Big Buddha, Samui's most famous landmark, is found on a very small island near Bophut. It is connected to the main island by a small road.

One of Samui's fastest developing areas, Big Buddha benefits from its proximity to the airport and Chaweng Beach. It's also the best place in the north of the island to catch a ferry or speedboat over to Had Rin on the island of Ko Pha Ngan -  home of the Full Moon Party. more info

Big Buddha's long sweeping sandy beach has a good selection of cheap to mid-price bungalow operations, many of which have wonderful seafood restaurants attached. It is also home to one of the island's more opulent independent spas, Ban Sabai.

Over the last few months the main road has been improved and now has several dive shops, numerous supermarkets and many nightlife options. The long running Secret Garden Festival, which is held every Sunday, is still a big draw for expats and tourists alike. There are also now British pubs, such as the Elephant & Castle and Brahms & Liszt; a sailors' hangout, The BBC; tapas bar Saboey and a myriad of cheap and cheerful beer bars, all doing their bit to attract visitors to the area and serve its large expat population.

Although backpackers still make up the majority of the clientele, Big Buddha is also now attracting its fair share of small tour groups and families, who appreciate being within a short distance of the bars and clubs of Chaweng and the trendy restaurants and shops of Fisherman's Village, but would rather stay on a quiet beach, which apart from the occasional kiteboarder, tends to remain pretty peaceful throughout the day. 

	Out on a causeway at the northern end of the beach, Wat Phra Yai houses the statue that gives the beach its name and is the island's most popular tourist attraction. Twelve metres tall and located at at the top of a wide staircase decorated with dragons, it dominates the landscape and attracts visitors from all over the world. The view from the top of the staircase is brilliant. A cluster of arty shops, including Farn Shop, which specialises in hand wrought silver jewellery, surround the temple.   The weekly Secret Garden Festival is a popular draw for expats and tourists alike. Visiting bands and musicians play impromptu sessions live every Sunday afternoon from 4p.m. The sessions often attract a crowd of around 200-300 hundred people, all in a party mood. Apart from this weekly happening, the area remains peaceful and relaxing.
This golden statue is 12 meters tall and sits atop a wide staircase decorated with dragons. At the foot of the main building are many religious offering stands and several nice golden statues, including a reclining Buddha.You can donate some money by writing your name on a tile which will become part of the floor, or have your good fortune told by a 5-Baht coin machine: set the machine according to your birthday and you will be given a number; then look at the poster on the wall to find the corresponding number and your fortune (written in English also). Following Thai tradition, remove your shoes before climbing the stairs to see the wonderful view of Bophut Bay from the top. Like Bophut itself, this area remains a peaceful and relaxing interlude from the bustle of Chaweng.