How to Plan the Ideal Vacation to Koh Samui—And Not Miss the Best Experiences

Sunny Koh Samui is Thailand’s beloved seaside resort known for its amazing allures, entertainment, and attractions. The sunny island offers a variety of attractions catering to every type of traveller. Look forward to scuba diving, snorkelling and island hopping as well as treks to waterfalls, vintage temples, and night markets. The nightlife too is excellent. To enjoy a comprehensive holiday, explore the tips offered here on how to plan the ideal vacation to Koh Samui.

Maksim Sundukov, Big Buddha in Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai), CC BY-SA 3.0

 The Best Beaches in Koh Samui

The fab beaches of Koh Samui are the island's biggest allure. The largest and most popular is Chaweng Beach. Expect all the frills of a big touristy beach at Chaweng. Boasting a soft sand expanse of beach, you can always find a spot on Chaweng Beach to unwind. The beach is well serviced too, with plenty of eateries and bars in the area, as well as sunbeds for hire.Here’s a quick tip; to make the most of your time on the island, look for a beachfront Samui resort. It’s the ideal way to enjoy waking up to the sound of the surf, long walks at sunset, morning jogs and lots more. Some resorts like Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort make the experience extra special and are only a few minutes’ drive to Chaweng Beach, which comes alive with a buzzing nightlife once the sun sets. You will even have easy access to the famous Fishing Village, night markets, shops, and clubs. Lamai Beach is second to Chaweng on the popularity scale and can be found on the southern end of the latter. This beach is not as crowded and ideal if you prefer to be away from all the hustle and bustle. A huge attraction for Lamai is the allure of chasing waterfalls since the beach offers easy access to some of Samui’s best cascades. Bophut Beach is home to some of the best resorts in Samui, with some occupying the pretty Bophut Bay. It is a more serene and private beach than others and has a ritzy feel to it, probably due to the star-class resorts occupying its shores. Bang Po Beach is located on the northwestern edge of the island and is a pretty long beach made up of soft sand. Baan Tai Beach is the same beach, which gets renamed thus towards its eastern end. 

The Best Attractions in Koh Samui

You must tear yourself away from the allures of Samui’s beaches to explore; the iconic attractions for which the island is famous should not be missed for that comprehensive experience. The Big Buddha temple is one, and in fact, the towering Big Buddha statue will be the first landmark you see as your aircraft descends to the island. The 12-metre-tall statue sits on an off-shore islet that is connected to the mainland via a small bridge. The statue is located at the top of a hill, which is an excellent lookout point for sweeping views across the island. Get there early to avoid the crowds and make sure to dress demurely, keeping in line with the conservative requirements of the Buddhist shrine. Another top attraction is the Wat Plai Laem temple. This temple features Thai and Chinese architectural styles and is a treat to explore. Two huge statues are the most impressive feature of the temple, with the 18-arm statue of the Goddess Guanyin, who represents peace and compassion standing out. The arms represent the Goddess's ability to show compassion to many people. The other statue is of a jolly laughing Buddha, which is equally impressive as are the pretty surroundings of the compound inlaid with ponds and lots of greenery. If you are into photography, make it to Chaweng Lake close to sunset and you will be impressed with the amazing views. The Pagoda Khao Hua Jook too is another pretty reserve to explore for more Instagram-worthy pictures. While the Secret Buddha Garden is a mystical attraction, you should not miss exploring it. Waterfalls of Koh Samui, the interior of the island has many water features equal to the allures of the ocean. Some of Samui’s best waterfalls include Na Mueang waterfall tier one and two. Other notable sites to visit include the Lamai viewpoint, Samui viewpoint and Lat Ko viewpoint. The vintage Fisherman’s Village too is perfect for shopping and enjoying the excellent street food of Samui.
Enjoy your time on sunny Koh Samui!