Summary
This is a fundamentally ironic post, because I’m listing the attractions of Koh Samui, and all the while I’m talking about the fact that experiences can’t be listed. I apologize!
There are countless videos that talk about what is worth seeing in a given place and what is absolutely not to be missed. I never see the threat in these messages, but after reading one or two titles, I wondered what would happen if I did miss something!? Maybe my digital nomad ID will lose its validity and I will be banned from the beaches? Or will I just miss my daily dose of Insta-likes and from then on no one will believe that I am really here?
Among the many attention-seeking videos, I found some that I liked and some that I didn’t. I chose one and made a note of the recommended places. It was a video called “7 Best Things to Do in Samui” – I don’t think it is important to cite the source now – but it also mentioned 10 places right away.
I watched several other videos and added my own experiences, which is how the following list was formed. I will briefly mention what the situation is with each experience, and where I already have personal experience, I will mention it as well.
I would like to say in advance that I feel that the charm of Koh Samui does not fit into lists. It is not the length of the list or the number of ticks that are important: look for the experience!
This is how to discover Koh Samui!
The list
The list below is in no particular order, it was simply put together. I won’t explain the meaning of the green ticks! (But, I will!) I will tell you that they appear on ten items of the eighteen-item list, which is 55%.
- ✅ Fisherman’s Village
- ✅ Fisherman’s Village Night Market
- ✅ Chaweng night out
- ✅ Na Mueng Waterfall 2
- ✅ Watching the Sunset
- ✅ Watching the planes fly in
- ✅ Ride around the ring road
- ✅ Ban Thai Beaches
- ✅ Ang Thon National Park
- ✅ Silver Beach/Cristal Bay
- 🟥 The Roof Samui
- ✅ Thai Fight – Phetch Buncha Sanui Stadium – Chaweng
- ✅ Big Buddha
- ✅ Samui Elephant Century – 2 locations
- 🟥 Nang Yuan/Koh Tao boat trips
- 🟥 Pig Island
- ✅ Fireshows (the best in Thailand)
- ✅ Wat Sila Ngu (temples)
Maybe I have a chance that based on the list above, I won’t go gray and a monk won’t entrust me with sweeping the church…
I’m putting a legend here about the list because at the end, besides the green ticks, other signs were added.
✅ = I saw it, I recommend it
🟨 = I’ll definitely watch it while I’m still here, but I recommend it anyway
🟥 = I’ll skip this, but I recommend it anyway
Fisherman’s Village, Fisherman’s Village Night Market
I live 800 meters from it, I mentioned it in many posts. It is a narrow pedestrian street. Also, you can’t drive in it for most of the day. There are many restaurants, bars, shops, massage parlors, etc. here. Another big advantage is that it runs parallel to the beach, about 10 meters from it. That means if you want to hear a little wave lapping while eating ice cream, you don’t have to walk far. The part closer to me is the more rustic area, the far side is more of a luxury hotel
The market, Fisherman’s Village Night Market, opens directly from this long street. I was here, for example, when I showed my insect dinner in the post “Small Joys in the Tropics: A Five-Day Story”.
As I already wrote, you can buy all kinds of things here, just like you can get everything in an average Chinese market. If you need jeans, T-shirts, all kinds of electrical gadgets, you are in the right place. But they don’t sell ground spices from a bag, you can’t buy mutton, the food is wrapped in foil, the drinks are in plastic cups. The vendors are dressed the same as everyone else. What I mean by that is that if you’re looking for an authentic, maybe even ethnic experience, this is not the market for you. You can fill your belly, hear beatbox music, see a lot of neon lights, but the furthest you can really get is to eat original Pad Thai and taste the insects that are meant for tourists.
It’s a good experience, don’t miss it, but once you’ve seen it, put the green check mark and look for other experiences!
Chaweng night out
I was there a week ago during my usual Tuesday walk. As I said the other day, you see a lot of neon lights there. And a lot of whores. This is the part of Thai nightlife that 80% of the videos are about. Here you will find nice girls who will smile all night and drink delicious cocktails for your money. There are other things that can happen besides smiling! There are a lot of bars where everyone was just waiting for me. Many women approached me, but on the one hand I didn’t understand what they were saying, and on the other hand I wasn’t interested in them.
This is the center of nightlife. Jenő Rejtő’s well-known character, Prince Almíra, would have found the underworld here in the back room of one of the bars. This place is not for me, so I put the green check mark and I don’t think I will go there again. It was noisy, lots of people everywhere, not an island of peace.
Na Mueng Waterfall 2
I have some reservations here, next time it would be nice if there was water at the waterfall. I wrote about this in my not-so-old post “Best of Samui and the dry waterfalls”. It must be beautiful and I hope I will see it again.
💠 I didn’t plan on making a second post out of this, but one ended up being born.
==> On two wheels, day and night.
Watching the sunset and landing planes
This is one of the points of my article “Lightning over the island.” I was so lucky (“About Luck”) that I could see both the lightning and the landing planes at the same time.
Ride around the ring road
In the travelogue “Ring Road of Koh Samui” I tried to describe in great detail the experiences I had here.
As I mentioned there, both the motorbike ride and the view are experiences, separately, not together. 2 in 1.
Ban Thai Beaches
I missed this because it was already evening on the road when I went there. It’s 9.5 km from me. Maybe I’ll go and check it out this weekend.
💠 If I succeed, I’ll post the link to the relevant blog post here afterwards (unlike my usual habit!).
==> Back on two wheels.
Ang Thon Natioanal Park
Ang Thong National Park is a marine reserve of 42 islands located near Koh Samui, famous for its stunning lagoons, rock formations, tropical forests and white sandy beaches. The park’s main island is Ko Wua Talap, which has a lookout point, a cave and camping facilities. You can explore the hidden coves and caves between the islands by boat or kayak. Visitors often take a day trip from Samui or Ko Pha Ngan. It is important to note that the park is closed during the rainy season (usually November-December) to protect the nature.
This is highly recommended and I agree without question. As I write this (Thursday morning), I have already bought my ticket for Friday. I hope the weather will be kind to me.
The details are very exciting, I can’t wait to see the program! It’s true that I only thought about it half an hour ago, and it seems like a lot to have to wait another 30 hours until departure, but let me be impatient!
Ang Thong Marine Park Speedboat Tour from Koh Samui
Discover the spectacular viewpoints of Wua Talap Island and the natural wonder of Thalae Nai (the Emerald Lake) on a high-quality speedboat day trip from Koh Samui to the breathtaking Ang Thong National Marine Park.
Enjoy free sea kayaking and explore a beautiful snorkeling spot not visited by big boat tours.
Experience the convenience of direct beach access without the need to transfer to smaller boats, and relax with a delicious lunch on an island—all at an unbeatable price!
Itinerary (Approximate Time)
* Tour program is subject to change without prior notice due to weather and other factors.
- 08:00 Pick up from your hotel. (Pickup time depends on your hotel location)
- 09:00 Leave Koh Samui, and travel by speedboat to Ang Thong National Marine Park. You will experience the nature of islands along the way.
- 10:00 – 10:45 Arrive at the first destination “Koh Wow”, where you can enjoy snorkeling activity.
- 11:35 – 13:00 Arrive at the Ang Thong National Marine Park, Koh Wua Ta Lap (Sleeping Cow Island). Walk up to viewpoints and see a stunning view of the whole 42 islands from the top of a hill, visit Tham Bua Bok cave to see hanging rocks then enjoy water activities like swimming, kayaking, or spend your time on the beach.
- 13:00 – 14:30 Have a buffet lunch and relax on Koh Paluay
- 15:00 – 16:00 Visit Thalae Nai Lake, a saltwater lake surrounded by limestone cliffs. Walk up to the viewpoint. Get in touch with the well-preserved nature of the national marine park.
- 16:10 Travel Back to Koh Samui
- 16:50 Arrive at Koh Samui, Send you back to your hotel safely
Price Includes
- Round trip transfer to the pier,
- breakfast, lunch, drink,
- tour guide
- snorkeling equipment (mask, life vest)
- kayaking at Ko Wua Talap
- insurance
Price Excludes
- National Marine Park entering fee (300 THB/adult, 150 THB/children)
What to bring
- A pair of comfortable shoes for hiking to the viewpoints
- Towel
- Sunscreen lotion
- Clothes for changing
Important information
- Pregnant women, children under 1-year-old, and a person with medical conditions are not allowed to join the tour.
- There are 6 viewpoints on Wua Talap Mountain. You must have a reasonable physical strength to walk up to the top viewpoint (500-meter height). Along the way, if you feel it’s too tough to go to the top viewpoint you can choose to visit only the first 2-3 viewpoints.
💠 I will also post the link to the post I made later.
Silver Beach/Cristal Bay
Boy, I passed by it on the promenade. I had planned to go to Ban Thai beach on Saturday. Silver Beach also fits into Saturday, but since it is on the opposite (eastern) side of the island compared to the other two, unfortunately I will have to ride a lot again.
I think I will go even if it rains.
💠 This post will be filled with references later.
==> Back on two wheels.
The Roof Samui
The Roof Samui is a popular rooftop bar and restaurant on Koh Samui, located on the hillside above Chaweng. It gets its name from the fact that it really is “on the roof” and offers a view of the city and the bay – one of the most beautiful panoramas at sunset. The atmosphere is relaxed, modern, and often plays chill or lounge music, making it ideal for a cocktail or dinner with friends. The menu includes not only drinks, but also Thai and international dishes. Visitors mainly visit for the sunset and evening lights, so it is worth arriving early to ensure a place at a table.
I would like the view, but not the decoration.
I will skip this one.
Thai Fight
Every day I hear the advertisement inviting me to watch the fighters. Here, it is customary for vans to drive around with speakers the size of a dog kennel on the floor and the invitations are quite loud. One of the songs is Survivor: Eye Of The Tiger, but I much prefer the car blaring Pantera: Walk. Who knows why!?
I am not a big sports fan, but I do not want to miss this. My host told me that there is a free fight every Saturday in one of the arenas, but it is amateur. The professional one is offering tickets at a price that is beyond my threshold. But I will save up my little money and go see a real hardcore fighters club. I do not need to rush this, it could be good even during the monsoon. Only the arena is covered!
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is Thailand’s national sport and cultural heritage. Known as the “art of eight limbs,” this martial art uses punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. It has a history that stretches back hundreds of years, originally developed as a military training method, but has now evolved into a sport, fitness movement, and showmanship. Matches on Koh Samui are often a spectacular experience for tourists, with local fighters and international competitors battling it out. Muay Thai is not just a combat sport, it is also part of Thai identity, accompanied by rituals, music, and ceremonies (such as the wai kru dance) before each match.
💠 If there is a post about it, I will add to this section.
==> Muay Thai: the toughest sport in the smiling country.
Big Buddha
I’ve been here and written about it. “Ring Road of Koh Samui“.
Samui Elephant Century
I thought I wasn’t interested. But when I looked up what this place was all about, the description piqued my interest. I put the yellow disc on the list. If I’ve been there, there will be a link here later.
The Samui Elephant Sanctuary is one of the most important ethical elephant parks on Koh Samui, where tourists can’t ride horses or see circus acts, but can observe the animals in their natural habitat. The park aims to provide a safe, peaceful home for rescued elephants, many of whom were previously used for tourism or logging. Visitors can learn about the daily lives of elephants, feed them, watch them bathe, and gain insight into the importance of protecting the species. The place offers an unforgettable experience and teaches responsible tourism at the same time.
Now I think I’ll visit even when the rainy season comes.
💠 If there is a post about it, I will add to this section.
Nang Yuan/Koh Tao boat trips
Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao are two of Thailand’s most famous islands, often referred to together because they are located next to each other.
Koh Tao (“Turtle Island”) is a paradise for divers and snorkelers: crystal clear water, rich coral reefs and an abundance of marine life await visitors. It has a more relaxed atmosphere than Samui, and tourists are drawn here more for its close-to-nature experience and water sports.
Koh Nang Yuan consists of three small islands connected by white sand spits. The famous viewpoint offers a stunning view of the turquoise water and the strip of land connecting the islands. This place is more of a day trip destination, easily accessible by boat from both Samui and Koh Tao.
I imagine the rainy season could knock on the door any day now, so these experiences will come true on my next visit to Koh Samui.
Pig Island
Pig Island (officially Koh Madsum, often referred to together with Koh Tan) is a small island off the southern coast of Koh Samui, which has become famous for its free-ranging, friendly pigs that welcome visitors to its shores.
One of the island’s main attractions is that tourists can feed, pet, and take photos with the pigs while relaxing on the snow-white sandy beaches or swimming in the turquoise water. Most people get there on a boat trip, which can be easily booked from Samui.
What’s special about the place is that the pigs are not actually native, but were introduced for tourism, but have now become the island’s trademark. This makes a visit both fun and unique.
I’m afraid I’ll get a little nostalgic about my childhood and I won’t be able to resist the sight of the pigs. I’ll skip this tour for the sake of the skunks.
Fireshows
I saw a fire show from afar once, when I was wandering around the town in the evening. As I was writing these lines, I also looked up when it was in Fishherman’s Village, since I had seen it there anyway. It turned out that it was every night. So, I’m going to go see it right away.
I arrived in the meantime. My host (I dare say my friend now, because I feel like we’ve become that) asked me how it was. I answered him, in my sudden thoughtlessness, that it was so mediocre. After I saw the show, and the initial euphoria wore off, I thought that it was good, but it lacked soul. I saw a beautifully executed show, but neither the performers, nor the audience, nor the place really enchanted me.
Plus, the watermelon juice cost one and a half times as much as elsewhere. That’s the price of this show.
There were all kinds of spectacular elements. The boys performed acrobatic stunts with all kinds of burning things, standing, sitting, and lying on top of each other: chains, sticks, torches, rods, etc. I have all the respect for them, because what they did seemed quite dangerous. I, for example, would have definitely burned something if I had to do this. I certainly would have burned myself. There was a sky-high plume of fire, a shower of sparks, smoke on the water, and of course the smell of diesel.
It was worth going to see it once, but this spectacle didn’t become my favorite. I made a video of it just in case.
Wat Sila Ngu
I wrote about the journey here and my experiences with the temple in the post “My first long walk in the tropics”.
There are more than 30 temples on the island of Koh Samui, many of which are less visited and not known as “attractions”. There was a source where I saw the number 80, but this seems like an exaggeration to me.
I was surprised that I could not find a reliable source for the number of temples, but then I found an acceptable explanation for this. In Thailand, the concept of “temple” (wat) is broader than in our country. There are large, well-known Buddhist wats, such as the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) or Wat Plai Laem. But it also includes small community shrines, monks’ houses, and meditation centers.
In many places, there is a simpler wat at the end of the street, which the locals also consider to be temples.
Personally, I think it is not worth exaggerating, but it is worth visiting a few. In my experience, each one is a little different from the others. Different environment, different colors, different vibrations.
Summary
Every corner of Koh Samui has something new to offer: markets, beaches, waterfalls, temples, and even unique islands. Some are must-sees, some are just interesting spots – but they all contribute to the diverse experience that the island has to offer.
During the adventures, it becomes increasingly clear that there is no single “must-do list” that everyone should tick off in the same way. The value of experiences is much more in personal encounters, the magic of the moment, and finding your own path.
Buy me a coffee?
If you enjoyed this story, you can buy me a coffee. You don’t have to – but it means a lot and I always turn it into a new adventure.
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Linktree
Short introduction