My Perfect 3 Day Koh Samui Itinerary: How I’d Spend 72 Hours in Koh Samui (2026)

Koh Samui is easily one of the biggest hotspots in Thailand. It’s part of the famous trio of Gulf islands along with Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and I personally have a massive soft spot for it because the beaches and luxury resorts there are just amazing.

But there is way more to do here than just rotating between your sun lounger and the pool bar. From chasing waterfalls to finding stunning viewpoints and visiting elephants, I’ve done some really cool things here.

I spent about 10 days in Koh Samui recently and I made it my mission to do pretty much every activity I could find. I had a blast exploring every corner, but let’s be real, I also spent a fair amount of time at the pool bar.

To give you a better idea of how to spend your own vacation, I’ve put together my perfect 3-day Koh Samui itinerary to show you exactly what the island is about.

Koh Samui Itinerary – My Experience

Since I spent 10 days in Koh Samui myself, you might be wondering why I’m putting together a 3-day itinerary. 

It’s mostly because I want to actually be helpful, and I know most people only have about 3 to 5 days here. I’ve taken the best parts of my own trip and condensed them into a perfect 3-day guide so you can skip the filler and get straight to the good stuff.

I definitely had some incredible standout moments during my time there. Even though a lot of my days were spent just hanging out at beach bars, I made sure to get all the major highlights done. One of my favorite experiences, and I know this is a little random, was the fire show at Coco Tam’s. Honestly, it was the most impressive fire show I’ve ever seen in Thailand.

The elephants in Koh Samui were also incredible. I’d been to Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai before, which was a tough act to follow, but Samui Elephant Haven was just as amazing. If you’ve never done an ethical elephant experience, I highly recommend adding it to your list.

Other than that, I had a blast just exploring the island, from the waterfalls to the Big Buddha. The food scene also really surprised me. I had some of the best Thai and seafood of my trip here, so I’ll make sure to mention my specific restaurant recommendations further down.

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Koh Samui

Location Matters in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is huge, so don’t make the mistake of just booking whatever hotel looks pretty online. I personally did a lot of research on where exactly I wanted to be based. I really like the northeast area because it’s the most developed and has everything you need, but I also have a big soft spot for Lamai Beach. Just make sure you pick a spot that actually fits the vibe you’re after.

Get an eSIM

Whenever I’m traveling, whether it’s Europe, Japan, or Thailand, I always have an eSIM. I need to be connected to stay in touch with family and, more importantly, to navigate my way around the island. I always use Sim Local and I’ve been super happy with them. (Sign up here and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA to save some cash!).

Rent a Car (Koh Samui is huge)

Since we didn’t want to just hang out in our resort all day, every day, we decided to rent a car. It was such a game-changer. It made getting around so much easier, and we actually got to explore a ton of different beaches and parts of Koh Samui that we would have missed otherwise. If you want any kind of freedom here, definitely look into a rental.

Book a good resort

For me, Koh Samui was largely about the resort life. I know there’s more to the island, but I really think Samui does luxury resorts better than anywhere else. To make sure I had the best experience, I wanted to stay somewhere actually nice. Two of my favorite resorts were Moorea Boutique Resort Samui and Explorar Koh Samui both were incredible.

Try the Thai Food

I absolutely love Thai food and I honestly think it’s the best in all of Southeast Asia. Because of that, I always make sure to eat as much as I can at local spots. Don’t be afraid of the plastic chairs or how a place looks! Just look for where it’s busy and get in. I promise you, the local Thai food is way better than any international restaurant you’ll find on the island.

Time of the Year matters

The timing of your trip really matters here. I visited in December recently and we dealt with crazy crowds and even some random rainy days, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that. My favorite time to visit is around May or June, the weather is amazing and the crowds are way more manageable.

My 3 Days in Koh Samui Itinerary

Day 1: Beach Fun & Fire Show

On my very first day in Koh Samui, I’m starting with the obvious: visiting the beach. Koh Samui has some of the most beautiful white sand and crystal-clear water in Thailand, so it would be crazy not to take advantage of that right away.

I usually go between a few different vibes for this. If I’m in the mood for a good beach club, one of my favorites is Carnival Beach Village at Choeng Mon Beach. I had an amazing time there just sipping cocktails and having a long lunch.

Alternatively, if I want something a little more chill, I’d head to Lamai Beach. It’s a bit quieter but still has plenty of fun restaurants and bars to keep you busy. 

And then there’s my personal “secret” spot, Natien Beach. It is my absolute favorite because it feels so remote. There’s only a small beach bar called Cool Bar that sells Pad Thai and cold beers, and that’s literally it. It’s super quiet and I love it.

I always finish off the day at Coco Tam’s, which is hands-down my favorite place in Koh Samui for cocktails. I’ve been there a couple of times now and it never gets old. I usually just grab a beanbag on the beach and settle in. They have a fire show at 7 PM and 9 PM, and honestly, it’s the best one I’ve ever seen. It’s so worth the visit.

Day 2: Elephant Sanctuary & Night Market in Koh Samui

On day two, I did one of my absolute favorite activities in Thailand, visiting an elephant sanctuary. 

I had visited one before in Chiang Mai called Elephant Nature Park (which was incredible and I highly recommend it if you’re up north), so I really wanted to go again with my family while we were in Koh Samui. We went to Samui Elephant Haven, and it was honestly such a highlight.

Both of these spots are known for being some of the most ethical sanctuaries in Thailand, which means no riding, no bathing, and no forced interaction. 

I loved just watching them and learning so much about their stories. We did the morning tour at 9 AM, but there’s an afternoon one available too. I would go back in a heartbeat, especially seeing how amazed my mom and dad were, since they’d never done anything like it before.

In the late afternoon, we headed out to check out some night markets for a bit of tacky souvenir shopping and, of course, the food. I’ve been to Fisherman’s Village before, and while it’s definitely cute, I don’t think it’s the best spot if you’re specifically looking for street food. Instead, we hit White Market and Chaweng Night Market back-to-back.

Both were super cheap and had amazing options. We ended up trying a bit of everything, from Pad Thai and roti to chicken skewers. From my experience, I’d say White Market is probably the best spot for actual street food in Koh Samui.

Day 3: Waterfalls, Big Buddha & Sunset Dinner

For our last day, we debated whether to book a guided tour or just head out on our own since we still had our rental car. 

We ultimately decided to do it ourselves because I personally think it’s just more fun and flexible that way. However, if you don’t have a car, booking a tour works perfectly, and I’ll make sure to link a good option for you below.

First, we headed out to the waterfalls, specifically Na Muang Waterfall 1 and 2. They are pretty much right next to each other, but reaching them does involve a bit of a hike. My mom struggled quite a bit with the humidity and the climb, but once we saw the views of the jungle and the water cascading down, it was totally worth it (at least that’s what she admitted in the end!).

Afterward, we went to the Big Buddha (also called Wat Phra Yai), which is probably the most iconic religious site in Koh Samui. 

This was a much easier stop, no hiking involved at all, and we could park right there. Since I’ve traveled all over Thailand, this wasn’t the most impressive Buddha or temple I’ve ever seen, but my parents absolutely loved it. It’s definitely a must-see for the atmosphere alone, and apparently, it’s an amazing sunset spot too, though we unfortunately missed that part.

To finish off the trip, we went to an amazing restaurant called Nahm, which I highly recommend. It has incredible sunset views over the ocean, and I had a fantastic seared tuna along with a glass of wine. It was such a cool, relaxed spot for a special “last night” family dinner.

Book Here: Day Tour Koh Samui

Best Places to Stay in Koh Samui Thailand

When it comes to picking the perfect place to stay in Koh Samui, there is honestly a lot to choose from. Koh Samui is massive, and it’s important to know that certain parts of the island are way more built up and crowded, while other areas are much quieter.

I usually like to stay somewhere along the north or the east coast. That way, I get to stay at a nice resort without being super far away from all the restaurants, bars, and shops. 

That being said, there are some incredible resorts on the south coast too, like the Conrad Koh Samui. It’s a stunning luxury resort, but keep in mind it’s pretty isolated, definitely high-end, but you’ll be staying put for the most part. It really just depends on the vibe you’re going for!

While I was in Koh Samui, I stayed at two different resorts and I genuinely loved both for different reasons:

• Moorea Boutique Resort Samui: I personally loved this one because it was so chic and beautiful. It’s a bit smaller, which made it feel way more intimate and quiet and my family really enjoyed the vibe here for the first 5 nights. If you want something that feels more personal and boutique, I highly recommend it.
  
• Explorar Koh Samui: We stayed here for 5 nights and it was a totally different experience. It’s much larger with a massive pool right by the ocean, and I absolutely loved the energy there. It’s a great spot if you want that big resort feel with all the amenities. Me and my family definitely had a more fun experience here and we had cocktails by the pool etc. which was super fun.

FAQs About Koh Samui 3 Day Itinerary

Is Koh Samui worth visiting?

I think so, but to be honest, only if you’re looking for a resort-style vacation. If you’re after anything else, I think there are other islands and destinations in Thailand that are just better.

What is the best Elephant sanctuary in Koh Samui?

Yes, absolutely, go to Samui Elephant Haven. It was an amazing experience. There’s no riding or bathing allowed, but I learned so much. It’s such a magical place; my mom was especially obsessed with it. Big thumbs up from me.

What is the best beach in Koh Samui

My personal favorite is probably Lamai Beach because it’s not super crowded but still has some fun little beach bars. Other than that, I also love Natien Beach, which is super remote but absolutely gorgeous.

How do I get to Koh Samui?

The easiest way is to fly straight into Koh Samui International Airport. I actually never do that because it’s way too expensive, so I usually fly into Surat Thani on the mainland and then take the ferry over from there.

Should I go to Koh Samui or Koh Tao?

For a family resort vacation, I would definitely choose Koh Samui. But for a real island vibe including riding around on a scooter between palm trees, great Thai food, and scuba diving, I would pick Koh Tao over Koh Samui every single time.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Koh Samui for 3 Days

All in all, I have to be honest and say that I’m not the biggest fan of Koh Samui in general. Don’t get me wrong, I had an amazing time there with my family while they were visiting me in Thailand, and staying at those nice resorts was incredible. But I’m a traveler and explorer at heart, and I usually prefer a more off-the-beaten-path experience, so I’d definitely rather stay in places like Koh Tao.

However, for three days, there are some really fun things to do in Koh Samui. The elephant sanctuary was a massive highlight and, in my opinion, one of the best in Thailand. Plus, for a family vacation, Koh Samui is perfect because it has its own airport.

My parents aren’t quite as travel-savvy as I am, so navigating them around is much easier when there’s an airport right there. I actually took my mom to Koh Tao as well, and she definitely didn’t enjoy the ferry journey, so Koh Samui definitely has its place!

Check Out My Other Koh Samui Guides

Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

How to Get to Koh Samui: The Easiest Ways to get there

Best Time to Visit Koh Samui: When I Would Come Again

Koh Tao vs Koh Samui: Which One Do I Like Better

Best Beaches in Koh Samui: My Top Beaches I Went to

How Many Days in Koh Samui: My Day Guide

Koh Samui Itinerary: How I Spent 3 Days in Koh Samui

Restaurants in Koh Samui: My Favorite Food in Koh Samui

Where to Stay in Koh Samui: My Favorite Hotels & Areas

Things to Do in Koh Samui: The Activities I Enjoyed the most