With lots of beautiful beaches, rejuvenating spas, and diving hot spots in the corals or partying hard all night, Koh Samui, is a non-stop beehive of activity. This resort town, full of upscale hotels and fancy bars and restaurants, is the second largest island of Thailand and is situated in the Gulf.  

The mere mention of the name Koh Samui conjures up visions of a dream paradise, accessible only to the rich and mighty. This, however, is far from the truth. While some areas do reek of opulence and luxury, there are plenty of places where one can simply chill out and enjoy the island’s laid-back lifestyle. So without any further hesitation, here is a list of the top attractions and activities that anyone can partake in, when in Koh Samui.

Top activities in Koh Samui

Hop from beach to beach

Koh Samui, is a virtual treasure trove of idyllic beaches and secluded coves, all within easy reach of a short ride by car or bike. Chaweng and Lamai are the two most popular beaches in Koh Samui, but they remain overcrowded most of the time.

Koh Samui offers elephant trekking but please
look at these eco-friendly elephant tours instead!

Traveling in Thailand comes with its fair share of risks no matter what season you go in. I HIGHLY recommend getting travel insurance before coming to Koh Samui.

Explore the island on a bike

The island of Koh Samui is not very large and the whole place can be covered in about 4 hours. The problem is that there is so much to see and do on your Koh Samui vacations, that will require much more time to experience and explore properly. Renting a motorbike or car, therefore, is highly recommended.  

Apart from the perennially crowded areas of tourist interest, there are hundreds of secluded beaches, coves, and hidden islets just waiting to be discovered. A word of caution: roads in Koh Samui are mostly unpaved and bad, so you have to plan accordingly. 

Enjoy a day-long trip to Angthong Marine Park

A boat trip to the spectacular Angthong Marine Park is, without doubt, the focal point of interest of any visit to Koh Samui.To avoid the crowded boats, it is best to charter your own small high-speed boat and set out on your special VIP guided tour of the park.

While at the park, one can spend the day snorkeling or kayaking between the caves or climbing up to the famous viewpoint to take in the views of the lakes and the scattered islands that lay strewn around this magical place.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

Most of my friends have backpacked through Koh Samui and you certainly can enjoy a hippie hostel but, in Thailand you probably want to splurge and pamper yourself a little and the Holiday homes in Koh Samui with Tempston Luxury are the perfect option for those looking to indulge in more than luxury.

What to do in Southern Thailand

Thinking of visiting the Andaman Sea after Koh Samui?
Can’t decide if the Tiger Kingdom is ethical?
Does a Private Long Boat tour sound like your kind of Thai Adventure?

More Things to do in Koh Samui

Learn Thai cooking

Take a cooking class in Thailand in order to make your trip to this country unforgettable. There are hundreds of outlets which impart cooking lessons, but make sure you do your research ahead of time and go to a well reputed one.

These culinary training classes have a professional look and are clean and air-conditioned. Every student has its own station to cook from and a chef instructor to demonstrate the preparation of the recipes. The course lasts between one to eight weeks, with a possibility of learning at least 25 Thai dishes per week.

Hunt for Waterfalls

Once you are done with the beaches, it is time you can go looking for the nearby waterfalls. The Hin Lad waterfalls, though a bit tough to access due to the steep climb, are worth every bit of the effort. The place is remote and the waters clear and pristine.

Koh Samui has wonderful waterfalls but the best ones are really in Dalat Vietnam!

There are other waterfalls too, along the way, which are good points for a halt to relax and refresh from the heat. The Namuang Waterfalls lie 12 km from Nathon Bay, falling from an impressive height of 80m. Wang Sao Thong falls is another spot which is peaceful and quiet, and is worth the trouble going to.

So try and drag yourself from the lovely beaches for a day and escape to these hidden gems and you will cherish the moments forever.

Head to the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks

One of the foremost tourist spots of Koh Samui are the two Grandfather and Grandmother rocks known locally as, Hin Ta and Hin Yai. Located between Hua Thanon and Lamai beach, these rocks bear an uncanny resemblance to the human genitalia of both the male and the female.

These rocks are steeped in myth and folklore, and though a source of wonder and mirth have an interesting story behind it. Legend has it, that these rocks stand testimony to a tragic accident which befell in the sea when the parents of a girl tried to go to a neighboring island to see the prospective groom and died on the way.

What to do in Northern Thailand

Go trekking with a Red Karen tribe.
Explore Pai by motorbike.
Embark on the Mae Hong Son Loop!

Watch the sunset from the Rock Bar

Situated adjacent to the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks, the ever popular Rock Bar is an ideal place to unwind and indulge in some chilly beach vibes. This unique bar is actually perched right on top of some rocks and can only be accessed by a series of ropes and ladders.

Koh Samui is a never-ending fun and party isle. This hot holiday destination is a perfect beach getaway for travelers from Thailand and the world over.’

All photos are used with creative commons licensing from Pixabay

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