Koh Samui
A holiday experience with memories to last a lifetime has never been easier than on Koh Samui, Thailand’s third biggest island. Located 700 kilometers south of Bangkok in Surathani Province, the island has a long been developed into a popular holiday resort enveloped by more than fifty stunning islands. Koh Samui is conceived as a paradise for beach lovers, seafood gourmets and water sports enthusiasts alike. It has been able to maintain its exceptional charm and classical image of a tropical beach resort fringed by coconut trees.
This treasure trove in the Gulf of Thailand enjoys a blend of all that is best in Thailand natural wonders, friendly people and attractive spots to discover. Lovely beaches, crystal clear waters and lush tropical gardens also awaits all visitors to the island. Recommended places include Chaweng, Lamai, Na Thon, Koh Ang Thong National Marine Park, Hin Ta-Hin Yai, Samui Aquarium, Samui Golf and Country Club and Wat Phra Yai or the Temple of the Big Buddha.
Koh Samui is located in the northeast of the city, 35 kilometers away from Don Sak Pier and 84 kilometers away from Surat Thani City, and is the third biggest island in Thailand.
Samui is one of the most popular places to visit in Thailand because it has wonderful nature, white beaches, clear seas, waterfalls, spectacular viewpoints, beautiful temples, and many activities for tourists to enjoy. The island has an airport and a vast array of accommodation options, which makes it a great place for travelling.
Samui is now the main travel hotspot of the southern areas of Thailand’s Gulf. There are so many beautiful beaches here like Chaweng, Lamai, Taling Ngam, and Natien. Besides plentiful nature, the island is also full of history and culture.
Ko Samui, Thailand’s second most popular island destination, is located in the Gulf of Thailand roughly 700 km south of Bangkok and 80 km from Thailand’s southern coast. Samui is the third largest island in Thailand and the largest in an archipelago of more than 80 islands that includes the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a kayaking paradise and day trip from Ko Samui. While Samui is small enough to be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by motorbike or car, the island features such a variety of beaches and activities that it would be impossible to experience everything in a single visit. However, this was not always the case.
Until the late 20th century, Samui was home to a small community engaged primarily in fishing and harvesting coconuts. There were not even any roads on the island until the early 1970’s. However, once foreign visitors discovered this island gem, lush with tropical forest, fringed with palm tree lined stretches of golden sand, and surrounded by pellucid, aquamarine water, development quickly followed.
Today the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are bustling beach towns with fabulous beach resorts, internationally acclaimed restaurants, and world-class nightclubs. Activities around Ko Samui include cooking courses, yoga instruction, Muay Thai training, scuba diving, and even golf. While there are a few quieter beaches that are ideal for relaxation, particularly those that feature some of the finest 5-star resorts in the world, and some that exude old world charm, such as Bo Phut, which features converted, old Chinese shop houses, Samui is a lively, exciting place than it was a few decades ago. Ko Samui has developed into its own style of island paradise, retaining much of its natural beauty while offering nearly every imaginable activity or service for the ultimate beach holiday.
Accomodation
With broad sweeps of golden sun-warmed sand, the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, and some of the finest in elegant, serene seaside accommodations on Earth, the enchanting island of Samui has everything necessary for a dream vacation all year round.
Getting to nearby Islands from Samui
To Koh Pha-ngan
– From Na Thon Pier (Koh Samui) – Thong Sala Pier (Koh Pha-ngan), Songserm Travel Co. operates ferry boats and express boats between Na Thon Pier on Koh Samui and Thong Sala Pier on Koh Pha-ngan, four times a day. The trip takes about 45 minutes for express boats, and one hour for ordinary ferry boats.
– Bo Phut (Koh Samui) – Hat Rin (Koh Pha-ngan), there is a ferry boat leaving Bo Phut for Ko Pha-ngan twice daily at 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The return trips depart Hat Rin on Koh Pha-ngan at 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.
To Ang Thong Islands
Visitors can hire a boat on Koh Samui to Ang Thong. The charge depends on the boat size and number of passengers. The trip takes 1.30 hours. It is also possible to join a full-day excursion organized by tour operators in Koh Samui.
To Koh Tao
Boat services for Koh Tao are available at Na Thon Pier of Koh Samui.
Some Tips when in Koh Samui
– While affordable and convenient, motorbikes are the cause of numerous accidents and fatalities; always wear a helmet, never drive drunk, and drive defensively at all times.
– Negotiate all taxi and tuk-tuk fares prior to departing for your destination.
– Be careful walking on the beach or swimming at night, particularly if alone.
– Make sure your scuba diving instructor is fully certified.
– Respect Thai values regarding dress: women should not go topless on the beach and men should not walk around shirtless other than at the beach.
