With incredible beaches, a vibrant dining (and drinking) scene, and natural and cultural gems around every corner, I can’t help but add Koh Samui to my Thailand itinerary every time I visit.
Lying just east of the mainland, Koh Samui is the kind of paradise you simply can’t skip, whether it’s your first rodeo in Thailand or you’re already a seasoned pro who’s fallen hard for Bangkok and Phuket.
Consider this your insider’s guide to island bliss—here’s exactly how I’d spend my first trip to Koh Samui.
Koh Samui Accommodation
Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach ClubImage credit: Avani Chaweng Hotel | Website
With three jaw-dropping pools, enough dining options to keep your taste buds busy, and a retro-glam vibe that’s basically begging for an Instagram story, Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club is the first place I always recommend for first-timers. Dubbed ‘the ultimate grown-up beach escape,’ it’s located on the breathtaking Chaweng Beach. Plonk yourself on a sun lounge with a coconut (yes, please), swing by for a bottomless rosé sunset sesh with epic beach views, then smash some seriously fresh local seafood in the restaurant.
The retro styling carries through to the rooms that overlook the Palm Springs-style pool or the ocean, and the helpful staff can arrange experiences like snorkelling, jet skiing and long boat trips. Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club is in the heart of the bustling Chaweng town and offers the perfect blend of relaxation and holiday indulgence—pretty much like Koh Samui in a nutshell.
Four Seasons Koh Samui
Image credit: Booking.com | Website
Avani booked out or just looking for something else that’s on the boujee radar? For first (or multi) timers in Koh Samui looking for main-character energy, then it has to be Four Seasons. Perched on a lush hillside overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, this is all private infinity pools, palm-fringed beaches and villas that feel like your own little jungle kingdom. I’m talking open-air bathrooms, panoramic ocean views and staff who somehow know you want a mango sticky rice before you do. Yes, it’s a splurge—but if you’re going big, go very big.
Things To Do On Koh Samui
For Foodies
Koh Samui is awash with spots to chow down on local Thai cuisine, with everything from fancy oceanfront spots to the tiniest, no-frills street stalls. On my first visit to Koh Samui, I dove straight into the chaos of Chaweng Night Market—think fragrant skewers, noodles, fried snacks and pop-up bars that keep the party going. On the north coast, the fisherman’s village in Bophut is an interesting historical area to visit packed with (go figure) plenty of local seafood straight out of the Gulf of Thailand at various price points.
For Partygoers
Want to make your first trip to Koh Samui truly iconic? You’ve gotta hit up Seen Beach Club‘s legendary pool party. It’s the biggest on the island held every Saturday from 2pm, with a swim-up bar, a menu of share-style snacks and live DJs playing ’til way past your bedtime. For other nightlife vibes, I’m all about Green Mango Club (the oldest on the island), and the Lamai Central Plaza beer bars, where you can find cheap drinks and tasty street food stalls.
For Culture-Seekers
Koh Samui isn’t just about sandy beaches and wild parties—there are some seriously impressive culture sites, too. I always make sure to check out Wat Phra Yai (aka Big Buddha Temple) with its towering 12-metre Buddha watching over the island, plus the overwater Wat Plai Laem temple with an 18-armed goddess. Feeling a bit more adrenaline-fueled? Head to one of Koh Samui’s muay Thai stadiums (there are three in Chaweng). I’m not big on fights, but I found myself cheering with the locals like I was a die-hard fan of the sport. The energy is electric, the crowds are wild, and it ended up being one of the most unforgettable nights I’ve had on the island. You might also like:
For Active Travellers
If you’re the type who packs sneakers next to your swimmers (guilty), Koh Samui’s got plenty to keep you moving. The calm, crystal-clear bays—Chaweng, Choeng Mon, Bangrak and Bophut—are perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, and I promise, falling in is part of the fun. For a land-based adventure, I laced up and hiked through rainforest to some pretty wild spots: the Lamai Overlap Stone (basically a giant rock defying gravity), the lush Hin Lad Waterfall, and the Secret Buddha Garden tucked high in the hills. Yes, I was sweaty. Yes, it was worth it.
For Wellness Seekers
I love a cocktail by the pool as much as the next person, but when I really need to reset, I book in at Tamarind Springs Forest Spa. This open-air jungle spa is nestled in the hills above Lamai, and it’s as dreamy as it sounds. Think herbal steam caves built into granite boulders, outdoor massage huts surrounded by rainforest, and serene natural plunge pools. I left floating, totally zen and somehow also fully ready for another cocktail (because balance).
For Animal Lovers
Thailand’s majestic elephants deserve more than just a selfie, and at Samui Elephant Haven, you can get up close in the most ethical way possible. This sanctuary is one of the few on the island focused on observation and education, not rides or shows. Each of the elephants here have been rescued from the tourism and logging industries, many carrying scars from years of hardship. Nothing beats watching these beautiful creatures roam free and knowing you’re supporting their comeback story. Totally worth a visit.
For Ocean Lovers
If you only book one tour, make it a speedboat day trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park. It’s a cluster of 42 jungle-cloaked islands with secret lagoons, snorkelling spots and that unreal Emerald Lake you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. Kayak through limestone cliffs, climb to a viewpoint that’s just a bit energetic then flop onto a beach that looks genuinely untouched. It’s chaotic in the best way and feels like ticking off the Thailand dream in one go.
For The Self Proclaimed Chefs
If you want to bring Koh Samui home with you (beyond a suitcase full of elephant pants), book a Thai cooking class. Most start with a market visit where you’ll learn how to spot fresh herbs and pastes, before heading back to whip up pad Thai, green curry or tom yum from scratch. You’ll leave with a full belly, a tiny recipe booklet and the dangerous confidence that you could now recreate it all at home.
For Sunset Chasers
While the east coast gets most of the love, the west coast is where the sunsets really show off. Taling Ngam Beach is all laid-back, palm-fringed vibes with views across to the Five Islands and skies that turn every shade of pink and gold. It’s quieter, a little more local, and feels like you’ve discovered something secret. I grabbed a drink, kicked off my sandals and just let the sky do its thing.
Getting To Koh Samui
Getting to Koh Samui is pretty straightforward. Most people (myself included) fly in from Bangkok, since all domestic flights to the island depart from there. The flight’s quick, but it can be a bit spenny. If you’re keen to save your baht for cocktails and massages, do what I did once and fly into Surat Thani instead, then hop on a ferry across. It takes a little longer but it’s easy enough, and makes that first coconut on the beach feel even more rewarding.
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Image credits: Avani, Chelsea Chehade (Unsplash)
