Take advantage of your time on this island paradise with our record of the most effective Koh Samui excursions and day journeys!
Whenever you consider Koh Samui, chances are you’ll consider it’s all about seashores and kicking again on the swimming pool of 5-star resorts.
And naturally sure, the seashores round Koh Samui are beautiful, as are the infinite swimming pools. However there’s a lot extra to do right here.
Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island, situated within the Gulf of Thailand and is the queen within the trio of fashionable islands right here, with the opposite two being Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
The dimensions of this idyllic island permits for an enormous variety within the lush landscapes right here, from mountainous jungle within the centre to sprawling coconut plantations within the flats.
Whereas it’s a fashionable getaway for {couples} in Thailand due to its romantic enchantment, for these of us who love journey to fill the day there’s an abundance of superior Koh Samui day journeys and excursions to benefit from your time right here.
Whether or not you need to chill on a white sand seashore in Ang Thong Marine Park, be taught concerning the cultural sights of the native Thai inhabitants or discover another hidden gems, our information to the highest Koh Samui excursions will level you in the correct path.
The Greatest Koh Samui Excursions – From Islands to the Jungle
We extremely suggest you could have a learn of our final Koh Samui itinerary put up for an concept of construction your journey right here, after which decide and select an ideal tour that matches your journey type.
It doesn’t matter what you’re in search of, you’re certain to fall in love with Koh Samui’s epic actions.
Right here is our record of the most effective excursions in Koh Samui.
Go to the Ang Thong Nationwide Marine Park from Koh Samui
The minute you begin to make plans to depart your lodging, the very very first thing it is best to do is e book a Koh Samui day journey to Ang Thong Marine Park.
Situated simply 30km east from Koh Samui, the Ang Thong Marine Park is a shocking archipelago of 42 islands, and a tour out to discover the park is likely one of the finest adventures you are able to do whilst you’re right here.
A typical Koh Samui tour of Ang Thong Marine Park will will let you discover a number of the finest seashores and viewpoints within the string of islands, together with Mae Koh Island, dwelling to the beautiful Emerald Lagoon.
There are a selection of how to get on the market, all with native tour operators, however we personally suggest reserving a visit that makes use of a speedboat fairly than a longtail boat.
The reason being that you simply’ll have much more time on the gorgeous seashores and islands themselves, fairly than in transport.
When you’ve made the journey throughout the ocean from Koh Samui, the primary cease is often Koh Wao Yai or Koh Tay Plow, the place you’ll get to snorkel within the crystal clear waters and coral reefs.
Your boat captain will then take you on a brief sightseeing cruise across the archipelago earlier than dropping the passengers off at Mae Koh Island for a brief but steep trek as much as the perspective above Emerald Lagoon.
The landlocked Emerald Lake (also called the Blue Lagoon) fills up from an underwater cave. You’re not allowed to swim in it as a result of it’s a protected space, nevertheless it’s nonetheless stunning to see!
Subsequent it’s time to cruise onto the opposite facet of the island and sort out what may be essentially the most troublesome, but rewarding, climb within the space – the Pha Jun Jaras Viewpoint.
Tons of (or is it 1000’s?) of steps minimize up the ridge of one of many highest factors on the island, weaving by way of dense forest and intermittently damaged up with lookouts alongside the way in which. The 500m size won’t sound so dangerous, however you acquire 250m in elevation.
As powerful as it’s, we extremely suggest pushing on to the highest, because the views you’ll get are past sensational, wanting down on the archipelago and out to the countless horizon.
When you’ve snapped your pictures from the highest head again down, take a dip and for those who nonetheless have vitality bounce in a sea kayak for a paddle across the seashore.
By now you’ve probably labored up an urge for food, and by chance lunch is simply across the nook.
Your speedboat will motor alongside to Koh Phaluai within the Angthong Marine Park for an infinite unfold of scrumptious meals, served out within the open and surrounded by palm bushes and hornbill birds.
The island remains to be inhabited by sea-gypsies who earn a dwelling from fishing. You’ll be able to both take a sea kayak round or simply chill out on the secluded seashore, Son Pee Hong Seaside.
On this island the locals defend the superb hornbills, so that they hang around with none worry. Such cool little birds.
After your meal, it’s time to go again to Koh Samui, simply in time for sundown drinks!
These full day excursions embody transport, an English-speaking information the nationwide park price required for the shore tour and your scrumptious lunch, however you should definitely deliver alongside further snacks for those who want, and sunscreen.
4WD Eco Jungle Safari Tour
A lot to most individuals’s shock once they go to the island, among the best Koh Samui excursions isn’t nearly being out on the water.
One among our absolute favourites heads inland as an alternative, exploring the huge inside of the mountainous paradise.
The 4WD Wild Jungle Safari Tour is an unimaginable journey land tour that takes you to a facet of Koh Samui that almost all guests by no means see
Also called the Eco Jungle Tour, we knew we actually wished to do that Koh Samui day journey earlier than we booked our most up-to-date adventures in Thailand, and it didn’t disappoint.
Picked up from our resort by our driver Mr Soot and unbelievable native information Nina, the plan was to discover a extra native facet of Samui Island crammed with tradition, landscapes and secret gardens.
We began the time off with a go to to some native temples in Koh Samui, together with the Large Buddha Temple and Wat Plai Laem.
It’s so necessary to be taught concerning the nation’s tradition, faith and other people whenever you journey, and we have been blown away on the intricacies and wonder of those temples.
Having a tour information was properly value it, as Nina defined the refined particulars within the structure and the way all the things had a that means and story behind it.
Subsequent it was time to go into the mountains of Koh Samui, however earlier than we gained an excessive amount of elevation we stopped by a coconut plantation run by a neighborhood household.
The household are knowledgeable coconut harvesters (husking over 1000 coconuts in a single day’s work!), and we had an opportunity to look at the masters in motion, and even strive our hand at husking our personal coconut.
Climbing into the misty mountains of Koh Samui is an journey in itself, and we have been grateful we have been travelling in a 4×4, because the highway was extraordinarily steep, muddy and rutted.
After a break at a excessive lookout, the motive force pointed to the seats on the roof of the 4×4 and requested if we wished to take a seat on prime for an adrenaline-filled drive to the summit.
After all we couldn’t say no, so strapping in for the experience we hit the highway, bouncing round, ducking underneath vines and laughing the entire manner.
The remainder of the day was crammed with extra visits to temples (together with the best one on Koh Samui), a scrumptious lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, and a wander round a rubber-tree farm.
One of many highlights was exploring the Buddha’s Magic Backyard, a personal nature park constructed deep within the forest of Koh Samui.
After a cease off at Namuang Waterfall we noticed the weird rock formations across the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks earlier than being dropped off again on the resort.
It was an action-packed day, crammed with a wholesome mixture of tradition, nature and journey. Undoubtedly among the best Koh Samui excursions you are able to do on the island!
Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao Tour by Speedboat
In the event you haven’t had sufficient of being out on the water, it is a nice island tour if you wish to see extra of the beautiful areas round Koh Samui.
A day journey out to Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao is an 8-hour journey, so be ready for an early begin. It’s value rising for although!
This Koh Samui tour heads out to the beautiful island of Koh Tao (Turtle Island) by speedboat, which is a real laidback paradise.
When you arrive on Koh Tao you’ll uncover the spectacular coral reef at Hin Wong by going snorkelling, or one of many different bays close by if situations are proper.
Snorkelling gear is equipped by the corporate, however you’re additionally welcome to deliver your individual too.
After a while exploring the underwater world of Koh Tao, the tour will head to the sandbar seashores of Koh Nang Yuan.
This small island off of Koh Tao is understood for its superb snorkelling, diving and delightful white sandy seashores.
The sandbar between Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan was shaped by ocean currents pushing between the three small peaks, loading sand as much as join all of them collectively.
In the event you’re (and you ought to be), climb to the highest of the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint first. That manner you’ll get the sweaty hike out of the way in which, and might get pleasure from a cool, refreshing swim after.
READ MORE: Take a look at our final journey information to Thailand!
It takes about quarter-hour to get to the highest and the view is beautiful, being essentially the most well-known one in Koh Nang Yuan.
Remember the fact that despite the fact that it’s among the best Koh Samui day journeys, it’s a lengthy day, so ensure you have not less than a light-weight breakfast earlier than heading out, and take some seasickness tablets earlier than departing if wanted.
Pack sunscreen, your swimming swimsuit, a hat, sarong or towel, and a few footwear for the hike.
Most Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao excursions embody a Thai buffet lunch and water, and we extremely suggest reserving this specific one.
As soon as the journey ends you’ll be transported from Koh Tao again to your resort in Koh Samui.
Go to the Samui Elephant Sanctuary
The Samui Elephant Sanctuary was opened in 2018 by native conservationist Maew Suriya, and since its creation, the sanctuary has rescued 14 elephants from the tourist-trekking and using trade round Thailand.
It’s well-known by now that the elephant tourism trade in Southeast Asia has sadly resulted within the torture and deaths of numerous animals, however fortunately various respected sanctuaries have stepped in to guard these stunning creatures.
Samui Elephant Sanctuary is likely one of the good ones, and right here you possibly can e book in for a half day tour on Koh Samui to see the unbelievable work they’re doing and to find out about their rescued elephants.
Becoming a member of the morning or afternoon tour, you’ll put together nutritious snacks to feed the elephants, and observe them wandering round their secluded setting.
There isn’t any using or bathing of the elephants right here. As a substitute the elephants dwell a contented life underneath the safety of their mahouts, who hold them protected and cared for.
Seeing an elephant in Thailand is on plenty of customer’s bucket lists, however please ensure you go to an moral sanctuary like this one which doesn’t supply elephant rides.
Learn extra about this and different accountable journey strategies in our complete information to sustainable tourism in Thailand.
Be a part of a Thai Cooking Class
This was one of many Koh Samui excursions we’d have beloved to do, however sadly ran out of time. We have been advised about it by one other traveller although and it sounds unimaginable!
We’ve accomplished just a few cooking lessons round Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and they’re all the time an ideal day trip.
Right here on Koh Samui with this small group cooking faculty (restricted to six individuals most) you be taught concerning the conventional strategies used to create a number of the hottest Thai dishes, and also you put together all the things of their well-equipped kitchen.
First you’ll go to a neighborhood market in Koh Samui to tour round and choose your elements. Then you definitely head to the native dwelling to dive into the expertise.
This isn’t about kicking again and watching the chef make the meals for you. As a substitute you select from 4 conventional Thai dishes and are given hands-on directions to make all of it your self underneath the pleasant eye of a neighborhood skilled.
You’re certain to have numerous laughs as you prepare dinner up a storm, and also you’ll even end off with a Thai dessert.
Resort transfers, elements, cooking classes with the knowledgeable chef and meals are included on this tour, and also you’ll be given a recipe e book to take dwelling with you too.
Bonus Journeys
These are our favorite Koh Samui excursions, however there actually is much more you are able to do in case you have extra time on the island.
Listed here are another concepts to take a look at, from the well-known Koh Phangan Full Moon Social gathering to using a jet ski or ATV across the space.
Jet Ski Leases
Trying to zip round between the white sand seashores of Koh Samui in style? Why not hire a jet ski for just a few hours?
ATV Safari
This adrenaline-fuelled day trip is likely one of the hottest excursions on Koh Samui.
Discover the inside of the island on an ATV, crossing streams, sliding round on dust roads and testing a number of the finest surroundings away from the coast.
Head to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Social gathering
This one isn’t actually a day journey, as you might want to spend the evening on Koh Phangan. However for those who like to bop, then why not do it at Thailand’s most (in)well-known occasion on Koh Phangan?
A brief boat experience away from Koh Samui and Koh Tao is Koh Phangan, one other stellar tropical island with a number of the finest landscapes within the nation.
Koh Phangan is an ideal getaway for people who love wellness and yoga, which is why we went there. Nevertheless it’s additionally identified for the large raves that occur underneath the total moon.
Whether or not you need to occasion or simply chill out, Koh Phangan is a wonderful cease earlier than or after Koh Samui or Koh Tao.
Go to Among the Different Islands
There are plenty of different magical islands and seashores to discover round Koh Samui, and you can simply spend per week checking them out.
One of many extra fashionable islands close by is Koh Tan (or Koh Taen). A part of the Koh Samui Archipelago, Koh Tan is a small and beautiful island simply 5km south of Koh Samui. It’s additionally nice for snorkeling.
Many day journey boat excursions that go to Koh Tan additionally go to Koh Madsum, which is only a 10 minute boat experience from Ko Samui. Also called the ‘Pig Island’, Koh Madsum (or Koh Mudsum), is a haven for snorkelling and swimming.
The sand on Koh Madsum is pure white, the water is refreshing and clear, and the island is dwelling to a sanctuary of rescued pigs. It’s probably the most attention-grabbing Koh Samui day journeys!
DISCLAIMER: Among the hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks, which implies for those who e book lodging, excursions or purchase a product, we’ll obtain a small fee at no further price to you. These commissions assist us hold creating extra free journey content material to assist individuals plan their holidays and adventures. We solely suggest the most effective lodging, excursions and merchandise, and recurrently overview these. Thanks on your help, type good friend!
