The Secrets of Koh Samui Unveiled: 7 Top Tourist Attractions
Having the honour of being Thailand’s 2nd largest island, Koh Samui is well-known for its turquoise beaches, coconut grooves, dense mountainous forests, luxury resorts and spas, Buddha statues, and many more attractions.
While exploring the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture of Koh Samui, it’s easy to get lost in the island’s charm. For those planning their journey from afar, ensuring a seamless travel experience is key. Whether you’re arriving from a bustling city or a quiet town, consider arranging a limousine service Milwaukee to start your adventure in style and comfort, making the transition from urban life to island paradise as smooth as possible.
With a total area of 229 sq km and a population of around 68,000, Koh Samui has enough potential to make your trip unforgettable. All types of tourists flock to this place as it offers something for everyone. Either you are a luxury seeker or budget backpacker, a solo traveller or a family group, Koh Samui has got you covered.
This guide lists the 7 top tourist attractions and things to do that are part and parcel of all-inclusive Koh Samui Luxury Holidays.
The 7 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui
An ideal trip to Koh Samui must last at least 4–5 days. It will give you enough time to explore all the areas of Koh Samui.
1. Visit Ang Thong National Marine Park
Situated on the southern side of Koh Samui, this national park spreads over 97 square miles in the Gulf of Thailand and is made up of 42 islands. These islands are a sight to behold, as the limestone hills have transformed into unique and interesting shapes due to years of erosion. You can relax at the Marine VIP Park and enjoy the sea waves. Another fantastic way to explore this place is by taking a speedboat tour. You can make things even more special and royal by booking a private sunset tour with your loved ones. Private tours are quite common among people enjoying Koh Samui luxury holidays.
2. Take a Walk in Fisherman’s Village
This is an ideal spot to hit in the evening if you want to explore the true Koh Samui spirit. Fisherman’s Village was once a thriving community of fishermen, but now it is a popular walking street and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Koh Samui. Located in the Bophust region of Koh Samui, the place is lined with rustic shop houses converted into bars, eateries, and hotels.
The food spots here offer authentic seafood with Thai and international cuisine offerings. Things get more lively in the evening when the nightlife and cocktail-serving stalls come alive.
3. See the Samui Elephant Sanctuary
It is an ideal place to spend your day in Thai Royal style, watching and interacting with the huge creatures. What’s more grand than getting up close and personal with elephants? You can book a tour directly from the sanctuary’s website. They pick you up from your hotel, educate you about elephants, let you prepare food, and take you to watch elephants as they go about their day. Then you are served a light vegetarian meal (the sanctuary’s specialty), and after some relaxing time and coffee, you are dropped back at your hotel. The elephant sanctuary tour is so popular among tourists that many travel agencies offer it as a part of their travel deals.
4. Marvel at the Big Buddha Temple
An iconic landmark of not only Koh Samui but also Thailand, the Big Buddha Statue, also known as Wat Phra Yai, sits majestically atop a small, rocky island. The 12-metre-tall structure has deep importance in Buddhism, and it is a fascinating sight for all tourists. The huge statue makes itself clearly visible when you arrive in Koh Samui via air. Built in 1972, the temple is open all day, but the best time to visit is early in the morning. The early sun makes the statue appear more beautiful and amazing.
5. Get Blown Away by the Amazing Wat Plai Laem
Since we are talking about religious sites, how can we forget Wat Plai Laem? The 18-handed deity showcases elements of Chinese and Thai traditions. The place is close to the Big Buddha temple, so you can keep these two attractions for one day. Moreover, the lake nearby is also a must-visit place when you are there. There are big fish in it that go crazy when you feed them. Designed by the famous Thai artist Jarit Phumdonming, this temple is also a famous landmark in Thailand.
6. Have some Fun at Lamai Beach
The beaches in Koh Samui deserve a separate mention when discussing Koh Samui luxury holidays. Lamai Beach is a tranquil beach featuring soft and white sand, clear and turquoise water, and a bunch of bars and food stalls. The motorsports here are a must for all thrill-seekers. The most famous activity for adrenaline junkies is jet skiing. You can engage in a calming spa session by the sea to get the best of the Koh Samui experience.
7. Relax at Maenam Beach
The second-most famous beach is found on the northern part of Koh Samui and is home to countless different activities. Another positive thing about this beach is that it is located only 20 minutes from the Samui airport. You can go for bike tours, watersports, a spa session, or enjoy some amazing drinks at the countless bars located along the shore.
Koh Samui or Phuket: Which one should you visit?
This is one of the toughest questions to answer, as both of these places are awesome and must not be missed if you want to enjoy the true essence of Thailand. Both have excellent infrastructure, lavish resorts and spas, nightclubs, restaurants, and beautiful beaches, so if you have ample time, we suggest you hit both of them.
Koh Samui has some excellent viewpoints that are serene and tranquil. Phuket has better beaches. The nightlife is pretty much the same in both cities. From a financial point of view, Koh Samui is slightly costlier than Phuket, but both of these places are far more expensive than Bangkok, the country’s capital.
Koh Samui and Phuket are 350 km away, and it takes around 7 hours by road to cover this journey if you ride nonstop. Both of these places are around 13 hours away from Bangkok. So, if you are visiting Thailand, an ideal itinerary would be to travel from Bangkok to either Koh Samui or Phuket. While trains leave from Bangkok to Koh Samui and Phuket, you can only go from Phuket to Koh Samui via road or sea.
The Wrap-Up: How to Get the Best Koh Samui Luxury Holiday Plans?
Some of these activities are so famous that they are a part of all-inclusive Koh Samui holiday plans. When planning to visit Koh Samui, you have two options. You can either go for a DIY trip by booking hotels and flights on your own. This is a cost-effective option but requires careful planning. The good part about planning a DIY trip is that British passport holders can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa.
The other option, which is much more convenient and hassle-free than a DIY trip, is booking a Koh Samui luxury holiday deal from Virikson Holidays. We are a leading travel agency in the UK, catering to different types of tourists and offering bespoke vacation plans for the leading destinations in the world. Contact us and let us make your holidays better with our top-of-the-line Koh Samui travel plans.
