With its own international airport, cosmopolitan Samui is a convenient island destination for Australians, with a great range of accommodation from three-star to luxury villas and condos.
With naturally welcoming locals who love children and plenty of safe swimming beaches, Koh Samui is an obvious choice for families looking for a holiday in a tropical wonderland of sand, sea, sun and fun.
Once overlooked by families visiting Thailand in favour of the now-crowded party beaches, Samui’s star has continued to rise in recent years. In fact, many families now struggle to decide whether Koh Samui or Phuket should be their island of choice!
A pretty island with a mountainous interior, Samui is more navigable than Phuket, and can be easily driven if you brave hiring a car. On Samui you can walk out of your resort room, stroll across the white sandy beach, and swim or snorkel in the crystal clear waters in front of you.
Koh Samui offers a wide range of activities as well as a growing number of great kid-friendly resorts, making it a great destination for all the family. From the top kid-friendly activities to the best places to stay and eat, here’s what you need to know about Koh Samui.
Top things to do in Koh Samui with kids
Enjoy Samui's most beautiful beaches
Koh Samui is well known for its gorgeous beaches, including Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach and Maenam Beach, where you can chill out on the white sand, swim in the calm turquoise water and listen to the rustle of palm trees swaying in the breeze.
Try stand-up paddle boarding
You can also explore the beautiful beaches of northeast Koh Samui during a stand-up paddle-boarding lesson with iSUP Samui while taking advantage of the region’s protected waters to build your confidence.
Hike to see Koh Samui's waterfalls
There’s more to Koh Samui than its beaches; you can also swim in beautiful waterfalls, such as Na Muang Waterfall, which has two stunning cascades with impressive views.
Follow the Hin Lad waterfall trail, a 2 km jungle hike that starts from the temple in Hin Lad just south of Na Thon (Samui’s main town) on the island’s northwest. The jungle path follows a small river with plenty of rock pools and waterfalls to dip into. Further up the mountain there are larger pools ideal for swimming or paddling.
Take a boat tour of Ang Thong National Marine Park
For the best marine adventure going, hop in a speedboat with the kids and head for the Ang Thong National Marine Park, about an hour south of Koh Samui.
Encompassing over 40 islands in the Gulf of Thailand, this beautiful archipelago features enough mystery and adventure for the kids to feel like they’re in their own episode of Survivor. You’ll discover unspoiled beaches, fascinating caves, and the famous Emerald Lake (also known as the Blue Lagoon).
There are several companies operating tours from Samui for a price that won’t break the budget — many including activities like hiking, kayaking and snorkelling with the colourful marine life.
See Koh Samui's most stunning temples
Don’t miss a visit to Wat Plai Laem Temple to see its 18-armed statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and smiling Buddha statues. The nearby Wat Phra Yai temple, which also has a 12-metre high gold ‘Big Buddha’ statue, is another must.
Explore the Secret Buddha Garden
With its tranquil streams, the private sculpture park known as the Secret Buddha Garden or Magic Buddha Garden is also a lovely place to visit, but can only be accessed by 4WD and features a climb that may be challenging for small children. If you’re keen to check it out, consider booking a guided tour.
Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary
If your kids are budding zookeepers, it’s worth checking out some of the fantastic animal attractions on offer in Koh Samui. There are plenty to choose from, and offerings are as diverse as the animals they exhibit, including butterflies, crocodiles, snakes, and of course, the ever-popular elephant sanctuaries.
For an ethical choice, spend a day at Samui Elephant Sanctuary where you can feed and walk with elephants that have been rescued from working exhausting hours in the logging and tourism industries, and watch them as they roam, socialise, bathe and play in the mud.
Browse and dine at Koh Samui's night markets
Check out the Fisherman’s Village at Bophut Beach, where traditional shophouses have been converted into cool boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It’s fun to visit at night when it becomes a walking street, and is great for dining on the beach. Kids will also love seeing things like fried worms and grasshoppers for sale at Lamai Night Market.
More things to do in Koh Samui
Another fun activity is the unique game of football golf, a hybrid of the two sports. called football-golf. You tee off with your foot, and the aim of the game is to get the football around a difficult obstacle course. If you want to get messier, there’s Samui Paintball. For extra thrills, the new Samui Go Kart Track is open for business.
Family-friendly resorts in Koh Samui
Chaweng Beach is Samui’s most popular strip of sand, but it’s also at the busier end of the scale. Certainly head here for a sunset cocktail and dinner, but you may prefer to stay in the quieter Bophut, a charming fishing village on the island’s north, or further south at laidback Lamai.
Here are three of the best Koh Samui resorts to visit with kids:
Centara Villas Samui
Set amidst tropical gardens on the southern tip of the island near Lamai Beach, Centara Villas Samui has 102 contemporary villas that blend in with the environment, cascading down a gentle hillside to the resort’s private beach. There are three freshwater pools to swim in, a playground, full-service spa, gym and three restaurants. The resort is just 15 minutes’ drive to Lamai, 30 minutes’ to Chaweng Beach and 40 minutes’ to Samui International Airport.
Centara Reserve Samui
Located on the quieter end of Chaweng Beach, the luxurious Centara Reserve Samui blends colonial-style architecture with contemporary design. Less than 15 minutes’ drive from Samui International Airport, the reimagined resort offers exclusive suites and villas that come with ‘Reserve Hosts’. Choose between pool access rooms ideal for families or splash out on one of the ocean-facing villas. Mini bars and cocktail stations in rooms are also restocked daily. It also has a kids’ club and huge outdoor wet area for kids, as well as swim-up pool bar and adults-only pool.
COSI Samui Chaweng Beach
COSI Samui Chaweng Beach, which is connected to the Central Festival Samui shopping and dining complex, is more suited to families with older offspring, with a 24-hour café (appropriately named Café 247), a social hub and a highly Instagrammable rooftop pool which is see-through on one side. It also has fast, free Wi-Fi and USB charger points throughout, which is sure to be a winner with teens!
Where to eat on Koh Samui with kids
Salt Society Beach Bar, Centara Reserve Samui
Salt Society Beach Bar at Centara Reserve Samui is one of those dream places where you can dine with your feet in the sand as you watch the kids play and build sandcastles.
No Stress, Lamai Beach
On Lamai Beach, the atmospheric No Stress restaurant has a thatched roof, teak furniture and bamboo deck chairs. The eatery serves a mix of Thai and European dishes, so it’s guaranteed to keep everyone in the clan happy.
Bao Bao, Maenam Beach
Bao Bao at Maenam Beach has a modern tropical vibe, with dining tables, lounges and a shady garden ideal for enjoying a fresh fruit shake or a cold Chang or Singha beer. Its menu includes homemade bao buns, Xiao Chi (Asian tapas), cakes and fried bao bun ice-cream desserts. It also offers a bento menu for kids.
Treehouse, Silent Beach
Treehouse Silent Beach has everything from traditional Thai dishes like fresh red snapper fish to international offerings such as homemade felafel, dahl, quesadillas, chili con carne and schnitzel! There are also 10 different types of mojito to sip whilst watching the sunset over the beach during happy hour, from 4pm to 7pm.
Leonardo Gelato Lab and Ice Cream Factory, Bangrak Beach
Leonardo Gelato Lab and Ice Cream Factory at Bangrak Beach is an old-school ice-cream shop known for its refreshing flavours, including coconut, mango and passionfruit, and vegan sorbets.
Fisherman's Village, Bophut Beach
The aforementioned Fisherman’s Village walking street is probably the best place to eat on the island, with a variety of options and restaurants on stilts overlooking the beach.
In partnership with Centara Hotels & Resorts
Opening image: The main pool area at Centara Reserve Samui
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Angela Saurine, Julie Miller, Deborah Dickson-Smith
