Koh Samui Attractions

Koh Samui's natural environment is one of the biggest attractions. Mountainous jungle terrain shrouded by high canopy, lush tropical ferns & palm fronds, coconut plantations, white sandy beaches, granite boulders and outcroppings, clear cool azure waters, splendid waterfalls and ponds. As you make your way around the island you will find a number of popular attractions. Since Samui has a circular ring road your starting point can be anywhere and you just navigate your way around the island until you arrive back at your starting point.

Hin Ta Hin Yai
Located about 1 km south of Lamai, these are two famous granite stones that stand out amongst the numerous outcroppings dotted along Samui's coastline. The rocks named Grandfather and Grandmother respectively are shaped like male and female genitalia and said to be the origin of the "Mui people". Once on the rocks the scenery is spectacular but getting there entails running a gauntlet of tacky souvenir and gift shops.

Overlap Stone
Further along from Hin Ta Hin Yai, about a kilometer on the north side of the road you will find the turn off to the Overlap Stone. This rock holds a precarious perch along a sheer cliff top high above Lamai Beach. Getting there is tough because it is dubious whether or not you will make it on a Honda Dream and walking is arduous at best. All that can be said for this adventure is that the views are spectacular and well worth the effort.

Butterfly Garden
One of the best tourist attractions on the island is Samui Butterfly Garden, home to dozens of species of brilliantly colored lepidopterans. Set in the hillside directly across from the Cental Samui Village the garden spans 2,800 square meters. A small entrance fee of 150 Baht per adult and 80 Baht per child will allow you to walk amongst a myriad of color and wonder.

Samui Aquarium
The Samui Aquarium, located at the Samui Orchid Resort is Thailand's only privately owned salt water aquarium and houses many of the amazing sea creatures found in the waters around Thailand. The Samui Orchid Resort is also home to some beautiful Asian Bengal & Leopard Tigers. Their "All Stars Birds and Bengal Tiger Show" starts daily at 1.30 pm and is well worth a visit. Located again at Laem Set, the Aquarium is an attraction that can be done in conjunction with the Butterfly Garden.

Na Muang Waterfalls
The Na Muang Waterfalls, so named because of their purple rock faces, are located further west of Laem Set, about half way between Lamai and Nathon and just of the ring road to the north. Easily assessable and just a short walk over the rocks and tree roots under a jungle canopy of diffused light will bring you to a large pool at the base of Na Muang 1. Na Muang 2 is a slightly longer walk, about 10 minutes but probably Samui's best waterfall and should not be missed.

Magic Statue Garden
The "Magic Statue Garden" is one of Koh Samui's unique "off the beaten track" tourist destinations and well worth a visit for those with a sense of adventure. Located deep in the jungle clad mountains traversing the Samui hinterland, the garden was built by a Samuian fruit farmer named Nim Thongsuk who started to build the garden in 1976 when he was 77 years old. Getting there is difficult because the only paved road leading to it is owned by the military with a checkpoint on it. The alternate route requires a four wheel drive and an experienced driver. You'll be traversing jungle rivers, steep cliffs and bush bashing directly through the jungle foliage so in light of this it is strongly recommended that you visit the garden in conjunction with one of the local tour companies.

Pra Yai or Big Buddha
Thailand's population is 95% Buddhist and Buddhism permeates their culture at nearly every level. Wherever you travel throughout Thailand you come across magnificent shrines and Samui is no exception. The Big Buddha is probably Samui's most famous landmark. This 12 meter golden image sits proudly at the northeast point of the island and is visible from several kilometers away.