If you’ve ever been to the Hawaiian Islands, Koh Samui reminded me of Kauai. It’s green and lush everywhere you look! It’s more low-key, less crowded, yet still has enough to see and do to make for the perfect few days.

Lodging:

We stayed in the Chaweng Modern Villas, and I booked through Airbnb. They were beautiful villas overlooking the jungle. The best part was the rooftop area that had lounge chairs where you could relax and gaze out into the thick jungle below. I would wake up early and sit up there by myself; it was so relaxing! There is something so peaceful about being so remote. We actually saw wild Thai animals roaming below. I talk about our Airbnb in more detail in my Breaking Down the Cost for Two Weeks in Thailand post.

What to See:

Na Muang Waterfall- the waterfall is located in the Namuang Safari Park. You have to walk through the park to get to the falls, but I wouldn’t recommend spending more time there because we witnessed some animal mistreatment. Getting to the waterfall is a bit of a hike. Another option is you can opt to take a 4×4 (for a fee) through the park. The trail was crowded, and at the base waterfall, there were tons of people in the water. The best part was when we decided to venture off and keep hiking up past the falls because most people just go to the falls and head back. The view from the top was spectacular! You could see so far, and it’s so green and lush. I would highly recommend doing this if you want a more untouched beauty.

Mummified Monk- we stumbled on this by accident on our way back from the Na Muang Waterfall, since it’s on the other side of the island. Our taxi driver turned out to also be a full-time tour guide and asked if we had checked out the Monk yet. It was on the way to our Airbnb, so he took us there. It’s been over 40 years since the Monk died, and his body is still really well kept. It was interesting to see his display and hear the story about him!

Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan Tour

You’ve likely seen Koh Nang Yuan or Koh Tao in pictures. The islands famous and photographed for their untouched and unspoiled beauty. We booked our tour through a tour agency booth (there are tons) near Chaweng Beach, and it was $49 USD per person. The tour included boat transportation to Koh Nang Yuan, a buffet lunch on the island and snorkeling at Koh Tao. We opted for the early morning tour to beat the crowds and hopped on a boat to Koh Nang Yuan.

The island is made up of three small islands connected by a white sandbar. Depending on the tide, the sandbar is either exposed or underwater. The main attraction is the crystal clear water for snorkeling and the famous viewpoint. It takes about 15 minutes and many stairs to climb to the top, but it’s a must-do. We raced up the path (quite literally) to beat the swarming crowds that would soon take over the sandbar and ruin all photos. We did some snorkeling and ate the buffet lunch, which was surprisingly pretty tasty.

Next up was Koh Tao, which had colorful villas and turquoise waters. We didn’t dock on the island, which we were disappointed, it was unclear why we didn’t, but we just admired from afar. We anchored the boat and jumped in to explore the waters. They played fun music while we were snorkeling and we saw tons of sea life and vegetation.

Full Moon Party

The Full Moon Party is an all-night famous beach party on the island of Ko Phangan, Thailand, on the night of, before or after every full moon. Check this out for this full run-down and schedule. People from all around the world celebrate and dance until sunrise! We lucked out because there was a party for New Year’s Eve. Since we were staying on Koh Samui, we had to book transportation to Koh Phangan. When we were walking around Fishermans Village, we stopped in a tour office and booked a ferry. They provided transportation to and from our Airbnb and roundtrip from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan for only $33! The “ferry” was a speedboat and a very choppy ride, but it got us there quickly.

When we got to Koh Phangan, there were people painted in neon colors everywhere you looked. You pay 100 baht ($3 USD), and you’re into the party, lined with countless bars, restaurants, and vendors with buckets. These buckets consisted of alcohol of your choice, chaser, and a bucket you mix everything into. After grabbing our buckets, we headed down to the real party on the beach! To describe the Full Moon Party in words is difficult. It’s something you must experience. Hopefully, the pictures help paint the picture!

Eats & Drinks:

Chaweng Garden Beach Resort

We had some time to kill before we could check into our Airbnb, so we stumbled upon this resort when walking around the city center of Chaweng. It had beach access, so we decided to act like we were checking out of the resort and hung out by the pool and beach-side bar. The staff was welcoming and let us store our bags without question. I’d highly recommend going there if you have some time to kill or want cheap margaritas and oceanside views!

 

 

 

Ark Bar

We ate here several times because they had the best build-your-own breakfast! For $6 you get to choose five various breakfast items and eat by the ocean. Cheap, tasty eats and watching the waves crash right next to you; it doesn’t get better than this. Ark Bar has something for everyone as it’s a resort, restaurant, beach club, and nightclub.

 

 

 

 

 

Jungle Club

Not to miss! This was one of my favorite places on the whole trip. Not only is the view UNREAL but the food was fantastic (my meal was only $16)! You have to wait until their transportation service comes down to pick you up because most cars won’t make it. The ride up is a little sketchy, but when you arrive, you are greeted with a beautiful panoramic ocean and city views. You can sit on beanbag chairs, grab a table or opt for a hammock!

 

 

 

 

Coco Tams

The cutest beach bar and restaurant right on the ocean. It had an open layout with beautiful, modern decor and reminded me of a restaurant you’d find in San Diego or Santa Monica; beanbags and tables right on the sand so you could enjoy drinks and food right next to the ocean. I got pizza, and it surprisingly as delicious. Coco Tams is in Fisherman’s Village, which is a lively and fun area to walk around and check out!