The Best Things To Do In Koh Samui

Some island paradises are so perfect, it seems as though they are someone’s secret wish list brought into being by a magical puff of fairy dust. With its emerald rainforest, its tranquil fishing villages, cascading waterfalls and lovely beaches, Koh Samui quite simply has everything you could want and more for the ideal getaway with sun, sand and sea. No wonder everyone loves it so from flush movie stars to budgeting university students.

Phuket’s closest rival, sits in the Bay of Thailand as part of the Chumphon archipelago. It is also part of the extensive Ang Thong National Marine Park and is Thailand’s second largest island – after Phuket. This fairy tale destination sits south of Koh Pha Ngan, north of the tinier Koh Mat Sun and Tean Island while Ko Phaluai lies to its west.

Although trumped in the size stakes by its arch rival, Koh Samui is one of the very best islands for diving and exploring colorful coral reefs, admiring unflappable sea turtles and placid whale sharks, and sampling some of the tastiest dishes ever. During your vacation at this magical getaway, you will be able to enjoy diving tours by day and participate in its exciting party scene by night. With all this and so much more, there is no doubt that booking a vacation in Koh Samui means you are in for a very memorable holiday.

Planning a trip to Koh Samui is pretty doable thanks to the number of options available. This holiday destination is served by Koh Samui, Surat Thani and Chumphon Airports. The famed tourist magnet, Phuket is just an hour’s flight away while the capital Bangkok which is approximately 300 miles away, is slightly further with flights lasting an hour and 15 minutes on average.

Public buses referred to as songhthaews are really popular on Koh Samui while taxis also happen to be a rather handy alternative for traversing the island. If you enjoy cycling, you will be quite pleased to find that bicycles are readily available for hire at bargain prices. There is no better means of forgetting all about the city and all that ever present concrete than immersing yourself in nature’s perfection. And few places get much closer to a dreamlike beauty than Ang Thong Marine Park. A tour of this island cluster will bring you face to face with cascading waterfalls, lovely tropical forests, soaring limestone cliffs and the gleaming Emerald Lake. You will also be able to view the fauna which call the islands home including otters, lemurs and egrets.

If you love snorkeling and dining on fresh sea food, a visit to the amazing Koh Tao island also comes highly recommended. Especially to its exquisite Haad Tien beach which is simply pristine where you will be able to enjoy a splash with black tip reef sharks and turtles. Sairee Beach is renowned for its eating spots and exciting nightlife and is a great place to visit to replenish your energy levels and dance the night away.

HERE ARE OUR PICKS FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN KOH SAMUI…

Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)

Get your bearings in Koh Samui while you visit the magnificent Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai), and climb to the top of a twelve-metre high statue of Buddha, which dominates the landscape. From the peak, you can take in the sights of the city, and when you come back down, you can explore the temple, stroll around the shops, and grab a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants.

Lamai Beach

One of the major resort areas of Koh Samui, Lamai Beach is arguably the prettiest of the islands’ beaches, and stretches for more than four-kilometres. Enjoy the tranquillity of the area that is complemented by the vast array of restaurants and bars to be found nearby – it’s time to relax and have fun!

Ang Thong National Marine Park

Head away from the coast for the day to visit some of the 42 islands that are scattered through the Ang Thong National Marine Park. There are tours for all tastes; some provide lots of time to see the magnificent views and relax on the beach, while others allow time for snorkelling and hiking in the forests. So pick the tour that’s best for you and have an amazing time!

Na Muang Waterfall

Take a trip to the amazing Na Muang Waterfall and explore the natural beauty of this magnificent land. Located ten-kilometres from Nathon, the first section of this 18 metre, cascading, crystal-clear waterfall, is easily reached by foot. The second, eighty-metre tier, provides the opportunity for either an invigorating hike, or a fun elephant ride!

Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai)

When you visit Lamai Beach, you will see the quirky Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks that are found between Lamai and Hua Thanon. For many people, the rock formation appears to be natural work of art depicting male and female genitalia! So go on, take a picture, everybody else does!

Koh Nang Yuan Island

The pristine Koh Nang Yuan Island is a popular destination for day trippers, who take the twenty minute boat trip to come and enjoy the magnificent beaches and crystal-clear waters. Take a walk up to the scenic lookout and admire the magnificent views over the ocean. And if you really want to enjoy the island without the crowds, why not stay overnight! The island closes to day trips at 5:00pm, from which point it is only available to guests – how good is that!