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Siam Discovery

Koh Samui

Places of Interest


Koh Samui being a mere 25 km long and 21 km across, you'll never be far from any area or place of interest, most journeys will be pretty short thanks to adequate transport options and a ring road that facilitates the whole island, below are Samui's main areas, services and places of interest.

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Ban Tai Beach

Ban Tai beach, a 2-km-long strip of pristine white sand located between Bang Por and Maenam beaches on the Northern coast. With it's majestic sunsets and views to Koh Phangan and Ang Thong National Marine Park it's hard to match. It is often mistakenly called Bang Por from which is only separated by a tiny rocky cape. Facing north, this beach is a haven of tranquility.

You can find cool independent beach bars and restaurants on Ban Tai beach, and if you're looking for one of the perfect places on Koh Samui to catch a sunset, this is it. Not only does the sky turn into an incredible rainbow of reds and yellows as the evening rolls in, but the reflection on the beach means you'll get the illusion of walking on perfect pink sands.

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Bang Por Beach

Bang Por beach sits right between the Gulf of Thailand and the thick tropical rain forest, offering an almost hidden stretch of soft white sand for those looking to relax. At almost 11-km-long, this is Koh Samui's longest shoreline, but since it's located on the northwest coast (away from the main areas), it doesn't receive as many tourists. If you're looking for a quieter destination with great prices and local food, this is the place.

Compared to other beaches on the island, Bang Por like Ban Tai has seen little development. Local fishermen still visit the bay, and the food choices around are more of the local, simple variety set in thatch-roof shacks. The majestic sunsets and the splendid view of Ko Phanagn across the water makes Bang por hard to match.

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Maenam Beach

Maenam is popular area among backpackers and expats offering everything that you would expect of such a title – budget shopping, fun activities and its fair share of rough-and-ready bars and restaurants. However, the other end of the spectrum is also very well catered for, with fine dining options and a quiet, sophisticated nightlife.

Maenam has a fresh food market, 7 Eleven's, a variety of shops, pharmacies, banks, Exchange booths, two small supermarkets, a gas filling station, a post office, and the immigration office located on Maenam Soi 1.

There's also a peaceful beach with excellent views to Koh Phangan. Maenam beach is almost 7-km-long, so most people stick to one area rather than trying to explore the whole length of it. Head towards the end of it in either direction, and you'll find a lot more privacy.

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Samui Immigration

Samui Immigration re-located it's offices from Nathon to Maenam in 2016. The new building is substantially bigger, with air conditioning, comfortable chairs and facilities including passport photo service and photo copy machines, there's also a restaurant onsite and an ample sized parking area. Samui Immigration office process all types of visas from simple tourist extensions to long term visas, open Monday-Friday from 08.30 am - 16.30 pm except on public holidays.

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Maenam Pier

Maenam Pier has 2 other names: Pralarn Pier and Lomprayah Ferry Pier (the company that operates ferries from this pier). It's located towards the western end of Maenam Beach in Koh Samui. Maenam Pier serves Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Donsak Pier, and Chumphon. There are 2 ferries for each of these destinations scheduled for 8 am and 12.30 pm. The pier has an open-sided restaurant overlooking the sea, with Koh Phangan in the distance.

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Bophut Beach

Bophut is really 2 places: Bophut Beach, which sweeps down several kilometres between Bangrak and Maenam beaches, and the charming Fisherman’s Village. The latter is perhaps one of the oldest places on the island and takes up the eastern section of the beach. It has a reputation that stretches way beyond Samui for being the most elegant and well-preserved place on the island. Bophut Beach itself is a 3-km-long strip lined with resorts for all budget levels. You can enjoy a great view of Koh Phangan, located some 12 km north of the beach.

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Fisherman's Village

Fisherman's Village in Samui is a historical part of Bophut, with rustic-style buildings housing boutique stores, trendy restaurants and a small selection of hotels lining the narrow Beach Road. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the whole area becomes the site of the Fisherman's Village Walking Street market, attracting huge numbers of shoppers from across the island for the impressive variety of wares and the lively atmosphere.

This old part of Bophut Beach takes its name from the fact that it was once home to a thriving fishing community. The fishermen have moved on and the main pier has collapsed, but the old wooden shophouses remain, with a warren of narrow alleys running between many of them, giving the village a charming old look and feel.

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Big Buddha Bay - Bangrak

This north-eastern area has only recently gained popularity, with most of the clientele being budget travellers and backpackers. The beach is conveniently situated, being close both to the Koh Samui Airport and the ferry to Had Rin on Koh Phangan, Choeng Mon Beach, Bangrak and Bophut. It is also home to several cultural attractions, including the titular Big Buddha.

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Big Buddha

The Big Buddha on the northern coast of Koh Samui is one of Thailand's famous shrines and probably Samui's best-known landmark. The 12-metre-tall golden Buddha statue can be seen from several kilometres away. The Buddha figure sits in the Mara posture, depicting a time during Buddha's journey to enlightenment where he successfully subdued temptations and dangers thrust at him. The pose is a symbol of steadfastness, purity and enlightenment.

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Bangrak Pier

Bangrak Pier is also known as Big Buddha Pier, as it's just south of Koh Fan, a small island that hosts Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple). It has several restaurants and bakeries, along with a sound system playing music and announcing ferry departures. Bangrak Pier has the advantage of being the closest port to Chaweng Beach and Koh Samui International Airport. You can get to Donsak Pier on the mainland, as well as Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Bangrak town has become a lively and popular area, with cafés, restaurants, bars and beautiful sunny views across the bay. 

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Wat Plai Laem

Wat Plai Laem is a Buddhist temple compound on Samui's northeast coast, which features a striking white, 18-armed image of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. Close to the Big Buddha temple, Wat Plai Laem offers visitors a view into Chinese-Thai beliefs as well as some elaborate Buddhist art and architecture.

Wat Plai Laem is a living and active temple. It's where devotees come daily to pay homage to Guanyin and the Buddha, who is also depicted in a number of statues and murals around the temple. The art techniques used in its creation are centuries old and based on ancient beliefs. Adding to its feel of tranquillity, the temple is surrounded by a lake, which is teeming with fish. Food to feed the fish can be bought from vending machines for just 10-20 baht.

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Choeng Mon Beach

Despite its small size and proximity to other beaches, Choeng Mon is uniquely beautiful. Hidden away in its own bay with stunning views over the crystal blue ocean, the beach offers a sense of privacy and attracts mainly families and those looking for peace and quiet

At the farther end of the beach, you'll find the islet of Ko Fan Noi. During low tide, you can actually walk to the island – otherwise, you can rent a kayak to get there or circle it before heading back to your sun lounger on the main beach.

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Samui Airport

Samui International Airport (USM) is one of the best-looking airports in Thailand. It's privately owned and run by Bangkok Airways. The airport is located between Bophut and Chaweng beaches. Opened in 1989, it has a strong tropical touch as most of the buildings have bamboo-and-thatch features. The 2 terminals are open-sided, with plenty of tropical flowers that give travelers a beach holiday vibe. There are few air-conditioned areas, except for the offices and gift shops. Mostly serving domestic flights, Samui Airport is considered an international airport as it also receives flights from Singapore and Hong Kong.

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Bangkok Hospital - Koh Samui

If you have the misfortune of requiring emergency healthcare there are a number of hospitals in Koh Samui that meet the needs of tourists. Bangkok Hospital located in Koh Samui being one of them, is an internationally accredited hospital providing accident and emergency, general healthcare services and cosmetic surgery. More than three fifths of their patients are foreigners and most of them are tourists. 

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Chaweng

Chaweng is Koh Samui's biggest resort town, best known for being home to Central Festival the largest shopping complex in southern Thailand, a wide range of hotels in all price points, and lots of things to do and places to eat. Although Chaweng is also well known for its nightlife, this also includes a softer side of late-night cafes, live music venues that stay open well past midnight, and plenty of oceanside restaurants to lounge under the light of the moon.

When it comes to daytime entertainment, Chaweng has lots of different things to offer as well. Petchbuncha Boxing Stadium has live muay Thai fights three times per week, and it's a great place to get an introduction to the sport. The secluded Wat Khao Hua Jook temple (which contains a replica of Buddha's footprint) and the 90,000-square-meter Central Festival Samui shopping center are also popular attractions here.

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Soi Green Mango

Soi Green Mango is the epicentre of Samui's nightlife, home to drinking, loud music and good times. The highlight of the street is the namesake establishment at the very end of the road – The Green Mango Club, which has been an institution of Chaweng’s nightlife for decades.

There are a good few beer bars and a modest choice of nightclubs and has a lot to offer once it comes to life after midnight. Soi Green Mango forms a loop heading inland off the northern end of Chaweng Beach Road. The entrance is lit by bright signs and banners.

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Reggae Street

Like Green Mango, Soi Reggae has become a hub for nightlife in Chaweng, featuring Muay Thai bouts at Samui International Muay Thai Stadium, nightclubs, karaoke and the pink-neon-lit beer bars which are an inevitable part of the nightlife across Thailand.

The 200-metre road leading up to Reggae Pub the entertainment venue at the end of the street in which the street is named after, you'll come across an unavoidable gauntlet of small beer bars, with loud music and a throng of people. However, they can be fun places to enjoy a few laughs, a few games of pool and cold beverages.

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Central Festival Samui

Central Festival Samui is one of the most complete and largest lifestyle complexes in Koh Samui. With 3 storeys and around 90,000 square meters of retail space, there couldn't be a better description for this shopping and dining mall. 

This modern and trendy complex boasts some original architectural features with its central open-air atrium. It has a beautifully landscaped garden, complete with benches, a kid's playground, and countless shops and restaurants, a Cinema and a gaming arcade. Central Festival Samui is in Chaweng the prime east coast resort town of Samui Island, between Chaweng Lake and Chaweng Beach Road.

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Lat Ko Viewpoint

Lat Ko Viewpoint is one of the best and most straightforward places in Samui to get a great panoramic view of the sea and the beautiful east coast of the island. Located right by the side of the Ring Road between Lamai and Chaweng, you can park your bike and walk along the paved path overlooking the coastline, going down to the coast.

The greyish beige of the boulders, the turquoise water, and the clear blue skies above Chaweng offer a really pleasant sight. The location of Lat Ko Viewpoint also allows you to catch the stunning sunrise here.

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Silver Beach

Silver Beach or Crystal Bay is a 250-metre-long tropical beach paradise set in a charming little bay facing northeast of Koh Samui. Also known as Haad Thong Ta-khian the beach hosts 4 long-established hotels and restaurants, which occupy the full length of the beach.

You can still access Silver Beach for free, even if you’re not a hotel guest. Silver Beach offers a quiet escape under the swaying palm trees, and it's perfect for couples and those looking for a calmer getaway. You can always grab a motorbike taxi for a 10-minute ride to Lamai beach if you're looking for a more lively (and busier) destination.

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Lamai

Lamai is Koh Samui's second-largest resort town after Chaweng. This eastern resort town, south of Chaweng Beach, has a similar sort of vibe to its northerly neighbour, but on a smaller scale. Like in Chaweng, its nightlife is still a major draw and there are plenty of great dining, entertainment and accommodation options. The older of Koh Samui’s more popular destinations, it has a cheap and cheerful atmosphere and some truly unique attractions.

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Nightlife in Lamai features an eclectic choice of places offering impressive after-dark entertainment despite its relatively small size.  Of course, the nightlife here is not as busy as Chaweng's but a few long-established venues do their best to prove otherwise. From wooden beachside venues to trendy clubs, you'll find them all here, a place for partygoers in Koh Samui.

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Lamai Beach itself is lovely – a stunning crescent of palm-fringed powdery white sand. There's a deep central stretch of water that’s great for swimming and water sports. Large granite boulders are the landmarks of Lamai Beach – the most famous of them being Hin Ta and Hin Yai, at the southern end of the beach.

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Hin Ta Hin Yai

The Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks are some fascinating rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Beach on Koh Samui. The views from the rocks and the area around them are spectacular, stretching across the sea to nearby islands. The pristine waters here are so clear that colourful marine life can often be seen from the surface.

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Taling Ngam Beach

Located in the less touristy southwest corner of Koh Samui, Taling Ngam remains a mostly wild beach. This means little development, only a few hotels and restaurants opening up over the sand, and a sometimes unkept coastline – palm branches, coral pieces, and coconuts can often be found on the sand.

The ocean is shallow near the coast, but rent a kayak and find your way to deeper azure waters for great swimming, diving, or just some leisurely paddling. In the distance, you'll be able to see some of the archipelagos that make up Ang Thong National Marine Park. Taling Ngam Beach also offers some impressive sunsets,

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Lipa Noi Beach

Lipa Noi is a convenient choice for anyone driving to Koh Samui from the mainland because of it's proximity to Nathon pier. The beach has fine white sand, and there are no rocks or coral in the water. If you're looking for the perfect place on Koh Samui to catch a sunset, this is it.

Lipa Noi's remoteness and the lack of entertainment also means fewer tourists and a much quieter destination if you're looking for sand and sea away from the crowds. There are a few well-spaced bungalow operations, as well as more upscale resorts. Apart from the beach and a few cool beach bars, there's little else to do in the area – its very remoteness is what makes it most attractive to many visitors.

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Nathon Pier

The Nathon Pier mainly serves the Seatran and Lomprayah ferry companies. There's a ferry departing for Donsak on the mainland every hour between 5 am and 7 pm. Located on the west coast of Koh Samui, Nathon is the capital town of Koh Samui. It hosts all the official administration offices, as well as the main ferry pier on the island.

Getting to and from Koh Samui by ferry is a pleasant and economical option if you're not traveling by air. The journey from the main pier on the mainland – Donsak – takes roughly 90 minutes. The cruise is usually tranquil across the azure Gulf of Thailand with a strong holiday feel and sense of freedom, it is particularly majestic during sunset hours.

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Island Tours & Excursions

One of the best ways to see the attractions on Koh Samui and much more, is to book a half-day or full-day island safari or city tour that takes you around Samui, making sure you see the most interesting and unforgettable sights of the island. For trips more further afield, full day trips and sea excursions are also available.

Visitors to Koh Samui can enjoy the benefits of booking tours in advance through our tour partner Viator - Reserve now and pay later with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts. To browse all tours available on Koh Samui click the insert below:

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