Koh Samui may be an island, but there is more than enough to discover during your stay. Whether you want to relax on a nearby island or admire the culture of the island, there is always something going on at Koh Samui. Curious about the 10 most popular sights? Just continue reading.
#1 Big Buddha beach
Those who visit Koh Samui cannot skip a visit to Big Buddha. Of course the beach is already beautiful, but the golden statue literally and figuratively stands out above everything. The statue is about 12 meters high and is visible from a few kilometers away. It is not surprising that the Big Buddha is one of the most famous landmarks of Koh Samui. Do you want to stay in a villa that is located within walking distance of the Big Buddha? View some luxurious villas that you can rent in this area.
#2 Angthong National Marine Park
A beautiful day trip from Koh Samui goes to Angthong National Marine Park. This is an island group of 42 small islands that all look they came straight from a movie set. The combination of limestone walls, dense jungles and a clear blue sea make it a paradise for lovers of unique pieces of nature. Is that you? Then you should definitely put this National park on your itinerary.
#3 Mummy Monk at Wat Khunaram
Koh Samui is known for its strong relation to Buddhism. But some of the Buddhists that lived on the island wanted to be remembered in a unique way after they died. Therefore, you can find a number of monks who had themselves mummified. Of those monks, the Mummy Monk Luang Pordaeng is the most famous. This monk died decades ago, but still looks like he is in relatively good condition.
#4 Bophut’s Fisherman’s village
The Fisherman’s Village on Samui is a unique place that you should definitely see. It is cozy, romantic and you have the opportunity to try delicious fresh fish. Make sure to pay a visit on Friday, when the village is transformed into a large marketplace with a mix of scents, colors and flavors.
#5 Pink Elephant Samui Water Park
Do you feel like relaxing with your children for a day? Or are you adventurous and you want to slide down large and exciting slides? The Pink Elephant Samui Water Park has several fun slides, swimming pools and children's play equipment, so that you can easily have fun all day long. Really unwind? There are more than enough sunbathing areas, jacuzzi's and other relaxation options. A nice way to calm down after visiting the other magnificent sights.
#6 What Plai Laem
The Buddhist Wat Plai Laem Temple is probably one of the most colorful temples you have ever seen. Here you see the goddess of mercy - Guanyin - who is depicted with no fewer than 18 arms. The location is beautiful and surrounded by water. You can donate money to the temple, so that it can be maintained. In exchange for your donation you will receive a bag of food that you can feed to the fish in the water surrounding the temple.
#7 Namuang Waterfall
There are a number of waterfalls on Koh Samui, but few are as beautiful as the Namuang Waterfall. The name Na Muang is given because the waterfall contains several purple rocks, from which the water flows down. The Namuang waterfall consists of two parts. The lower part is the easiest to reach and is also the largest part. Here you see the photogenic waterfall, and below it you can find a natural swimming pool in which you can take a refreshing dip. If you walk 20-30 minutes further up the hill, you will find the second part of the waterfall. Despite the smaller size, this waterfall is also worth a visit.
#8 Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks
It only takes a little imagination to see what the shapes of the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks should represent. That is because these rocks are relatively similar to the male and female genitalia. Hin Ta and Hin Yai mean grandfather and grandmother, and of course there is a legend behind these rocks. In this story it is about the grandparents of a grandson, who went by boat to another island. They went there to ask a man named Ta Monglai for the hand of his daughter. The boat unfortunately capsized by a storm, and killed both the grandparents. They then turned into stones, in order to show their good intentions.
#9 Koh Tao
Have you always wanted to visit a magical island? Koh Tao means ‘turtle island’ and it didn't get its name for nothing. When you go snorkeling on this island near Koh Samui, you will almost certainly come across a real sea turtle or other marine animals, including small sharks. The island is approximately 55 kilometers from Koh Samui, which makes it an ideal destination for a day trip. It is also possible to spend the night on Koh Tao.
#10 Ladyboy Cabaret Shows
In Thailand, ladyboys - locally also called katoey - are a lot more accepted than in many other countries. So don't be surprised if you are approached by a beautiful lady who is most likely born as a man. During the cabaret shows you can expect everything, but often popular songs are sung or lip synced, all while a lot of glitter and glamour is involved. The most famous Ladyboy cabaret shows can be found near Chaweng Beach.
This is the list of the ten most popular sights that make your stay in Koh Samui an ultimate vacation. Whether you are only there for three days, or you will relax here for more than two weeks, there is always a place of interest that matches your schedule. Are you looking for luxury accommodation on Koh Samui and do you prefer to stay in the North? View our great villas with private pool, just a few steps away from the beach.