Introduction
Koh Samui, the third largest island in Thailand, is fast
becoming one of the world’s most sought after holiday
destinations. Blessed with outstanding natural beauty,
stunning beaches and a relaxed laid-back lifestyle it has
everything to make your tropical escape a very special
experience. Koh Samui also promises a vibrant nightlife and
a superior international restaurant scene, making it ideal
for a long and relaxing Thailand holiday.
A part of the Angthong archipelago, Koh Samui's major
claim to fame is the untouched Angthong National Marine
Park, an area so exotically beautiful that it inspired Alex
Garland to pen his famous book, “The Beach.” Explore the
inner reaches of this stunning marine destination and
discover why it is considered nothing less than an earthly
paradise.
Koh Samui is also a haven for water sports. Scuba diving,
sailing and kitesurfing are just some of the popular
activities that you can indulge in the beaches fronting a
spectacular coastline. Chaweng Beach is easily the most
popular area on Koh Samui. This endless sandy beach promises
a fun-filled day of activities and at night it transforms
into a lively entertainment area with the choicest of clubs,
bars, and restaurants vying for your attention.
Enjoy the palm-fringed serenity on the quieter towns of
Bophut, Maenam and Lamai. Offering fantastic views, these
beach areas are an idyllic escape from the stresses of
everyday life.
Further afield, is the neighboring island of Koh Phangan,
renowned for its monthly full moon party on the crescent
shaped Haad Rin beach. Bringing together revelers from
across the globe, the event is like none other you would
witness on this planet. For the rest of the month, the
island is quiet, relaxed, and promises a perfect escape.
Festivals
and events
Songkran: The Thai New Year is celebrated on the full
moon in mid-April. The event is marked with religious and
family duties. Trucks drive around the ring road with
barrels of water and passengers armed with super-soaker
water pistols drench everyone. Much music and merriment
results and everyone gets sopping wet and is covered in
talc.
Koh Samui International Regatta: Held in the first
week of June, the annual Koh Samui Regatta is an important
event on the island. The clubs, restaurants and bars host
regatta parties for sailors and spectators.
Loy Kratong: Loi Kratong, the beautiful ceremonial
festival of lights, is held in mid-November. The scene of
small floating offerings made from flowers, leaves and
candles set off to float on the rivers and ocean is truly
enchanting. The main venues are the beaches of Bohput,
Chaweng, and Lamai. The bobbing ocean-bound candles,
combined with the air-borne lanterns dotting the sky create
a mesmerizing scene.
Accommodation
Koh Samui offers a remarkable selection of accommodation
options to suit all tastes and budgets. You can choose from
standard beach villas to luxurious hotels and beach resorts.
Though there is no shortage of upmarket hotels and
resorts dotting the beaches, a large part of the island
still remains covered with coconut groves and rice paddies
and you can find a quiet villa in which to stay, far from
the madding crowds.
Chaweng Beach: The longest and most popular beach
on Samui has accommodation options along its entire length.
The beach is home to a vibrant nightlife and has a high
concentration of restaurants and shops.
Lamai Beach: Samui's second-largest beach also has
a fair share of accommodation options ranging from top-end
and mid-range to budget. The restricted area on and around
the beach means that a majority of housing is actually found
on the surrounding hills.
Maenam: Located on the North coast, the beach
offers a wide selection of budget accommodation with a
sprinkling of top end luxury resorts. Maenam is also home to
many of the new villa developments on the island, in fact
this was one of the first areas on the island to feature
such developments.
Big Buddha: Home to the island's most important
landmark, the Big Buddha itself, the area has some relaxed
and relatively low priced resorts.
Bophut: One of Samui's recently developed
villages, Bophut combines traditional Thai charm with a
distinct Mediterranean feel. The area is more relaxed given
the fact that there is less traffic here. You'll find a
number of converted shop-houses that are perfect for fine
dining.
Find the best deals in Koh Samui at TDLodging.com!
Dining options
Dining is one of the greatest pleasures of life and more so if you are
on a vacation to an exotic locale. In this respect, Koh Samui does not
disappoint. The island offers outstanding dining options from casual
dining to more sophisticated fare.
While we recommend that you try the simply delicious Thai food, you
can also traverse the long trusted road and stick to the food you are
familiar with, be it Indian, Mexican, English, Japanese, Scandinavian,
Italian or French. You can pick up one of the local guides listing the
restaurants or just stroll around and dine in one that catches your
fancy.
Bophut is particularly famous for its laid-back evening
ambience and great selection of high-end restaurants. Try out Starfish
and Coffee with its decent food and stunning décor. For tasty steaks,
The Shack is a must visit. The beach also has a number of good Thai,
Italian and Indian restaurants, all within a short stroll. If you are
looking for a romantic evening out in Bophut, Shades and Smile house is
just the place to head to. For fine dining in outdoor setting, you can
try Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa.
Bang Rak is also a famed venue for dining, popular with expats
and frequent visitors. For a very personal service and a cozy
atmosphere, you can check out Ocean 11.
The eateries and restaurants in Lamai, Chaweng and
Maenam also serve fresh seafood. Some good quality eateries in Lamai
include Rocky’s and The Pavillon. In Maenam, the old-school Café Talay
serves cheap and delicious Thai and foreign food.
Chaweng boasts of the highest number of top-end restaurants.
Check out Bellini’s and Rice for Italian, Poppies for Fusion, Zico’s for
Brazilian, and The Page for contemporary Thai for good food, elegant
style, and beautiful settings and décor.
If you are a holiday on Samui, you simply have to try the local food.
You can check out the ubiquitous ‘som tam’ - a spicy papaya salad served
with grilled chicken and sticky rice - for around a dollar, on roadside
stalls around the island. The stalls and cafes in Nathon, and in the
market of Laem Din (Chaweng) also serve sumptuous local dishes. For more
upmarket, or ‘Royal’ Thai cuisine, head to the Baan Chantra Royal Thai
Restaurant at Baan Taling Ngam Resort and Spa. Lai Thai at the Napasai
Resort on the tranquil Ban Tai beach and serves authentic and delicious
Royal Thai cuisine.
Shopping
Chaweng is Samui's main shopping hub. The entire length of
the beach is dotted with stalls selling souvenirs and
electronics, as also high end stores stocking designer
clothes and renowned brands.
You can shop for sculptures and Buddhist icons carved
from various types of wood as also beautifully embellished
fabrics of cotton, silk or a mixture of both. Of course, you
have to shop for silk, Thailand's most famous exports. The
traditionally designed silk products include anything from
sarongs to scarves and shawls.
Sunglasses, low price bags or backpacks, money pouches,
sarongs and sandals are just some of the products that you
can purchase at bargain prices.
You can buy electronic goods such as DVDs, CDs and
computer games at a tenth of price that you would pay back
home but beware of pirated copies.
If you’re looking for something really special to remind
you of your time on Koh Samui, you can pick up some local
art pieces easily available in the numerous local art houses
that line the island’s beach roads. Handicrafts are another
good bet, and although almost all come from Chiang Mai there
are plenty of vendors and night markets selling a wide array
of products that make fine gifts.
Beaches in Koh
Samui
Koh Samui's exquisite palm-fringed beaches are perfect for
relaxing and taking in the scenery resting in a hammock.
Those looking for something more active, can find pleasure
in the various marine activities such as kayaking, swimming,
snorkeling and diving in the sparkling waters of the ocean.
Each beach has its own distinct ambience and different
options for things to see and do.
Chaweng Beach: Considered to be one of Thailand's
finest beaches, Chaweng beach has masses of people
sunbathing during the day and a crowd of party-goers letting
their hair down by the night. The beach offers plenty of
amenities and facilities with shops, bars and restaurants
close by. It is one of the few spots on the island with
surf. You can choose from a good selection of water
activities including daily boat trips to the famous Marine
Park, sailing, diving and sea kayaks.
Lamai Beach: The beach with its soft white sand is
ideal for swimming and admiring the spectacular tropical
scenery. The northern side of Lamai beach is home to
graceful granite boulders, which are often enjoyed as
fishing perches by local fishermen. Activities on the beach
include windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing, and scuba
diving.
You can also admire the Hi Ta and Hin Ya, the weathered
formations known as Samui’s grandfather and grandmother. You
can also take in the strange sight of tourists clambering
around to have their photo taken with a penis shaped rock.
Thai boxing, a violent and exciting spectacle, has a strong
presence in Lamai. The beach area also has the highest
concentration of book shops on the island.
Big Buddha Beach: Named after the huge golden
statue, this is one of Samui's calmer beaches. Its
popularity is also due to its proximity to the Koh Samui
Airport with people making it their first or the last stop
on the island. There are many colorful statues and temples
in the area that are all worth a visit.
Bophut Beach: Once a simple fishing village,
Bophut still retains its traditional charm even as it has
turned into a fashionable center for shopping and dining.
The beach is good for families and those seeking a romantic
ambience. You must check out the Fisherman’s Village, which
is home to plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes. The beach
even offers facilities for Go-karting.
Mae Nam Beach: This long stretch of beach on Koh
Samui’s north coast is popular with budget travelers though
some expensive residential developments have also taken
place recently. If you are a golf enthusiast, you can visit
Santiburi, where you will find an international golf course
with outstanding standards and superb views of the Golf of
Siam.
Ban Tai Beach: Ban Tai is a group of sandy bays
running from the western-most point of Mae Nam through to
the north-west corner of Koh Samui. The central beach is a
rather long stretch with stunning views over to Koh Phangnan.
You can detox yourself at one of the specialist day spas in
Ban Tai that offer a full range of well being treatments
including massages.
Taling Ngam Beach: The sunsets over the Marine
Park are simply spectacular. Keep a look out for the five
islands and the Angthong National Marine Park. You can also
get a taste of the local lifestyle at the traditional Thai
village, mostly untouched by western influences. Also visit
Nathon, the administrative capitol of Koh Samui, with its
concentration of shops and restaurants. Even though it is a
small area, Taling Ngam has an impressive selection of top
quality restaurants including “Five Islands” and those at
the Baan Taling Ngam Resort.
Bang Por Beach: This postcard perfect beach offers
stunning views of Koh Phangnan. The waters are good for
swimming and year round sailing thanks to the refreshing
breezes over the Gulf of Siam. The Language school Ming Your
Language, located here, welcomes all who wish to learn the
native language.
Choeng Mon Beach: Choeng Mon Beach enjoys a
relatively quieter ambiance. You'll find a number of massage
salas on the beach throughout the day, which offer all types
of Thai or oil massages and other treatments.
Laem Set Beach: The beach is perfect for a quiet
family holiday amidst peaceful surroundings. Walk through
the tropical gardens of the Butterfly Farm, nestled in the
hills above the beach and admire the scintillating waterfall
nearby. You can also see the Samui Aquarium with an
interesting display of turtles, sharks, catfishes fish and
other coral species. If you are brave enough, you can have
your photo taken with a tiger at the nearby Tiger Zoo.
Laem Sor Beach: Situated off the beaten track, the
beach is famous for an ancient pagoda located here. There is
a meditation forest nearby where you can savour the silence
of the scenic surroundings. You can also visit the man-made
lagoon, home to some mangrove trees planted along the ocean
side. There are only a few villas located in this area, so
if you wish to stay here you will need to book in advance.
Lipa Noi Beach: Here you can enjoy the fantastic
sunsets over the Marine Park. Situated away from the noise
and bustle, the surrounding atmosphere is peaceful and
attractive. The beach is dotted with many eateries and
restaurants providing evening entertainment such as Thai
dancing and acrobatics. Pamper yourself at the Dhama Healing
Centre, one of Samui's more sought after spas. You can also
visit the Paradise Park Farm, which has on display many
different species of animals and birds. The entrance ticket
covers free use of the pool and its facilities.
Samui Beach Village: Apart from the beautiful
natural scenery, the added attraction is the original
lifestyle of the local fishermen who reside here.
Secret Beach: Samrong Bay or “The Secret Beach” is
a picture perfect remote and private beach on the island.
The beach allows for privacy and space, and at the same time
it is within reach of the main entertainment areas of the
island.
Excursions
from
Koh Samui
Koh Phangan: Hidden away in the wide expanse of the
Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phangan is one of Thailand's best kept
secrets. Surrounded by the azure ocean waters and complete
with exquisite bays, beautiful valleys, and stunning white
sandy beaches, the island is perfect for an idyllic tropical
escape.
Koh Phangan is world famous for hosting perhaps the
biggest beach party on the planet-- the full moon party on
Haad Rin beach. The party under the starlit sky is held on
the full night every month and attracts more than 20,000
people from across the globe.
The story goes that some people arranged a party along
the crescent-shaped beach on a full moon night when the moon
was its enchanting best. From then onwards, a party is held
on the beach every full moon night and people from all over
the world come to join in the celebrations.
The party begins at dusk when the yellow moon makes it
appearance on the distant horizon. Thousands of lamps
lighting up the beach make it nothing less than a fairytale
setting. As the evening progresses, the beach explodes into
a dancing frenzy with local and international DJs playing
everything from trance, techno, drum and bass to commercial
dance and reggae. Jugglers and fire-eaters also pitch in to
entertain the crowds. As the night goes on, impromptu
fireworks light up the sky. The beach is lined with tables
where you can dine and chill out over drinks with your
friends and then hit the dance floor again.
Nightlife and
entertainment
The fun is Samui does not end with the sun set. If you are a
night owl, you really must experience the justifiably famed
nightlife of the island. The busier resorts of the island
have a fair sprinkling of bars, pubs, and cabaret shows.
Chaweng Beach: Chaweng is considered to be Samui’s
nightlife capital. Here you will find plenty of places to
hang out after the sun sets. Tropical Murphy’s Irish pub is
nothing less than an institution, with 11 draught beers on
tap. The live music begins from around 10 PM. Bar Solo with
its cool interior and great music is another major draw. For
a really happening party scene, the Soi Green Mango is the
place to head to. The area is home to a lot of clubs and
Go-Go bars. Christie's, the most famous Lady-Boy Cabaret on
Samui, is not to be missed. Dust Bar on the lake road is
also worth checking out. The stylish Q Bar generally plays
House. From the open air terrace, you can take in the
panoramic views over the lake.
Bophut Fisherman's Village: For a more relaxed
surroundings and a laid-back nightlife, the ideal venue is
the seaside Bophut Fisherman Village. You will find a few
chill-out bars, perfect for couples to have an after dinner
drink. You can grab a cocktail on the beach or relax in one
of the bohemian bars that line the street. Some bars worth
checking out are Flair, Frog and Gecko and Starfish and
Coffee.
Lamai Beach: The entertainment venues in Lamai
mostly cater to single guys though there are a few clubs
that offer late night dance options for party seekers. There
are plenty of open-air beer bars as well as good selection
of British-style pubs along the entire beach road strip.
Weather
Samui is a year-round travel destination mainly because it enjoys
good weather for about ten months (the other two being the monsoon
months).
Temperatures reach 30 to 35 degrees till May and then 35 to 40
degrees till September with odd showers from July to September.
From mid October to mid-end December the temperatures are around
the 25 to 30 degrees. Brief tropical rain showers may occur in
late December and early January.
Getting there
By Air: Koh Samui is located about 80 kilometers off the
coast of Surat Thani and about 560 kilometers from Bangkok. The
island has a very nice international airport. You can reach the
island by air from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Phuket or Singapore with Bangkok
Airways, the only airline to serve Koh Samui.
By Ferry: You can also reach Koh Samui via ferry from
Surat Thani on the Thai mainland.
Getting around
A 50-kilometre ring road encompasses the coastline, providing ready
access to all beaches and the administrative center of Nathon. The best
and safest form to travel around the island is by self-driving an
air-conditioned car or jeep. There are also plenty of cheap taxis on
hire. You can also hire a motorbike to traverse the island but you will
need to be careful of the traffic hazards. You can also travel in
Songthaews (Lorries or vans with wooden benches for sitting) but
remember to determine the fare before you start off.
For more travel
information visit our Koh Samui page.
