Koh Samui Must See and Do

The best things to see and do in Koh Samui

Koh Samui must see and do places are scattered all around the island.  Fortunately, the island is not so big that it is difficult to get around.  Grab any taxi or tuk tuk and tell them where you want to go and they will get you there quickly.

Koh Samui Nightlife:

Koh Samui nightlife is much tamer than what you will find in Pattaya or parts of Bangkok.  However, the bars and entertainment that is available in Koh Samui are more intimate and friendly.

You will not find any soapy massage places in Koh Samui, but there are plenty of bars.

Check out Soi Green Mango in Chaweng.  Here you will find several bars side-by-side with many girls eager to entertain you.  The most popular are the Green Mango – where the soi gets it name from, and the Mint.  Plenty of dancing, drinks, and fun girls are to be found on Soi Green Mango.  Ask any taxi or tuk-tuk to take you to Soi Green Mango, they all know where it is.

Koh Samui Best Restaurants:

During our week on Koh Samui, we ate at the following restaurants:

• Cafe Uno – Very nice open air place.  It is small, but the food it very good and the service is good.  They serve mostly sandwich and related items, plus they serve beer and liquor.
• Gringo’s Cantina – The food is not bad, actually average for Thailand Mexican food, but below average compared to the real thing.  Being from California, we get plenty of the authentic stuff, so although they advertise themselves as “authentic mexican food” – not really.  However, they make a good margarita.  I should also say that the place is decorated nicely with the staff wearing mexican attire.
• Rice – Nicely decorated place with a good atmosphere.  Great service and a very comfortable setting.  If you plan to eat here, I would, however, recommend you bring food from somewhere else.  This is a nice restaurant, great staff, very good location – but the food sucks.
• The Cliff – Excellent in every way, very good food, service, great selection, and a nice place.  You can’t miss at this place.

Some restaurants that looked good or were recommended by people we met on the island, but didn’t have a chance to stop at:

• Coyote Samui
• Tropical Murphy’s
• Dining on the Rocks

Koh Samui Must See and Do:

• Namuang Safari Park – This place has many things to see and do.  I really enjoyed the elephant, crocodile, snake, and bird shows.  The monkey show was lame.  If you have not rode on the back of an elephant, you should do this for sure.  Their prices are too high when they first quote them, but they will make a deal if you look like you’re going to walk away.
  • Elephant show
  • Monkey show
  • Crocodile show
  • Snake show
  • Bird show
  • Elephant trekking to a waterfall
• Jungle Safari – they pile you into the back of a jeep and off you go up a dirt road through the jungle.  Very fun and you will see some exciting and different things.
• Boat Tours –
  • Speed boat tours that take you to other islands for snorkeling, diving, and kayaking.  These are full day tours and are a lot of fun.
  • Large boat tour that takes you around the island stopping at a few places such as the Swallows Nest island, Koh Tan, Green Peace island for snorkeling ans swimming.  Also very nice, but a slower pace.
• Tours Around the Island –
  • There are van tours that take you around the interior of the island to see many of the sites.  I recommend that instead you talk to a taxi driver and negotiate a personalized tour for a day.  Some of the places to see include:
    • Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai – 12 meters high at the top of 73 steps.  At the top there is a nice view of Koh Phangan and Maenam Beach.
    • Nathon Town – largest town on the island with a market where you can shop all day
    • Namuang falls
    • View Point – a great view of Chaweng Beach
    • Mummified Monk at Khunnaram Temple – no kidding, here there is monk that died over 30 years ago and is still in the same meditation position he died in
    • Grandmother & Grandfather rocks – a very erotic experience
    • Large Lady Monk at Wat Leam Suwanaram – over 100 years old in the middle of a pond full of fish.

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