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Elephant Village Samui

An ethical elephant sanctuary in central Koh Samui offering hands-on feeding and bathing experiences with retired elephants.

4.6(115)
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Plan your visit

Hours
Mon–Sat 09:00–17:00, Sun 11:00–15:00

Vet Elephant Sanctuaries

Only visit sanctuaries that prohibit riding, use no chains or bullhooks, and let elephants roam freely. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai set the standard. If a place offers painting shows or circus tricks, walk away.

Details

Full opening hours
Monday09:00–17:00
Tuesday09:00–17:00
Wednesday09:00–17:00
Thursday09:00–17:00
Friday09:00–17:00
Saturday09:00–17:00
Sunday11:00–15:00

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Why go, and how to do it well

Elephant Village Samui is a small, ethically run sanctuary in central Koh Samui where visitors can spend meaningful time with retired elephants in a relaxed, unhurried setting. Unlike commercial elephant riding operations, the focus here is firmly on animal welfare and respectful interaction — guests feed, touch, and bathe the elephants under the guidance of staff who are genuinely invested in the animals' wellbeing. The sanctuary also has resident dogs on site, adding to the warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

The experience is intimate by design. With just two resident elephants, encounters feel personal rather than rushed, and guides take time to explain the animals' backgrounds and needs. Visitors consistently note the ethical credentials of the operation, making it a popular choice for travelers who have done their research and want to avoid facilities where animal welfare is questionable. At 500 baht per person, it represents accessible pricing compared to larger commercial alternatives in the area.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Aug 2026

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Around here, on foot

Well-rated places within a short walk of Elephant Village Samui, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.

Experience hints

Hidden gem
Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After Elephant Village Samui, round out your day in Koh Samui with contrasting stops nearby.

Reviews from Google

Highly recommended and seemingly very ethically ran We visited this place after careful consideration to make sure the elephants were treated properly. They definitely are looked after here, and it's a great price to spend some time with these amazing animals. I researched several places that had Elephant sanctuaries in Koh Samui and i think i got it right going here. I was very careful not to visit ANYWHERE that only used the animals to make a profit. Its hard to see how this place makes a huge profit as we paid for the longest time with the animals, it was around 45-50 minutes and cost 1500 baht which is about £37. They inform you that the adults need up to 300kg of food each per day! imagine the cost of that! You get to feed the 2 babies, and then you get to see the adults, this includes making a vitamin "meal" for them, they soon scoff that down : ) you can take a selfie with the adults, you can bath them, feed them lots of fruit - one of the babies has a favourite toy which is a tyre, it takes it everywhere with it and the only time it puts it down is when it sees you have a plate of fruit as a treat and it comes running up to you to get its treat. You dont get lucky enough to see this kind of thing in a lot of places so make the most of it if youre in Samui

Excellent places where they actually love animals, they treat the elephants well I would recommend this place it is very ethical. They also have 2 puppy’s there which were adorable and a mummy dog which made our experience even better! Speakers were excellent very funny and engaging. The lady that took us around was amazing I will attach an image, she was excellent very sweet and very engaging. One thing I love about her was that she loved what she was doing that’s most important.

Very nice place, you can really interact with the elephants, feed them, touch them and shower them. We enjoyed it very much, a lot better than the questionnable elephant riding facilities. Perfect if you want to go without reservation, 1500 Bht/person

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 115 reviews on Google.

57 T, ตำบล หน้าเมือง Koh Samui, สุราษฎร์ธานี 84140, Thailand

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Tips for Visiting Activities & Tours

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Do Outdoor Activities in the Morning

Heat and humidity peak from noon to 3 PM. Schedule jungle treks, cycling tours, and outdoor cooking classes for early morning. Water activities are more flexible since you're in and out of the sea.

Elephant Village Samui: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elephant Village Samui worth visiting?

Elephant Village Samui holds a 4.6★ rating from 115 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated activities & tours in Koh Samui.

What are the opening hours of Elephant Village Samui?

Elephant Village Samui is typically open 09:00–17:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.

When is the best time to visit Elephant Village Samui?

The best months to visit Koh Samui are January – September, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in July – August & December — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon).

Where is Elephant Village Samui located?

Elephant Village Samui is at 57 T, ตำบล หน้าเมือง Koh Samui, สุราษฎร์ธานี 84140, Thailand, in Koh Samui. Getting around Koh Samui: Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road); Motorbike or scooter rental.

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