Things to Do in Koh Samui
50 curated spots from Koh Samui itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Na Muang Waterfall 1
Visit one of Koh Samui’s best‑known waterfalls with natural pools surrounded by jungle; from the parking area, walk up the short paths (can be a bit rocky) to splash and cool off, keeping an eye on kids on slippery rocks.
1h 30m · Free (small parking fee possible)
Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple)
Climb the gentle stairs to the massive golden Buddha statue, walk around the terrace, and enjoy sea views dotted with boats and small islands.
1h · Free (donations welcome)
Wat Plai Laem
Explore this colorful lakeside temple complex with impressive statues and bridges crossing the water, surrounded by palm trees and decorative gardens.
1h 30m · Free (small donation appreciated)
Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
Climb the steps to the giant golden Buddha, enjoy sweeping sea views, and walk around the complex; dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) out of respect.
1h 30m · Free or small donation
Lad Koh Viewpoint
Walk the short paths at this cliffside viewpoint between Chaweng and Lamai for sweeping views of the coast, rocks, and bright blue sea backed by jungle hills; great for family photos and letting the kids climb around safely under supervision.
45m · Free
Lamai Beach Free Explore
Relax on the sand, swim, or rent a beach chair; walk the length of the shoreline and check out the greenery and granite boulders at the southern end.
2h 30m · Free (chair rental extra)
Chaweng Beach Free Explore
Spend the morning along central Chaweng Beach: swim in the gentle waves, let the kids play in the sand, and walk the shoreline; bring your own snacks/drinks and enjoy the palm‑framed, jungle‑meets‑sea scenery.
2h · Free
Fisherman’s Village Evening Stroll
Wander the narrow beachside street lined with wooden shopfronts, lanterns, and jungle-like potted plants, browsing small boutiques, massage shops, and the night market (especially lively on Fridays) before or after your meal.
2h · Free (shopping and massages extra)
Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rocks Coastal Walk
Walk along the rocky shore and viewpoints around the famous rock formations, with jungle and palm trees behind you and the sea in front; there are small souvenir stalls nearby.
1h · Free or small parking fee
Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha)
Visit the island’s most famous landmark, then take a slow walk around the temple area for sea views and photos.
1h 15m · Free
Wat Plai Laem Temple Complex
A short ride from Big Buddha, explore the lakeside temple with colorful statues and surrounding greenery; walk the bridges and enjoy the reflection of the structures on the water.
1h · Free or small donation
Ang Thong Marine Park Day Trip (Boat Tour)
Join a full-day boat tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park, visiting Emerald Lake lookout, kayaking or snorkeling, and relaxing on quiet beaches surrounded by limestone islands and jungle.
8h · $50-90 per person (tour with lunch and transfers)
Ang Thong Marine Park Day Trip (Family‑Friendly Boat Tour)
Full‑day tour from Nathon Pier with boat ride, optional snorkeling, a short hike to Emerald Lake viewpoint, and time on quiet island beaches; choose a reputable operator like those on GetYourGuide that offer life jackets for kids and a basic Thai buffet lunch (stick to vegetarian/seafood dishes and confirm no pork or alcohol in what you eat).
7h · $45-70 per person including lunch and transfers
Ang Thong National Marine Park Day Tour
Join a family‑friendly boat tour (bookable via GetYourGuide or local agents) that departs from Nathon Pier for Ang Thong: light breakfast on board, optional snorkeling, a short trek up to Emerald Lake viewpoint, beach time, and optional kayaking among jungle‑covered limestone islands.
6h · $45-70 per person including lunch and gear
Ang Thong National Marine Park Day Trip (Speedboat Tour)
Join a small-group speedboat tour to snorkel coral reefs, visit the Emerald Lagoon viewpoint, relax on quiet beaches, and, if you like, do short hikes for sweeping island views.
5h · $55-90 per person (including lunch)
Angthong National Marine Park Trip by Big Boat
Full-day trip to Angthong with a larger, more stable boat; includes island-hopping, a viewpoint hike, kayaking or snorkeling, and time on a beach.
8h · $40-70 per person (including lunch and transfers)
Bangrak & Plai Laem Free Explore
Walk along the quiet sea road, look for jungle-framed viewpoints of the coast, and stop at small cafés for fresh coconuts or juices (check they are alcohol-free mocktails).
1h 30m · $3-6 for drinks
Bophut & Fisherman’s Village Free Explore
Use the late morning or early afternoon to shop for last-minute souvenirs like handmade crafts, dried fruits, and Thai spices, or grab a final beach massage.
2h · Free (shopping and massage extra)
Bophut Beach Morning Walk
Walk along the quieter morning shoreline, watching fishermen and early paddle-boarders, and enjoy the calm water and greenery framing the bay.
1h 30m · Free
Bophut Beach Night Stroll
End your trip with a relaxed walk along Bophut Beach after dinner, listening to gentle waves and enjoying the night views across the bay.
45m · Free
Bophut Fisherman’s Village Evening Walk
Stroll the main pedestrian lane by the water, browsing shops and listening to live music, with coconut palms and lit-up trees adding to the atmosphere.
1h · Free
Bophut Fisherman’s Village Free Explore
After returning from Ang Thong and resting, wander Fisherman’s Village’s seafront lane, check local boutiques, and walk the narrow side streets with old wooden houses and palms.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Bophut Free Explore Time
Use the afternoon to wander the inner lanes, find jungle-themed cafes, get foot massages (skip oil massages if you prefer), and let the kids enjoy the beach or a paddleboard rental from a seafront shop.
2h 30m · $0-15 depending on activities
Central Festival Samui Evening Walk
Browse the open-air Central Festival mall in the evening, checking out shops and the landscaped courtyards planted with palms and tropical greenery.
1h · Free (shopping extra)
Chaweng Back-Lane Explore
Wander the quieter back streets parallel to Chaweng Beach Road to find small massage shops, leafy guesthouses, and local snack stalls; just browse and get oriented.
1h · Free (excluding any shopping/massage)
Chaweng Beach Family Swim
Enjoy calm morning water, build sandcastles, and take short walks along the palm‑lined beach before it gets too busy.
1h 30m · Free
Chaweng Beach Free-Explore Block
Keep a 2–3 hour window to simply explore Chaweng’s back lanes and beachfront: look for quieter stretches of sand, small massage huts under palm trees, and tree‑shaded cafés where you can read, journal, or people-watch.
2h · Free (plus any drinks or massages)
Chaweng Beach Morning Stroll
Walk the long curve of Chaweng Beach in the cooler morning hours, paddle at the shoreline, and find a quiet patch for photos and relaxation.
1h 30m · Free
Chaweng Beach Morning Walk
Do an easy beachfront walk, swim, or coffee stop before the area gets busy.
1h 30m · Free
Chaweng Beach Night Beach Walk
Walk along the beach after dinner, watching fire shows and listening to music drifting from beach bars, staying as involved or detached as you like.
1h · FreeRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Jungle Club Koh Samui
Hilltop restaurant with panoramic sea-and-jungle views; order a vegetarian Thai omelette with rice, fresh fruit plate, and coffee or tea (request no pork products and no alcohol in any sauces).
1h 15m · $10-18 per person
Noori India Chaweng
Popular Indian restaurant; order vegetarian curries, lentils, and seafood dishes (like prawn masala) and confirm they contain no alcohol or pork products. Mention clearly that you need halal-friendly preparation and prefer seafood or vegetarian.
1h 15m · $10-18 per person
The Hut Cafe
Go for halal-safe grilled seafood, chicken dishes, rice plates, and fresh juices; confirm no pork and no alcohol, and stick to clearly non-pork/non-alcohol menu items.
1h 15m · $20-40 per person
Akbar Indian & Thai Restaurant
Restaurant offering both Indian and Thai dishes; choose vegetarian or seafood Indian items (dal, vegetable curry, prawn curry, vegetable biryani) and confirm no alcohol and no pork in your food. Ask for clearly separated cooking utensils if available.
1h 15m · $10-18 per person
Ali Baba Restaurant
Choose halal-safe options like grilled chicken, biryani, falafel, hummus, and mixed Middle Eastern plates; ask for no pork and no alcohol in cooking.
1h · $18-35 per person
Amenity Apartel Samui Café (Halal-Friendly Options)
Ground-floor café area of Amenity Apartel Samui; choose vegetarian or seafood Thai dishes and ask staff to avoid alcohol or pork-based sauces, such as veggie stir-fries, fried rice with prawns, and fruit shakes.
1h · $6-12 per person
Angthong Marine Park Boat Lunch
Buffet lunch on the boat; when booking, insist on halal-friendly options, then on the day stick to clearly vegetarian dishes (vegetable stir-fries, rice, salads) and seafood, avoiding any meat where halal status is not guaranteed.
30m · Included in tour price
Baan Ya Jai
Order halal-safe Thai staples such as basil chicken, fried rice with chicken, green curry with chicken, and vegetable stir-fries; explicitly request no pork and no seafood if you prefer to keep the halal check simple.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Bismillah Halal Food
Simple local Muslim eatery near Fisherman’s Village serving halal Thai‑Malay breakfasts like roti with curry, fried rice with halal chicken, and hot Thai tea.
45m · $4-8 per person
Bismillah Restaurant Samui
Casual Indian/Pakistani restaurant near Fisherman’s Village serving halal chicken, lamb, and vegetarian curries, biryani, kebabs, naan, and kids’ favorites like butter chicken; confirm ‘halal’ with staff and avoid any dishes marked otherwise.
1h 15m · $10-15 per person
Bombay Palace Indian Restaurant
Indian restaurant near Fisherman’s Village; choose chicken tikka, chicken curry, or kebabs made with halal chicken plus plenty of veg sides like aloo gobi and dal fry; confirm halal meat and no alcohol used in cooking.
1h 15m · $15-22 per person
Bophut Halal Breakfast Stall (near Bophut Fisherman’s Village Mosque)
Around the small mosque area in Bophut you’ll often find local halal-friendly stalls in the morning; look for roti, fried dough, and simple rice dishes clearly served to Muslim locals and confirm halal before ordering.
45m · $3-6 per person
Chaweng Vegetarian Street Stalls (Near Central Festival)
Around the Central Festival mall area you’ll find simple Thai stalls serving vegetarian pad thai, fried rice, and stir-fried morning glory; specify “no fish sauce, no oyster sauce, no meat” to keep it halal-friendly.
1h · $4-8 per person
Coffee Cup Restaurant
Simple Thai-and-Western cafe near Big Buddha; order vegetarian pad thai, vegetable fried rice, or a fruit-and-yogurt bowl, explicitly asking for no fish sauce or oyster sauce if you want it fully vegetarian and confirming no pork or alcohol in your dish.
1h · $6-12 per person
Fi Ish Halal Samui
Casual halal restaurant near Chaweng Beach; for breakfast, order halal Thai-style omelettes, roti with curry, or fried rice with chicken. All meats are halal and no pork is used.
45m · $5-10 per person
Fiesta Dining Restaurant
Simple, green‑surrounded spot near central Chaweng offering vegetarian and seafood breakfasts like vegetable omelettes (request no pork/ham), pancakes, fresh fruits, and grilled fish; you can clearly ask to avoid alcohol and pork, and stick to seafood/vegetarian for halal.
1h · $8-12 per person
Fiesta Halal Food
Small halal eatery near Chaweng Beach Road (confirm signs saying halal and ask directly); typical options include halal chicken shawarma, mixed grill, falafel, and salads.
1h · $8-14 per person
FiFi Samui Halal Restaurant
Casual halal‑certified spot a short walk from central Chaweng Beach; order green curry chicken, pad thai with prawns, tom yum seafood, and fresh fruit shakes (all prepared halal with no pork or alcohol in the cooking).
1h 15m · $10-18 per person
FiFi Samui Halal Thai Food
Muslim‑owned casual spot on Chaweng Beach Road; order halal Thai fried rice, chicken pad thai, and chicken green curry (all cooked without pork or alcohol).
45m · $5-8 per person
Fisherman’s Village Night Market Halal Stalls
Browse the night market and head specifically for stalls displaying a halal sign or run by Muslim vendors, offering grilled fish, calamari, prawns, chicken satay, and fresh juices; avoid any unclear stalls and confirm no alcohol or pork cross‑contamination when ordering.
1h 30m · $8-15 per person