Take advantage of your time on this island paradise with our record of one of the best Koh Samui excursions and day journeys!
Whenever you consider Koh Samui, it’s possible you’ll imagine 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 in style islands right here, with the opposite two being Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
The scale 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 in style getaway for {couples} in Thailand because of 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 take advantage of your time right here.
Whether or not you wish to chill on a white sand seashore in Ang Thong Marine Park, study concerning the cultural points of interest 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 Finest Koh Samui Excursions – From Islands to the Jungle
We extremely advocate you might have a learn of our final Koh Samui itinerary submit for an concept of easy methods to construction your journey right here, after which choose and select a terrific tour that matches your journey type.
It doesn’t matter what you’re on the lookout for, you’re certain to fall in love with Koh Samui’s epic actions.
Right here is our record of one of the best 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 you need to do is guide a Koh Samui day journey to Ang Thong Marine Park.
Situated simply 30km east of Koh Samui, the Ang Thong Marine Park is a shocking archipelago of 42 islands, and a day journey out to discover the park is without doubt one of the greatest adventures you are able to do whilst you’re right here.
A typical Koh Samui tour of Ang Thong Marine Park will can help you discover a few of the greatest islands to go to close to Koh Samui and epic viewpoints within the archipelago, together with Mae Koh Island, house to the beautiful Emerald Lagoon.
There are a selection of how to get on the market, all with native tour operators, however we personally advocate reserving a visit that makes use of a speedboat moderately than a longtail boat.
A speedboat will get you from Koh Samui to the park quicker, supplying you with extra time to discover in your day journey.
When you’ve made the journey throughout the ocean from Koh Samui, the primary cease is normally 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 referred to as 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, but it surely’s nonetheless lovely to see!
Subsequent it’s time to cruise onto the opposite aspect of the island and sort out what could be essentially the most tough, but rewarding, climb within the space – the Pha Jun Jaras Viewpoint.
A whole bunch (or is it hundreds?) of steps minimize up the ridge of one of many highest factors on the island, weaving by means of dense forest and intermittently damaged up with lookouts alongside the way in which. The 500m size may not sound so unhealthy, however you acquire 250m in elevation.
As powerful as it’s, we extremely advocate pushing on to the highest, because the views you’ll get are past sensational, trying 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 in the event you nonetheless have power leap in a sea kayak for a paddle across the seashore.
By now you’ve probably labored up an urge for food, and fortuitously lunch is simply across the nook.
Your speedboat will motor alongside to Koh Phaluai within the Angthong Marine Park for an unlimited unfold of scrumptious meals, served out within the open and surrounded by palm bushes and hornbill birds.
The island continues to be inhabited by sea-gypsies who earn a residing from fishing. You’ll be able to both take a sea kayak round or simply loosen up on the secluded seashore, Son Pee Hong Seashore.
On this island the locals shield the wonderful hornbills, so that they hang around with none concern. 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 make sure you convey alongside further snacks in the event you want, and sunscreen.
4WD Eco Jungle Safari Tour
A lot to most individuals’s shock after they go to the island, among the best Koh Samui excursions isn’t nearly being out on the water.
One in every of our absolute favorite excursions heads inland as a substitute, 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 aspect of Koh Samui that the majority guests by no means see
Often known as 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. This tour operator runs a wonderful day journey that will get reat critiques.
Picked up from our resort by our driver Mr Soot and implausible native information Nina, the plan was to discover a extra native aspect of Samui Island stuffed with tradition, landscapes and secret gardens.
We began the break day with a go to to some native temples in Koh Samui, together with the Massive Buddha Temple and Wat Plai Laem.
It’s so essential to study concerning the nation’s tradition, faith and folks if you journey, and we had been blown away on the intricacies and sweetness of those temples.
Having a tour information was effectively price it, as Nina defined the delicate particulars within the structure and the way all the pieces had a which 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 had been grateful we had been travelling in a 4×4, because the highway was extraordinarily steep, muddy and rutted.
After a break at a excessive lookout, the driving force pointed to the seats on the roof of the 4×4 and requested if we wished to sit down on prime for an adrenaline-filled drive to the summit.
In fact we couldn’t say no, so strapping in for the experience we hit the highway, bouncing round, ducking underneath vines and laughing the entire approach.
The remainder of the day was stuffed with extra visits to temples (together with the very 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 non-public 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, stuffed 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 case you haven’t had sufficient of being out on the water, this can be 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 price 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 (try our full information on what to do there you probably have extra time) 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 convey your personal to Koh Tao you probably have it.
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 wonderful snorkelling, diving and delightful white sandy seashores.
The sandbar between Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan was fashioned by ocean currents pushing between the three small peaks, loading sand as much as join all of them collectively.
In case you’re (and you have to be), climb to the highest of the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint first. That approach you’ll get the sweaty hike out of the way in which, and might get pleasure from a cool, refreshing swim after.
READ MORE: Try our final journey information to Thailand!
It takes about quarter-hour to get to the highest and the view is gorgeous, being essentially the most well-known one in Koh Nang Yuan.
Understand that despite the fact that it’s among the best Koh Samui day journeys, it’s a lengthy day, so ensure you have at the very least 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 advocate reserving this specific one.
As soon as the journey ends you’ll be transported from Koh Tao again to your resort in Koh Samui. Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan are two of essentially the most lovely Thai islands so don’t miss this chance!
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 quite a few respected sanctuaries have stepped in to guard these lovely creatures.
Samui Elephant Sanctuary is without doubt one of the good ones, and right here you may guide in for a half day tour on Koh Samui to see the implausible work they’re doing and to study 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 atmosphere.
There isn’t any using or bathing of the elephants right here. As a substitute the elephants stay a cheerful life underneath the safety of their mahouts, who maintain them protected and cared for.
Seeing an elephant in Thailand is on lots 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 liked to do, however sadly ran out of time. We had been advised about it by one other traveller although and it sounds unimaginable!
We’ve executed just a few cooking courses round Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and they’re all the time a terrific day trip.
Right here on Koh Samui with this small group cooking college (restricted to six folks most) you study concerning the conventional strategies used to create a few of the hottest Thai dishes, and also you put together all the pieces 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 definately head to the native house 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 a number of 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 guide to take house with you too.
Bonus Journeys
These are our favorite Koh Samui excursions, however there actually is much more you are able to do you probably have extra time on the island.
Listed below are another concepts to take a look at, from the well-known Koh Phangan Full Moon Celebration to using a jet ski or ATV across the space.
Jet Ski Leases
Seeking to zip round between the white sand seashores of Koh Samui in vogue? Why not hire a jet ski for just a few hours?
ATV Safari
This adrenaline-fuelled day trip is without doubt one of the hottest day journeys on Koh Samui.
Discover the inside of the island on an ATV, crossing streams, sliding round on grime roads and trying out a few of the greatest surroundings away from the coast.
Head to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Celebration
This one isn’t actually a day journey, as it’s worthwhile to spend the night time on Koh Phangan. However in the event you like to bop, then why not do it at Thailand’s most (in)well-known celebration on Koh Phangan?
A brief boat experience away from Koh Samui and Koh Tao is Koh Phangan, one other stellar tropical island with a few of the greatest landscapes within the nation.
Koh Phangan is an ideal getaway for people who love wellness and yoga, which is why we went there. But it surely’s additionally identified for the massive raves that occur underneath the complete moon.
Whether or not you wish to celebration or simply loosen up, Koh Phangan is a wonderful cease earlier than or after Koh Samui or Koh Tao.
Go to A few of the Different Islands
There are lots of different magical islands and seashores to discover round Koh Samui apart from Koh Tao. You may spend days on day journeys to all of the gems within the Gulf of Thailand.
One of many extra in style 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. Often known as 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 house to a sanctuary of rescued pigs. It’s one of the attention-grabbing Koh Samui day journeys!
DISCLAIMER: A few of the hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks, which implies in the event you guide lodging, excursions or purchase a product, we’ll obtain a small fee at no further value to you. These commissions assist us maintain creating extra free journey content material to assist folks plan their holidays and adventures. We solely advocate one of the best lodging, excursions and merchandise that ourselves or our implausible editorial group have personally skilled, and often assessment these. Thanks on your assist, sort pal!