Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand and is one of the most beautiful Thai islands. The island has it all – stunning beaches, delicious cuisine, and relaxing spa centres. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Koh Samui for 4 wonderful days. Let me tell you all about my experience.
Before I introduce you to this beautiful destination, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Angélique Navarro from the Instagram account @angiiie_aloha. I’m 29 years old and live in the south of France, Montpellier to be exact. I grew up in France with a German mother and Spanish father.
Being raised with parents from two different countries meant that travel came naturally to me. When I was little, we visited our families in Spain and Germany several times a year. I also did my Bachelors Degree in Scotland. It was there that I started to visit other European countries on the weekends.
Latest Trip to Date: Thailand and Koh Samui
My trip to Koh Samui was a bit of a last minute decision. Me and a girlfriend wanted to go on a trip for 3 weeks right away. We were weighing up between Sri Lanka, the Philippines or Thailand. After doing some research, we decided that Thailand would be the easiest place to travel to.
Our trip would take us from north to south. We ended up visiting Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for the amazing temples and to get the chance to see elephants. Then we headed south to the Thai islands.
To be honest, at first we didn’t really want to visit Thailand as we heard rumours that too many French people travel there. We didn’t want to travel all the way to Southeast Asia just to meet people we see everyday. However, once we arrived we were pleasantly surprised by Thailand.
We didn’t end up meeting many French people, the locals we met were amazing, the landscapes were breathtaking, everything was clean and we ate some of the best food of our lives. In Koh Samui, we found ourselves on beaches without any crowds and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
4 Amazing Days in Koh Samui, Thailand
After travelling through the north of Thailand, we took a direct flight from Chiang Rai to Koh Samui. It was easy to get from the airport to the hotel by taxi. As soon as we arrived, we fell in love with the atmosphere of the island – spending our 4 days in Koh Samui exploring on scooters.
Our accommodation was based on being away from the tourist beaches. We decided that Lamai Beach was the best spot and booked our stay at Crystal Lamai Hotel. I highly recommend this place. The room was spacious, the bedding was great and they had a fantastic reception.
Scooters were available to hire directly from the hotel which was super practical and handy. The breakfasts were also phenomenal. Overall, we had a great time at Crystal Lamai Hotel and would definitely recommend it for anyone thinking of visiting Koh Samui for roughly 4 days.
Best Things To Do in Koh Samui on a 4 Day Trip
Koh Samui is pure paradise. I had a magical time exploring the island and taking photos of practically everything. The most beautiful place to me was Crystal Bay Beach. Imagine a beach with turquoise water and unique rocks coming out of the ocean. Basically, just imagine paradise!
It wasn’t just Crystal Bay Beach that took my breath away. From majestic buddhist temples to dazzling orange sunsets and everything in between – this Thai island has something for everyone to enjoy. Below are my recommendations for the best things to do in Koh Samui for 4 days.
1. Hike to Na Muang and Hin Lad Waterfalls
Waterfall-lovers will appreciate the natural beauty of Na Muang and Hin Lad. The former is a majestic set of two cascades found 12km inland from Nathon Beach. You can hike to this waterfall after spending the morning at the beach. Hin Lad is a Buddhist shrine within a tropical jungle.
2. Visit Wat Phra Yai and Wat Plai Laem
Wat Phra Yai otherwise known as Big Buddha Temple is a marvellous temple featuring a 12-meter Buddha. The temple was built in 1972 and has been a popular attraction ever since. Wat Plai Laem is on the north-east coast of the island and is home to an 18-armed statue of Guanyin.
3. Spend the Day at Crystal Bay Beach
Crystal Bay Beach is the ultimate paradise on Koh Samui! Located between the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai, the beach is enclosed in a small bay with huge rocks. There are three main hotels near the beach: Crystal Bay Yacht Club, Crystal Bay Beach Resort and Silver Beach Resort.
4. Watch the Sunset from W Koh Samui Hotel
W Koh Samui is the perfect place to visit for sunset and enjoy a cocktail at the bar. With amazing views of beaches and forests, you can take in the famous sunset colours of Koh Samui in a world-class setting. If you’ve got the budget then staying at this luxury hotel is a bucket-list experience.
5. Shop & Dine at Fisherman’s Village Samui
Fisherman’s Village is a historical region with rustic old houses, boutique shops, great restaurants and a few hotels. You can go shopping and dining in this village on Fridays as the area becomes the site of the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street market. It’s a popular place for locals and tourists.
Favourite Memories from my 4 Days in Koh Samui
To me the best thing about visiting Koh Samui was the simple pleasure of riding a scooter and exploring one place after another. I loved stopping at the local markets and buying maize and fresh fish on the spot. It was so much fun to eat on the go with the friendly local people.
The locals of Koh Samui are always smiling and willing to help. If we got lost, they would always come to our rescue. We had the chance to speak with locals at the markets when we ate alongside them and also at massage parlours. It was so moving to learn about their way of life.
What you Need to Know Before you Go
Koh Samui is the type of place where you should book in advance. This is especially true for accommodation. I recommend Crystal Lamai Hotel near Lamai Beach. Also, do as much research as possible so you know where the best restaurants are and where to find the best beaches on the island.
Apart from that, it’s always good to ask locals for the best hidden gems on Koh Samui. You will be surprised at how many amazing beaches, trails and waterfalls you will come across just by accessing that local knowledge. The people on this island are willing to help no matter where you come from.
All in all, I recommend meeting the people, trying the local food and getting off the beaten path a little bit – that’s what travelling is all about!
