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Koh Samui may be your tropical dream, but the real charm of southern Thailand stretches well beyond its shores. If you’re planning to explore more, there are plenty of stunning places to visit near Koh Samui that offer diverse experiences from wild marine parks and jungle safaris to untouched islands and laid-back coastal towns. You can snorkel beside coral reefs, spot rare pink dolphins, or spend a night in a floating raft house deep in the rainforest. Whether you’re into adventure or relaxation, these nearby gems are easy to reach and worth every moment.
Top 10 Places To Visit Near Koh Samui
From island day trips to mainland escapes, these places to visit near Koh Samui offer you quiet beaches, rainforest stays, and cultural stops you won’t find in crowded resort zones.
1. Ang Thong National Marine Park
Photo: GiggleAun / Wikimedia Commons
This protected archipelago of 42 limestone islands feels worlds away from the built-up beaches of Koh Samui. You’ll get there by boat in under an hour, but once you arrive, the scenery shifts dramatically. Think emerald lagoons hidden inside steep rock walls, caves carved by centuries of ocean waves, and trails that lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the entire gulf. You can kayak through narrow sea passages, snorkel in shallow coral bays, or just relax on untouched beaches. If you’re up for the climb, the viewpoint on Ko Wua Talap Island rewards you with one of the best views in southern Thailand.
Distance From Koh Samui: 45 km
Timings: 8 AM – 4 PM (closed from October to December)
Cost: ฿300 / ₹790 for adults, ฿150 / ₹400 for children
Major Attractions: Emerald Lake, kayaking between limestone islands, hiking to panoramic viewpoints
2. Koh Phangan
Photo: Norbert Braun / Unsplash
Koh Phangan is more than its Full Moon Party reputation. Once you step off the ferry, you’ll notice how much quieter and more rugged it feels compared to Koh Samui. If you’re not in town for the party, head to the island’s eastern side, where hidden beaches like Haad Yuan and Haad Yuan Noi sit tucked between rocky green cliffs. You can hike jungle trails that connect remote coves or take a boat around the coast to access less-visited spots. Then, Sadet National Park offers waterfalls, viewpoints, and natural pools that have attracted Thai royalty for over a century. Yoga retreats and detox centres are scattered across the hills, offering a slower way to experience the island.
Distance From Koh Samui: 46 km ( ferry ride)
Cost: ฿200 – 300 / ₹520 – 800 (ferry ride)
Major Attractions: Haad Yuan Beach, Than Sadet Waterfall, Full Moon Party, yoga retreats
3. Koh Tao
Photo: HUAHIN PILOT LAND & REAL ESTATE DRONER / Pexels
Koh Tao is where you’ll find some of Thailand’s best diving and snorkelling places to visit near Koh Samui. It’s a hotspot for learning to dive, with dozens of certified schools offering beginner courses in warm, calm waters. For those already certified, advanced sites around the island open up a world of deep blue, where you might spot barracudas, whale sharks, and schools of fusiliers near places like Chumphon Pinnacle. Snorkelling at Shark Bay offers an easier way to meet the underwater life as reefs sit close to shore, and blacktip reef sharks often pass through peacefully. Back at the beach, spots like Ao Leuk offer clear, shallow waters and a quiet escape from the island’s busier corners.
Distance From Koh Samui: 97 km (ferry ride)
Cost: ฿600 / ₹1580 (ferry ride)
Major Attractions: Scuba diving at Chumphon Pinnacle, snorkelling at Shark Bay, viewpoints at John-Suwan
4. Khanom
Photo: Ahoerstemeier / Wikimedia Commons
Khanom stays off the tourist radar, which is exactly why you should go. This quiet coastal town on the mainland is known for its long, uncrowded beaches and a rare chance to spot pink dolphins in the wild. Boats leave from the small harbour in the early morning when these dolphins are most active near the shore. If you prefer to stay on land, Ao Thong Yi Beach offers a secluded stretch of sand backed by green hills and no beach bars in sight. You can also head inland to Khao Wang Thong Cave, where narrow limestone chambers twist through the hillside with hidden shrines and fossil formations.
Distance From Koh Samui: 78.4 km
Cost: ฿350 – 500 / ₹920 – 1320
Major Attractions: Pink dolphins tour, Ao Thong Yi beach, Khao Wang Thong Cave
5. Surat Thani
Photo: Dirk Enthoven / Wikimedia Commons
Surat Thani is usually seen as a jumping-off point for places to visit near Koh Samui, but it’s worth staying to explore what’s on the mainland. The city sits along the wide Tapee River, and one of the best ways to start your visit is with a river cruise that passes temples, mangroves, and small fishing communities. Right in the middle of the city, you’ll find the City Pillar Shrine, built in the distinct southern style. It’s where locals stop daily to offer flowers and incense. As the sun sets, the streets near Talad Mai Road fill with the smell of street food.
Distance From Koh Samui: 62 km
Cost: ฿500 / ₹1320
Major Attractions: Tapee River cruise, Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine, night market
6. Khao Sok National Park
Photo: Phiraphon Srithakae / Pexels
Khao Sok National Park lies deep within mainland southern Thailand and offers raw, untouched nature in every direction. To get there from Koh Samui, you’ll first take a ferry to the mainland, then continue by van to Ratchaprapha Dam, the main entry point to Cheow Lan Lake. From here, longtail boats take you through steep limestone gorges lined with dense rainforest. You can book a stay in floating raft houses such as 500 Rai or Plern Prai, where there’s no phone reception, and nights are lit only by lanterns or solar lights. Mornings on the lake are completely silent except for birdsong, with mist hovering just above the water.
Distance From Koh Samui: 150 km (ferry ride)
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Cost: ฿200 / ₹530 (entry fee)
Major Attractions: Cheow Lan Lake, jungle trekking, bamboo rafting, wildlife safaris
7. Nakhon Si Thammarat
Photo: Preecha.MJ / Wikimedia Commons
Nakhon Si Thammarat holds a deep connection to Thailand’s royal and religious past. After crossing from Koh Samui by ferry and road, you’ll arrive in a city shaped by centuries of devotion and craft. At the centre is Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, home to an 8th-century stupa wrapped in white stone and crowned with a golden spire. This is one of Thailand’s oldest temples, and people still come here daily to pray, light incense, and walk around the chedi in quiet reflection. You’ll find faded murals, shelves lined with ancient relics, and stone tablets carved with old inscriptions. Not far from the temple, the Suchart Subsin Shadow Puppet Museum displays hundreds of hand-cut puppets made from animal hide.
Distance From Koh Samui: 111 km (ferry ride)
Cost: ฿400 / ₹1050
Major Attractions: Wat Phra Mahathat, shadow puppet museum, Thai contemporary art
8. Chumphon
Photo: KOSIN SUKHUM / Wikimedia Commons
Chumphon is often overlooked by those heading straight to the islands, but if you take the time, it opens up with quiet charm and local life. It’s a coastal province with more than 200 kilometres of shoreline, and Thung Wua Laen Beach is its most inviting spot. It is flat, wide, and good for swimming year-round without the tourist crowds. Inland, you can drive up to Khao Matsee Viewpoint, where a small hilltop shrine overlooks the Gulf of Thailand and fishing villages below. It’s a peaceful stop with shaded pavilions and local snacks sold by vendors at the base. Seafood markets near the main pier sell freshly caught grilled squid, horseshoe crab salad, and spicy sour soups.
Distance From Koh Samui: 130 km (ferry ride)
Cost: ฿500 – 700 / ₹1320 – 1840 (ferry ride)
Major Attractions: Thung Wua Laen Beach, Khao Matsee Viewpoint, local seafood markets
9. Don Sak Pier
Photo: Per Meistrup / Wikimedia Commons
Don Sak Pier is more than just a ferry terminal; it’s where your connection between the island and the mainland begins. Most people pass through it quickly, but if you slow down, you’ll notice it’s set against a calm coastline with views of distant islands and fishing boats heading out at dawn. The nearby beaches are quiet, not developed for tourism, and perfect for a short walk or seafood lunch before catching your boat. Just five minutes from the pier, you’ll find roadside restaurants serving grilled prawns, sour curry with snapper, and crab omelettes made fresh to order. The terminal itself is well organised with regular services to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and even Koh Tao.
Distance From Koh Samui: 61 km (ferry ride)
Timings: 5 AM – 6 PM (ferry ride)
Cost: ฿150 – 300 / ₹400 – 800
Major Attractions: Scenic ferry views, quiet beaches nearby, fresh seafood eateries
10. Koh Madsum
Photo: Sven / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Koh Madsum, often called Pig Island, offers a laid-back experience just a short boat ride from Koh Samui. This small, sandy island has become known for its friendly beach-dwelling pigs that wander freely and often wade into the water. You can feed them, take photos, or just relax as they snooze under the trees. Clear shallows wrap around the shoreline, ideal for snorkelling with butterflyfish and small reef species. There are no cars or buildings, only a beach hut or two selling fresh coconut juice and local snacks. Boat operators from Bang Kao or Thong Krut villages run private longtail tours, which often include a stop at nearby Koh Tan for reef snorkelling.
Distance From Koh Samui: 5 km (longtail boat ride)
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Cost: ฿1000 – 1500 / ₹2700 – 4000 (private tour or boat rental)
Major Attractions: Beach picnics, swimming with pigs, snorkelling, calm coastal vibes
If you’re ready to look beyond the usual beach circuit, the places to visit near Koh Samui offer rainforests, sacred temples, floating bungalows, and hidden snorkelling spots. Each destination brings a fresh layer to your trip—be it a jungle stay, island hop, or a glimpse of local life. You won’t need to plan far or spend much. Ready to explore southern Thailand beyond the resorts? Plan your perfect coastal journey with TripXL now.
Cover Photo: Robert Eklund / Unsplash
