Travelling to Koh Samui with kids? Most families who travel here don’t know this but the small island offers a diverse range of kid-friendly attractions and activities – from zipline rides and Muay Thai sessions, to kid spa treatments and delectable Sunday brunches. We’ve listed 10 of our favourite recommendations for families visiting Koh Samui below. Have a look, fill up your itinerary with our recommended activities or attractions, and let the fun begin!
1. Frolic along Samui’s pretty postcard beaches
Take your kids out for a day of sunbathing, swimming and frolicking along the coasts of Samui. Our favourite family-friendly beaches include Mae Nam Beach, Bophut Beach and Choeng Mon Beach – all three offer a kid-friendly setting, along with a good selection of dining and local amenities.
2. Tuck into a delectable Sunday brunch spread
What better way to start Sunday than with a scrumptious brunch spread? There’s something for everyone at our favourite brunch venues- adults will love the handcrafted cocktails, fine vintages and live music, while kids will enjoy the myriad games and activities available.
- Coast Beach Club & Bistro – Families will enjoy the seafront setting and fantastic food and drinks selection at Coast. There’s a pool with different sections (so you can play water basketball, water volleyball or just swim laps), live DJ and family activities such as balloon modelling, face painting and kids Olympic games. 38/2 Moo 3, Chaweng Beach Road, Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, p. +66 77 230 500. Open 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm daily.
- KOH Thai Kitchen at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui – KOH Thai Kitchen enjoys a prime hilltop setting, chic decor and sweeping views of the Gulf of Thailand. There’s a fantastic food selection; you’ll find Japanese sashimi alongside Thai-style ribs and Peruvian ceviche. The resort also offers a Kids Club with complimentary babysitting services. 219 Moo 5 Angthong, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, p. +66 77 243 000.
3. Pamper your kids with a secret garden spa experience
Who says spa treatments are only for adults? At the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, your little ones can take their pick from a selection of pampering spa sessions, including the ‘Happy Smile Facial’, ‘Flawless Finger Manicure’ or a good ol’ coconut oil massage.
Kids’ Secret Garden Spa – 219 Moo 5 Angthong, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, p. +66 77 243 000.
4. Work off excess energy in a Muay Thai session
A Muay Thai session offers more than just an intensive workout; beyond being a way for kids to work off excess energy, it also helps them develop skills such as discipline and focus. Yodyut Muaythai Gym is a venue that comes with our recommendation. We’ve only heard positive reviews about the facility, such as its modern amenities, spaciousness and excellent trainers.
Yodyut Muaythai Gym, 76 / 77 Moo 5, Choeng Mon, Bophut, p. +66 90 797 4940. Open Mon – Sat 8am – 8pm. Closed on Sun. Suitable for ages 5 years and up.
5. Learn to cook your favourite Thai dishes
Let your little ones join in the fun of cooking up your favourite Thai staples. Most cooking studios allow kids aged 12 and above to join in their adult cookery classes, but there are also venues that offer kid-friendly cooking or pastry making sessions.
And if you’re staying in one of our villas, you’ll also have the option of having a private in-villa cooking class. Just let your villa manager know!
- Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui – Two dishes from the resort’s menu are taught during the two-hour session, and each class accommodates up to six participants. Kids aged 12 and above are welcome, while the younger ones can participate in a range of kids activities available at the resort. 219 Moo 5 Angthong, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, p. +66 77 243 000. Suitable for ages 12 years and up.
- Belmond Napasai – Learn to make Thai staples, like the green curry or tom kha gai from scratch at a cookery class at Belmond Napasai. Kids aged 12 and above are welcome to join in the adult classes, while the younger ones may join in a pastry-making class at the bakery. 65/10 Baan Tai, Maenam, Koh Samui, p. +66 77 429 200. Adult cookery classes suitable for ages 12 years and up. Children of all ages are welcome for the pastry-making class.
- Spice Spoons – A cooking class at Spice Spoon is an immersive experience; you’ll get to explore the local market with a Thai chef along with taking a tour of the resort’s herb garden. Kids cooking classes – with options like pizza or burger making – are also available. 99/9 Bophut Bay, Koh Samui, p. +66 77 428 300. Adult cooking classes are suitable for ages 12 years and up. Kids cooking classes suitable for ages five to 12 years.
6. Explore Samui’s walking streets
Samui’s walking streets are lively outdoor events typically held during the evenings, at several locations across the island. With numerous vendors, street food stalls and live performances, the walking streets offer a great family experience, and are a way for vacationers to get a glimpse into the local food and culture.
- Fisherman’s Village Walking Street – 38/2 Moo 1 Bophut Fisherman’s Village. Open Fri 5pm – 11pm.
- Mae Nam Walking Street – Mae Nam town centre. Open Thu 5pm – 11pm.
- Chaweng Walking Street – Chaweng Beach Road. Open 5pm – 10pm daily.
- Nathon Walking Street – Nathon Road, Ang Thong. Open Sat 5pm – 11pm.
7. Discover temples and cultural attractions
Travellers across ages will enjoy discovering Samui’s myriad temples and cultural attractions. To help you narrow down your options, we’re sharing our favourite places to visit below:
- Big Buddha – With its golden 12-metre Buddha statue, intricate architecture and viewing platform offering panoramic vistas, it’s unsurprising that the Big Buddha is Samui’s landmark attraction. A visit here is not to be missed!
- Wat Plai Laem – Wat Plai Laem offers excellent photo-taking opportunities; the temple boasts a design that blends together Thai and Chinese elements, striking images and an 18-arm Guanyin statue. It’s also conveniently located just a five-minute drive from the Big Buddha.
- Secret Buddha Garden – Nestled away atop Khun Nim Peak, the Secret Buddha Garden is a private sculpture park with an intriguing collection of statues. Visitors will also enjoy the attraction’s peaceful ambience and picturesque hilltop views.
- Dusit Dhewa: Otherwise known as the Samui Cultural Center and Fine Art of South East Asia, the Dusit Dhewa is great for a quick visit if you’re in Lipa Noi, and are seeking out a quiet cultural attraction. The center is fairly small and located in a tucked-away setting, so you won’t find the usual tourist crowds here. There are art works and artifacts to discover, and the grounds are scenic during the later months of the year.
8. Ride a zipline through the rainforest
Your little ones will enjoy spending the day at Canopy Adventures Secret Falls. With platforms located high up in the trees, you’re guaranteed magnificent views whether you try out the cable or zipline rides available. Pro-tip: Bring your swimsuits along so you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the waterfall plunge pool.
Can’t get enough of heights? Skyhawk Adventure Zipline Koh Samui offers 33 platforms and 21 ziplines – one of which is the longest zipline on the island. The attraction is located amidst the jungle and mountains, so your zipline rides will be accompanied by unbeatable views of the tropical rainforest.
- Canopy Adventures Secret Falls – Canopy Adventures Secret Falls, Soi 5, Koh Samui, p. +66 77 300 340. Open 9am – 6pm daily. Minimum age requirements: 6 years and up.
- Skyhawk Adventure Zipline Koh Samui – Zong Ruae Waterfall, Ang Thong, Koh Samui, +66 99 407 0393. Open 8am – 5pm daily. Minimum age and height requirements: 8 years and up / 4 feet or 122cm.
9. Visit Samui’s spectacular waterfalls
Both the Na Muang Falls and Hin Lad Waterfall are ideal for families that enjoy basking in nature. Between the two, Hin Lad Waterfall is a more child-friendly attraction – so it’s a better option if you have younger children. There’s a monastery (Hin Lad Waterfall Temple) right before the trail leading up to the waterfall, and it’s worth a visit for its manicured garden, religious sculptures and Buddha images.
There are two Na Muang Waterfalls in Samui: Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2. Na Muang 1 is the smaller attraction of the two, and is easily accessible via a short walk through the jungle from the car park. It boasts an inviting plunge pool, and is a great option if you’re looking for a relaxed, easy-to-access attraction. Na Muang 2 offers a cascading waterfall and lush surroundings, but it takes about a 30-minute hike from Na Muang 1 to access the waterfall.
10. Explore an offshore island
Koh Tan and Koh Mudsum are popular offshore attractions for day-trippers to enjoy snorkeling, swimming, picnicking along the beaches or just relaxing. A typical tour itinerary includes a stopover at Koh Tan for snorkeling, before heading southwards towards Koh Mudsum for swimming, sunbathing or to explore the island. Private tours are available, and the itinerary can be customised to your needs.
While the Angthong National Marine Park offers breathtaking scenery and myriad attractions, touring the islands isn’t something we’d recommend if you’re travelling with young children. It can be exhausting and difficult for the kids as the boat ride from Samui lasts about an hour, and you’ll be spending much of your day in the tropical heat and humidity.
Comments are closed.