Let’s go sightseeing! Check out the top options for what to do in Koh Samui, including some more of the island’s impressive beaches!
Getting Around in Koh Samui: Songthaews
So, before we head of on my itinerary of what to do in Koh Samui during the day, we have to talk about how to get around. The island doesn’t have a designated public transportation system—well not exactly. Yes, there are taxis, but the best options are the songthaews. These are open-backed trucks that drive around the island, picking up passengers along the road. They tend to drive slow on the hunt for more passengers along the way, so don’t expect a quick shot to your destination, but for the price it’s worth a slow ride to digest the island views. They offer the cheapest fares, from as low as 50 baht for a few kilometers, or around 150 baht for longer drives. If you hail one down on the roadside, they typically only go one direction. But—make friends with one and he’ll give you his card to call whenever you need a pickup. We used songthaews all over the island and often made nice with our drivers so that they would come pick us up later. Just another friendly reminder to have a local SIM card—and someone who speaks basic Thai if you’re lucky!
Best Beaches in Koh Samui
Now, I’ve already spoken about two beaches on Koh Samui, Bo Phut and Mae Nam. Check out the link here for where to stay on these beautiful stretches of coastline. So, for this post, we’ll stick with some other options I think are worth a visit. If you’re staying in Bo Phut or Mae Nam, Hat Bang Rak is a great option. It’s on the same stretch of coastline, so it’s a super cheap songtaew ride.
We started our journey down the coastline of Hat Bang Rack at Chi Samui. Now, this is bougie to the core, with $15-$20 drinks and expensive, but creative food options. It has a beautiful saltwater pool looking out onto the white sands and the Big Buddha statue way off into the distance. The big draw of this café is the cannabis infused menu offered. It is pretty creative, with a ton of different infused entrees and innovative drink options. However, honestly most of the menu items were infused with leaves—pretty much making it expensive trim. Only a few of the drinks had cannabis oil, so be sure to check the menu to see what process the cannabis is infused in the dish. Still, with the recent decriminalization of marijuana in Thailand, I am expecting their menu to expand dramatically, hopefully offering stronger, concentrate infusion options!
Personally, I think a way better option for drinks and a unique vibe on Hat Bang Rak is further down the coast. The closer you walk towards the Big Buddha pier and temple area, the more you can catch the planes landing at Koh Samui airport. Now, this may not sound that interesting—but trust me it’s worth checking landing times and setting up shop for a few beers to catch the next plane coming in. The trajectories of incoming planes cross right over the Big Buddha statue in the background. The planes roar by overhead, disrupting the otherwise typical peaceful island ambiance. We held up at The Samui Mermaid Resort a few kilometers east of Chi. After consulting the airport’s flight schedule and sitting out a brief tropical gale with much cheaper bottles of Chang, I got a much better shot of the plane coming in!
Another one of the best beaches in Koh Samui is Lamai Beach. Now if you’re staying on the north end of the island, this is a bit further away than the nearby options of Bo Phut, Mae Nam, and Hat Bang Rak beaches. We paid 150 baht there and back to our songthaew driver, but for that price he was willing to wait while I sat droning around for like an hour. Although there are some stunning resorts on Lamai Beach, the area feels less touristy than Bo Phut or Hat Bang Rak. It features soft, white sands with crazy rock formations that really made for killer drone footage. In fact, I sold several stock footage clips of this area right out the gate! The mountains of Koh Samui frame the tropical horizon off in the distance as the smooth granite rock features creep out into the teal waters.
I think the best spot on this stretch of beach is definitely Hin Ta Hin Yai, which translates to Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks. The area features granite rock structures that resemble a pudgy, small penis and a large vagina! Yet another rock penis on this Thai island trip! Local legends claim a pair of grandparents died when their boat sank on the rocks. The small market street at the foot of the rock structure sells ridiculous penis themed trinkets, like these ashtrays we caught a picture of on the way out. The area has a cute reggae bar down by the edge of the coastline called the Rock Bar. Unfortunately, we were on a time schedule set by our songthaew driver, so we couldn’t stay too long. We definitely got our fair share of ridiculous pictures laughing at the unlucky proportion of grandfather’s equipment.
Make sure you check out the Lad Koh viewpoint on the way back up from Lamai for some stellar views of Chaweng Beach. Now, I have an honorable mention just because if you’re reading this, I’m sure it’s on your list. We did not make it to Chaweng Beach, but if the backpacking scene is your vibe, I would definitely add it to your list. I don’t regret opting for the pudgy rock penises of Hin Ta Hin Yai instead on our limited time on the island.
Temples
Now, if you pack smart, you can mix in soaking in the sun on Koh Samui’s best beaches with temple visits as well. Some of the most interesting temples on the island are near Hat Bang Rak, so make sure to bring your bikini with a solid coverup and you can mix and match your sightseeing adventures. Not sure what to wear to Thai temples? I got you. Most temples require your shoulders and knees covered. I love a soft cotton button up and sarong as breezy beachwear over my bikini that doubles as chic temple threads.
My first temple recommendation on the island is Wat Phra Yai, fondly referred to as the “Big Buddha Temple.” The temple complex is actually on the small island of Koh Fan that is connected to the mainland by a long narrow road. It boasts a massive golden statue of the Buddha overlooking the sea that you can see for miles down the beach. If you make nice with a songthaew driver, you can get a drop off/ pick up situation that helps the walk in forementioned long sleeve shirt and skirt. The temple has an adorable little complex area with little shops and restaurants. One thing I would definitely warn about is the number of stairs. By Asia’s terms, it’s not terrible, but in the hot Thai sun, it is definitely something to be prepared for. As you ascend the steep stairs, you are greeted by the golden Buddha shining gloriously in the Thai sun. The entire upper terrace is beautiful, with impressive views of the island. Make sure you bring some cash to leave for merit and ring the line of bells for good luck!
There is another temple complex in walking distance to the Big Buddha statue. Wat Plai Laem features massive statues on island platforms in a small lagoon. It has clear Chinese and Hindu influences, as the main statues include one of Budai, the jovial Chinese monk, and Guanyin with eighteen arms who has a ferocious neon green dragon resting at her feet. On both platforms, there are also smaller shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva, and Sakka. The entire temple complex is peaceful and serene, with monks going about their day. You can sit and watch the sunshine flicker through the trees, eating a cold shaved ice and simply just enjoying the scene. The temple also takes care of many stray animals, including chickens, cats, and dogs. So, make sure you leave donations for all their good works!
Fisherman's Village
Finally, one of the last stops I would recommend on Koh Samui is a walk through the Fisherman’s Village. This village is walkable from Bo Phut Beach. There are tons of small cafes, restaurants, and shops. We enjoyed the rooftop bars with impressive oceanside views, and I hear the Friday night markets are a must see. It makes for a great stop for lunch while sightseeing the nearby temples. I recommend a stop for a smoothie at the no frills Family Restaurant or a quick bite at Rice x De Pier for awesome views of the pier. If you’re traveling for long periods of time, there are also much cheaper laundry options in the village compared to the resorts. We really liked this laundry spot on the first floor of this woman’s house. Cheap and ready the next day!!
So that's my last post on Koh Samui--for now! Come check back in two weeks for my guide to the best beaches on Koh Phangan! Thanks for reading!
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