Ko Samui

Things to see and do

Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts

Beach holiday destinations like Ko Samui aren't usually bastions of authentic Thai cuisine, yet this extremely professional and well-respected cooking school is among the top choices in all of Thailand for those who are serious about learning to cook the A course at SITCA doesn't just show you ... read more
Guan Yu Shrine

An ongoing project first instigated by Samui islander of Chinese descent, Virach Pongchababnapa, the Guan Yu Shrine will likely be one of Samui's most popular cultural attractions once a 16-metre high bronze statue of Guan Yu is completed. For now, you'll have to settle on an enormous red statue of ... read more
Paradise Park Farm

This spacious and colourful farm/petting zoo occupies 20 acres of tropical forest atop Khao Pom mountain, some 600 metres above Lipa Noi. Adults will appreciate the cooler air and spectacular views over Samui's west coast and the Five Islands, while kids will be engrossed by the furry and feathery ... read more
Big Buddha, Ko Samui

Finished in the mid 1970s, Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) is the most visited attraction on Ko Samui. Located on the miniscule Ko Phan Island, around a kilometre from the airport, Big Buddha is around 15 metres tall and 12 metres wide and the island can now be reached by a causeway. Construction of ... read more
Waterfalls on Ko Samui

Inland Samui is dotted with a few waterfalls, most of which can be reached by motorbike followed by a short walk. All are far more impressive in wet season. Both Na Muang 1 and 2 have pools to swim in when there is enough water, and the former also has elephant riding nearby. Hin Lad requires ... read more
Mummified monk at Kunaram Temple

Kunaram Temple is home to Samui's most famous mummified monk, Luang Pordaeng. Although this temple is popular with locals, sensitive visitors may be a little disturbed by the open display of the monk's well-preserved body, still sitting in a meditation position -- he died more than 20 years ago. ... read more
Viewpoints on Ko Samui

Samui has a number of excellent viewpoints, though you'll either need to be on a tour or have your own transport to reach some of them. The most popular is Secret Garden, a large sculpture garden off the airforce road towards the centre of the island. Built by a fourth generation Samui native who ... read more
Thai boxing on Ko Samui

Muay Thai is Thailand's national sport, and locals frequent the stadiums almost every night, placing illegal bets on fight outcomes. Two large stadiums, one in Chaweng near the lake, and one in Lamai, host fights between foreign and local champions. The bigger matches are broadcast live on UBC and ... read more
Hin Ta Hin Yai

Just south of Lamai Beach, one of Samui's natural wonders can be found. Hin-Ta and Hin-Yai, called Grandfather and Grandmother rock respectively, have been naturally formed by the elements to resemble male and female genitalia, and are sometimes referred to as the 'rude rocks'. This is a ... read more
Wat Hin Lad

Wat Hin Lad is set in forest-type gardens that boast gigantic trees with exposed twisted roots, vines with scented blossoms and fruit trees. Hear the waterfall and river in the background as you walk on moss-covered paths, past inspirational signposts nailed to trees and visit several temples on ... read more
Chinese Temple at Mae Nam

Ornate dragons adorn and protect the Chinese temple at Mae Nam, which has a distinctly different look to Thai temples. This temple is Samui's focal point for Chinese New Year celebrations in February, with lion dancing, drums, acrobatic performers, and the smell of sulphur heavy in the air from ... read more
Wat Plai Laem

Wat Plai Laem, a few hundred metres past Big Buddha, is probably Samui's most colourful temple. Repainted and repaired after the March 2011 floods, the wat houses two impressive statues vying for attention – the laughing Buddha, and the 18-arm strong Buddha. Each statue is approached by way ... read more
Thai cooking classes

Many cooking classes are available on the island, with several resorts and restaurants jumping on the bandwagon to offer this add-on service to guests. Samui's most famous cookery school is SITCA – the Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts. SITCA offers two cooking classes a day from Monday to ... read more
Buffalo fighting

Less bloody than the Spanish equivalent, Samui-style buffalo fighting involves two buffaloes coming head to head. No spears, swords or people -- except for those bellowing from the sidelines -- are involved, and neither buffalo ends up dead. There are a few buffalo rings scattered around the ... read more
Sailing

Samui's weather conditions make it an ideal sailing location year round. Northeasterly winds are predominant between December and April, with stronger westerly winds from May to November. Several sailing charter companies exist on the island, but the best by far is Samui Ocean Sports. The ... read more
Diving

Several dive schools and charter companies are located across the island. Many offer PADI dive courses, with training in resort swimming pools before venturing into Samui's clear waters. Once you are qualified, join a dive charter to explore excellent diving locations not far from Samui. These ... read more
Elephant trekking on Ko Samui

Elephant trekking is offered in several locations on Ko Samui, the most popular being either at Namuang 1 Waterfall or at Wat Hin Lad in Nathon. Visitors get a chance to explore the forest atop Asia's giants, in specially designed seats strapped to the elephant's back. Despite their huge size, ... read more
Massages

As with the rest of Thailand, Samui is famous for its massages. Options range from cheap beach sala massages starting at only 200 baht, to those on offer at exclusive spas and hotels, each vying for customers with their signature treatments. While a treatment can set you back thousands of baht, ... read more
Canopy rides

See Samui the way a gibbon does! Explore the jungle while whizzing along a zipline. The trip included a 4x4 ride to the location, a short trek through the forest, followed by six cable rides to platforms high up in the trees. At the end, cool off in the waterfall, or calm the nerves in the bar next ... read more
Kayaking

Kayaks can be rented quite cheaply from most beaches. This is a fun way to see the sights from the water while getting a good upper body workout. Blue Stars Kayaking offers trips to the Angthong National Marine Park. Explore bizarre rock formations, hidden caves and inlets. See marine and bird life ... read more
Shell museum

William Thomas owns this treasure trove of sea relics, artefacts and an impressive collection of shells. For 100 baht, visitors gain entrance to this fascinating place, and William offers a tour, sharing his vast knowledge of the ocean and marine life. His passion is contagious as he tells you ... read more
Magic Alambic Rum Distillery

Sample locally brewed rum, flavoured naturally with fresh fruits or coconuts at this distillery open to the public. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the rum being made, before sampling this local spirit in the garden bar. The rum can be purchased, as well as fruit flavoured mixers for those who find ... read more
Monkey work coconut

Dotted all around the island you'll see signs along the lines of "Monkey work coconut" where you can stop and for a small fee watch monkeys climb up coconut palms and hurl down coconuts at you or their keeper. It might be fun for kids, but otherwise it's not really worth stopping to see. Real ... read more
Butterfly Farm

Opposite Central Samui Village in Laem Set the Samui Butterfly Farm is located on a steep hill, in a pleasant floral garden covered by a high net to contain the star attractions. The farm breeds its own butterflies, and has a fair selection of caterpillars, cocoons and adult butterflies. Go early ... read more
Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo

Located in the southeast corner of the island, the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo is a fairly contrived attraction: Samui has never been known for its indigenous tiger population. Nevertheless it remains a popular attraction for the Samui-in-a-day-style tours. We do not recommend this attraction, ... read more