Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach)
A long, shallow, muddy-at-low-tide stretch under the flight path. Nobody comes here to swim; the view across to Koh Phangan and the sunrise are the reason.
Open≈ 0.2 km
The morning catch sold on the beach below the Big Buddha, and a row of stalls grilling it for breakfast.
The morning catch sold on the beach below the Big Buddha, with a row of stalls ready to grill it while you wait. It is the best breakfast on the north coast and it costs almost nothing.
Boats come in at first light and the market is over by nine. Buy a fish, hand it to the grill, eat it at a plastic table with the sea a metre away. The Big Buddha temple is a five-minute walk uphill, which makes the obvious pairing.
Before 9 a.m., or there is nothing left to see.
Cash only, and bring small notes.
On the map…
Open the full island map · Driving directions · Google Maps · © OpenStreetMap
The closest places on the map, straight-line distance.
A long, shallow, muddy-at-low-tide stretch under the flight path. Nobody comes here to swim; the view across to Koh Phangan and the sunrise are the reason.
Open≈ 0.2 km
A twelve-metre golden Buddha seated on the islet of Ko Fan, joined to Samui by a causeway. Steps, bells, a market underneath, and the north coast laid out behind it.
Open≈ 0.7 km
An eighteen-arm Guanyin standing in an artificial lake, with a laughing Budai and a white temple hall around it. Chinese-Thai, and the most photogenic site on Samui.
Open≈ 0.9 km
The island guide · Markets & villages · Koh Samui map
See it with us · Traditional Fishing
Half of these places are easier with a driver who knows which hill road is paved. Tell us which ones you care about and we will build the day around them.