Start from 24 curated places around Koh Samui, TH, then choose the recommendations that fit your guests.
Restaurants & cafés
Krua Bophut
A long-running Fisherman's Village kitchen serving southern-Thai cooking and fresh seafood with tables set out on the sand. The local-favorite end of Bophut dining, where the bill stays sane and the fish stays simple.
2 Fishes
A chef-led Italian beachfront restaurant just north of Fisherman's Village pairing handmade pasta with local seafood and a serious wine list. The island's go-to for an actual special-occasion dinner rather than a beach-shack plate.
Trails & outdoors
Na Muang Waterfall
The island's best waterfall, dropping over purple-tinged rock into a jungle pool a short walk from the road, with a much harder climb to a taller second fall above. The lower pool is an easy, swimmable forest stop.
Overlap Stone
A pair of giant boulders balanced improbably in the hills above Lamai, reached by a short scramble to a clifftop with a wide coastal panorama. A quick hike to one of the island's best non-temple viewpoints.
Things to do
Coco Tam's
Bophut's signature beach bar, all driftwood, hanging lanterns, and bean bags on the sand, with a nightly fire-and-poi show and swing seats at the bar. The island's set-piece sunset-into-cocktails spot.
Fisherman's Village Walking Street
The Friday-night market that takes over the Bophut waterfront lane with food stalls, grilled seafood, crafts, and music. The most local-feeling night out on Samui and the best single reason to be in Bophut on a Friday.
Landmarks & sights
Wat Phra Yai
The 12-meter gilded Big Buddha on a tiny causeway islet off the north coast, visible from planes landing at Samui. A working temple complex rather than just a photo stop, with a flight of steps up to the statue and a coastal view behind.
Wat Plai Laem
A lake-set temple near Big Buddha dominated by a startling white 18-armed image of Guanyin, the Chinese goddess of mercy, reflected in the surrounding water. Quieter and stranger than its famous neighbor, and free to wander.