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Koh Samui is by far the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand and the second largest in the country. Only Phuket exceeds it in kilometers square. Koh Samui is a popular holiday destination among locals and foreigners, as the things to do here tends to thrill all types of travelers. Above all, Koh Samui is frequented by vacationers with a desire to enjoy and have a good time. If you want to get dark, relax by the sea and dance until the wee hours of the morning, congratulations, you have found your place. The top 10 things to do In Koh Samui include:
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Visit the great beaches
Among the things to do in Koh Samui is practicing pure posturing on its great beaches. In Chaweng beach, you will always find a young atmosphere, and people with a vast knowledge of where the most appetizing happy hours of the beach is situated. If you want more tranquility, probably the beaches of Maenam or Silver Beach are more to your liking. However, on the island, there are many more coves. Dare to discover them until you find one of your dreams.
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Paddle surfing, canoeing or riding a jet ski
If lying on the towel seems boring, try an activity. There are many things to do in Koh Samui. In general, its waters are not the best for diving or snorkeling, but other sports such as paddle surfing or canoeing/kayaking can be practiced. If you want something with a little more speed, rent a jet ski. You will find a lot of agencies on the same beaches that will be happy to give you any of these three services.
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Greet the giant Buddha
Although its official name is Wat Phra Yai, this Buddhist shrine is better known as ‘the giant Buddha’ because it houses a golden statue of the supreme master of Buddhism. With its 12 meters high, it stands out among the things to see in Koh Samui. Although it has little to do with the grandeur of the religious buildings found in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, the truth is that there are many who come to Ko Phan to pay their respects.
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Being on a desert island
A trek through the water or a small canoe ride, that’s what you’ll have to do in Koh Samui to get to Koh Matlang. This almost deserted little island located north of the east coast of Koh Samui, almost at the end of Chaweng beach, can be reached comfortably walking as long as one does not mind getting wet up to the waist. Once there you can stay as much as you want. Do not be surprised if you see Thai mothers doing it with their children under their arms, as it is the most usual.
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Launch a lucky balloon
Despite being a Buddhist country, in Thailand, there is a myriad of superstitions of the most varied and colorful. One of the most popular in island areas is to launch a lucky balloon, that is, a small lamp lit to the sky and make a wish. On many beaches, just after sunset, you will find a lot of street vendors who will offer you this service that is not entirely ecological. You can get those lucky little balloons for just 100 baths (2.5 euros), as seeing the clear, lit sky is one of the most beautiful things to see in Koh Samui.
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Visit the Chaweng Lake
If you are looking for something different to do in Koh Samui, go at sunset to the Chaweng Lake. Here, you cannot see the sun escaping by the sea, but you can enjoy a Lorenzo who says goodbye between soft mountains while its reflection is erased from the lake. If you dare, you can do it on the water in a pedal boat, also running through the park that surrounds this body of water that awaits discreet visits.
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See a fire show
In the three main islands of the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao), fire shows are very much popular. If you want to see one in Koh Samui, drop by the Chaweng Beach at night or go to any party that’s more or less important. You will almost certainly find it without looking for it. The lights can be as hypnotic as they are dangerous, so try to sit at a safe distance. If the jugglers are up to the task, do not forget to tip them, as they do not live on the air either. Without a doubt, this is one of the top things to do in Koh Samui that you can later tell your loved ones
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Attend a Muay Thai match
If you want to see a Muay Thai match in Koh Samui, go to the Samui stadium. Several days a week, the fighters climb into the ring to fight a duel while their compatriots go crazy and bet as if there was no tomorrow. Sometimes, they go a little silly with the prices (especially if you are a foreigner); hence it is not uncommon for tourists to end up getting fed up and decide not to enter. That’s the reason that almost every fight has a lot of Westerners trying to see what happens through the windows that face the outside. Something can be seen, but it is not comfortable or meaningful. If you want to properly enjoy the show, you will have to enter.
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Cross to Koh Phangan or Angthong Marine Park
Although there is a lot to see in Koh Samui, if you plan to stay on the island for a few weeks, it might be better to do some of the interesting excursions offered by the beautiful Gulf of Thailand. One is to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, famous for the Full Moon Party that is assembled there every full moon; the other is the Angthong Marine Park, a paradisiacal archipelago where you have to go with a contracted trip. The two trips are perfect for a day and suitable for the whole family.
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Visit the waterfalls of Na Muang
