Bang Rak fish market
The morning catch sold on the beach below the Big Buddha, and a row of stalls grilling it for breakfast.
Open≈ 0.7 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.
The twelve-metre golden Buddha on the islet of Ko Fan is the first thing most visitors see of Buddhist Samui, and the easiest to reach — a causeway joins it to the north coast, five minutes from the airport. It is a working temple, not a monument, and the difference shows in the mornings.
A staircase flanked by nagas climbs to the platform, where a row of bells is rung as you pass and the whole north coast opens up behind the statue. Below, a covered market sells amulets, snacks and cheap clothes, and monks receive offerings in the hall at the foot of the stairs. Allow half an hour, more if you want the view without the tour buses.
Shoulders and knees covered, shoes off on the platform. Free.
Shoulders and knees covered, shoes off on the platform. Sarongs are lent at the entrance, and photographing people at prayer is not welcome.
On the map…
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The closest places on the map, straight-line distance.
The morning catch sold on the beach below the Big Buddha, and a row of stalls grilling it for breakfast.
Open≈ 0.7 km
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≈ 0.7 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≈ 0.8 km
The tour page · Temples & shrines of Koh Samui · Koh Samui map
See it with us · Island Temples
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.