Things to Do in Ko Samet, Thailand: Walking Guide

Ko Samet is an island in Thailand’s Rayong province, about 170 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. Its beaches, bays, forested landscape and relaxed coastal atmosphere make it a popular choice for a short island escape. Neywo has a free audio guide for Ko Samet with 9 narrated places, with stories available in 11 languages.

What to see in Ko Samet

Ko Samet’s attractions are mainly natural: low hills, coastal bays and distinctive rock formations. One important cultural stop adds a quieter inland contrast to the island’s beaches.

Khao Krachom

Khao Krachom is a hill rising 134 metres above sea level. It stands near Ban Ko Samet, with the larger settlement about 1.2 kilometres to the north. The surrounding land is generally flat, so the hill forms a noticeable feature in the island’s landscape.

From this part of Ko Samet, the nearby sea lies to the southeast. The wider region is known for its bays and unusual rock formations, giving the hill a useful perspective on the island’s combination of low terrain and irregular coastline.

Khao Phra Chedi

Khao Phra Chedi rises 103 metres above sea level and forms another distinctive point on Ko Samet. Its setting is surrounded by generally flat ground, with bays and rock formations characteristic of the wider area.

The hill is part of the island’s inland landscape rather than a separate monument, making it a natural stop for noticing how Ko Samet’s wooded interior meets its coastal edges.

Ao Phai

Ao Phai is a bay on the island’s eastern side, in Rayong province. Like several of Ko Samet’s coastal places, it offers a setting for taking in the sea and the island’s shoreline rather than following a formal sightseeing route.

The bay is part of the coastal landscape that makes Ko Samet suitable for an unhurried visit: the focus is on the water, the surrounding shore and the changing character of each cove.

Ao Thian

Ao Thian is another bay in Rayong province, around 170 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. Its coastal setting provides a quieter counterpoint to the island’s more developed areas.

A visit here is about looking across the bay and enjoying the coastline. Together with the neighbouring coves, Ao Thian shows how varied Ko Samet can feel from one stretch of shore to the next.

Ao Cho

Ao Cho is a bay on Ko Samet, also located in Rayong province. It belongs to the island’s sequence of coastal viewpoints and sheltered stretches of water.

The bay is a natural place to slow down and appreciate the shape of the coast, with the sea and surrounding land forming the main scenery.

Ao Kio Na Nai

Ao Kio Na Nai is a bay on Ko Samet. Its coastal setting offers another opportunity to explore the island’s shoreline and enjoy the views across the water.

Rather than a large built attraction, it is the bay itself that draws attention: the coast, the sea and the changing forms of Ko Samet’s coves.

Ao Phrao

Ao Phrao is a bay in Rayong province, on Ko Samet’s coastline. It lies around 170 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and contributes to the island’s reputation for varied coastal scenery.

The bay is a good example of the island’s simple appeal. Exploring Ko Samet often means moving between beaches and coves, pausing to take in the water and the surrounding shore.

Ao Khok

Ao Khok is another bay on Ko Samet in Rayong province. Its position on the island makes it part of the same coastal landscape of beaches, sheltered water and rocky formations.

For visitors looking for things to do in Ko Samet, exploring these bays offers an easy way to experience the island without a tightly planned schedule.

Wat Ko Samet

About 500 metres from Na Dan Pier, Wat Ko Samet is the only temple on Ko Samet. It offers a peaceful inland landmark on an island better known for its beaches, and its grounds extend towards a large white Buddha facing the sea.

The temple began in 1957, when local residents donated land for its creation. It first operated as a monastic residence called Samet Island Monastic Residence. On 18 December 2012, it was officially established as a temple under Thai law and given the name Wat Ko Samet.

The temple’s ubosot, or ordination hall, is a notable part of the complex. Its foundation stone ceremony took place in 2015. The building is two storeys high, measuring 27 metres wide and 36 metres long, with the ordination hall on the upper floor. The hall is open, with walls surrounding only the principal Buddha image, and its boundary has lotus-petal shapes.

The grounds also include a vihara and a preaching hall. Behind the temple, the large white Buddha looks out towards the sea, creating a distinctive connection between the religious site and Ko Samet’s coastal setting.

Exploring Thailand with Neywo

There are no scheduled group walks or fixed departure times with Neywo. The free Ko Samet audio guide includes 9 narrated places, and each story plays as you reach the place, at your own pace. You can explore independently, without a group or a schedule, while the app explains the history and setting of each stop in 11 available languages.

Download Neywo and discover Ko Samet through a self-guided walking tour that follows the places around you. It is an easy way to add context to the island’s hills, bays and temple while keeping the freedom to explore on your own. You can also continue travelling through Thailand and compare Ko Samet with other coastal destinations such as Krabi, Hua Hin or Koh Samui.