Attractions
Twelve places we have checked: elephant sanctuaries, go-karts, quad bikes, golf, a water park, a mall and free rocks. Each lists its area, price band and last check date.
3 kinds, pick one
Best for
4 situations, 9 picks
3 Samui Water Park Maenam · Sights and parks Slides and a lazy river; check it is open before going. 
6 Samui Football Golf Bophut · Sport and activities Children 5-11 pay 350 THB; a round is far shorter than golf. 
8 EasyKart Koh Samui Chaweng · Sport and activities Both tracks run kid-kart classes from 499 THB a race. Every place
12 checked, none ranked
Koh Samui attractions split into three kinds: animal and nature parks, motor and sport activities, and free or cheap sights. Most sit in the north (Bophut, Maenam) or around Chaweng and Lamai. Choose by area first, because island roads are slow and distances add up fast. Prices run from free at Hin Ta Hin Yai to several thousand baht for an elephant sanctuary visit or a golf round.
Sport and activities
Maenam About 12 km from ChawengAbout 21 km from LamaiAbout 8 km from BophutAbout 3 km from Maenam
The island's only 18-hole course, par 72, in the Maenam hills; green fees from 3,550 THB.
Sport and activities
Sport and activities
Maenam About 9 km from ChawengAbout 18 km from LamaiAbout 4 km from BophutAbout 1 km from Maenam
Two ATV operators compared: X-Quad in Maenam, Samui X-Treme near Lamai.
Sport and activities
Sights and parks
Maenam About 9 km from ChawengAbout 18 km from LamaiAbout 4 km from BophutAbout 3 km from Maenam
Former Pink Elephant in Maenam: slides and lazy river, about 940 THB, open Tuesday-Sunday.
Sights and parks
Sights and parks
Bophut About 6 km from ChawengAbout 15 km from LamaiAbout 2 km from BophutAbout 4 km from Maenam
Rescue home for 14 elephants on 60 rai in Bophut: no riding, no bathing, from 1,000 THB.
Sights and parks
Our pick Sights and parks
Bophut About 4 km from ChawengAbout 13 km from LamaiAbout 2 km from BophutAbout 6 km from Maenam
No riding or bathing since 2018, Bophut and Chaweng Noi sites, from 2,900 THB.
Our pick Sights and parks
Sport and activities
Bophut About 9 km from ChawengAbout 17 km from LamaiAbout 7 km from BophutAbout 11 km from Maenam
18-hole footgolf in a botanical garden near Big Buddha: 750 THB adults, 350 THB children.
Sport and activities
Shopping
Chaweng About 3 km from ChawengAbout 12 km from LamaiAbout 6 km from BophutAbout 10 km from Maenam
Largest mall on the island, open 10:00-22:00, with a Tops supermarket and cinema.
Shopping
Sport and activities
Chaweng About 2 km from ChawengAbout 11 km from LamaiAbout 6 km from BophutAbout 10 km from Maenam
EasyKart at Chaweng Lake and Samui Karting in Bophut, from 499 THB a race.
Sport and activities
Our pick Sights and parks
Lamai About 12 km from ChawengAbout 2 km from LamaiAbout 16 km from BophutAbout 20 km from Maenam
Free granite rocks at south Lamai, open 8:00-18:00; only cost is about 20 THB bike parking.
Our pick Sights and parks
Sights and parks
Hua Thanon About 15 km from ChawengAbout 6 km from LamaiAbout 20 km from BophutAbout 24 km from Maenam
Open as of September 2026, shows suspended; welfare concerns are documented.
Sights and parks
Our pick Sights and parks
Taling Ngam About 22 km from ChawengAbout 13 km from LamaiAbout 26 km from BophutAbout 25 km from Maenam
Hilltop animal park above Taling Ngam, 400 THB adults; animal-welfare reviews are mixed.
Our pick Sights and parks
Sights and parks
Lipa Noi About 26 km from ChawengAbout 17 km from LamaiAbout 22 km from BophutAbout 18 km from Maenam
Dusit Dhewa, a Southeast Asian sculpture park in Lipa Noi; hours and entry differ by source.
Sights and parks
End of the list. All 12: Sights and parks (7), Sport and activities (4), Shopping (1). Loosen a filter to see more.
Showing of 12
Before you go
Prices · Hours and closures · Getting there
Sights and parksSport and activitiesShopping Numbers match the map
Expect free at Hin Ta Hin Yai, about 14 USD (499 THB) for a first go-kart race, and about 21 USD (750 THB) for footgolf. Elephant sanctuary visits start near 29 USD (1,000 THB) at Haven and 83 USD (2,900 THB) at the Sanctuary. Golf starts at about 100 USD (3,550 THB).
11 of 12 publish hours. Samui Water Park: closed Mon.
Most venues run daily, but Samui Water Park is open Tuesday to Sunday. Sources disagree on hours at Paradise Park Farm and Dusit Dhewa. Check each page's status line and call or message ahead before a long drive.
2-26km from Chaweng
Nearest: EasyKart Koh Samui. Farthest: Dusit Dhewa, about 26 km by the ring road.
Central Samui, EasyKart and the elephant sites are close to Chaweng and Bophut. Paradise Park Farm and Dusit Dhewa are on the south-west and west sides, and take a scooter or taxi. See our getting around guide for fares.
We list elephant sanctuaries that ban riding and bathing. The Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo stays listed with its welfare concerns spelled out, so you can decide. Book direct with sanctuaries and read each page first.
ATV operators expect a licence and insurance cover. Riding without one risks a fine of 500-1,000 THB (about 14-29 USD) and can void travel insurance after an accident. Children under 10 ride only as passengers.
Read next
Same island, other angles
FAQ
Questions
Beaches, temples and island nightlife are the usual answers. Among our checked places, the no-riding elephant sanctuaries, go-karting at Chaweng Lake and the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks at Lamai come up most. See the beaches guide and the things to do guide for the wider picture.
Pick one animal or nature stop, one activity and one free sight. For example an ethical elephant sanctuary, a go-kart race and Hin Ta Hin Yai. Add temples and viewpoints from our guides, and leave a rainy day for Central Samui.
Yes. Samui Elephant Haven and Samui Elephant Sanctuary both ban riding and bathing. Haven tours start from 1,000 THB and the Sanctuary from 2,900 THB. Check each page for hours, sites and the welfare standards we looked at in September 2026.
Yes. Hin Ta Hin Yai, the grandfather and grandmother rocks at south Lamai, has no ticket and opens 8:00-18:00. Only motorbike parking costs, about 20 THB. Our free things to do guide lists more sights.
Central Samui is the main indoor option: open about 10:00-22:00 with a cinema, food court and Tops. Dusit Dhewa has galleries, but parts are outdoors. Our rainy day plan covers spas, cooking classes and more.
