1. Ang Thong Marine Park
This is a protected area of 42 islands in the Central Gulf Coast. Except for two islands, the rest are uninhabited to encourage the conservation of Thai wildlife. In this beautiful marine park, you can spot otters and dolphins, turtles and even langurs in their natural habitat. There are plenty of options for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and cave exploration here. On Ko Mae Ko, the 'Mother Island', a gorgeous inland seawater lake can be reached through a 40-minute hike. It's strenuous, but a spectacular panorama of the marine park rewards you. You can reach Ang Thong Marine Park by speedboat from Koh Samui or by a cheaper but slower local ferry alternative. For those families keen on camping, you can even stay the night in a tent on Koh Wua Ta Lap Island. The best time to visit this park is between March and October when the waters are calm.
Location : Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand
Timings: Open all day
2. Canopy Adventures
At Canopy Adventures, you'll have a chance to appreciate the beauty of Koh Samui from up in the trees! Their zip-lining course speeds at almost 80 kilometers per hour, suspended nearly 6,000 feet off the ground as you glide through the island's lush rainforests. There are over 20 platforms hidden in the trees to begin your adventures. To even reach them near Maenam Beach, there is a fun jungle safari on a 4x4 they provide before a quick training workshop to ensure your safety. Open to children above the age of eight; older children are bound to have a great time here.
Location: Soi 5, Tambon Mae Nam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
3. Samui Football Golf
As the name suggests, this unique sport combines football and golf. The game aims to steer a football into 18 holes as quickly as possible using only your feet. This is incredibly enjoyable, and Samui Football Golf is located on a beautiful coconut plantation that makes for an incredible view. It can be played one-on-one or in teams, which would be quite fun for the whole family to participate. It takes an hour to complete the entire football golf course, which includes trees and ditches, U-turns, and logs in both easy and challenging routes. At the end of the game, you can grab some snacks and drinks and relax at their reception area. Football Golf is located north of Chaweng on Beach Road.
Location: 63/240 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
4. Bophut Beach
Bophut is a beach village in northern Koh Samui. It is one of the few places on the island that retains its original Thai-Chinese atmosphere and traditions. At the core of Bophut is the Fisherman's Village, which includes Walking Street, a road crammed with stalls and shoppers selling fabrics, jewelry, shoes, herbs, musical instruments, and even handicrafts. On Fridays, this street comes alive with live music, too. Adjacent to Fisherman's Village in Bophut Beach, you can try your hand at jet-skiing, enjoy a day at their go-karting track, or even get a relaxing pedicure on the beach. This white sand beach is perfect for a beach day with the family.
Timings: Open all day, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM for the Friday market on Walking Street
5. Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha)
This Buddha temple is located on a small island just off north-eastern Koh Samui. Its main attraction is the 12-metre (40-foot) tall Buddha statue built in 1972. Big Buddha is one of the first landmarks that can be seen from an airplane when people are about to land in Koh Samui. The statue depicts Buddha's journey to enlightenment, and his pose (called Mara's posture) symbolizes purity and steadfastness against all temptations. At the base of the statue is a courtyard of shops and food stalls and a striking dragon-design staircase leading up to the monument. Down the road is a strikingly beautiful beach now known as Big Buddha Beach. Once the sun sets, Big Buddha lights up with spotlights. During major Thai festivals like Songkran, this temple becomes incredibly crowded. As this is a religious place, dressing modestly here is recommended.
Location : 63/240 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Timings: Open all day
6. Paradise Farm Park
This animal park is located on top of Khao Pom, Koh Samui's highest mountain. At Paradise Farm Park, you can enjoy the comfort of interacting with animals and the tranquillity of a forest retreat. It features 20 acres of lush greenery and kid-friendly animals such as goats, deer, emus, and ponies that children can feed and play with. The farm is home to Molly and Marcha, bilingual parrots who will talk to you in Thai and English. Many photo opportunities exist, including iguanas, monkeys, and cockatoos. This animal park has a swimming pool, plenty of beautiful gardens, a playground, restaurants, and waterfalls, making it a beautiful location for the entire family to spend the day.Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
7. Koh Tan Island
Also known as Coral Island in southern Koh Samui, this is a great place for thrill-seeking families. It is a 7.5 square kilometer island with beautiful coral reefs and clear waters, making it ideal for snorkeling. Coral Island is reachable only by a half-hour boat trip from Koh Samui. The guided snorkeling tours here are around 5-7 hours long. Not only do you get to see marine life, but the tours often include a short hike to the picturesque Leam Sor Pagoda, Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks, and an elephant trekking experience that ends at a beautiful waterfall. Close to Koh Tan Island is the smaller Koh Matsum, known for its beautiful white sand beach.
Location : South of Ko Samui
Timings: Typically 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (depending on bookings)
8. Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo
Located on Ban Harn Beach, this aquarium is a great alternative for families with young children who cannot explore the marine life of Koh Samui through snorkeling or tourists with limited time on the island. It is designed like a fisherman's village to give visitors a history of Koh Samui wildlife while seeing an array of marine life up close. Samui Aquarium hosts leopard sharks, catfish, puffer fish, manta rays, and other marine life that are native to the Gulf of Thailand. You even have the opportunity to swim with Sasha, their friendly sea lion. The main attractions at the zoo are the Bengal tigers and sea lions, which are part of daily live shows.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PMÂ
Even if your children aren't particularly interested in elephants, ancient architecture, or snorkeling, Koh Samui's many fun activities ensure a great time for everyone. At the end of the trip, you'll all walk away with wide smiles and memories to last a lifetime.