White beaches, countless coconut trees and a sea that glitters from turquoise to blue – Koh Samui is one of the most popular holiday islands in Thailand for a reason. But beaches alone are not all that Koh Samui has to offer tourists.
Long considered “paradise on earth”, Koh Samui was difficult to reach until the late 1980s. Today you can get there from Germany by plane in less than 14 hours. Depending on the season, at least ten flights to Koh Samui depart daily from Bangkok. The flight time is approximately one and a half hours.
Flights from Frankfurt to Bangkok take around eleven hours. From Germany, this connection is considered to be the fastest and most comfortable. However, it is also possible to get to the island by ferry from the mainland, for example from Chumphon and Surat Thani.
Bungalow or Hotel? – Overnight on Koh Samui
The small, simple huts on the beach, where you can spend the night for the equivalent of a few euros, are still there, but you have to look for them now. The former backpacker romance, which has attracted backpackers from all over the world for decades, can only be felt in a few places on Koh Samui. Instead, there are more and more modern luxury resorts and well-equipped bungalows with private beach access.
Depending on the season, wishes and budget, you pay between 10 and 4000 euros per night on Koh Samui.
Beaches on Koh Samui
Chaweng Beach
Chaweng Beach is the most famous beach on Koh Samui and is located in the northwest of the island. It hasn’t been lonely there for a long time, because here hotels and restaurants are lined up next to each other. In the village of Chaweng there are numerous clubs and discotheques where people party until the early morning.
Lamai Beach
Lamai Beach is the second largest beach on Koh Samui after Chaweng – and is lushly covered with coconut trees. At low tide, the beautiful, white sandy beach is very wide and spacious, but swimming is then only possible to a limited extent. Although there are numerous hotels and restaurants on Lamai Beach, things are a bit quieter here than in Chaweng.
Maenam Beach
Those who love long walks on the beach are in the right place at Maenam Beach, which is around five kilometers long (see photo at the top). The beach is mostly quiet and undeveloped in places. There are also some cheaper bungalow complexes here.
Popular attractions on Koh Samui
Beach and palm trees are not all that Koh Samui has to offer tourists. There are also some sights on the island that you can explore either as part of a guided tour or on your own with a moped or a rental car.
Big buddha
The twelve meter high Buddha statue is considered the symbol of Koh Samui. Big Buddha is enthroned on the small island of Koh Fan, which is connected to Koh Samui by a causeway. The statue is part of a temple complex where monks also live.
Namuang Waterfalls
About ten kilometers from Nathon, the largest island village, are the popular Namuang Waterfalls. You can swim in the natural pools (rock pools). There is also a water slide at the higher of the two falls.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather Rock and Grandmother Rock)
Nature has a sense of humor. For example, over time, south of Lamai, she created two rock formations reminiscent of a female and a male genitalia. “Grandfather” is recognizable from afar, grandmother is a little below the cliffs. The anatomically detailed crevice is washed through by the seawater of the surf.
Day tour to Ang Thong Marine National Park
You should plan at least a day trip to visit the Ang Thong Marine National Park. The area is located about 25 kilometers west of Koh Samui and consists of more than 40 small islands, some of which grow lush rainforest. There are not only lonely beaches and animals like turtles, but also coral reefs. You can get there by ship. The tours can be booked in all travel agencies and through most hotels on Koh Samui.
