Fisherman's Village (Ban Bophut)
Koh Samui's most charming neighbourhood — century-old Chinese shophouses line a quiet beachfront, home to boutique cafes and galleries by day, and a beloved Friday night market with street food and live music by evening.

About this Place
The most charming and characterful village on Koh Samui, Bophut's Fisherman's Village preserves a remarkable row of century-old Sino-Portuguese shophouses along a quiet beachfront road in the north of the island. The lovingly restored buildings — with their distinctive shuttered facades and tiled interiors — now house boutique hotels, independent art galleries, concept coffee shops, and intimate restaurants that would feel at home in Bangkok's hippest neighbourhoods. By day, the village moves at an unhurried pace; the narrow beach is calm and local. On Friday evenings, the famous Bophut Walking Street transforms the waterfront into one of Koh Samui's best night markets — street food vendors, live acoustic music, artisan jewellery, handmade crafts, and local families all mixing with long-stay travellers. The pier stretches into the Gulf offering calm water and fisherman views. Independent restaurants in Bophut serve consistently excellent seafood at prices significantly below those in Chaweng. Big Buddha Temple is a 10-minute walk or short drive to the northeast. Fisherman's Village is the ideal base on Koh Samui for travellers who want character, calm, and quality — without the resort-strip noise.
Location
9.5541, 100.0149
More Nearby Locations
A UNESCO-protected archipelago of 42 limestone islands in the Gulf of Thailand — Ang Thong's Emerald Lake, sea caves, kayaking routes, and coral reefs inspired Alex Garland's novel The Beach.
Koh Samui's iconic golden 12-metre Buddha sits on a small islet connected by a causeway lined with naga serpents. An active monastery with sea views, souvenir stalls, and ferry access to nearby islands just steps away.
Koh Samui's iconic 8km white sand beach with calm turquoise waters ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and kite surfing by day — and a buzzing strip of beach bars, clubs, and restaurants by night.
Twin jungle waterfalls in Koh Samui's interior — the purple-tinged Na Muang 1 offers a natural swimming pool after a short walk, while the taller Na Muang 2 rewards a 1.5km jungle hike through dense rainforest.