Top places to visit in Surat Thani (Koh Samui)

• Wat Plai Laem

  Temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h

  Temple on stilts over a lake with an 18-armed Guanyin statue and a laughing Buddha.

• Secret Buddha Garden (Magic Garden)

  Nature · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · entry THB 80

  Hidden hilltop garden of quirky Buddhist sculptures built by a durian farmer in 1976.

• Nathon Pier & Old Town

  Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1 h

  Samui's original Chinese-heritage town with colonial shophouses and the main ferry terminal.

• Bophut Fisherman's Village Walking Street

  Market · 4.4 rating · about 2 h

  Chinese fishing village turned upscale market. Friday walking street is unmissable.

• Nam Tok Na Mueang Waterfall

  Waterfall · 3.8 rating · about 1.3 h · entry THB 30

  Samui's largest waterfall with two tiers in interior jungle. Purple-tinted water from iron minerals.

• Lad Koh View Point

  Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h

  Roadside scenic overlook on the ring road above Chaweng, with a wide view over Lamai bay and the east coast. A short stop, best in clear morning light.

• Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)

  Temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h

  Temple housing the preserved, mummified body of monk Luang Pho Daeng, seated in meditation pose in a glass case.

• Wat Ratchathammaram (Red Temple)

  Temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h

  Also known as Wat Sila Ngu or the Red Temple: an ornate laterite-red sandstone temple on the south-east coast, carved in relief on every face.

• Samui Elephant Sanctuary

  Wildlife · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · entry THB 3,000

  Ethical elephant sanctuary near Bang Rak where retired elephants roam without riding.

• Chaweng Beach

  Beach · 4.3 rating · about 4 h

  Koh Samui's longest and most popular beach — white sand, turquoise water, vibrant nightlife strip.

• Coral Cove

  Beach · 4.4 rating · about 1 h

  Small sandy cove between Chaweng and Lamai known for snorkelling over a coral reef just offshore.

• Chaweng Night Market

  Market · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h

  Evening markets serving grilled seafood, pad thai, mango sticky rice and souvenirs.

Things to do

• Ang Thong Marine National Park Full Day Trip Nature · 9 h · from THB 1,500 per person
• Snorkelling at Koh Nang Yuan — Day Trip from Koh Samui Water Sports · 9 h · from THB 1,200 per person
• Thai Cooking Class at a Bophut Herb Farm Food · 5 h · from THB 960 per person
• Big Buddha Temple & Wat Plai Laem Cultural Tour Cultural · 3 h · from THB 410 per person
• Koh Samui Elephant Sanctuary Half Day Nature · 5 h · from THB 1,700 per person
• Fisherman's Village Friday Night Market Stroll Shopping · 3 h · from THB 170 per person
• Na Muang Waterfall Trek & Village Visit Nature · 5 h · from THB 620 per person
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding & Kayaking at Chaweng Water Sports · 2 h · from THB 340 per person

Day trips and tours

• Ang Thong Marine Park Speedboat Tour 9 h · from THB 1,500
• Koh Samui Island Circle & Temples Tour 5 h · from THB 630

Where to stay in Surat Thani (Koh Samui)

• Chaweng about THB 4,000 per night

  Main beach area with resort accommodations

Hotels

• Banyan Tree Samui 5-star · THB 18,000 to THB 45,000 per night
• Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui 5-star · THB 4,500 to THB 8,500 per night
• Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort 5-star · THB 12,000 to THB 28,000 per night
• W Koh Samui 5-star · THB 4,500 to THB 8,500 per night
• Conrad Koh Samui 5-star · THB 4,500 to THB 8,500 per night
• Centara Grand Beach Resort Koh Samui 4-star · THB 5,500 to THB 12,000 per night

Where to eat

• Bang Por Seafood Takho Thai, Seafood, Southern Thai · about THB 500 per person
• Khao Horm Southern Thai, Thai · about THB 400 per person
• Krua Chao Baan Samui Southern Thai, Seafood · about THB 400 per person
• Baan Suan Lung Khai Southern Thai, Seafood · about THB 700 per person
• Kapi Sator Southern Thai, Thai · about THB 350 per person
• FishHouse Restaurant & Bar Seafood, International · about THB 2,200 per person
• Long Dtai Southern Thai, Thai, Seafood · about THB 3,500 per person
• Saffron Banyan Tree Samui Thai, Fine Dining · about THB 3,000 per person

Getting around

• Motorbike Rental main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Shared Taxi main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking

  Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Generic tourist overcharge

  Major tourist zones

  Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.

  How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.

Best time to visit Surat Thani (Koh Samui)

• Oct 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for October: 294.9 mm, 15.8 days with >=1 mm (TMD station KO SAMUI (WMO 48550)).
• Nov 30°C · rough · WMO 1991-2020 normal for November: 444.6 mm, 16.5 days with >=1 mm (TMD station KO SAMUI (WMO 48550)). TAT park status list: "Mu Ko Ang Thong (Ang Thong Island) National Park - Open and will be closed from 1 November-15 December" - the Samui day-trip marine park, same province. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
• Dec 29°C · moderate · WMO 1991-2020 normal for December: 263.1 mm, 11.6 days with >=1 mm (TMD station KO SAMUI (WMO 48550)). Mu Ko Ang Thong closed 1 November - 15 December; the first half of the month is inside the closure. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/

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