Recommended Activities with Kids!
Here’s our list of the top things to do with kids on Koh Samui:
#1 Visit Ang Thong Marine National Park
A private speedboat or island tour can take you on an all-day excursion to this gorgeous, world famous national park. You can snorkel, kayak, and best of all, hike the steep jungle trail to the top of a small mountain with the help of a built-in rope which we did with our children recently. The resulting view are spectacular.
#2 Spend the Day at Paradise Park Farm
This park is located at the top of a mountain with an impressive view of the island below. Kids love it because you can feed the birds and pet the rabbits. There is a nice restaurant and a stunning infinity pool, all good for a fun, lazy day.
#3 See the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
This temple is impressive and one of Thailand's iconic landmarks. Walk up the steps to the 12 metre high golden Buddha. Ring the bells, take in the views.
There is plenty of shopping to be had here including local crafts, clothing, souvenirs etc. Plenty of restaurants also.
#4 Pink Elephant Water Park
This is one of our kids favorite things to do in Koh Samui.. It’s a fun, waterpark located in the Maenam area, and works well for kids of all ages.
#5 Visit Bophut and Fisherman’s Village
This quiet street along a gorgeous, white-sand beach is packed with restaurants, hip boutiques and colorful souvenir shops. Bophut a great place to eat, shop, and if so inclined, ride a jet ski. Head to Coco Tams at the Wharf end for their evening fire-show.
Walking street on a Friday night is a must for shopping, street eats and live music!
#6 Lamai Beach
This is simply a gorgeous beach, flanked by large, beautiful rocks. It is also the second most popular beach in Koh Samui after Chaweng, but a little less touristy and busy. They also have amazing restaurants. Enjoy lunch at an on-the-beach restaurant while your nanny plays with the kids in the waves.
#7 Hike to a Na Muang Waterfall
There are a number of scooter or taxi-accessible waterfalls in Koh Samui. The most popular is Na Muang. There are two waterfalls here - the bottom one is accessible by all for a spot of lunch or a swim. We used to take our kids as babies to enjoy the experience! Further up the humid, narrow jungle trails from the entrance to the 80 high second falls, is a family adventure in itself! Older kids from as young as four would be able to do the hike apart from the very top section, where the marled path and steps end, Here climbing the rocks can be treacherous so we don't recommend this for children and even adults should take care. Make sure that you wear mosquito repellant.
#8 Take a Snorkeling Tour to Koh Tan
There is a tiny island off the south coast of the island called Koh Tan. It has white sand beaches and perfect snorkeling. Long-tail boats leave from TK restaurant and the trip there on one of these traditional fishing boats is an experience in itself. Highly recommended for an authentic Robinson Crusoe experience.
#9 Visit Nathon, the island's capital.
Nathon, the capital town and main port, is great for food and shopping. It has a casual, backpacker’s feel with a large collective of souvenir and T-shirt shops. Really good restaurants include The Road Less Travelled (my favourite!), Lucky’s, and Sunset Restaurant, with its white sand beach coming up just to its edges.
#10 Take a Trip to Nearby Koh Phangan or Koh Tao
Koh Samui is great, but if you want something quieter, or you want to go scuba diving or snorkeling, take either a day trip or—as we do sometimes—an overnight side trip to either Koh Tao or Koh Phangan. Koh Tao is considered to have Thailand’s best diving, and Koh Phangan, with its prized, serene beaches has both great snorkeling and diving. Had Rin, the capital town and main port, is great for food and shopping. It has a casual, backpacker’s feel with a large collective of souvenir and T-shirt shops.