For a real escape, head as far down the main beach road as you can, till it joins the 4073, and turn left to follow the coast further south past Hat Nai Plao. Keep going as far as you can and the road will end at lovely and often deserted Hat Thong Yi, with its splendid views back down the bay. There's a decent beachside restaurant where you can get a drink and local food.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
25 MILES
Spilling down from the island's highest points, this is the first of two waterfalls – close to each other – that are lovely in full spate, pouring frigid…
25.23 MILES
At the south end of Hat Lamai, you’ll find these infamous genitalia-shaped stone formations (also known as Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks) providing…
21.1 MILES
Framed against the sea, Laem Sor Pagoda, at the southern end of Samui, is home to an intriguing, highly venerated old Srivijaya-style stupa with scenic…
24.02 MILES
This photogenic green and gold, domed mosque, built in the Mughal style, sits in the heart of Ko Samui's historic Muslim village. Arrive outside of prayer…
Orthodox Church of the Ascension
25.36 MILES
Ridiculously photogenic, this beautiful, baby blue, Russian orthodox church with gold onion domes (similar to the nearby mosque) sits halfway up a…
24.2 MILES
This vibrant little village is home to Ko Samui's historic Muslim community, where the headscarf and pâh sîn (male sarong) count peaks. You get a genuine…
25.51 MILES
The smaller of the two Na Muang waterfalls is a challenge to access for the young and elderly, but those that make it are rewarded with stunning views and…
23.71 MILES
Wat Samret, west of Ban Hua Thanon has several standout features, a Mandalay sitting Buddha carved from solid marble, common across India and northern…
Nearby Nakhon Si Thammarat Province attractions
2.1 MILES
The scenic Hin Lat Falls southwest of Hat Nai Plao is the smallest of the cascades in the area, but the easiest to reach. There are pools for swimming and…
4.2 MILES
A large aqua-blue pool is the star attraction here. It sits at the foot of a series of falls, cascading down a hillside creating smaller, equally…
4.99 MILES
For splendid postcard-worthy vistas of the undulating coastline, head to Dat Fa Mountain (732m), about 5km west of the coast along Hwy 4014 (look out for…
10.64 MILES
Khao Wang Thong is an impressive network of 17 caves and narrow passages that reaches a depth of 150m. Visitors walk past a series of natural limestone…
11.06 MILES
A small stairwell leads up to two large, caverns filled with stalactites that are home to a host of bats. Bring a head torch as there are no lights inside…
21.1 MILES
Framed against the sea, Laem Sor Pagoda, at the southern end of Samui, is home to an intriguing, highly venerated old Srivijaya-style stupa with scenic…
21.82 MILES
This lovely beach at the southwest corner of the island is even lovelier at low tide, when the water recedes to reveal a huge plateau of sand stretching…
8. Magic Alambic Rum Distillery
22.59 MILES
The only rum distillery in Thailand produces Caribbean agricole-style spirits (distilled from fresh, fermented sugarcane juice) in a variety of all…