traveling by old wooden fishing boats, with our nice speed boat you’ll get there within 45 minutes.Our tour finish between 4 – 5 pm so you won’t be so tired, as after other

Duration: 45 to 50 minutes

$58.66*$62*Per person

Details

Even before you set foot on Koh Samui, you're likely to get a glimpse of this must-visit attraction from the top. The Big Buddha lives up to its name, after all, and stands out of the island's skyline. The Big Buddha Temple is a star attraction and no sightseeing in Koh Samui is complete without a visit to the sacred site. It is part of Wat Phra Yai on the island of Koh Fan and is near other temples that you can also explore on foot. The Big Buddha is almost 40 feet tall and features t... Read More

(2) Reviews

Half Day Phuket City Tour with Big Buddha & Chalong Temple

Book a half day Phuket city tour with us! Enjoy the Big Buddha, Chalong temple, viewpoint and a cashew nut factory and honey farm. You can choose 2 departures a day with morning and afternoon departur

Duration: 5 hours

$39.10*$42*Per person

Details

The Fisherman’s Village lives on even when the fishermen have moved on and the main pier is no more. Today, it is a bustling marketplace and historical destination that tourists visit for one reason or another. Home to many shops and restaurants, this is where you can buy souvenirs and local arts and crafts and sample local fares. Shop and dine is the name of the game in this part of Samui. But what makes the Fisherman’s Village unique is that many of its restaurants are li... Read More

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Fisherman Village Market [Koh Samui]

the easiest and most comfortable way to reach the Friday Market in the Fisherman Village area [Bophut]

Duration: 1 hour

$32.59*$35*Per person

Details

Want to see rock formations imitating life? You should book a trip to the south coast of Koh Samui to see Hin Ta and Hin Yai. Also known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai), these natural wonders resemble male and female genitalia, which explain the name. It's a sight to behold and one photo on your social media that is sure to make a buzz. Since it was discovered many years ago, it has become a tourist attraction that is often included in itineraries. Seeing these rock formations can ei... Read More

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Full Day Ko Samui Island Boat Tour

- Hop on a boat and enjoy a tour of the beautiful islands of Ko Samui- Enjoy snorkeling in clear blue waters and see the lush marine life of Koh Tan!- Savor a sumptuous lunch after a day of fu

Duration: 8 hours

$81.47*$86*Per person

Details

Do you want to see turtles in their natural habitat, get to know them up close, or even touch them?In Koh Tao, that’s exactly what you can do.Koh Tao is Turtle Island in English and is located in the Gulf of Siam's western part. It was named as such because of the many turtles that inhabit it. Today, a small number of people and many animal species also call it home.The charm of Koh Tao is mainly due to its untouched nature, with mass tourism still kept at bay. Out here, you can relax in n... Read More

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Krabi To Koh Tao(Tao Island) by Bus and Ferry

Daily bus & ferry trips all year round from Krabi to Koh Tao by Songserm Ferry , SEATRAN Discovery High Speed Ferry and Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran with a convenient hotel pickup service in Ao Nam

Duration: 7 to 12 hours

$37.88*$40*Per person

Details

Not far from the Big Buddha Temple is Wat Plai Laem, a Buddhist temple compound that houses the giant Guanyin statue with its striking 18 arms. It is an imposing and towering feature that sits in the center of the temple grounds. It also represents the strong Chinese heritage that is present in the resort island of Koh Samui since ancient China. The living and active temple showcases amazing architecture that revolves around an elaborate Buddhist theme that seamlessly combines Chinese ... Read More

(3) Reviews

Private Ko Samui Island Tour with Air-Conditioned VIP Minivan

- Fully-customizable! The suggested itinerary above merely serves as a building block for your trip. Get in touch in advance to plan your trip or improvise with our expert guides at the start of your

Duration: 5 to 6 hours

$404.08*$426*Per person

Details

Koh Samui not only boasts of gorgeous beaches and majestic temples but also the mighty cascades of the Na Muang Waterfalls. If your idea of a vacation is spending time outdoors, exploring the hidden treasures of Mother Nature, you're going to enjoy a trip to these falls. Located 12 kilometers inland of Nathon Bay, you'll have to trek from the entrance to the park to reach it. Namuang Waterfall has two cascades—Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2. The former is the bigger of the two and cre... Read More

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6 Hours Best Of Samui City Tour

Visit the splendid landmarks of this beautiful island " Samui " . Highlights - The Golden Big Buddha Temple ( Wat Phra Yai ) - Lad Koh Viewpoint - The Grand mother and Grand father

Duration: 6 hours

$134.43*$142*Per person

Details

Located high on the Hills of Samui, the Secret Buddha Garden, also known as Heaven's Garden, Tarnim Magic Garden, and Magic Garden is one of the highlights of a Koh Samui itinerary. It's a must-visit if you find yourself in this resort island of Thailand. This private sculpture park at the top of Khun Nim Peak or Pom Mountain features an unusual collection of statues and an incomparable view. It is, after all, set on one of the highest peaks in the island. With the lush jungle surround... Read More

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Wild Jeep Safari

One of the most popular tours in Koh Samui, this is a great way to visit many of the 'must-see' sites and also be offered a couple of fun optional activities to add to the enjoyment of the day. b

Duration: 5 hours

$0.0*$0*Per person

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