The Ultimate Koh Samui Itinerary: What You Can Do in 4 Days
by Gopal Venkataraman on 18/01/18 at 9:08 am
Looking to spend 4 days in the dreamy island of Koh Samui? Do you want to just chill while sipping umbrella cocktails on white sand beaches? Or do you want to plunge into the ocean and discover its secrets? Are you a party animal who likes to let loose every night? Whatever your fancy, the island will cater to it.
Scroll through our detailed 4 day Koh Samui itinerary and make the most of your Thailand trip!
How to get to Koh Samui
Before we start with the coolest things to do on the island, let’s talk about how to reach Koh Samui.
There are 3 ways of going about it:
- Take a direct flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Although it’s the most convenient option, this can be an expensive affair
- Take a flight to Suratthani and from there, take a 1.5 hour ferry to Koh Samui. This is the most preferred route to reach the island
- Take an overnight train to Suratthani and from there take a 1.5 hour ferry to Koh Samui. This could work out to be the cheapest option
Now that you know how to get to Koh Samui, let’s dive straight into the itinerary.
1. Kick start your Koh Samui trip with a beach hopping tour of the island
This goes without saying folks, hit the beaches! This is why you came to this exotic island in the first place, isn’t it?
No matter which area you stay in Koh Samui, a patch of sand is never far away. And being far from the mainland, Koh Samui has much better beaches than those hugging major cities.
Chaweng is the most popular beach in Samui. Its lively atmosphere and an array of thrilling watersports make it ideal for the action-loving beach bum.
If you want to relax in privacy, need cleaner sands and deliciously appealing blue waters, Lamai beach could become your favourite.
Lipa Noi and Maenam are truly offbeat beaches you could head to for a private beach experience.
2. Marvel at the majestic Big Buddha
It’s impossible to travel in Samui and not get a glimpse of the Big Buddha. It’s a massive golden statue which you can spot even from the skies, while landing at the Samui airport. Its shimmering golden avatar deserves a closer look though.
3. Gape in awe at the imposing statue of the 18-armed goddess at the Wat Plai Laem
The biggest draw of the temple is the menacing giant statue of the 18 armed statues of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and compassion. It’s believed the art techniques used in the making of the temple are centuries old and based on ancient beliefs.
4. Gorge on some amazing street food at Chaweng walking street
Chaweng walking street is a food lover’s paradise. There are countless stalls selling authentic Thai cuisine, from barbecued meat, noodles and soups to a number of delectable desserts.
Once your hunger pangs are taken care off, you can stroll about the market and look for cheap T-shirts, sunglasses, knockoff watches, copied Ralph Lauren polo shirts and cosmetics.
Even if shopping doesn’t catch your fancy, strolling along the night markets in Koh Samui can be a great cultural experience.
5. Unravel the real beauty of Thailand at Ang Thong Marine Park
Ang Thong Marine Park is a group of 42 islands, each of them like a little drop of heaven. Each of these little islets is draped in lush green and dripping with gorgeous waterfalls and emerald lagoons.
A short but steep hike on Koh Mae (Mother island) leads to the emerald lake view point – the highlight of the trip. On one side, you can see the emerald lake, which looks more like a crater lake of a volcano. On the other side, you can see all the islands, like patches of grass floating in the sapphire blue sea.
6. Shop at the charming Fisherman’s Village
Fisherman’s village is a complete contrast to the more developed face of Koh Samui. Lined with old wooden Chinese shop-houses, it has a charming vibe to it. In between lie several boutiques selling clothing and jewellery.
7. Unleash the party animal in you at Ark Bar
Ark bar is undoubtedly the best place to party in Koh Samui. In fact, it has a worldwide reputation of being one of the wildest party venues.
Located on the beachfront with swimming pools and swim up bars and with world-class DJ’s rolling out some thumping tunes, it exists to ensure you party till you drop. The ambience is electrifying and you get all your favourite drinks, including the infamous Thai bucket. A couple of these and you will be seeing fairies.
8. Go on an island Hopping Tour around Koh Samui
Koh Samui is surrounded by many islands and each of them is unique in its own way. Half an hour away is Koh Phangan, the famous party island known for hosting full moon parties.
During the day, it’s a sleepy island with people lounging about its awesome beaches, discovering waterfalls or exploring the island on bikes.
Slightly further away is Koh Tao, the backpacker island known for its excellent diving. It’s the cheapest place to scuba dive in Thailand and one of the few places where you get to dive with a whale shark – the world’s largest fish.
Its waters are crystal clear, the corals are a riot of colours and teeming with a diverse marine life. Needless to say, diving here will surely be the highlight of your Thailand trip.
Although Koh Tao has a laid-back vibe, it comes to life at night with its insane pub crawls.
9. Take your sweetheart for a romantic dinner at one of Samui’s classiest restaurants
Koh Samui has tonnes of restaurants for an ideal dinner date. From dining on a tree-top, beach dining to something as lavish as dinner on a floating wooden raft in the middle of the sea, the options are truly endless.
10. Pamper yourself with a traditional Thai massage
It’s impossible to travel to Thailand and not get an authentic Thai massage. The resorts in Koh Samui are especially known for their glamorous spa retreats.
You could even get a message on the beach. The sound of the lapping waves and brush of sea breeze will ensure you slip into peaceful slumber in no time. So when in Samui, say goodbye to sore muscles.
11. Stare in disbelief at the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram
The Wat Khunaram is one of the most unique temples you can find in Thailand. It houses the mummified body of Loung Pordaeng, a monk who passed away 40 years before.
You can see his preserved statue sporting sunglasses at the temple. It’s a miracle that his body has been so well- preserved years after his death. The monk’s strict diet and meditation technique is said to be the reason though.
12. Laugh at nature’s dirty sense of humour at Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks
The Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother rocks) have been amusing travellers and locals ever since they were discovered. They are rock formations which resemble the male and female genitalia.
13. Splash about in the cool waters of the Na Muang waterfall
Na Muang is the surprise package which shows how the beautiful the island is. It is an amazing twin cascade of water falling over purple shaded rocks, rightly earning it the nickname “Purple falls”.
Nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts would love the walk through lush green jungles to reach the waterfall. The first of the waterfalls is easy to reach, while second one is steeper. Don’t forget to carry a good pair of hiking shoes as the trails can get slippery.
Why should you go: Taking a dip in its cool waters in the middle of a jungle is a refreshing experience. It’s also a pleasant alternative to swimming on the beach.
14. Discover the secret Buddha garden
It is rightly named as the magic garden due to its lush green beauty, picturesque views and intriguing sculptures. A few hours of trekking can take you to this beautiful place.
Hiking through the dense greenery can be a challenge, but it actually feels like stumbling on a secret place, as you will hardly find anyone. Makes it all worth the effort.
Why should you go: If you want an amazing sunrise or sunset shot, this is a great place to capture it.
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