12 Things in Koh Samui Every Expat Must Do At Least Once

The most famous of all the islands in Thailand is Koh Samui, a beautiful island that is famed for its stunning palm tree edged beaches and crystal clear waters. Due to its broad appeal, the island is visited by all types of travellers, from the budget backpacker to the mega wealthy Hollywood celebrities.

There really is something for everyone on this paradise island in Thailand and you will be hard pushed to fit everything in if you are only visiting for a couple of days. But for Koh Samui Expats who have decided to make Samui their home, we have put together this list of 14 things EVERY expat should do during their time on this beautiful island.

1. Visit Koh Samui’s Famous Big Buddha

The best known and most famous of all the landmarks on this island is the Big Buddha temple. Sitting just off the corner of Koh Samui on a little tiny island is a 12 meter tall statue of Buddha in a seated position. The local name for the temple is Wat Phra Yai and it is connected to the main island by a causeway. Made of gold and sitting in the Mara position it shows a time when Buddha was rejecting all temptations that were forced upon him. When you fly into Koh Samui the statue is usually the first thing that you will spot due to its prominent location. There are a few food and amulet stalls at the temple which are also worth looking at either when you arrive or depart.

2. Go On A Diving Adventure In The Gulf of Thailand

The Gulf of Thailand is an absolute paradise for diving fanatics and you can get tours from reputable PADI certified instructors who will take you on a boat trip to see the marine life for yourself. The best diving area is 60 kilometers out from Koh Samui so you will go out on a big boat with the other divers and participate in a two dive course. Each dive usually lasts about 40 to 50 minutes and is suitable for complete beginners. If you are going to go diving make sure you always check the schools certificates are current and that you are completely happy with all their safety procedures.

3. Go For a Dip At Namuang Waterfall

Set in Jungle surroundings are two beautiful waterfalls that are certainly worth a visit, the waterfalls are known as Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2, the first waterfall flows into a small pool that you can swim in, the second waterfall is about thirty minutes further uphill and is also just as stunning. The park featuring the waterfall is completely free of charge and there are lots of beautiful spots along the way as well as small food stalls and souvenir huts to make purchases from. With many tourists choosing to go to the various beaches this makes for a nice change and an idyllic spot for a swim

4. Go on a 4WD Jungle Safari Tour

Enjoy the highlights of Koh Samui on a 4-Wheel Drive Jungle Jeep Safari Tour! You’ll explore sights such as Mummified Monk, Namuang Waterfall and Buddha’s Magic Garden. A live guide will entertain you and tell all about the magnificent sites you visit around the island.

5. Escape To The Secret Buddha Garden

Back in 1976 Nim Thongsuk started putting up many beautiful statues in the land that he and his family owned, the land is hidden away in the center of the island and surrounded by lush forests. The area is very peaceful and has a stream as well as a waterfall, a journey to the garden is a challenge as the road leading to it is very steep, if you have a four wheel drive you will be fine. From the top most point of the garden you can enjoy panoramic views over the island and take in all its splendor and beauty.

6. Take a Day-Trip To Angthong Marine Park

Board the big tour boat and travel to Angthong Marine Park on a full-day excursion from Samui Island. Kayak along the stunning coastline, hike to the top of Mae Koh for views of the Emerald Lagoon and snorkel at Wua Talap Island. Lunch is served on the boat most times. An unforgettable day trip filled with adventure.

7. Discover The Beauty Of Wat Plai Laem

If you have been in Thailand for a while you would have seen many an ancient temple, this one is fairly new but it still uses the techniques that have been in place for hundreds of years. The feature of the temple is an 18 arm statue of Guanyin, Guanyin is the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. This living and working temple has a lot of visitors daily who pay homage to both Buddha and Guanyin. The temple is surrounded on all sides by a lake and if you make a donation to the temples coffers you will receive a bag of fish food to feed those that live in the lake.

8. Explore The Old And New At Fisherman’s Village

Away from the busyness of Lamai and Chaweng is a gorgeous little fishing village called Bophut. The village is growing in popularity but it is still quiet enough that you can enjoy the tranquil beach or a coffee in one of the nearby restaurants. When you are in the village you will see there are various original wooden homes, these were built in the 19th century by a group of Chinese immigrants that set up home here. The village is worth exploring and even has its own walking street full of eating places, food stalls and cafés.

9. Speed Down The Ziplines of Samui

Fly through the lush jungle on a zipline at fifty miles an hour and you are sure to take in a lot of the Koh Samui Scenery with the Skyhawk Adventure Zipline. Choose from a small round of 13 stations, or the large round of 33 stations.

10. Visit Khao Hua Jook Chedi Temple

Located near to the Chewang Lake and sitting at the top of a hilly terrain is Khao Hua Jook Chedi, A beautiful temple that overlooks the coast as well as the valleys below. The temple has some intricate carvings to marvel at as well as many golden sculptures of Lord Buddha. The building itself does not sit next to any road so you will have to park your car at the bottom of the hill and hike up to where it is located.

11. Visit The Mummified Monk At Wat Khunaram

Luong Pordaeng was a Buddhist monk and in 1973 he died whilst in the seated meditative position, it was decided that his body would be preserved and he has been on display in a glass case ever since, forty years later the body is still in excellent condition with no signs of degradation at all. Unlike westerners most Buddhist Thais are not frightened of dying as they believe it to be one step closer to enlightenment, seeing the dead body gives them something to reflect on. The body is stored in the Wat Khunaram temple and local people visit the temple daily to pray and make merit, visitors are very welcome to come and look around the temple.

12. Meet The Ladyboys at Chaweng Beach

And, of course, no trip to Thailand is complete without a visit paying the famous ladyboys a visit. When you are in the area near Chaweng Beach, there are many different ladyboy shows on offer. They are all close to each other and vying for your hard-earned money, so competition is fierce and you will often find they are trying to drag you into their show. One popular venue is Cabaret Paris Follies (pictured above). The shows usually consist of popular songs being lip-synced whilst the performers wear beautiful costumes and makeup. The ladyboys are all at various stages of their journey but in most cases, it is very hard to tell that they are men. The shows are light-hearted so sit back and enjoy.

What’s missing on the list? Have you done something amazing in Samui you would highly recommend? Leave a comment below, so we can add it!