Koh Samui shore excursion

Priority Pick-Up at the Pier

• We will meet you at the designated disembarkation point of your cruise ship and your tour will begin immediately.

Important note:

• Disembarking from a cruise ship can be a little chaotic, with large numbers of passengers and many vans waiting for their guests. Don't worry — we will be looking for you with our Olé Tours logo, and if anything unexpected happens, you can always reach us via WhatsApp.

Return to the Pier Guaranteed!

• Our service is scheduled with a generous safety margin to ensure that you are back at the designated boarding point on time. Relax and enjoy your excursion — we take care of the logistics.

Express & 100% Personalised Shore Excursion

• We focus on the essentials so you can make the most of every minute of your stop in Koh Samui. Since your time ashore is limited, we will not try to take you around the entire island. Instead, we will select the places that are most relevant to you.

• Discover some of the island's most iconic sights, such as Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, and add other highlights such as idyllic beaches, viewpoints, waterfalls or other places of interest. The itinerary is flexible; if seeing elephants is one of your priorities, we can arrange a short and memorable visit to a small ethical elephant sanctuary.

• The idea is simple: to show you the Koh Samui we know in a dynamic and immersive way, while ensuring that you return to the pier on time and can board your cruise ship with the best memories of your time on the island.

Recommended Places to Visit

Wat Phra Yai: Big Buddha

• Koh Samui's iconic Big Buddha temple, where a majestic golden statue rises towards the sky, offering a peaceful atmosphere and unforgettable views.

Wat Plai Laem: Thai-Chinese Culture

• One of the island's largest Buddhist temple complexes. Here you can immerse yourself in the rich mix of Thai and Chinese culture while admiring the impressive statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, which appears to float serenely above a sacred lake.

Lad Koh Viewpoint: A Balcony Over Paradise

• One of Koh Samui's most photographed viewpoints. From this privileged location, enjoy unforgettable panoramic views of the famous Chaweng Beach and the vast blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Hin Ta & Hin Yai: The Rocks of Love and Legend

• The famous Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks are a curious natural formation shaped by wind and sea and surrounded by a fascinating local legend. You will also have time to explore the small souvenir market and look for the perfect memento of your visit.

Luong Pordaeng: A Lasting Testimony of Faith

• Discover the remarkable story of the monk Luong Pordaeng. His body has been naturally preserved in the same meditative position in which he died decades ago, offering a striking testimony to the depth of Buddhist faith.

Na Muang Waterfall: An Oasis in the Jungle

• A refreshing escape into nature and a visit to one of the island's most popular waterfalls. Surrounded by lush jungle, its large natural pool is the perfect place for a refreshing swim.

Guan Yu Shrine: An Impressive Warrior

• A Chinese shrine dedicated to General Guan Yu, known for his loyalty and courage. It is dominated by an enormous 16-metre-high statue and features vibrant architecture, serving as an important place of pilgrimage for the island's Chinese community.

Wat Ratchathammaram: The Red Temple

• Also known as Wat Sila Ngu, this temple is famous for its distinctive red colour and intricate architectural details. Although smaller than some of the island's other temples, it offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere, with a staircase decorated with Naga serpents descending towards the sea.

Cultural Centre: Thai Heritage

• Here you can dress in colourful traditional Thai costumes and enjoy a unique photo session in an idyllic setting created especially for the experience — undoubtedly a wonderful souvenir of your time in Koh Samui.

Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

• A moving experience at an ethical elephant sanctuary. You will have the opportunity to interact with these noble giants up close, feed them and learn about their care, conservation and rescue.

Important Details to Consider

A Mosaic of the Island: This tour has been designed to give you a complete and diverse view of Koh Samui, combining its rich culture, natural beauty and most iconic places in a single experience while making the most of your available time and itinerary.

Food: Lunch is not included in the tour, but we will of course stop at a local restaurant so you can enjoy one of Thailand's greatest treasures: its traditional cuisine.

Respect at Sacred Places: During the tour, we will visit active temples. We kindly ask you to dress respectfully by covering your shoulders and knees and to follow your driver's instructions in order to respect local customs and traditions.

Itinerary Notice: To ensure your safety and the best possible experience, the order of stops or the route may change without prior notice due to traffic, weather conditions or other external factors.

Restrictions: Pregnant women, children under 1 year old and people with medical and/or back problems cannot join the tour.

Included:

• Tour start and end at the cruise port
• Air-conditioned Toyota Fortuner / Minivan
• English-speaking driver 🇹🇭🇬🇧
• Entrance fees
• Accident insurance

Not Included:

• Food or lunch (at your own expense)
• Personal expenses

• Shirt or scarf for visiting temples
• Towel / Swimwear
• Change of clothes (optional)
• Sunglasses
• Cap or hat
• Insect repellent
• Cash for personal expenses
• Photo of your passport on your phone

In our tour, you will have the opportunity to interact with majestic elephants at a sanctuary dedicated to their well-being. Please remember that these are wild animals and that your behaviour should always be respectful and considerate.

Their Well-Being Is Our Priority: We invite you to be part of an experience based on respect. Every gesture matters, which is why we avoid any action that could disturb the peace and well-being of these noble giants.

Follow the Guidance of Their Caretakers: Our guides and caretakers (mahouts) are the bridge of communication between you and the elephants. Listen carefully to their advice; they will show you the best way to interact safely and respectfully.

Observe, Connect and Enjoy: The best way to honour these majestic creatures is by observing them in their environment. Enjoy their presence, learn from their natural behaviour and connect with them calmly and respectfully, without invading their space unnecessarily.

An Important Tip: Your visit supports a responsible tourism model. Not every place called a “sanctuary” actually is one. If you explore independently, we encourage you to research carefully to make sure you choose an ethical home where the elephants are genuinely cared for and respected.

Your responsibility as a visitor is essential to ensuring that this experience is positive for both you and the elephants.

Booking Notice: To secure your place, we recommend booking as far in advance as possible, especially during the high season. Many of our tours have limited capacity and fill up quickly, and we cannot guarantee availability for bookings made only 1 or 2 days in advance.

Itinerary Notice: To ensure your safety and the best possible experience, the order of the stops or the route may change without prior notice due to traffic conditions, weather or other external factors.

Restrictions: Pregnant women, children under 4 years old and people with medical and/or back problems cannot join the tour.

Special Requirements: Please inform us of any allergies or special requirements when booking so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

Accident Insurance: For the accident insurance to be valid, we require the full name, gender and passport number of all participants. Failure to provide this information may result in the cancellation of your booking. During the high season, we recommend securing your place in advance.

Pick-ups: For the group tour option, our vehicle will pick up participants in sequence, so we kindly ask you to wait patiently at the entrance of your hotel. If you consider the wait to be excessive, please contact the operator directly. If your accommodation is inaccessible to our vehicle, pick-up will take place at a nearby alternative meeting point agreed in advance.

Cancellation Policy: The booking form contains a brief description of our cancellation policy. Please read it before booking. You can also consult the full policy in our Terms and Conditions.

Questions or enquiries: Please contact us directly via WhatsApp and we will answer any questions you may have as quickly as possible.

How long is the Koh Samui shore excursion?

The tour is flexible and usually lasts between 4 and 8 hours, depending on the time available during your cruise stop.

Does the tour include pick-up at the cruise port?

Yes. The service includes pick-up and return at the cruise disembarkation area, with carefully planned timings to ensure you return to the port on time.

Is the itinerary fixed or can it be customised?

The itinerary is fully flexible. Before your arrival, we will plan a personalised route based on your interests and the time available during your cruise stop.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver, accident insurance and complete itinerary planning.

Is lunch included in the shore excursion?

No. Lunch is not included, but we can make a stop at a local restaurant during the tour so you can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine.

Can we visit an ethical elephant sanctuary during the tour?

Yes. A visit to an ethical elephant sanctuary can be included as part of your customised itinerary, depending on the time available during your cruise stop.

Is this shore excursion safe if I am travelling on a cruise ship?

Yes. The excursion is specifically designed for cruise passengers, with carefully planned timings and a sufficient safety margin to help ensure you return to the port on time.

What happens if my cruise ship arrives late or the schedule changes?

Our shore excursions are planned around your cruise ship's scheduled arrival and departure times. If your cruise schedule changes, please contact us as soon as possible so we can assess the situation and adapt the itinerary when possible.

Can the tour be adapted for a short cruise stop?

Yes. The itinerary can be adapted to the time available during your stop. We focus on the places that are most important to you rather than trying to see the entire island, allowing you to make the most of your time in Koh Samui.