Located about 560 kilometers south of Bangkok, Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket, and it's been getting more and more popular with travelers lately! Compared to other famous Thai islands, Koh Samui's tourism developed a bit later, which means it still retains a wonderfully authentic, unspoiled vibe alongside its breathtaking natural scenery. In this post, we're sharing our absolute favorite must-visit spots on Koh Samui and its neighboring islands. Based on our 10-day, 9-night adventure here, we've handpicked 7 spots on the main island and 3 incredible offshore islands—making 10 must-visit spots in total! Since everyone has different travel tastes, we decided not to rank them by preference. Instead, we've organized them geographically from north to south to make planning your itinerary as easy as possible. We hope you find this helpful!

Koh Samui Travel Info & Resources

★ Transport: Airport Transfers | Car Rentals | Private Car Charters

★ Connectivity: Thailand SIM Cards

★ Island Hopping: Ang Thong National Marine Park | Pig Island (Koh Mudsum) | Koh Tao

★ Activities: Koh Samui Day Tour | 4x4 Jungle Safari

★ Elephant Feeding: North Samui | South Samui

Koh Samui Map & Table of Contents

★ W Koh Samui WOOBAR

★ Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)

★ Wat Plai Laem (The Colorful Temple)

★ Fisherman's Village

★ Chaweng Beach

★ Samui Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary

**★ **Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)

W Koh Samui WOOBAR

★ Location: W Hotel Koh Samui | Google Maps

★ Hours: Daily 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

★ W Hotel Room Rates: Official Website | Agoda

Even if you've never been to Koh Samui, there's a good chance you've seen photos of the ultra-famous WOOBAR at the W Hotel! With its signature circular sunken seating areas built right into the infinity pool, the iconic "W" sign that regularly changes colors and themes, and the backdrop of distant mountains, deep blue sea, and a pool surface that mirrors the sky—the view here is simply breathtaking. You don't need to be a hotel guest to enjoy it; it is absolutely worth picking a sunny day to drop by for a cocktail, enjoy some afternoon tea, and take plenty of gorgeous photos. While it boasts a breezy, resort vibe during the day, the moment the sun sets and the lights come on, it instantly transforms into a chic lounge/club. If you want to experience both vibes, we highly recommend arriving in the late afternoon just before sunset!

📌 W Hotel Afternoon Tea: KKday | Klook

Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)

★ Location: H3C5+7XV, Tambon Bo Put, Ko Samui | Google Maps

★ Hours: Daily 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM

★ Admission: Free

One of Koh Samui's most iconic landmarks is the Big Buddha Temple (locally known as Wat Phra Yai). It certainly lives up to its name, featuring a massive, 40-foot-tall golden Buddha statue seated majestically at the top of a grand, beautifully decorated staircase. Once you reach the top platform, you're rewarded with sweeping, panoramic views of the ocean and distant mountains. We highly recommend visiting around sunset—watching the sky change colors over the sea from up there is pure magic! Around the base of the temple, you'll find plenty of small souvenir shops that are fun to browse, and the prices are actually much more reasonable than you'd expect. Highly recommended!

Both parking and admission are completely free. If you're planning to visit, just remember to dress modestly—you'll need to cover your shoulders and knees to show respect. If you forget, don't worry, there are sarongs available to borrow at the entrance. Almost all Koh Samui day tours include a stop here, so if you'd rather not rent a car, you can easily book a half-day or full-day island tour!

Wat Plai Laem (The Colorful Temple)

★ Location: Wat Plai Laem, Road 4171, Thailand | Google Maps

★ Admission: Free

Located right near the Big Buddha Temple and Fisherman's Village, Wat Plai Laem is a striking temple complex built entirely over a lake teeming with fish and turtles. It consists of three main structures. In the center is a magnificent traditional Thai temple that you can step inside; the vivid, incredibly detailed murals on the walls and ceiling left a deep impression on us. On the left sits a massive, laughing Budai (Maitreya Buddha) statue, and on the right is an equally giant, striking 18-armed statue of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy). The reflection of the intricate, traditionally carved temples on the water is absolutely dazzling under the sun! It's an incredibly photogenic spot where every angle looks gorgeous. That said, Cherry noted that when you look closely, you can see some signs of the temple's age (though it doesn't affect the photos at all!). We suggest setting aside about half an hour to stroll around and snap some pictures. Comparing the two, Cherry actually slightly prefers the Big Buddha Temple for its expansive ocean views and the fun shopping around its base. But since the two temples are so close to each other, it's very easy to visit both in one go, and most day tours include Wat Plai Laem as well! Just like Big Buddha, ladies should ensure their shoulders and knees are covered. Wat Plai Laem is a staple on almost every Koh Samui day tour!

📌 KKday Tours: Private Charter | Half-Day Tour | 4x4 Jungle Safari

📌 Klook Tours: Private Charter | Half-Day Tour | 4x4 Jungle Safari

Fisherman's Village

★ Location: H25J+MJ6 Fisherman's Village, Thanon Laan Thong Tambon Bo Put | Google Maps

★ Hours: Daily 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

★ Admission: Free

Located on the northern coast of Koh Samui, Fisherman's Village—as the name suggests—used to be a thriving local fishing community. Today, it has evolved into one of the island's most popular and trendy hubs for travelers. The main street running parallel to the beach is lined with chic boutiques and trendy shops. The restaurants here boast beautiful, unique decors, offering everything from authentic Thai cuisine to a wide variety of international dishes. A major highlight for us was Coco Tam's, a brilliant beachfront bar where you can sit right on the sand and watch spectacular fire shows at night. You just need to order at least one drink per person, and there's no extra cover charge for the show. If a sit-down restaurant isn't your vibe, Fisherman's Village also hosts a lively Night Market every evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It has absolutely everything, from colourful souvenirs and local handicrafts to incredible street food and drinks. We highly recommend making Fisherman's Village part of your evening itinerary!

Chaweng Beach

According to the guide on our Koh Samui day tour, the island's top three beaches are ranked as: 1. Chaweng, 2. Lamai, and 3. Fisherman's Village. Taking the top spot, Chaweng Beach is the longest beach on the island, stretching a full six kilometers! The sand is powdery, pristine white, and the expansive ocean views are stunning. It is a wonderfully lively beach. Aside from the bustling crowds of visitors, you'll find prime beachfront Thai massage setups and stalls renting out water sports gear. Even more amusing are the local vendors strolling the beach selling all sorts of things—the most impressive being the giant, extravagant pool floats! They are basically moving, highly Instagrammable attractions in their own right. The area around Chaweng Beach is packed with great food and shopping, making it absolutely perfect if you love a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. However, if shopping isn't your thing and you prefer a more tranquil, secluded stretch of sand, we'd definitely recommend heading out to Pig Island instead!

📌 Recommended Reading: [Pig Island] Flocks of Little Black Pigs & Pristine White Sands | A Relaxing Day on an Uninhabited Island

Samui Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary

You can't come all the way to Thailand and not see the elephants! Koh Samui offers several ethical elephant sanctuary experiences where you can do everything from preparing their meals and feeding them to bathing the elephants. There are multiple options in both the north and south of the island, so you can easily choose one close to your accommodation. We opted for the Samui Elephant Kingdom down in the south. We chose this one because they built a brilliant elevated skywalk, giving you an amazing top-down perspective of the gentle giants roaming below! The whole feeding experience was fantastic, and you can truly feel the immense care and love the sanctuary staff have for the elephants. Getting to feed them and take photos up close was such a special and heartwarming experience!

📌 North Samui - Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: KKday | Klook

📌 South Samui: Samui Elephant Kingdom | Samui Elephant Home Feeding | Elephant Bathing Experience

Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)

★ Location: Hin Ta Hin Yai, Moo 3 Koh Samui | Google Maps

★ Admission: Free

This is one of Koh Samui's most famous natural rock formations, well-known because the rocks bear a cheeky resemblance to male and female anatomy! But honestly, even if you don't come just for the "Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks," the endless ocean views from here are stunning. It's a large rocky coastline, but there's a lovely little stretch of sandy beach tucked in the middle that's great for a stroll if you have the time. The area is dotted with small stalls selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Grabbing a highly-photogenic coconut ice cream and enjoying it while gazing out at the beautiful coastline is a fantastic little experience! If you're staying near Lamai Beach, you might even be able to walk here. If you're driving, there's a paid parking lot for 30 THB, though be warned that the access road is quite narrow. This spot is also a staple on most day tours!

Offshore Islands Map & Table of Contents

★ Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan + Koh Phangan Speedboat Tour

★ Ang Thong National Marine Park

**★ **Pig Island (Koh Mudsum)

Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan + Koh Phangan Speedboat Tour

Photo from the internet: Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint

The speedboat island-hopping day tour covering Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, and Koh Phangan takes about three hours of round-trip travel time, but it's entirely worth it for the crystal-clear waters! The tour takes you to the famous snorkeling paradise known as the Japanese Garden, where you can marvel at vividly colored coral reefs. If you love exploring marine life, this snorkeling-inclusive day trip is absolutely perfect for you! Plus, the viewpoint on Koh Nang Yuan, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the interconnected islands, is a must-visit photo spot (☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻 just look at the photo above for proof!).

📌 Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan + Koh Phangan Speedboat Day Tour

Photo from the internet: Koh Tao Ocean View

Ang Thong National Marine Park

Ang Thong National Marine Park is located about 30 kilometers west of Koh Samui, which takes about an hour by boat. Comprising an archipelago of 42 islands, the park's most famous attraction is a stunning viewpoint reached after a 500-meter hike. The sight of lush, emerald islands rising in layers out of the endless blue ocean is like looking at jewels scattered across the sea! The panoramic scenery is nothing short of awe-inspiring. We highly recommend the Ang Thong National Park day tour for nature lovers and scenery chasers. For more details on this incredible adventure, check out our full guide 👉🏻 [Ang Thong National Marine Park] Sweeping Views of the Archipelago ★ A Breathtaking Landscape of Layered Islands!

📌 Ang Thong National Park Tours: Day Tour | Day Tour with Kayaking | Day Tour with Kayaking & Snorkeling

Pig Island (Koh Mudsum)

Just a short 20-minute boat ride from Koh Samui brings you to the adorable Pig Island (Koh Mudsum)! Here, you can get up close to feed and snap photos with friendly pigs of all sizes. But beyond interacting with the little black pigs, the island itself boasts pristine white sands, expansive ocean views, and a backdrop of distant green archipelagos. The scenery on Pig Island truly possesses a unique, tranquil beauty. If you get the chance, joining a day tour here to see the piglets and enjoy a peaceful, uninhabited island escape is a must. For more details on Pig Island, check out our guide 👉🏻 [[Pig Island] Flocks of Little Black Pigs & Pristine White Sands | A Relaxing Day on— title: "[Koh Samui Travel Guide · Must Read] Top 10 Must-Visit Spots in Koh Samui | With Map" heroTitle: "[Koh Samui Travel Guide · Must Read] Top 10 Must-Visit Spots in Koh Samui | With Map" heroSubTitle: "Thailand · Koh Samui" category: "旅行日誌" datePublished: '2025-05-01' dateModified: '2025-05-01' tags: ["蘇美島自由行"] author: "櫻桃與魚" cover: 'https://images.ctfassets.net/yexyocy29wzm/3R8xbum6FgUkb0LvbYZPXV/f502ea3572e6421804f4c060576ff165/cover-5-2.jpg.png' coverHero: 'https://images.ctfassets.net/yexyocy29wzm/40I5fJfapD2w1Z7W4Z6f8/1db70af56445a4370e1357f1666c0840/PXL_20230606_024043418.jpg' seoKeywords: ["Koh Samui elephant feeding experience", "Koh Samui must visit", "Koh Samui must visit attractions", "Koh Samui recommended spots", "Koh Samui fun things to do", "Koh Samui top attractions", "How to travel Koh Samui", "Koh Samui elephant feeding", "Feed elephants Koh Samui", "Koh Samui Big Buddha Temple", "Koh Samui Wat Phra Yai", "Koh Samui big buddha", "Koh Samui beaches", "Koh Samui fisherman's village", "Fisherman's Village Koh Samui", "Koh Samui Grandfather Grandmother Rocks", "Koh Samui W hotel", "koh samui W hotel", "Samui Elephant Kingdom", "Koh Samui recommended temples", "Koh Samui Wat Plai Laem", "Koh Samui Colorful Temple", "Koh Tao", "Koh Nang Yuan", "Koh Pha Ngan", "Is Ang Thong National Park worth it", "Ang Thong National Marine Park", "Pig Island", "Is Pig Island worth it", "Koh Samui Pig Island"]

Located about 560 kilometers south of Bangkok, Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket and has become increasingly popular with travelers in recent years. However, compared to other famous Thai islands, Koh Samui's tourism developed a bit later, so the island still retains a wonderfully rustic charm and beautifully preserved natural landscapes! In this post, we're mainly sharing the absolute must-visit attractions in Koh Samui and its neighboring offshore islands. We've handpicked these 10 amazing spots—7 on the main island and 3 offshore islands—based on our fantastic 10-day, 9-night trip! Since everyone has different preferences, we decided not to rank them. Instead, we've listed them geographically from north to south to help you plan your perfect itinerary!

Koh Samui Travel Info

★ Transport: Airport Transfer｜Car Rental｜Private Charter

★ Internet: Thailand SIM Card

★ Island Hopping: Ang Thong National Marine Park｜Pig Island｜Koh Tao

★ Island Activities: Koh Samui Day Tour｜ATV Jungle Safari

★ Elephant Feeding: Northern Koh Samui｜Southern Koh Samui

Koh Samui Map & Directory

★ W Hotel Woobar

★ Big Buddha Temple

★ Wat Plai Laem

★ Fisherman's Village

★ Chaweng Beach

★ Samui Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary

**★ **Hin Ta Hin Yai

W Hotel Woobar

★ Location: W Hotel Koh Samui ｜Google Maps

★ Opening Hours: Daily 12:00-00:00

★ W Hotel Room Rates: Official Website｜Agoda

Even if you've never been to Koh Samui, there's a good chance you've seen this iconic view of the W Hotel Woobar! Featuring sunken circular outdoor seating right in the pool, the signature "W" logo that regularly changes colors and themes, plus the distant mountains, azure sea, and mirror-like pool reflecting the blue sky—this view is simply breathtaking! Even if you aren't staying at the W Hotel, it's totally worth visiting on a sunny day. Grab a cocktail, enjoy some afternoon tea, and snap gorgeous photos! The daytime vacation vibe instantly transforms into a chic nightclub feel as soon as the lights go on at night. If you want to experience both vibes, we highly recommend visiting in the late afternoon right around sunset!

📌 W Hotel Afternoon Tea: KKday｜Klook

Big Buddha Temple

★ Location: H3C5+7XV, Tambon Bo Put, Ko Samui｜Google Maps

★ Opening Hours: Daily 07:00-18:30

★ Admission: Free

One of Koh Samui's most iconic landmarks, the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai), absolutely lives up to its name! It features a massive 40-foot golden Buddha statue sitting on a platform at the top of a grand, ornate staircase. From the top platform, you can overlook the vast ocean and distant mountains. We highly recommend visiting around sunset—the combination of the elevated sea view and the evening glow is incredibly beautiful! There are many small souvenir shops around the base of the temple that are fun to browse, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable. Highly recommended!

Parking and admission are both free. If you're planning to visit, just remember to dress appropriately—your shoulders and knees must be covered. If you need one, they do have sarongs available to borrow at the entrance. Almost all Koh Samui day tours stop at this attraction. If you don't want to rent a car yourself, you can definitely consider booking a half-day or full-day tour!

Wat Plai Laem

★ Location: Wat Plai Laem, Road 4171, Thailand｜Google Maps

★ Admission: Free

Located close to the Big Buddha Temple and Fisherman's Village, this water temple complex features three main structures built over a large pond filled with fish and turtles. In the center is a magnificent traditional Thai temple you can go inside; the intricate, vibrant murals on the walls and ceiling are incredibly impressive. On the left is a large statue of the Laughing Buddha (Maitreya), and on the right is a stunning statue of the 18-arm Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy). The brilliant reflection of these colorful, exquisitely carved temples on the water is truly dazzling in the sunlight! It's a fantastic spot for photography in Koh Samui—every angle looks gorgeous. However, Cherry felt that up close, you can see a bit of the temple's age (though it doesn't affect your photos at all). We suggest spending about half an hour here to stroll around and take pictures! Between the two, Cherry personally preferred the Big Buddha Temple for its elevated sea views and better shopping nearby. But since the two temples are so close together, it's very easy to visit both in one go! Most day tours will include Wat Plai Laem in their itinerary as well. Just a reminder for the ladies: shoulders and knees must be covered here too. Like the Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem is a staple on almost every Koh Samui day tour!

📌 KKday Tours: Private Charter｜Half-Day Tour｜ATV Day Tour

📌 Klook Tours: Private Charter｜Half-Day Tour｜ATV Day Tour

Fisherman's Village

★ Location: H25J+MJ6 Fisherman's Village, Thanon Laan Thong Tambon Bo Put｜Google Maps

★ Opening Hours: Daily 18:00-22:00

★ Admission: Free

Fisherman's Village is located on the north coast of Koh Samui. As the name suggests, this area used to be a bustling community for local fishermen. Today, it has evolved into a popular hub for tourists. Along the main coastal street, you'll find plenty of boutique shops and trendy stores. Almost all the restaurants here are beautifully decorated with their own unique styles, serving a variety of international cuisines alongside classic Thai dishes. A standout spot is Coco Tam's, a bar that offers seating right on the sand where you can watch incredible fire dance performances—all you need to do is order at least one drink per person, with no extra cover charge! If you're not looking for a sit-down meal, Fisherman's Village also hosts a lively night market every evening from 6 PM to 10 PM. You'll find everything from souvenirs and handicrafts to a wide array of street food and drinks. We highly recommend adding Fisherman's Village to your Koh Samui evening itinerary!

Chaweng Beach

According to our guide from a Koh Samui day tour we joined, the top three beaches on the island are ranked as: 1. Chaweng, 2. Lamai, 3. Fisherman's Village. Taking the number one spot, Chaweng Beach is the longest beach on Koh Samui, stretching for six kilometers with fine white sand and expansive ocean views. The beach is incredibly lively! Besides the crowds of tourists, you'll find beachfront Thai massage setups and stalls renting out water sports equipment. Even more fascinating are the many vendors strolling the sand selling all sorts of things—the most impressive being the giant, elaborate pool floats! They honestly look like moving photo props! There's so much great food and shopping around Chaweng Beach, making it perfect for anyone who loves a bustling, energetic vibe. If shopping isn't your thing and you prefer a more tranquil beach, we'd recommend hopping over to the offshore Pig Island instead!

📌 Recommended Reading: [Pig Island] Adorable Black Pigs & White Sands | A Relaxing Day on an Uninhabited Island

Samui Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary

Since you've made it all the way to Thailand, you simply have to see the elephants! Koh Samui offers several wonderful elephant care experiences, ranging from preparing their meals and feeding them to giving them a bath. There are multiple options in both the north and south of the island, so you can choose one that's convenient for where you're staying! We chose the Samui Elephant Kingdom down south because, unlike the others, it features an elevated skywalk that gives visitors an amazing top-down view of the gentle giants. The whole feeding experience was absolutely wonderful. We could really feel the care and dedication the sanctuary puts into looking after the elephants. Besides feeding them, you can also get up close for some great photos. It's a truly fantastic experience!

📌 Northern Koh Samui (Elephant Jungle Sanctuary): KKday｜Klook

📌 Southern Koh Samui: Samui Elephant Kingdom｜Samui Elephant Home Feeding｜Elephant Bathing

Hin Ta Hin Yai

★ Location: Hin Ta Hin Yai, Moo 3 Koh Samui｜Google Maps

★ Admission: Free

This is one of Koh Samui's most famous natural rock formations, known for resembling male and female anatomy. But even if you don't come just for the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks, the endless ocean views are stunning on their own! It's a large rocky coastline, but there's a small sandy beach nestled in the middle where you can walk down if you have time. There are plenty of small vendors nearby selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Eating a photogenic coconut ice cream while admiring the beautiful coastline is such a great experience! If you're staying near Lamai Beach, you might even be able to walk here. If you're driving, there's a paid parking lot for 30 THB, though the access road is reportedly quite narrow. This is another must-visit stop on most day tours.

Offshore Islands Map & Directory

★ Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan + Koh Pha Ngan Speedboat Island Hopping

★ Ang Thong National Marine Park

**★ **Pig Island

Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan + Koh Pha Ngan Speedboat Island Hopping

Photo from the Internet: Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint

The speedboat journey for the Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, and Koh Pha Ngan island-hopping day tour takes about three hours round trip. The seawater here is crystal clear! You'll visit the famous snorkeling paradise—Japanese Gardens—to see colorful coral reefs. If you love exploring marine life, this snorkeling-inclusive island-hopping tour is perfect for you! Also, the panoramic viewpoint on Koh Nang Yuan where you can hike up to see the entire island is an absolute must-do photo spot (☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻 just look at the photo for proof!).

📌 Koh Tao + Koh Nang Yuan + Koh Pha Ngan Speedboat Island Hopping Day Tour

Photo from the Internet: Koh Tao Ocean View

Ang Thong National Marine Park

Ang Thong National Marine Park is located about 30 kilometers west of Koh Samui, which takes around an hour by boat. Made up of 42 islands, its most famous attraction is a spectacular viewpoint you reach after a 500-meter hike. The layers of islands rising from the endless ocean look like emeralds scattered across the sea! The panoramic view is simply jaw-dropping! We highly recommend an Ang Thong National Marine Park day tour for nature lovers. For more details, feel free to check out 👉🏻 [Ang Thong National Marine Park] Panoramic Views of an Ocean Archipelago ★ Layered Islands Create a Breathtaking Landscape!

📌 Ang Thong National Marine Park Day Tour Info: Day Tour｜Day Tour with Kayaking｜Kayaking & Snorkeling

Pig Island

Just a 20-minute boat ride from Koh Samui brings you to this adorable island filled with pigs of all sizes that you can feed and take photos with up close! Aside from interacting with the cute little pigs, the island boasts unique beauty with its black pigs contrasting against white sandy beaches, expansive ocean views, and green islands in the distance. If you get the chance, joining a day tour to Pig Island to see the pigs and enjoy the tranquility of an uninhabited island is highly recommended. For more details on Pig Island, check out 👉🏻 [[Pig Island] Adorable Black Pigs & White Sands | A Relaxing Day on an Uninhabited Island](https://www.wholovet