9 Hidden Gems in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is the largest of the three islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It attracts countless visitors every year because Koh Samui has a lot to offer. Many attractions of Koh Samui are well-known to vacationers and are often too crowded.

Koh Samui – Great Places Off the Beaten Path

However, since the island is really large, there are still insider tips for Koh Samui that few people know about despite the many visitors. Especially the south of Koh Samui, around the places Ban Kao and Thong Krut, is still very peaceful and offers some highlights. Just like the central part of the island with its mountains and green landscapes.

How to get to Koh Samui

The easiest and fastest way to Koh Samui is with a direct flight from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The international airport of Koh Samui was built by Bangkok Airways and therefore the price for a flight ticket is kind of more expensive, because they preserve a monopoly – with a few exceptions.

It’s cheaper when you go to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat on the mainland of Thailand. Airlines like AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air fly to those cities from the Don Mueang airport in Bangkok. At the destination airport you can take a bus to the Donsak Pier or Tapee Pier and from there a ferry to Koh Samui.

You can find the cheapest flights to Koh Samui on Skyscanner. I absolutely can recommend Thai Lion Air by the way.

Note: Bus and train connections are also available if you want to arrive even cheaper. However, the travel time increases a lot. Tickets and information on times can be found at our partner 12go.asia.

Accommodation in Koh Samui – Our Hotel Tip

One hotel where we felt comfortable from the very beginning was the Amari Koh Samui. If you want to stay at the beautiful Chaweng Beach, but not directly in the relatively busy center, the Amari is just right. Despite the central location you will have your peace – we liked it very much!

The hotel offers 2 swimming pools and beautiful, modern furnished rooms of different categories – depending on your budget. We definitely recommend this hotel and would stay there again anytime. Find more hotels on Koh Samui here.

1. Black Rose Bar

The Black Rose Bar is located at the western end of Maenam Beach and is often very quiet during the daytime. A few guests from nearby resorts sometimes come to the bar, but it remains calm and beautifully rustic nonetheless. Drinks are quite affordable during the Happy Hour from 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM and from 9.00 PM to 10.00 PM, for example, a Mojito for 80 Baht. You can also get a fresh coconut for 60 Baht.

To get to the Black Rose Bar, drive west on the Ring Road through Maenam. After some time, you’ll see a kind of entrance gate on the right. This is also the way to the Pralarn Pier of Lomprayah. Enter here and keep going until you reach a sort of intersection. Now, turn left and follow the road to the end. You can park there and take the sandy path next to the Pinnacle Samui Resort to the beach. Once you arrive at the beach, you’ll already see the Black Rose Bar on the left.

2. Maenam Viewpoint

Behind the Black Rose Bar, there is a staircase leading up to the cliffs. A small pagoda has been built there, and there is also a path, which is still somewhat under construction at the moment. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view to the east over Maenam Beach and a great view of the neighboring island Koh Phangan. If you visit the Black Rose Bar, you should definitely stop by here as well.

3. Tree House Coffee

A somewhat extraordinary place makes Tree House Coffee something special. In this cafe you’ll find a small hut where you can order drinks and then head to the main attraction. You must now walk across a suspension bridge to reach the platform with the seating.

You can now enjoy your coffee or another cool beverage at sometimes dizzying heights, as the Tree House Coffee originated from an old ziplining station. There are tables and benches among the treetops and a great view of Maenam and Koh Phangan.

Tree Bridge Coffee is hidden in the jungle of Maenam and is not so easy to find. Across the street where the Maenam Walking Street takes place weekly, you have to drive into Maenam Soi 4. Follow this street until you turn right at the temple onto Maenam Soi 5. Now, continue up the hill on this road and you’ll find the cafe at the end. Along the way, there are also signs that point the way.

4. Wat Bophutaram

Wat Bophutaram is located right on the main road of Koh Samui (where you can turn right to Fisherman’s Village), but it’s not easily visible from the outside. That’s probably why it has so few visitors. On the temple grounds, you will find a huge black statue of the monk Luang Pu Thuat, sitting on a ship.

You can even board the ship and get a close look at everything. The temple complex of Wat Bophutaram is very peaceful, and apart from occasional locals exercising on the fitness equipment in the evening, you are likely to be alone on-site.

5. Jungle Route 360

The Jungle Route 360 is located in the mountains of Koh Samui, specifically on the second-highest peak. The on-site facility is beautifully designed, and you can buy something to drink or eat to enjoy the view. On beautiful days, you have fantastic views over Koh Samui, and you can already see Koh Phangan in the distance.

It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM, but Jungle Route 360 also offers on-site camping. This way, you can admire the view of Koh Samui even at sunset, at night, and at dawn. A great and adventurous alternative for accommodation.

To visit Jungle Route 360, you need to drive from Lamai into the mountains. Here, you follow the curve of the Ring Road to the right at Wat Lamai, then take the next right (opposite the 7-Eleven). Now, you drive straight for a while until you reach a fork in the road. Turn right, cross the bridge, and immediately turn left again. You will now drive up the mountain for about 20 minutes on partially unpaved and sandy roads as you go higher. Eventually, you will reach another fork where you turn right. There is also a sign for Jungle Route 360.

6. Wat Teepangkorn

On the highest mountain of Koh Samui, Khao Pom, which stands at 635 meters, you will find Wat Teepangkorn. This temple, currently under construction due to expansions, is still relatively less visited. By the way, you can easily combine a visit here with the Jungle Route 360.

From the platform of the golden Buddha, you also have a fantastic view of the east coast of Koh Samui, including Lamai. You can learn more about Wat Teepangkorn in our article about the temples of Koh Samui (coming soon in English).

The route to Wat Teepangkorn is the same as the Jungle Route 360, except that at the last fork, you turn left instead of right. From there, it’s just a few minutes on slightly less well-maintained roads to reach the temple.

7. Cool Bar

The Cool Bar is located in Ban Kao, in the south of Koh Samui, just before the Centara Villas. The atmosphere is fantastic! It’s quiet, and there are no people in sight, except for a few fishermen sometimes. The rusticly furnished bar offers food and drinks at moderate prices.

The beach is clean and beautiful, but unfortunately not particularly suitable for swimming at low tide because many stones are visible in shallow water. Nevertheless, the view is beautiful, and the Cool Bar is just the right place to relax from the hustle and bustle of Koh Samui.

You can find the Cool Bar somewhat hidden right on the beach behind many bushes and palm trees. Just head south following the signs to the Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo. Right before that, turn right and follow the road a bit further. On the left side, you will then see a sign for the Cool Bar, and drive down the sandy path.

8. Chinese Temple

The Chinese temple of Guanyin is one of the least visited temples on Koh Samui because it is quite hidden in the south. On-site, you will certainly not encounter any other visitors and can explore the grounds in peace.

In addition to the Chinese temple building with an altar, there is also a larger golden Buddha statue and a small pagoda with a fantastic view of the island of Koh Taen lying off the coast.

You will find the temple shortly after leaving Thong Krut, heading west. There you will see an intersection with a 7-Eleven and Family Mart. Turn left here and follow the road to Coral Harbor Pier. Just before that, there is a left turn onto a path that is temporarily only made of sand. If you follow this path, you will arrive at the Chinese temple.

9. Overlap Stone

Even near Lamai, one of the main tourist spots on Koh Samui, there’s still a hidden gem. The Overlap Stone is not very crowded, and during our visit, we were completely alone on-site. You can reach the huge rock via a small bridge, which offers you a great view of the east coast of Koh Samui.

Right on the Ring Road in the south, shortly after the town of Lamai, there’s Rocky’s Boutique Resort on the left side. Opposite, you’ll see an inconspicuous entrance that you take, following the road up the hill. After a few minutes, there’s a “Parking” sign on the right where you can park your scooter for 20 Baht and then walk for 5 minutes to reach the Overlap Stone.

Koh Samui: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Koh Samui in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Koh Samui.

Have you visited any of these hidden gems on Koh Samui? Do you have more to share? We’d love to hear your comments.