Koh Samui temples by scooter — where they are and how to ride to them (2026)
A scooter is a convenient way to combine Koh Samui's temples in one outing. This page sorts the 14 temples on my map by area and by how hard the road up is. That way you can pick two or three that fit one outing instead of crossing the island back and forth.
Grey — every road I have ridden; colour — this route. Tap a pin for Google Maps navigation. GPX works in Maps.me, Organic Maps, OsmAnd, Garmin.
Places on the map
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Photo: Roma Neus, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleSecret Buddha Garden (Tar Nim)
Jungle sculpture park up on Pom Mountain — steep access road
Steep access road up Pom Mountain: go solo, in dry weather, in a low gear, and turn back if the slope feels beyond you.
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Photo: Roma Neus, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleBig Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
Golden 12m Buddha on an islet
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Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleWat Plai Laem
18-arm Guanyin, lakeside temple
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Temple
Wat Khao Hua Jook
Hilltop chedi with airport views — easy climb
An easy climb to the chedi, worth doing in the morning before the sun is on the hilltop.
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Photo: Roma Neus, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleWat Khunaram
Mummified monk Luang Pho Daeng
It is a stop on the ring-road and south-west routes, with a gentle approach.
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Photo: Eletroboss, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleWat Ratchathammaram (Red Temple / Wat Sila Ngu)
Red sandstone temple, naga stairs
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Photo: Per Meistrup, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleLaem Sor Pagoda
Golden chedi by the sea, SW tip
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Photo: Superraptor123, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleGuan Yu Shrine
16m bronze Chinese deity, Hua Thanon
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Temple
Wat Samret
Ancient marble Buddha, 80+ statues
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Temple
Wat Namtok Hin Lat
Jungle temple at waterfall trailhead
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Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleWat Lamai
Folklore museum, on Lamai bend
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Photo: Vano111ru, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleWat Bophut Tharam
Serene temple in Bophut north
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Temple
Wat Khao Chedi (White Temple)
Hilltop white pagoda above Laem Sor
It sits on the hill above Laem Sor Pagoda; leave it for a dry day if you are not used to climbs.
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Photo: Vano111ru, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons TempleWat Na Phra Lan
Temple by Maenam pier, north coast
Temples by area and by the road up
| North-east (Bophut to Choeng Mon) | Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, Wat Khao Hua Jook. Flat coastal roads. Khao Hua Jook is a short, easy climb. This is the best start for a beginner. |
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| North coast | Wat Bophut Tharam in Bophut and Wat Na Phra Lan near Maenam's Lomprayah Pralarn pier. Both have gentle approaches, with asphalt roads nearby. |
| South (Lamai to Hua Thanon) | Wat Lamai, Guan Yu Shrine, the Red Temple, Wat Khunaram, Wat Samret. Their approaches have no very steep climbs, but allow for traffic around Lamai. |
| South-west tip | Laem Sor Pagoda by the sea and Wat Khao Chedi on the hill above it. Quiet roads. Expect a short climb to the white pagoda. |
| Inland hills | Wat Namtok Hin Lat, inland from Nathon at the waterfall trail, and the Secret Buddha Garden high on Pom Mountain. |
When to go
I go early in the morning. Traffic is light, the stone and tiles are still cool under bare feet, and the hilltop chedis are not yet in full sun. By midday the open courtyards at Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem get hot, so I prefer an earlier visit. Late afternoon is the other good window, with softer light and a ride back before dark. Opening hours vary from temple to temple, so check them on site.
October to December is the rainy season. The coastal temples are still easy then: if a shower comes, you wait it out under a roof. The hill roads are a different matter. I would leave the Secret Buddha Garden and the climb to Wat Khao Chedi for a dry morning: wet slopes need extra care. Plan to finish the southern temples in daylight.
Routes that string the temples together
- Temples of the east, 24.7 km, easy. Wat Khao Hua Jook, Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, then a viewpoint and Choeng Mon beach. A relaxed half day from Chaweng.
- Ring road 4169, 63.7 km, easy. It passes Guan Yu Shrine, Wat Khunaram and Big Buddha on the way round. Add the Red Temple and Wat Samret in the south as short detours.
- South-west, 36.3 km, easy. It starts at Wat Khunaram and goes down to Laem Sor Pagoda. Wat Khao Chedi is right above it, if the climb suits you.
- Mountain roads, 45.7 km, hard. This route includes the Secret Buddha Garden, as does the one-day classic. Ride it on a 125cc you are comfortable with.
Wat Namtok Hin Lat is on the waterfalls route, and the two north-coast temples are on the north coast route.
What to wear and how to park
Temples expect covered shoulders and knees, and you take your shoes off before entering the halls. I keep a light shirt and long trousers or a sarong in the seat box and change in the car park. Change out of swimwear before entering the temple.
- Park where other scooters stand, lock the steering and take the key.
- Do not leave a bag in the front basket while you walk around.
- Entry fees and donation boxes differ between temples, so check at the gate and carry small notes.
- Wear your helmet on the road between temples. It is required by law.
Questions
Which Koh Samui temples are best if I only have half a day?
Take the east trio: Wat Khao Hua Jook, Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem. They are close together on flat roads, and the whole route is under 25 km.
Can I visit Samui temples on my own, without a tour?
Yes. Pick temples along one of the routes to keep the outing manageable. I would think twice about the Secret Buddha Garden because of the steep road up.
What should I wear to temples on Koh Samui?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and be ready to take your shoes off. A shirt and a sarong in the seat box solve it.
Do temples on Samui charge an entrance fee?
It varies: some ask a fee, others only have a donation box. Check at the gate and carry small notes.
Anton A.
I live on Koh Samui and have been riding the island for several years. Every road on these maps I rode myself — the track is a real GPS log. Spotted an error? Message me on Telegram: @abrameicev