Things to Do in
Koh Samui 2026

Koh Samui is much more than a beach resort. This guide covers the worthwhile things to do on the island — water sports, beaches, snorkelling and diving trips, waterfalls, temples, wellness, nightlife, markets and island day trips — so you can plan the trip properly.

Water Sports at Lamai & Nathon

Kite Club Koh Samui follows the monsoons: from December to April the school runs at Lamai Beach on the east coast (NE monsoon), and from May to October at Nathon Beach on the west coast (SW monsoon). All activities move with the season:

• Kitesurfing — from 5,000 THB: IKO-certified lessons from Discovery (2h) through to Independent Rider (10h). Main season December–April at Lamai (most consistent January–March); summer season May–October at Nathon.
• Wing Foil — from 4,000 THB: IWO-certified. Intro lesson (1h) or full Beginner Course (11,900 THB). Works in lighter wind than kitesurfing — good option during shoulder months.
• Windsurfing — from 4,000 THB: Discovery through Independent. Ideal for those who want wind sports without the complexity of kite lines.
• E-Foil — from 2,000 THB: Electric foilboard. No wind needed — runs every day of the year. Intro session 2,000 THB / 30 min. Best activity on a no-wind day.
• Kayaking — from 500 THB/h: Single and double kayaks. Explore the coastline independently. No instruction required. Available daily.
• SUP — from 400 THB/h: Stand-up paddleboard rental. The flattest mornings (6–8am before the wind builds) are perfect for SUP. All-day rental 1,000 THB.
• Kite Safari — from 1,300 EUR: 7-day kitesurfing trip on the Red Sea in Egypt, aboard a catamaran. For riders who can already ride independently.

All activities are bookable directly via WhatsApp (+66 99 312 9042). No advance deposit required for small groups. Same-day booking is often possible, but book ahead for the busy January–March period.

The Best Beaches on the Island

Koh Samui has beaches on every coast, and they suit different moods. The east and north coasts are the most developed; the west and south coasts are quieter, with sunset views over the Gulf. For a full list, see our guide to the 10 best beaches on Koh Samui.

Chaweng: The island's longest and busiest beach on the east coast — soft white sand, resorts, restaurants and the centre of Samui nightlife.

Lamai: Second-largest beach on the east coast, about 4 km of sand with a relaxed village behind it and the Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks at the south end. Our kitesurfing spot from December to April.

Bophut & Maenam: North-coast beaches with a calmer atmosphere. Bophut is home to Fisherman's Village; Maenam is long, quiet and popular with families and longer stays.

Choeng Mon: A small, sheltered bay in the northeast corner — a good choice for families and a quiet swim.

Lipa Noi & Taling Ngam: Quiet west-coast beaches known for sunsets and a slower pace.

Nathon: The beach next to Nathon, the island's administrative town and main ferry pier on the west coast. Our kitesurfing spot from May to October. Read the Nathon spot guide →

Diving & Snorkelling

Koh Samui is a convenient base for snorkelling and diving trips in the Gulf of Thailand. Most trips leave by boat in the morning and return in the afternoon; dive centres around the island run courses and day trips.

• Ang Thong National Marine Park: an archipelago of limestone islands west of Samui, visited on full-day boat trips with snorkelling, kayaking and viewpoints. The most popular day trip from the island.
• Koh Tao: Thailand's best-known diving island, reachable by boat from Samui for day trips or longer dive courses.
• Koh Tan & Koh Madsum: small islands off Samui's south coast, a popular half-day snorkelling and beach trip.

Waterfalls, Viewpoints & Nature

Samui's forested interior is easy to explore by scooter, jeep or on an organised tour.

Na Muang Waterfalls: the island's best-known waterfalls, with two main falls (Na Muang 1 and 2) in the south-central hills. Na Muang 1 is close to the road; Na Muang 2 is a short hike further up. Bring good shoes — the rocks are slippery.

Hin Ta & Hin Yai: the famous "Grandfather and Grandmother" rock formations at the south end of Lamai Beach — a short stop with a sea view and snack stalls.

Jungle & viewpoints: the hills in the middle of the island have viewpoints, small waterfalls and jungle tracks. Half-day 4x4 and jungle tours are an easy way to see them if you do not want to ride a scooter on steep roads.

Yoga & Wellness

Koh Samui is one of Thailand's best-known wellness destinations. You will find yoga studios, detox and wellness retreats, spas and traditional Thai massage all over the island — from simple drop-in classes to multi-day programmes at resort retreats.

Yoga and water sports go well together: a morning class or massage fits easily around a kite or wing session, and it is a good way to recover on a day off from the water.

Temples & Culture

Koh Samui is a Thai Buddhist island with several temples worth visiting. Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) and remove your shoes before entering temple buildings.

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai): Samui's most famous landmark — a large golden seated Buddha on a small island in the northeast, connected to the mainland by a causeway. Climb the steps for views over the bay.

Wat Plai Laem: a short drive from Big Buddha, this colourful temple sits on a lake and is known for its large multi-armed statue of Guanyin. One of the most photogenic temples on the island.

Fisherman's Village (Bophut): the old fishing village on the north coast, with wooden shophouses turned into restaurants, bars and boutiques. Beautiful in the evening and home to a weekly walking-street market.

Nightlife & Night Markets

Samui's nightlife is concentrated on the east coast, with calmer options elsewhere.

• Chaweng: the busiest nightlife area on the island — beach clubs, bars, live music and clubs that go late.
• Lamai: a smaller, more relaxed bar scene close to our December–April spot.
• Fisherman's Village: dinner and cocktails by the sea rather than a party scene.
• Night markets: walking-street markets in Fisherman's Village and Lamai, plus night markets around Chaweng, are the best places to try Thai street food and shop for souvenirs.

Island Day Trips

Ang Thong National Marine Park: full-day speedboat or big-boat tours from Samui visit the park's islands, with kayaking, snorkelling and a hike to a viewpoint. Book through a tour operator or your accommodation.

Koh Phangan: the neighbouring island is about 30 minutes away by speedboat or catamaran (Lomprayah and other operators). It is also home to our sister school, Kite Club Koh Phangan.

Koh Tao: further north, reachable by boat for a long day trip or an overnight stay — best for diving and snorkelling.

Koh Tan & Koh Madsum: small islands off the south coast for a relaxed half-day of snorkelling and beach time.

Food: Where to Eat

Samui's food scene ranges from street stalls and local Thai restaurants to international and fine-dining options, and you can eat very well on any budget.

Night markets & street food: the easiest way to try Thai dishes — grilled meats, som tam, noodles, fresh fruit and desserts.

Fisherman's Village: seafront restaurants and cafés, good for a special dinner.

Lamai & Chaweng: a wide choice of Thai, seafood and international restaurants close to the beach.

Practical tip: local Thai eateries away from the main beach roads are usually the best value and the most authentic.

How to Get to Koh Samui

Koh Samui has its own airport, Samui International Airport (USM).

By air: direct flights from Bangkok take about 1 hour (Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways), and there are flights from some Asian hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Lamai is about 30 minutes by car from the airport, Nathon about 40 minutes.

Budget route: fly to Surat Thani on the mainland, then take a bus and ferry from Donsak to Nathon pier (the ferry takes about 1–1.5 hours).

From Koh Phangan or Koh Tao: speedboats and catamarans (Lomprayah and others) connect Samui with the neighbouring islands; Koh Phangan is about 30 minutes away.

Getting around: taxis, songthaews (shared pickup trucks), scooter rental and ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Bolt.

FAQ

Making the Most of Your Koh Samui Visit

The most satisfying Koh Samui visits mix a few different things: time on the water, a day or two of sightseeing, good food and a slower evening routine. Many visitors keep the mornings or afternoons free for a kite, wing foil or e-foil session, depending on when the wind is best, and use the rest of the day for the island. A scooter or a car makes it easy to reach the waterfalls, viewpoints and temples, and taxis, songthaews and ride-hailing apps cover the main routes if you prefer not to drive. The island is also a good base for the Ang Thong Marine Park and for a trip to neighbouring Koh Phangan. Visitors who plan around the wind season — Lamai from December to April, Nathon from May to October — can combine a proper water sport course with a full island holiday.

Booking Water Sports Activities

Kite Club Koh Samui runs at Lamai Beach from December to April and at Nathon Beach from May to October. IKO certified kitesurfing Discovery at 5000 THB, Beginner at 14000 THB, Independent at 20000 THB. IWO certified wing foiling Introduction at 4000 THB, Beginner at 11900 THB, Advanced at 18000 THB. E-foil Intro (30 min) at 2000 THB, E-Foil Lesson (60 min) at 3500 THB, Freedom 5-hour package at 13000 THB. Kayak rental from 500 THB per hour. SUP rental from 400 THB per hour. Book any session via WhatsApp at +66 99 312 9042. All equipment included in course and rental prices.