Guidebook for Ko Samui
Food Scene
This all-day, open-air restaurant is located at the resort pool and overlooks the beach at the Anantara Lawana resort. Sit indoors or out on the beachside for lunch and dinner where an impressive a la carte menu and well stocked wine cellar have you well taken care of.
12 locals recommend
Ocean Kiss
This all-day, open-air restaurant is located at the resort pool and overlooks the beach at the Anantara Lawana resort. Sit indoors or out on the beachside for lunch and dinner where an impressive a la carte menu and well stocked wine cellar have you well taken care of.
A hit with local expats and one of our favorite restaurants on the island, enjoy innovative comfort food with a twist. We highly recommend the peanut butter martini and any of the daily specials. No fuss! No fancy terms! No pretension! The Larder takes things back to basics serving up rustic fine dining. Closed on Sunday.
35 locals recommend
The Larder Ko Samui
A hit with local expats and one of our favorite restaurants on the island, enjoy innovative comfort food with a twist. We highly recommend the peanut butter martini and any of the daily specials. No fuss! No fancy terms! No pretension! The Larder takes things back to basics serving up rustic fine dining. Closed on Sunday.
Samui's Best Restaurants with Mediterranean specialties. In an amazing location at beachfront entrance of the Warft enables visitors to benefit from the beautiful surroundings of the restaurant, before or after the meal. This restaurant is very spacious and has been designed in modern style and decor. During dinner, guests can enjoy the beautifully lit atmosphere and music that matches the ambiance.
38 locals recommend
Barracuda Restaurant
Samui's Best Restaurants with Mediterranean specialties. In an amazing location at beachfront entrance of the Warft enables visitors to benefit from the beautiful surroundings of the restaurant, before or after the meal. This restaurant is very spacious and has been designed in modern style and decor. During dinner, guests can enjoy the beautifully lit atmosphere and music that matches the ambiance.
For the best burger and steak in Samui look no further, The Shack serves both with a good wine list. Located in Bophut in the Fisherman's Village, The Shack is delightfully intimate with capacity for a maximum of 50 guests at any one time. Open daily 3pm to 11pm.
35 locals recommend
The Shack
For the best burger and steak in Samui look no further, The Shack serves both with a good wine list. Located in Bophut in the Fisherman's Village, The Shack is delightfully intimate with capacity for a maximum of 50 guests at any one time. Open daily 3pm to 11pm.
Dine in an intimate setting offering direct beach dining or air-
conditioned comfort. Cuisine featured is Japanese in a sensual and chic environment; Sashimi is served as you like it or with one of the innovative special dressings from the chef. The tempting teppanaki grill is also always ablaze with a symphony of sauces, like wasabi and sea urchin roe butter for Tasmanian ocean trout or saikyo miso and Gorgonzola, which flawlessly garnishes a Matsusake steak. Open daily 6pm to 11pm.
60 locals recommend
W Koh Samui
Dine in an intimate setting offering direct beach dining or air-
conditioned comfort. Cuisine featured is Japanese in a sensual and chic environment; Sashimi is served as you like it or with one of the innovative special dressings from the chef. The tempting teppanaki grill is also always ablaze with a symphony of sauces, like wasabi and sea urchin roe butter for Tasmanian ocean trout or saikyo miso and Gorgonzola, which flawlessly garnishes a Matsusake steak. Open daily 6pm to 11pm.
This unique restaurant is positioned as romantic and exclusive. Guests can enjoy the most luxurious setting amongst the treetops. The menu encompasses carefully selected high quality fresh products brought together on your plate with all the years of the culinary team's experience. The menu is complemented with an extensive wine list. Open daily
26 locals recommend
Tree Tops Sky Dining & Bar
92/1 หมู 2This unique restaurant is positioned as romantic and exclusive. Guests can enjoy the most luxurious setting amongst the treetops. The menu encompasses carefully selected high quality fresh products brought together on your plate with all the years of the culinary team's experience. The menu is complemented with an extensive wine list. Open daily
Sightseeing
Wat Phra Yai is a Buddha statue over 12 meter high; you may have seen it on your arrival into Samui from the airplane and is well worth a visit. It was built in 1972 and is Koh Samui’s most famous temple located on a small island connected to Samui by a bridge. Please dress appropriately as this temple is an important Buddhist symbol for Thai people.
344 locals recommend
Big Buddha
Wat phra yaiWat Phra Yai is a Buddha statue over 12 meter high; you may have seen it on your arrival into Samui from the airplane and is well worth a visit. It was built in 1972 and is Koh Samui’s most famous temple located on a small island connected to Samui by a bridge. Please dress appropriately as this temple is an important Buddhist symbol for Thai people.
Koh Samui has many temples that are worth visiting. Plai Laem is in the north of the island and is considered to be the most decorative temple. It features many large and colourful statues representing various gods and a lake where you can feed the fish. Please go ahead and ask your Villa Attendants for their recommendations.
173 locals recommend
Wat Plai Laem
Koh Samui has many temples that are worth visiting. Plai Laem is in the north of the island and is considered to be the most decorative temple. It features many large and colourful statues representing various gods and a lake where you can feed the fish. Please go ahead and ask your Villa Attendants for their recommendations.
The Butterfly Garden is a beautiful tropical garden with hundreds of colorful butterflies along a charming garden trail. Visit a bee house overlooking the garden, and an insect museum of rare and wonderful insects. The garden also offers stunning views of the sea at several observation decks. This is a great place to spend an afternoon or morning.
25 locals recommend
The Butterfly Hill @ Samui
ถนน ทวีราษฎร์ภักดีThe Butterfly Garden is a beautiful tropical garden with hundreds of colorful butterflies along a charming garden trail. Visit a bee house overlooking the garden, and an insect museum of rare and wonderful insects. The garden also offers stunning views of the sea at several observation decks. This is a great place to spend an afternoon or morning.
Samui Crocodile Farm in Bophut is a fascinating place to find out more about Thailand's jaws and claws! They're all here: Siamese crocodiles, caimans, saltwater crocodiles, snakes, lizards, monkeys and more. The farm covers an area of 8,000sqm and is located near Samui International Airport, about six kilometres East of Bophut Fisherman’s Village.
29 locals recommend
the Samui Crocodile Farm
Samui Crocodile Farm in Bophut is a fascinating place to find out more about Thailand's jaws and claws! They're all here: Siamese crocodiles, caimans, saltwater crocodiles, snakes, lizards, monkeys and more. The farm covers an area of 8,000sqm and is located near Samui International Airport, about six kilometres East of Bophut Fisherman’s Village.
Hin Ta and Hin Yai, some fascinating rock formations on Koh Samui’s south coast, have been a source of mirth and wonder on the island since they were discovered by the locals many years ago. Art often imitates Nature, but less common is Nature imitating Art, especially the Art of the Ribald. But in Thailand anything is possible and these rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai).
80 locals recommend
Lalanta cafe
Thanon Had LamaiHin Ta and Hin Yai, some fascinating rock formations on Koh Samui’s south coast, have been a source of mirth and wonder on the island since they were discovered by the locals many years ago. Art often imitates Nature, but less common is Nature imitating Art, especially the Art of the Ribald. But in Thailand anything is possible and these rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai).
This viewpoint is the best of view that you can see the sea in panorama view.
61 locals recommend
Lad Koh View Point
This viewpoint is the best of view that you can see the sea in panorama view.
Parks & Nature
Close to Na Muang Waterfall 1 and just a short walk from the car park. Rocks can be slippery so adequate footwear is advised and not ideal for elderly or people with restricted mobility. Elephant rides are also available in this area.
103 locals recommend
Na Muang water fall 2 - upper natural pool & rocks
Close to Na Muang Waterfall 1 and just a short walk from the car park. Rocks can be slippery so adequate footwear is advised and not ideal for elderly or people with restricted mobility. Elephant rides are also available in this area.
is about 80 meter high. You have to be prepared for a walk to get here. Rocks can be slippery so adequate footwear is advised and not ideal for elderly or people with restricted mobility.
68 locals recommend
Na Mueang-1 Waterfall
4169is about 80 meter high. You have to be prepared for a walk to get here. Rocks can be slippery so adequate footwear is advised and not ideal for elderly or people with restricted mobility.
Known in Thai as Wat Namtok Hin Lad, Hin Lad Waterfall Temple (or Saunthamma Pala Nikrotharam Temple in full) is set in evergreen tropical jungle just before the trail up to the famous Hin Lad Waterfall, a few kilometres south of Nathon Town, Samui.
71 locals recommend
Hin Lat Waterfall
Known in Thai as Wat Namtok Hin Lad, Hin Lad Waterfall Temple (or Saunthamma Pala Nikrotharam Temple in full) is set in evergreen tropical jungle just before the trail up to the famous Hin Lad Waterfall, a few kilometres south of Nathon Town, Samui.
Everything Else
Chaweng is the beach on the east coast of Ko Samui and has a reputation for a pristine white beach and an excellent nightlife infrastructure especially on the northern end of the beach.
259 locals recommend
Chaweng Beach
Chaweng is the beach on the east coast of Ko Samui and has a reputation for a pristine white beach and an excellent nightlife infrastructure especially on the northern end of the beach.
Perhaps it's the excellent views of Koh Phangan that have kept Maenam as Samui's last predominantly backpacker beach. Or maybe it's the fact that many of its resorts are located at the end of long rambling pathways, affording a degree of privacy unavailable elsewhere.
81 locals recommend
Maenam Beach
2Perhaps it's the excellent views of Koh Phangan that have kept Maenam as Samui's last predominantly backpacker beach. Or maybe it's the fact that many of its resorts are located at the end of long rambling pathways, affording a degree of privacy unavailable elsewhere.
Lamai Beach is Samui's second-largest resort area after Chaweng. It is quieter and less bustling than its big sister, but still with plenty of accommodation, dining and shopping options, and some great spas and tourist sites to explore.
193 locals recommend
Lamai Beach
Lamai Beach is Samui's second-largest resort area after Chaweng. It is quieter and less bustling than its big sister, but still with plenty of accommodation, dining and shopping options, and some great spas and tourist sites to explore.
Muay Thai is held here every Saturday evening from 9pm and is free to watch but you must buy a drink from one of the bars to sit. The Chaweng Stadium and Petchbuncha Samui Stadium are the main stadiums on Koh Samui. Fights are several times a week and boast champions and amateurs from around the globe. If you’d like to take part or hire a personal trainer to come and teach you Muay Thai please speak to your Villa Manager who’d be delighted to arrange this for you.
38 locals recommend
Chaweng Muay Thai Boxing Stadium
Muay Thai is held here every Saturday evening from 9pm and is free to watch but you must buy a drink from one of the bars to sit. The Chaweng Stadium and Petchbuncha Samui Stadium are the main stadiums on Koh Samui. Fights are several times a week and boast champions and amateurs from around the globe. If you’d like to take part or hire a personal trainer to come and teach you Muay Thai please speak to your Villa Manager who’d be delighted to arrange this for you.
A visit to this rum distillery, owned by a French couple, is a great way to meet some Samui people and taste some pretty good rum. The sugar cane used is from Thailand and the rum is offered in lemon, orange, coconut, pineapple and natural flavours. Be prepared to enjoy a few mojitos and have some fun.
51 locals recommend
Magic Alambic Rum distillery
A visit to this rum distillery, owned by a French couple, is a great way to meet some Samui people and taste some pretty good rum. The sugar cane used is from Thailand and the rum is offered in lemon, orange, coconut, pineapple and natural flavours. Be prepared to enjoy a few mojitos and have some fun.
Since its inception in 1998 visitors have been enjoying superb massage treatments among lush tropical vegetation and giant granite boulders, and drifting between herbal steam caves and cooling rock pools. Our professional therapists have been internationally trained in traditional Eastern as well as Western techniques, to deliver profound treatment results.
45 locals recommend
Tamarind Springs Forest Spa
265/7 Thong TakianSince its inception in 1998 visitors have been enjoying superb massage treatments among lush tropical vegetation and giant granite boulders, and drifting between herbal steam caves and cooling rock pools. Our professional therapists have been internationally trained in traditional Eastern as well as Western techniques, to deliver profound treatment results.
Drinks & Nightlife
Ark Bar is a popular destination for travelers in their twenties and thirties. An atmosphere of excitement and entertainment is built with fire dancers twirling daringly in the night air.
175 locals recommend
ARKbar beach resort
89 หมู่ที่ 2 ตำบล บ่อผุดArk Bar is a popular destination for travelers in their twenties and thirties. An atmosphere of excitement and entertainment is built with fire dancers twirling daringly in the night air.
After a day in Samui’s hot sunshine, Bar Ice offers travelers a unique evening experience. The inside of this venue is made entirely of ice; from the walls, the bar, to the customers’ drinking glasses. Guests can experience temperature as low
as -7! Exquisitely carved ice statues adorn the tables, adding a magical atmosphere and providing holidaymakers with wonderful photo opportunities.
54 locals recommend
Bar Ice Samui
162 Chaweng Beach RoadAfter a day in Samui’s hot sunshine, Bar Ice offers travelers a unique evening experience. The inside of this venue is made entirely of ice; from the walls, the bar, to the customers’ drinking glasses. Guests can experience temperature as low
as -7! Exquisitely carved ice statues adorn the tables, adding a magical atmosphere and providing holidaymakers with wonderful photo opportunities.
Bar Solo is an ultra-modern two-storey building located on Chaweng Beach Road right next to Starbucks Café’s Chaweng Branch; its Sci-Fi design makes it unmistakable. Solo Bar has a cool, sleek interior, an open-air front terrace and a great music policy as well as a pool table and six plasma screens showing major sporting events
30 locals recommend
Bar Solo
166 Chaweng Beach RdBar Solo is an ultra-modern two-storey building located on Chaweng Beach Road right next to Starbucks Café’s Chaweng Branch; its Sci-Fi design makes it unmistakable. Solo Bar has a cool, sleek interior, an open-air front terrace and a great music policy as well as a pool table and six plasma screens showing major sporting events
Nikki Beach Samui is part of the legendary global network of beach clubs founded in Miami in 1997, with branches in St. Tropez, Marrakech, Ibiza and Bali The brand identity is glamor and indulgence, Starched white umbrellas shelter wealthy patrons sipping on champagne while they listen to DJ beats.
134 locals recommend
Nikki Beach Resort Koh Samui
Nikki Beach Samui is part of the legendary global network of beach clubs founded in Miami in 1997, with branches in St. Tropez, Marrakech, Ibiza and Bali The brand identity is glamor and indulgence, Starched white umbrellas shelter wealthy patrons sipping on champagne while they listen to DJ beats.
is located hillside above Chaweng Beach with a stunning view over the town and Chaweng lake. Q Bar features a classy outside bar serving a broad selection of cocktails, and a spacious, stylish indoor area. The food menu offers a variety of Thai and Western dishes, including seafood, Angus beef, homemade pizzas, a wide selection of healthy salads and some unique signature appetisers. The venue features a state of the art sound and lighting system.
24 locals recommend
Q Bar
is located hillside above Chaweng Beach with a stunning view over the town and Chaweng lake. Q Bar features a classy outside bar serving a broad selection of cocktails, and a spacious, stylish indoor area. The food menu offers a variety of Thai and Western dishes, including seafood, Angus beef, homemade pizzas, a wide selection of healthy salads and some unique signature appetisers. The venue features a state of the art sound and lighting system.
WOOBAR- offers 270-degree views of the Gulf of Thailand and nearby islands. Its unique design allows the bar to transform from day to night, becoming the ultimate destination for unique W Happenings—lifestyle events that reflect our passion for music, design and fashion.
60 locals recommend
W Koh Samui
WOOBAR- offers 270-degree views of the Gulf of Thailand and nearby islands. Its unique design allows the bar to transform from day to night, becoming the ultimate destination for unique W Happenings—lifestyle events that reflect our passion for music, design and fashion.
Entertainment & Activities
Football Golf is an original and more and more popular game created in Thailand at Samui Football Golf, and is becoming better known around the world. The idea is simple enough: it's a hybrid of football and golf in which players try to steer a football into the 18 holes in as few strokes as possible - using their feet of course.
38 locals recommend
Samui Football Golf
Football Golf is an original and more and more popular game created in Thailand at Samui Football Golf, and is becoming better known around the world. The idea is simple enough: it's a hybrid of football and golf in which players try to steer a football into the 18 holes in as few strokes as possible - using their feet of course.
is a unique and memorable golfing experience, truly one of the most beautiful courses in the region and recently voted as the one of the top five golf courses in Thailand.
53 locals recommend
Santiburi Golf Course
Highway 4169is a unique and memorable golfing experience, truly one of the most beautiful courses in the region and recently voted as the one of the top five golf courses in Thailand.
nestling within the tranquil mountains and rainforests of Koh Samui, Bophut Hills Golf Club is the island’s only championship quality ‘Pitch and Putt’ 9-hole, par 3 course.
39 locals recommend
Bophut Hills Golf Club
nestling within the tranquil mountains and rainforests of Koh Samui, Bophut Hills Golf Club is the island’s only championship quality ‘Pitch and Putt’ 9-hole, par 3 course.
Samui Go-kart is located on Samui Ring Road opposite the soi leading to Hansar Samui Resort. Opened since 1993, Samui Go-kart features a 500m-long well-designed track marked out with red and white painted old tyres that keeps even the most hapless drivers on the road.
24 locals recommend
Samui Go-Kart
Samui Go-kart is located on Samui Ring Road opposite the soi leading to Hansar Samui Resort. Opened since 1993, Samui Go-kart features a 500m-long well-designed track marked out with red and white painted old tyres that keeps even the most hapless drivers on the road.
Canopy adventures offer four cable rides connecting six tree houses taking you on a scenic tour over the tropical jungle of Samui's north coast, covering a distance of 300 meter in total.
32 locals recommend
Canopy Adventures Secret Falls - Koh Samui
Soi 5Canopy adventures offer four cable rides connecting six tree houses taking you on a scenic tour over the tropical jungle of Samui's north coast, covering a distance of 300 meter in total.
The best way to see the jungle for folks who don’t fancy trekking on foot is to drive an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) in the jungle. Hours of fun to be had driving through mud and forestland with the reward of some of the most spectacular views on Samui otherwise inaccessible to most visitors.
24 locals recommend
Quadrophenia ATV Koh Samui
The best way to see the jungle for folks who don’t fancy trekking on foot is to drive an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) in the jungle. Hours of fun to be had driving through mud and forestland with the reward of some of the most spectacular views on Samui otherwise inaccessible to most visitors.
Shopping
The Wharf Samui is a stylish cross between a shopping mall and a marketplace. A 5,000 sqm open-air space with 120 units in a mix of eastern and western historical architectural styles, it blends smoothly with the existing attractions of Fisherman’s Village, adding an impressive selection of good-quality products and services to the already excellent shopping in Bophut
96 locals recommend
The Wharf Samui
62 Moo 1The Wharf Samui is a stylish cross between a shopping mall and a marketplace. A 5,000 sqm open-air space with 120 units in a mix of eastern and western historical architectural styles, it blends smoothly with the existing attractions of Fisherman’s Village, adding an impressive selection of good-quality products and services to the already excellent shopping in Bophut
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street is a lively and colourful market held every Friday from 17:00 to 22:00 along the main street in Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. The ‘walking street phenomena’ has gained ground in Thailand in the past five years and most of the main touristic destinations have a weekly walking street event nowadays.
130 locals recommend
Samui bespoke Tailor
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street is a lively and colourful market held every Friday from 17:00 to 22:00 along the main street in Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. The ‘walking street phenomena’ has gained ground in Thailand in the past five years and most of the main touristic destinations have a weekly walking street event nowadays.
Central Festival Samui describes itself as 'the most complete and largest lifestyle shopping complex in Samui’; with three storeys and around 90,000sqm of retail space, there couldn't be a better description for this huge shopping and dining mall, which is located between Chaweng's Beach Road.
424 locals recommend
Central Festival Samui
209/1-2 หมู่ที่ 2 ตำบล บ่อผุดCentral Festival Samui describes itself as 'the most complete and largest lifestyle shopping complex in Samui’; with three storeys and around 90,000sqm of retail space, there couldn't be a better description for this huge shopping and dining mall, which is located between Chaweng's Beach Road.
Walking streets take place in several areas in Koh Samui, on certain days and are essentially colorful markets selling everything from street food & drinks to arts & crafts, clothing and souvenirs. Tuesday and Saturday Walking Street in Chaweng, Thursday in Maenam, Sunday in Lamai.
74 locals recommend
Chaweng Walking Street
Walking streets take place in several areas in Koh Samui, on certain days and are essentially colorful markets selling everything from street food & drinks to arts & crafts, clothing and souvenirs. Tuesday and Saturday Walking Street in Chaweng, Thursday in Maenam, Sunday in Lamai.
Cera is the best place for handmade ceramics by local designer Khanchai Wirattanakul.
28 locals recommend
Cera' Koh Samui
Cera is the best place for handmade ceramics by local designer Khanchai Wirattanakul.