Koh Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, in the Gulf of Thailand, has a lot to offer even if you never step on a boat: striking temples, jungle waterfalls, viewpoints, night markets and activities for every kind of traveler. This guide covers the best things to do in Koh Samui on land, with notes from our team on the ground.
Table of contents❯
Quick Overview
The things to do in Koh Samui that need no boat are the temples (Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem above all), the waterfalls and viewpoints inland, activities on the island such as a cooking class or a Muay Thai fight, and evenings out between Fisherman’s Village and the markets. Boat trips to the islands nearby are gathered in our day trips guide.
📍 Updated June 2026 by our team, who live and work in Thailand.
Quick comparison table
| Sight | Type | Best for | In one line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) | Temple | Everyone | The island's landmark, huge and gold. |
| Wat Plai Laem | Temple | Everyone, families | The "fish temple", with an 18-armed Guanyin. |
| Wat Ratchathammaram (Red Temple) | Temple | The curious | Red terracotta temple facing the sea. |
| Mummified Monk (Wat Khunaram) | Culture | The curious | The body of monk Luang Pho Daeng, on view since 1973. |
| Na Muang Waterfall | Nature | Families | Jungle waterfalls, made for cooling off. |
| Overlap Stone | Viewpoint | Walkers | Steep climb, and one of the best views on Samui. |
| Magic Garden (Secret Buddha Garden) | Nature/Culture | The adventurous | Stone statues scattered through the hills. |
| Thai cooking class | Activity | Couples and the curious | You learn it, you cook it, you eat it. |
| Fisherman's Village (Bophut) | Evening/Markets | Everyone | Dinner, the Friday market and fire shows. |
| Lamai Night Market | Food/Evening | Food lovers | Street food and mango sticky rice. |
Things to Do in Koh Samui, by Category
Temples and Spiritual Sites
Temples are where most people start when they work out the best things to do in Koh Samui. To keep your itinerary simple, we have split them into two groups. The first covers the two most photographed temples in the northeast, the towering Big Buddha and the ornate Wat Plai Laem: they stand a couple of minutes apart, so the obvious move is to see both in the same morning. The second gathers the other spiritual sites scattered around Samui, for anyone who wants to go past the usual stops. Head south, or up into the hills, and you find quieter and stranger places: the red terracotta of the Red Temple, the Mummified Monk, Chinese shrines and hilltop pagodas. Open the entries below for our notes and direct links to the maps.
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
The landmark everyone knows and the symbol of the island: a 12-meter gold statue you can pick out from the plane window as you come in to land. Climb the dragon-lined staircase early in the morning or at sunset, when the light is best for photos, the heat is bearable and the place is far calmer. Small stalls line the foot of the temple. Entry is free, but dress respectfully.
Wat Plai Laem
The much-loved “fish temple” sits on a shallow lake a few minutes from the Big Buddha. The showpieces are the vast white statue of Guanyin with 18 arms and the big laughing Buddha. You can buy food and feed the enormous fish in the lake, which is a slow, easy stop and a favorite with children.
Wat Ratchathammaram (Red Temple)
An unusual shrine in red terracotta tucked into the south of the island, between Lamai and Hua Thanon. It is covered in fine relief carvings of deities and mythological creatures, and a staircase runs from the grounds straight down toward the sea.
Mummified Monk (Wat Khunaram)
A quiet, thought-provoking stop. This temple holds the preserved body of monk Luang Pho Daeng, who died in meditation in 1973 and is displayed in a glass case. For Thai visitors it is a place of real devotion, so keep your voice down and dress properly.
Guan Yu Statue
A commanding red-faced statue of Guan Yu, the Chinese god of war, and one of the most photographed sights in the south. The shrine is modern, and stands as a proud marker of the long-established Chinese community on Samui.
Khao Hua Jook Pagoda
If you like seeing an island from above, this golden chedi on top of Chom Daow hill is worth the detour. Along with the quiet, it gives you a 360-degree view over Chaweng lake and the airport runway. Come by scooter or car to skip the climb.
Nature, Waterfalls and Viewpoints
Tropical greenery is the second good reason to leave the coast. If you are planning things to do in Koh Samui without a boat, head inland for hidden jungle, cool waterfalls and viewpoints looking out over the blue of the Gulf of Thailand.
Na Muang Waterfalls
Widely held to be the finest on the island. Na Muang 1 is easy to reach and makes an immediate impression. Anyone up for more takes the short jungle trek to Na Muang 2: wilder, undeveloped, with natural pools for a cold swim. Best of all when the water is running high.
Overlap Stone
One of the most striking viewpoints on Koh Samui. Set on the heights above Lamai, this huge balanced boulder looks like it should have toppled long ago, and the view stretches over the whole southeast coast. Getting up there takes a capable vehicle and closed shoes, but the panorama pays it back.
Magic Garden (Secret Buddha Garden)
A quiet retreat hidden in the inland hills, dotted with old stone sculptures half swallowed by the jungle. The track up is unpaved and steep, so it works best as part of an off-road tour or for confident drivers.
Lad Koh Viewpoint
An excellent lookout right on the coast road between Chaweng and Lamai. It costs nothing, it is easy to pull into, and you get a wide ocean shot without any effort at all.
Cocoon Viewpoint
A viewpoint with a design of its own and a small cafe attached, a short drive from the Big Buddha. A good place to sit for half an hour with a wide view over the green northeast coast.
Elephant Rock
A massive rock formation on high ground near Lamai. The name aside, what you come for is the framing: broad views over the Gulf of Thailand from an unusual angle.
The Giant Summit
A restaurant perched on the heights of the island. From the terrace, which faces southwest toward Taling Ngam, jungle green runs down to the water. Come for a drink at the end of the afternoon.
Activities on the Island
Beyond the quiet stops, the island asks you to do something. Among the main draws are a handful of experiences that let you taste Thai culture, in one case literally, and they all work just as well on a day when the sea is rough.
Thai Cooking Classes
One of the best things a couple can book here. You start at a local market picking out fresh herbs and spices, then take over the stove and learn how a proper pad thai, an aromatic curry and a good mango sticky rice are actually made. The reward at the end is eating everything you cooked.
Quad / ATV safari
For a break from the beach, a quad safari through the inland plantations is hard to beat. You get onto tracks, steep hillsides and viewpoints that no car will ever reach.
Jungle zipline
Flying over the tropical canopy strung between old trees. The zipline courses up in the hills deliver a jolt of adrenaline and aerial views over the forest.
Muay Thai fights
For a raw look at local culture, watch a real Muay Thai bout, Thailand’s national sport. The stadiums in Chaweng and Lamai run on the noise of the local crowd, and the atmosphere carries the evening.
Cobra Snake Farm
Long-running snake shows in the south of the island. It is a classic attraction from another era, and animal shows now split opinion among travelers. Weigh it up carefully, and lean toward the ethical alternatives.
Nightlife, Markets and Evenings Out
Once the sun goes down the island changes gear. If you are looking for things to do in Koh Samui in one day, end it under the lights of the markets, in the smoke of the street food stalls and in front of a fire show on the sand.
Fisherman's Village (Bophut)
The smartest corner of Samui after dark: a run of old wooden shophouses, small boutiques and restaurants along the water. Friday night brings the Walking Street. The best-known address is Coco Tam’s, where you sit on swings on the sand and watch one of the finest fire shows in Thailand.
Lamai Night Market
The place to eat if street food is what you came for. Every Sunday evening the Lamai market fills up with spiced skewers on the grill, pad thai cooked in front of you and mango sticky rice you should not skip. Local, unpolished and cheap.
Ark Bar Beach Club (Chaweng)
For anyone after an actual party, Ark Bar is the address. Parties run right on the sand, with loud DJ sets and fire shows, and it remains the center of the island’s nightlife.
Chaweng night markets
If you would rather shop late after a day in the water, work your way through the stalls here. Local food, clothes, crafts and souvenirs, in the middle of Chaweng.
Central Samui
Need air conditioning, or is it raining? This large open-air mall in Chaweng is the easy answer, with dozens of international stores, a cinema and good restaurants.
The Wharf Samui
In Bophut, right next to Fisherman’s Village, this open-air arcade in vintage style opens every evening, with neat boutiques and restaurants facing the ocean.
What About the Beaches?
The coast is still one of the best reasons to be here, from Silver Beach for snorkeling to Chaweng and Lamai for services. Each one is covered in detail in our dedicated guide.
What About the Boat Trips?
Pig Island, Ang Thong National Marine Park, Koh Tao and the mainland run to Khao Sok all need an organized trip, and they are gathered in our day trips guide.
Practical Tips for Things to Do in Koh Samui
- Pair up the stops that sit close together: Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem are both in the northeast; Na Muang, Wat Khunaram and the Red Temple are all in the south. Grouping them saves hours.
- You need wheels for the interior: waterfalls, the Magic Garden and the viewpoints are away from the coast, so plan on Grab, a rental car or an organized tour.
- Respect the temple dress code: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off where the signs say so.
- Go early or late in the afternoon: you dodge the heat and the crowds, and the light is far better for photos and for the views.
- Carry cash: some entry fees, parking lots and markets take baht in cash and nothing else.
Mistakes to Avoid
Turning up at a temple underdressed
Bare shoulders and knees mean you are turned away. Keep a sarong or a light shirt in your bag.
Underestimating the inland roads
The tracks to the Magic Garden and some viewpoints are steep and unpaved. Take a suitable vehicle, or book a tour.
Walking up at midday
The climb to Overlap Stone in the midday heat is punishing. Go early or late in the afternoon, and carry water.
Choosing animal attractions that are not ethical
Animal shows and elephant riding raise real welfare concerns. Pick the operators that treat the animals properly.
Relying on a card alone
Markets, small entry fees and parking lots usually want cash. Keep some baht on you.
Back to the Main Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do in Koh Samui in one day?
With a single day, stay in the northeast: the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem in the morning, a stop at a lookout such as Lad Koh, then dinner and the market at Fisherman's Village in Bophut. If you would rather give the day to the south, string together the Na Muang waterfall, Wat Khunaram and the Red Temple, which all sit close to one another.
What is there to do in Koh Samui without taking a boat?
Plenty. The temples (Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, the Red Temple), the Na Muang waterfalls, lookouts such as Overlap Stone and Lad Koh, activities like a cooking class, a zipline or a Muay Thai fight, and evenings at Fisherman's Village and the markets. Trips to the islands nearby do need a boat, and those are covered in our day trips guide.
What is there to do in Koh Samui when it rains?
Indoor or flexible plans hold up well: the temples, a Thai cooking class, a spa, or the Central Samui mall in Chaweng. The waterfalls, oddly enough, look better after heavy rain, when there is more water coming down.
What is there to do in Koh Samui with children?
Children love feeding the fish at Wat Plai Laem, a swim at the Na Muang waterfall and calm-water beaches such as Choeng Mon. Fisherman's Village, with its evening fire shows, works for families too. If they want to get close to animals, the outing to Pig Island is covered in our day trips guide.
Are the temples in Koh Samui free to visit?
The main ones, the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem among them, are free to enter, though a small donation is appreciated. A few natural sites and lookouts ask for a modest fee. Amounts are indicative and can change, so check on the spot.
In Short
If you are still wondering about the best things to do in Koh Samui, the short answer is that you will not run out, even if you never set foot on a boat. There are the temples of the northeast (the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, unmissable), the waterfalls and hill roads of the interior, and the evenings between Fisherman’s Village and the night markets. The rule that saves you the most time is to group your stops by area, and to treat the interior as something you explore rather than tick off. For the islands offshore, see our day trips guide instead.