3 Days on Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand and a popular destination for holiday goers from around the world. Most recently, Koh Samui has been featured on the White Lotus Season 3, so the island got even more attention.
I loved my time on Koh Samui - you’ve got lazy island vibes and yet there are still a lot of fun things to and see. It’s a perfect combo in my opinion!
In this post, you’ll find some tips on things to do, where to stay and other recommendations for your trip to Koh Samui.
Quicklinks:
Things To Do
Chill on the beach
Obviously, when you’re on a beautiful tropical island you should first and foremost enjoy the beach and the azure waters.
Here are some of the top beaches in Koh Samui:
Lamai Beach
This beach has a nice mix of relaxation and restaurants/bars. A good middle ground if you want some atmosphere without going all into party mode.Bophut Beach (Fisherman’s Village)
One of the nicest areas to stay in Koh Samui, in my opinion. The beach is calm and swimmable, but the real highlight is the vibe — especially in the evenings when Fisherman’s Village comes alive with restaurants and markets.Maenam Beach
If you’re after quiet, this is one of the best options (also pictured above). It’s less developed, more local, and feels a bit slower. It’s great if you want space, sunsets, and a more laid-back stay.Silver Beach (Crystal Bay)
Small, scenic, and one of the prettiest beaches on the island. It can get busy because it’s not exactly a secret anymore, but the water is usually calm and great for swimming. Worth it if you come early.Choeng Mon Beach
A good pick if you’re staying in a resort or traveling as a family. The water is shallow and calm, and the overall vibe is quieter and a bit more upscale.
Visit an ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Visiting an Elephant Sanctuary makes for a fun day out, where you get to meet these friendly giants, feed them and learn more about them.
It’s really important to choose an ethical option though - as there are many places in Thailand that say they are a sanctuary for elephants but when you dig a little deeper, you find the elephants aren’t treated well at all.
Here are a few ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Koh Samui:
Samui Elephant Sanctuary
The most established and widely recommended ethical option on the island. It was the first sanctuary in Koh Samui focused on rescued elephants, many coming from logging and tourism industries. Expect a more observational experience — feeding is allowed, but there’s no riding or bathing, and elephants roam freely. You can join this tour on GetYourGuide which includes lunch as well.Samui Elephant Haven
One of the stricter “hands-off” sanctuaries. They don’t offer bathing or close interaction, which is actually a good sign. The focus here is on observing elephants in a more natural environment and learning about their stories. Get tickets for Elephant haven on Tripit.Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui
A more interactive experience (feeding and sometimes bathing), but still positioned as ethical and focused on rescued elephants. Good if you want a balance between education and interaction — just be aware it’s less hands-off than others.
Join a cooking class
If you’re looking for a fun activity that involves some culinary skills then a cooking class is always a good idea. Plus, I think doing a cooking class is great in Thailand because you finally have the option to make those delicious Thai dishes less spicy (at least if you’re not very good with spicy food, like myself 😂).
Here are a few cooking classes you can join on Koh Samui via GetYourGuide:
Hike to a waterfall (or several)
There are a few beautiful waterfalls on Koh Samui and if you love hiking and nature, it definitely makes sense to check them out! It is probably easier to reach them if you rent your own motorbike.
Here are a few worth visiting:
Na Muang Waterfalls - These are the easiest to get to and are located in the South of Koh Samui. You can also have a swim at the base of the waterfall.
Secret Falls (Tan Rua) - A bit challenging to get to, but worth it.
Join a yoga and wellness retreat
If you’re into Yoga, there are tons of great yoga retreats that you can join on Koh Samui. Some of them are more intense and some are more relaxed and you can join a Yoga class whenever you feel like it and they also offer a lot of wellness options, like massages and other spa treatments.
There’s one my friend went to and she loved called Samahita Retreat, which is a yoga and wellness retreat located right next to the beach
Day trip to Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is the island next to Koh Samui. It’s famous for it’s popularity among digital nomads as well as the Full Moon Party. Koh Phangan is a bit more laid back than Koh Samui and also features some stunning beaches and wildlife. You can easily visit the island as a day trip from Koh Samui or join a boat tour, like this one.
Other things to do
There are plenty of other fun things to do and experience on Koh Samui.
Where To Eat & Drink Coffee
There’s loads of lThai food options all around, so it’s to find delicious local food.
Here’s a few international restaurant options that I tried & loved while on the island:
Food
Pepenero - Lovely Italian bistro that serves amazing pasta and Florentine steaks.
Juze Island Seafood Brunch & Bar - Highly recommend this place for watching the sunset with a drink, which are spectacular. Food is great as well
Pizzeria Sorte - great Neapolitan pizza, which you can also easily order via Grab!
Bao Ba Asian Eatery - An Asian fusion restaurant that serves amazing dumplings and bao buns.
Specialty Coffee Places
Hachiya - a Japanese-style specialty coffee place that was my favourite coffee spot when I visited Koh Samui. They’ve also got great matcha drinks in case you prefer that over coffee.
Flo Coffee Roasters - An amazing coffee shop that also serves excellent breakfast. They’re located in Bang rak beach.
About cafe - a cute little cafe that makes delicious coffee and breakfast. Another bonus: there’s a cute doggo that loves pets!
Where To Stay
Koh Samui is a popular holiday destination and so there are a lot of accommodation options, ranging from budget stays to ultra-luxury retreats.
Budget options
Samui Backpacker Hotel- Budget friendly option located right next to the pier.
Mid-range and Boutique hotel options
The Flow Boutique Hotel - I stayed at this cute boutique hotel, which is located right next to Maenam beach. I loved the laid back vibes of the hotel, the cozy room (see picture above) and the amazing views on the sea. The best thing was that they give you a free coconut ice cream when you check in!
Luxury Hotels
Hyatt Regency Koh Samui - If you’re looking for a 5 star hotel but still a bit more laid back then the Hyatt Regency is a great option. It’s also rather new and the prices are pretty decent for a luxury hotel. Some reviews even say that they like this hotel better than other top luxury options, like the Ritz-Carlton.
Banyan Tree Koh Samui - If you’re looking to go all in, why not book a stay at this gorgeous, 5 star luxury resort?
When To Go
Koh Samui is beautiful to visit year round, but there are a few months when it’s perfect: December to March when it’s the dry season and the weather is not too hot.
Rain season starts end of September to November, but even then, rain showers occur only for a few hours a day.
The cheapest months are October and November, which is the low season as these are the wettest months of the year.
How To Get There
The easiest way to get to Koh Samui is by plane from Bangkok, using Bangkok Airways, which is the only airlines from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi that flies to Koh Samui airport. It has therefore a bit of a monopoly and prices can be rather high to fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui.
The airport in Koh Samui is all open air which is quite unique! It’s so laid-back and fun to just chill in the gardens having a coffee before boarding.
A cheaper option is to fly to Surat Thani and then take the ferry from the harbour. It takes a little longer but it is a little less heavy on your wallet.
How to get around the island
The easiest way to get around the island is by renting a motorbike. You’ll be more flexible and will be able to visit more remote sights, such as the waterfalls.
However, it’s also easy to get around by Grab or Bolt - the latter being somewhat cheaper.
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