Destination Report: Koh Samui Thailand: What to do, see, eat and avoid

Koh Samui is a beautiful paradise island in Thailand that is worthy of any Thailand itinerary for beach lovers. Compared to other Thai islands, it is much more easily accessible since it has its own airport. For longer-term travelers and nomads, Koh Samui also has a lot more modern conveniences such as malls, plenty of restaurants and a variety of accommodation options. In this detailed Koh Samui guide, discover what to do, where to stay and where to eat.

Our rating for Koh Samui is a 3.3 out of 5 stars based on our rating legend (outlined below). The accommodation we stayed in was modern, clean, and comfortable, complete with an outdoor kitchen. The location in Lamai was ideal, striking a balance between convenience and tranquility. We had access to a large grocery store and local shops, which was sufficient for our monthly food needs, though there could have been more variety as the island relies heavily on imported food.

Lamai offered numerous dining options, particularly with a scooter, which is crucial to rent while on the island (Read: Ultimate Guide to Obtaining a Thai Motorcycle License in Thailand if you would like to get a local driving license like we did). Public transportation is scarce and taxis are expensive. Community wise, it is more difficult to meet people vs. a hub like Chiang Mai, which may be a drawback for those considering long-term stays.

Our five stars rating system:

• 1 star: We hated this place and definitely do not plan to come back.
• 2 stars: We did not like this place and do not plan to come back.
• 3 stars: We liked this place but do not plan to come back.
• 4 stars: We really liked this place & we might consider coming back.
• 5 stars: We loved this place and are actually considering coming back. This is a place we could call home someday. 

With that being said, let’s look into what we liked the most and what we recommend doing in Koh Samui! 

Where We Traveled Koh Samui, Thailand

Number of Days 29 days (from Feb 6, 2023, to March 7, 2023)

Type of Travel Married Couple, Slow Travel/Nomadic, Price Conscious

Note: Unless specified otherwise, prices are in USD and were converted from the local currency (THB or Thai Bath) to USD with the following exchange rate: 35 THB = 1 USD. 

Introduction

Koh Samui is an island in the south of Thailand. It is one of the most convenient in Thailand from our own perspective and it is also quite comfortable. It is close to two smaller islands: Koh Tao  (Read: Our ultimate weekend getaway guide  to Koh Tao) and Koh PhaNgan.

What to do, see and eat in Koh Samui

Let’s dig into our favorite places to eat, shop, and get entertained. To help you, we’ve included all the places that we call out below in the following Google Map. 

Top Sights and Activities in Koh Samui

The main sights and activities on Koh Samui for many is enjoying the beach. Here are some of our favorite beaches on the island:

• Chaweng Beach – This is one of the most popular beaches in Koh Samui and is convenient to a lot of restaurants and accommodations.
• Lamai Beach – A beautiful stretch of white sand beach that is much quieter than Chaweng. The sand is great for sunbathing and the waters are calm for swimming.

• Sand Sea – Small and beautiful beach with white sand and a peaceful atmosphere.
• Silver Beach – Secluded cove with soft white sand, turquoise water, and a quiet atmosphere. Unfortunately the authorities don’t care much about the cleaning of the beach and there was a lot of litter when we were there.

Besides the beaches on the island, here are the sights we recommend to check outside of Koh Samui for a day or more:

1 – Koh Tao

Whether you are into scuba diving, snorkeling or chilling at the beach, Koh Tao is a wonderful island, 2 hours boat ride from Koh Samui that you must check out. We wrote an extensive guide of our multi-day itinerary (Read: Island Paradise: Discovering the Best of Koh Tao in Just Three Days)

2 – Ang Thong Islands National Park

This National Park is perfect for a day tour. Leave from Koh Samui in the morning and return before sunset. You get to hike to an amazing view point, snorkel to enjoy the marine life, chill by the beach, enjoy good food and even some ocean kayaking if you feel adventurous! We recommend the following tours: 

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ang Thong National Marine Park Tour by Big Boat from Koh Samui – This would be a more budget version of this tour that will charter a larger boat and will include all the major stops. They will also arrange pick up and drop off from your hotel. Tours include tea/coffee + light breakfast snack + lunch + another light snack in the afternoon. Stops are the Ang Thong Marine Park where you can climb a steep hill to get an amazing view of the 42 islands, followed by some snorkeling and time by the beach. You then go back to the boat for lunch and then get dropped off another spot (blue lagoon) that has a natural sea lake which is stunning. From there you can enjoy more beach time or sign-up for an optional ocean kayak tour which is quite fun (though a bit short). Then time to get back on the boat and head back to Koh Samui. We left our hotel by 7:30am and were back home by 6pm so this is a full day. 
  Cost: 1577 THB (incl. marine park fee of 300 THB)
• Angthong Marine Park Semi-Private Sunset Tour by Tours Koh Samui – We have not used these guys but they were our alternative option for a more intimate version of the tour. If you do try them let us know if they are worth the splurge.

Where to Stay in Koh Samui

We recommend the Lamai beach area because it has a wonderful beach plus the conveniences of restaurants, cafes and a grocery store. It is less touristic and although not boring, it is not a party area. If lively nightlife is what you are after, then you can stay at Chaweng Beach. We would not recommend staying on the west coast of Koh Samui unless you are really looking to disconnect because it’s much more remote and quiet. Renting a scooter is recommended to get around Koh Samui.

We are not recommending the Airbnb we stayed in because it was not very comfortable without A/C in the living area – so make sure you book a place with A/C in all rooms! It gets very hot during the day time.

Here are places we are considering staying in the Lamai area based on reviews, location and budget. All of these place are setup more like an apartment, have a kitchen or kitchenette and are under $1500usd per month.

DB Studios Samui

Samui Grand Rock

Crystal Bay Tropical Residence

Recommended Restaurants in Koh Samui

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ban Suan Lung Khai – [GREAT PLACE FOR A DATE NIGHT] We were introduced to this hidden gem by Flora and Note, whose youtube channel we follow. Despite some concerns raised by a review about potential language barriers, our lunch experience at this restaurant was flawless. Located in a stunning garden setting, the restaurant attracts a primarily local clientele. The menu boasts three enticing set options, and the cuisine is simply exceptional, showcasing fresh, flavorful, and locally-sourced ingredients that are beautifully presented.
  Cost: 500 Baht per person for their smallest set  

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Nature Samui – [GREAT PLACE FOR A DATE NIGHT] This place is simply amazing! Although it’s not easily accessible, it’s worth knowing about. Tucked away amidst lush greenery, this cozy restaurant has a serene ambiance with lotus flowers all around. The must-try specialties are made using lotus leaves and edible lotus flowers, which make for a unique meal.
  Cost: 200-250 Baht per dish

• ⭐️⭐⭐️ Pena Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant – This is a great vegan restaurant on the side of the road. The food was beautifully presented and pretty good.
  Cost: 125-150 Baht per dish

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Fufe Cafe – This place serves simple Thai food at a very affordable price.
  Cost: 60-80 Baht per dish  

• ⭐️⭐️ Moonlight – With an expansive menu featuring both Western and Thai cuisine, this sizable restaurant certainly has plenty of options to choose from. While our initial visit was pleasant, our subsequent experience ordering the same dishes left something to be desired, leading us to give a two-star rating.
  Cost: 75 Bath for a thai dish

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pure Vegan Heaven – This restaurant serves delicious vegan food made with organic and locally sourced ingredients. The menu features a variety of Thai and international dishes, and the portions are generous. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the ambiance is peaceful and relaxing.
  Cost: 150-250 Baht per dish

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beef Noodle Shop – Focusing on a single standout dish, this is a very local and cozy restaurant. It’s the type of place that is zero fuss and has a lot of regulars.
  Cost: 65 Bath per person

Recommended Dessert Spots

Here are our top recommendations:

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Coconut Ice Cream Lamai – The best coconut ice cream in Lamai. Period, so go get some. The presentation speaks for itself.
  Cost: 35 – 90 Baht for a scoop of ice cream (cost vary based on the flavor you pick)

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️La Fabrique French Bakery – This bakery is like a piece of France on the island (seriously!). Their success lies in their use of imported butter from abroad, ensuring an authentic taste. As a French person, I can attest to its authenticity.
  Cost: 40 Baht for a croissant
• ⭐️⭐️French bakery – While this other French bakery may offer cheaper prices, their pastries are not as delicious as those found at “La Fabrique”. If you are on a budget, it may be an ok option, but otherwise, it can be skipped. The owner is French as well.
  Cost: 35 Baht for a croissant

Recommended Grocery Stores and Markets

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️Lamai Fresh Food market – The major local market in Lamai. The market offers a variety of food items, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood. Additionally, there are numerous food stalls available, making it a convenient location for a quick bite.
• ⭐️⭐️⭐️Samui Health Shop – If you are looking for high-quality organic produce on the island, this is an excellent choice. The store offers a diverse range of items including beans, cereals, personal care products, gluten-free bread, and more.
• ⭐️⭐️⭐️Lotus Supermarket – For anything else, Lotus Supermarket is a large supermarket that has a wide range of food options and staples.

What to avoid in Koh Samui

• Driving without a license: Renting a scooter or a car is a popular way to get around the island, but driving without a license can lead to trouble with the authorities. Make sure you have the proper documentation before renting a vehicle.  (Read: Our ultimate Guide to Obtaining a Thai Motorcycle License in Thailand if you plan to stay here long-term or if you want a local thai license valid for 2 years)
• Disrespecting the environment: Koh Samui’s natural beauty is one of its main attractions, and visitors should do their part to keep the island clean. Avoid littering and dispose of your trash properly.
• Staying too remote: It can take some time to drive from one side of the island to the other so do some research on what activities you’d like to do and stay within reasonable distance of them.

Our Slow Travelers Tips

Slow travel is part of our philosophy. It gives us the opportunity to really connect with a place by not having to experience FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and getting unnecessarily stressed for being on a schedule. With slow travel, we can see all the iconic sights and have time to spare to find the more offbeat spots that most tourists miss. Most of the time, those are the absolute gems. And as this blog post explains, we spend much less by leveraging “local” pricing and being able to get long stay discounts.

Here are some tips to maximize a nice and enjoyable stay in Koh Samui:

• Relax at the beach – Ultimately, Koh Samui is an island, and what better way to unwind than by listening to the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore? Remember to pack sunscreen and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Enjoy! 
• Plan a date lunch/night – Koh Samui has some great restaurant options that we highlight that are perfect for a date lunch/night (if you travel as a couple). Don’t miss out! 
• Rent a scooter – Pretty essential in our opinion if you want to have the freedom to explore the entire island.
• Dig into Thai cuisine. Thai food is exceptional and rich in flavors. Make sure to eat at local restaurants and if you are adventurous explore further by taking a cooking class, this is a great way to experience the local cuisine and you don’t want to miss out on it. 
• Don’t be afraid of the markets. While not all stalls are equal, you don’t want to miss out on trying out some of the local produce, especially the fruits: dragon fruits, papaya, rambutan, bananas.  

Cost of Living in Koh Samui 

To make our destination reports more manageable, we’ve split them into two parts. In part one (this post), we covered what to do, see, eat, and avoid. In part two (Read: Destination Report: Koh Samui (Thailand) – Part Two: Cost of Nomad Living), we are delving into the costs and reveal all the juicy details about our budget and how much we spent during our stay.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you can receive any future posts as soon as they’re published. In the meantime, if you’re interested in more destinations, feel free to check out our past destination reports.

Planning a trip to other parts of Thailand? Check out our guides for some of the best places in Thailand: Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son Loop, Koh Lanta and Koh Tao. If you need to extend your tourist visa, check out this guide on how to stay in Thailand for 3 months. If you want to explore via motorbike, check out The Ultimate Guide to Obtaining a Thai Motorcycle License in Thailand.

Would you be interested in going to Koh Samui? Do you like island life? Feel free to share your experience and ask questions by leaving a comment below.