KOH SAMUI

The pristine white sand, blue sea and sky and the palm trees which fringe the coastline, make Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach one of the most beautiful beaches in South East Asia and, arguably, in the world. A number of magnificent, 5-star, international standard resorts and hotels have sprung up along the beach in recent years and there is still a range of less expensive accommodation for those on a tighter budget. The street which runs behind the beach boasts world-class restaurants and budget eateries to suit all tastes and a nightlife to satisfy the young and the young-at-heart.

Whilst Chaweng Beach is the centre of Koh Samui’s tourist universe, for those seeking a slightly quieter time, there are a number of other beautiful beaches around the island with a variety of accommodation and other tourist facilities.

Lamai Beach, just south of Chaweng is very picturesque due to graceful boulders studding the crystalline water. It is the next most popular beach after Chaweng. Big Buddha Beach, just to the north of Chaweng is also very popular. Even more quiet are Bo Phut Beach and Mae Nam Beach and, while the scenery is not quite so picturesque as at Chaweng or Lamai, the beaches are still very good.

Diving is a major activity and you will find dozens of dive shops offering trips for both experienced and beginner divers. The clarity of the water and abundant marine life make Koh Samui and its neighbouring islands Koh Nang Yuan and Wua Ta Lap some of the top dive spots in Thailand.

Away from the beach, there is a variety of other activities for young and old. There is an excellent golf course; snake, monkey and elephant shows, jungle tours and buffalo fighting is popular with the locals as well as the tourists. There are also nature walks, elephant treks and horseriding into the hilly, jungle interior.

Koh Samui has its own airport and can be reached direct from Bangkok. If traveling by road, the stepping off point for the ferry is Surat Thani. The best time to go to Koh Samui is February to June. July to October is usually very wet and in January is can be very windy.

Located to the north of Koh Samui and accessible by daily ferry is the island of Koh Pha-ngan. Known as the 'party island' because of its now infamous 'full moon paries', it is also popular with adventure-seeking travellers because of its rocky landscape and waterfalls. It's also popular with those who just want to 'hang out' on the beautiful beaches. There is a lot of bungalow-style accommodation in natural settings scattered around the island and jeeps, motorcycles and boats are available for hire.

Koh Tao is another 45 km to the north of Ko Pha-ngan. It began as an isolated diving location for those in the know but has developed an aggressive and very successful diving industry billed on the reputation for crystal clear water and rich marine life. There is a variety of accommodation ranging from cheap bungalow-style huts to mid-range hotels and expensive resorts. Accommodation/diving packages can be booked in Bangkok before you go or when you arrive on the island. Some guesthouses and hotels will discourage you from staying if you don't plan to dive.

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