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🏝️ Koh Samui Travel Plan

Koh Samui Itinerary
4 Days 3 Nights — Beaches, Sea, Temples & Island Hop

Four days on Koh Samui is just about right for covering every side of the island. Day one eases you in at Chaweng Beach, day two follows the temple–waterfall–Grandfather Rock trail, day three heads out to sea for Ang Thong Marine Park, and you finish by crossing over to Koh Phangan. This is the kind of plan a friend would map out for a friend — with timings, rough prices, and the spots you genuinely need to watch out for.

🏖️ Chaweng–Lamai⛵ Ang Thong Park🛥️ Cross to Phangan
Koh Samui Itinerary 4 Days 3 Nights — Beaches, Sea, Temples & Island Hop

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Koh Samui works for a lot of travel styles, but if you want it to really click for a first-timer, 4 days and 3 nights is the sweet spot. It's not so rushed that you burn out, and there's enough time to split into a beach day, a culture day, a day out at sea, and an island-hopping day. This plan is built around staying near Chaweng Beach or Lamai Beach, the easiest bases for food, sights, and transport. If you're staying around Bophut–Bang Rak, just tweak the travel times a little.

Read before you go

Room rates and tour prices on Koh Samui swing quite a bit by season. High season (Dec–Feb) can run almost double the rainy months. The figures in this article are rough off-peak estimates — check the real prices for your travel dates, and always check the weather forecast before any boat trip. If the swell is heavy, boats may not run.

The 4-day, 3-night plan at a glance

Before the day-by-day detail, here's the whole trip in outline. You can swap days around to suit the weather, especially the sea day — if the swell is heavy on the day you planned, move it to a calmer one.

  • Day 1 — Check in, stroll Chaweng Beach, take a swim, then beachside seafood at sunset.
  • Day 2 — Island culture loop: Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks, Na Muang Waterfall, Wat Khunaram, wrapping up at Fisherman's Village in Bophut.
  • Day 3 — Speedboat trip to Ang Thong Marine Park: snorkeling, kayaking, and a climb to the viewpoint.
  • Day 4 — A morning hop across to Koh Phangan and back, or catch the bits of Lamai Beach you missed before your flight out.
🎟️

Book the activities in your Koh Samui trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

🎟️ Top tours in Koh SamuiHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Koh Samui attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from Koh SamuiOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Koh Samui activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide
🎟️ See all Koh Samui tours & activities (Klook)

Day 1 — Arrive in Samui, hit Chaweng Beach

Don't cram the first day — let it be your settling-in day. Your flight lands at Samui Airport and it's a short ride to a hotel in the Chaweng area. Drop your bags and you can be at the water in no time.

Day 1

Chaweng Beach + seafood by the sea

13:00
Check in at a hotel in the Chaweng areaIf your room isn't ready, leave your bags and head out for a meal first.
14:30
Stroll and swim at Chaweng BeachThe longest stretch of white sand on the island, with clear water. It gets busy, but the buzz is part of the fun. You can rent a beach lounger at the shoreside spots.
17:00
Find a sunset spot, drink at a beach barChaweng faces east, so the sun sets behind the island, but the evening light along the beach is still lovely.
19:00
Seafood dinner around ChawengCurry-powder crab, grilled prawns, sea bass steamed with lime. Pick a place with fresh catch on display, and ask the price per kilo before ordering so there are no surprises.
21:00
Walk Chaweng's main strip for the night sceneMassage shops, bars, souvenirs — an easy wander to walk off dinner.

Getting around on day one

Koh Samui doesn't have big-city public transport. The songthaews (shared pickups) that loop the island start around 50 THB per ride, but they stop often and don't run on a fixed schedule. Island taxis charge per trip — roughly 300–500 THB for a short hop, and it's worth haggling before you get in. If you plan to get around for several days, renting a car or motorbike works out better.

Day 2 — Island loop: temples, Grandfather Rock, waterfalls

Today is for ticking off the landmarks on land. The route loops the island along Route 4169, running from the Big Buddha in the north down to the Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks in the south, then on to the waterfall and Wat Khunaram. You can rent a car and drive yourself, rent a motorbike, or hire a car with a driver for the day (a half- or full-day charter is negotiable, usually starting in the low thousands of THB).

Day 2

Big Buddha → Grandfather Rock → waterfall → Wat Khunaram

09:00
Pay respects at the Big Buddha templeThe golden Buddha stands about 12 meters tall on a small island linked by a causeway — the first thing most people picture when they think of Samui. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
10:30
Stop at Wat Plai Laem / temples along the wayThere are several pretty temples en route. Stop as the mood takes you — no need to hit every one.
12:00
Lunch at a local southern Thai spotFish-organ curry (gaeng tai pla), rice salad (khao yam), dry pork curry (khua kling). Find a place in town or on the route — bold, fiery flavors, true to the southern style.
13:30
Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai)A cluster of oddly shaped rocks on the southern coast near Lamai Beach, with a local legend attached. Free to visit. The rock path gets slippery when wet, so watch your step.
14:30
Na Muang WaterfallA waterfall in the forest with a pool to swim in. Na Muang 1 is an easy walk; Na Muang 2 is a longer climb. In the rainy season the water runs strong and the rocks are slick, so take care swimming.
16:00
Wat Khunaram — the mummified monk in the glass caseA temple holding the preserved body of the island's revered monk in a glass case. Free to enter, deeply respected by locals — visit quietly and respectfully.
18:00
End the day at Fisherman's Village, BophutIf you time it for a Friday night, there's a walking street (around 17:00–22:00) with food, grilled seafood, and handmade goods — the liveliest night of the week.

Driving cars and motorbikes on the island

Some stretches of the ring road are narrow, steep, and winding, especially the climbs to the waterfalls and viewpoints. If you're not used to riding a motorbike on steep grades, skip it or hire a car with a driver. Always wear a helmet, carry an international driving permit, and don't ride in the rain when the roads turn slippery.

Day 3 — Out to sea at Ang Thong Marine Park

Today is the trip's highlight. Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of more than 40 limestone islands, with an emerald inner lagoon, clifftop viewpoints, white-sand beaches, and snorkeling spots. Most people visit on a day tour from Samui, since the park is only reachable by boat.

Day 3

Speedboat tour to Ang Thong Marine Park

07:30
Tour shuttle pickup from your hotelMost tours include hotel pickup and drop-off in the package price. Confirm the meeting point and pickup time clearly the night before.
09:00
Speedboat leaves the pier, heading for Ang ThongIt's about an hour by speedboat. If you get seasick, take medication before boarding — sitting mid-boat rocks less.
10:30
Snorkel over coral and schools of fishKeep your life jacket on the whole time, and listen to the guide about deep spots and currents. Weaker swimmers should stay near the boat.
12:00
Land on an island for a buffet lunchMost packages include lunch and drinking water.
13:30
Kayak / climb to the inner-lagoon viewpointThe emerald inner-lagoon view from the hill means a steep stair climb. Wear shoes with good grip, take it slow, and rest in stages.
15:30
Swim at the beach, soak up the scenery and photosThe last stretch before the boat heads back.
17:30
Back in Samui, dropped at your hotelThe whole trip runs about 8–9 hours. You'll get back in the evening — rest up and recover.

On price: a speedboat tour to Ang Thong starts around 1,700–2,500 THB per person at off-peak rates, including pickup and drop-off, lunch, and snorkel and kayak gear. Big-boat tours are cheaper but take longer to get there. Separate from that is the park entry fee for foreigners, 300 THB (150 THB for children). Some packages include it, some collect it on the day — ask clearly when you book.

Safety at sea

Ang Thong closes to visitors during parts of the monsoon (often around Nov–Dec, depending on the year). Check with your tour operator before booking whether boats are running that day. On rough days boats may not go out, for safety. Always wear your life jacket as the guide instructs, and don't push yourself into the water if you don't feel up to it.

Day 4 — Cross to Koh Phangan, or finish off Lamai Beach

The last day depends on your flight home. If you fly out in the afternoon or evening, there's time to hop across to Koh Phangan for a day and back. If you'd rather take it easy, finish off Lamai Beach, which you didn't fully cover, before heading to the airport.

Off the island

Option A — Cross to Koh Phangan

Catch a boat from Nathon Pier (or Bang Rak, depending on the ferry company) over to Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan, about 30–45 minutes. Visit Haad Rin, the quiet beaches up north, or a viewpoint, then head back in the evening. Good if your flight isn't tight.

On the island

Option B — Finish Lamai Beach + souvenirs

Lamai Beach has a more laid-back feel than Chaweng — ideal for a relaxed half-day. Pick up souvenirs like shrimp paste, chili dips, coconut products, and coffee before the airport. Good if you just want to put your feet up.

If you go for Koh Phangan, build in plenty of buffer for the return — the boat and the onward ride to the airport can run late. If your flight home is in the morning, you definitely won't make it across, so Option B is the safer call.

About the island ferries

Ferries to Koh Phangan run several times a day with several companies. Book ahead in high season or around Full Moon Party nights, as it gets crowded and tickets sell out fast. Schedules can shift with the weather, so always leave yourself extra time.

Rough budget per person (4 days, 3 nights)

These are middle-of-the-road estimates for a budget-to-mid-range traveler. They don't include airfare, and they'll vary with the season and how you eat and stay.

  • 3 nights' accommodation — a guesthouse or mid-range hotel runs about 800–2,500 THB/night, depending on zone and season.
  • Ang Thong Marine Park tour — about 1,700–2,500 THB + 300 THB park entry.
  • Car / motorbike rental — a motorbike runs about 120–250 THB/day; a car starts in the low thousands per day.
  • Food — local eateries plus some seafood, about 400–800 THB/day.
  • Ferry to Koh Phangan (if you go) — round trip about 600–1,000 THB, depending on the company and pier.

Plan further — see hotels and the full Koh Samui travel guide

See the Koh Samui guide →

FAQ

How many days do you need on Koh Samui?

For a first visit, 4 days and 3 nights is just right — you get a beach day, a day of temples and waterfalls around the island, a day out at sea to Ang Thong Marine Park, and a final day to cross over to Koh Phangan or finish off Lamai Beach. If you only have 3 days, you can drop the island-hopping day.

How much is an Ang Thong tour, and should you book ahead?

A speedboat tour starts around 1,700–2,500 THB per person at off-peak rates, including pickup, drop-off, and lunch. The 300 THB foreigner park entry is usually separate. Book ahead, especially in high season, and check whether boats are running that day — they can close during the monsoon.

What's the most convenient way to get around Koh Samui?

The island has no reliable scheduled public transport. Ring-road songthaews start around 50 THB but stop often, and taxis charge per trip from roughly 300–500 THB. If you're visiting several spots, renting a car or motorbike works out better — but some roads are steep and winding, so if you're not used to a motorbike, hiring a car with a driver is the safer choice.

When is the weather good on Koh Samui?

The driest months with the nicest sea are usually February to April. Late in the year, around October to December, is the Gulf of Thailand's monsoon — the swell picks up and sea tours may be canceled. Always check the forecast before booking any boat trip.

Can you make it across to Koh Phangan on your last day?

Yes, if your flight home is in the late afternoon or evening. The ferry across takes about 30–45 minutes, but you need to allow time to reach the pier and wait for the boat. For a morning flight it's not advisable to cross — finish off Lamai Beach or pick up souvenirs near the airport instead, which is safer.

Related

🗺️ Koh Samui Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Hotels in Koh Samui⛵ Ang Thong Marine Park: How to Visit

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