Koh Samui is part of an archipelago group of islands lying just off the coast in the province of Surat Thani. The western edge of the Gulf of Thailand approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok. The beautiful island epitomizes the idyllic simplicity of a tropical paradise which is characterized by its beaches of soft white sand and crystal clear waters.

Koh Samui's 247 square kilometers make it the largest one of the six inhabited islands. Its coastal road runs around the island for some 50 kilometers and links the many beaches and bays. The rich hues of wild vegetation are dappled throughout, contrasting with the greens of coconut palms and emerald paddy fields before swooping down to glorious sandy shores.

The island represents the idyllic topical paradise. Small and laid back with coconut palms swaying over the white sand beaches. Gone are the days when backpackers had the island to themselves now with daily flights and a bevy of ferries bringing in travelers from every walk of life. The island of Koh Samui has matured into a world class holiday destination.

Koh Samui's beautiful white sand beaches with crystal clear water, jungle hills and stunning waterfalls create a very changing landscape rarely found in other topical islands. Koh Samui is home to some of Thailand's most exclusive and expensive beach properties.

Nathon on the Southwestern coast is the islands main port and capital. It has two main roads operating on a one way system. There is a large pier with lots of boats ferrying in supplies and visitors a small bus terminal and a food market.

Nathon offers great shopping with some of the best prices to be found anywhere on the island, as well as some good local Thai restaurants. Nathon is well worth visiting to get a feel of true Thai life and culture.

Chaweng Beach is the largest tourist resort on Koh Samui. The beautiful sloping beach of white sand is superb for swimming and provides plenty of watersports at several locations. Including dive centers, jet skiing, para sailing and waterskiing.

The road running behind the beach is known as (The Strip). There are numerous shops selling an assortment of souvenirs, clothes and many restaurants of varying prices and cuisine. The choice is huge, there is also several night spots with entertainment, dancing and live music until the early hours.

Its the islands liveliest resort area a bustling international tourist town packed with every kind of restaurant. Irish pubs, clubs, bars and western fast food places KFC, McDonald's and Starbucks. There is also fine art, tailors, souvenir shops, markets, nightclubs and discotheques in the area.

Lamai Beach is the second largest entertainment district on Koh Samui and is excellent for those seeking a lively holiday. The beautiful beach is lined with palm trees and small restaurants fringed by large green hills. There is an assortment of beach activities and water sports with vendors selling food and souvenirs along the beach.

On the road at the back of the beach are many shops, massage parlors and restaurants serving Thai and International cuisine. The choice of nightlife is varied with lots of hostess bars, nightclubs and pubs showing the latest international football games and international sport. The once a week all girl Muay Thai boxing matches always seem to draw a huge crowd.

Lamai has a lovely old Wat (temple) and is also the location of two of the most endearing original spas on the island. One is on the beach a hipster paradise called The Spa. The other called Tamarind Spa, has long been the class act on the island.

Mae Nam Beach is more laid back and cheaper than the other resorts. Its 4 kilometre sandy beach which is lined by small restaurants has lots of watersports and activities. The village has two main streets with several small restaurants and shops.

Mae Nam is one of those places on Samui where life carries on regardless of visitors. Its idea for people who want a quiet peaceful holiday. There are many pleasant walks and cycle rides in the hills above the village for nature lovers.

Bophut Beach has a reputation for peace and quiet. It is in part of a typical Thai village. But it has cuisine and architecture in some places that give it a Mediterranean feeling. The pretty main street comprises of old Chinese wooden shop houses many are converted into stylish boutiques and restaurants of different nationalities, French, German, Italian and Spanish included.

Bophut beach also has plenty of water sports plus a pier. Bophut is a great place to dine; there are a variety of romantic restaurants. Even staying elsewhere and having a stroll along its small main street after dinner is romantic and peaceful, giving you the full flavor of the east.

Choeng Mon Beach is a beautiful bay with a lovely white sandy beach lined with casuarinas trees and some small restaurants. On the main road nearby there are shops and a selection of restaurants serving Thai and western cuisine.

Laem Set Beach is a very secluded un-spoilt quiet area just beyond the village of Ban Hua Thanon. It’s quite rocky with a long reef which is good for snorkeling. Nature lovers will find this part of the island idyllic, as there are several places of interest nearby to visit.

Chaweng Noi Beach is a curving sandy beach in a rocky bay located south of Chaweng beach. The beach is lined with palm trees and has many small restaurants towards the south of the beach. It makes for an ideal location for those wanting a quieter alternative to its lively big sister Chaweng.

Coral Cove Bay is located half way between the main resorts Chaweng and Lamai where the road climbs and dips around the coastline. There are two small sandy beaches which are hemmed in by Jurassic style boulders and rocks.

The cove is one of the best snorkeling areas around Koh Samui. There are also a few restaurants attached to bungalow resorts. Nightlife can be found in Chaweng and Lamai, about a 10 minute taxi drive.

Ban Taling Ngam bay is a remote secluded area is ideal for those who want perfect peace and no distractions other than the beauty of the scenery and views over the sea to the other islands and mainland. There is a flat sandy beach but you have to be careful as the coral can sometimes make swimming difficult.

Lipa Noi Beach is really the only good swimming beach on the west coast. Its wide sweep of sand is the last quiet place on the island. Lipa Noi faces due west and looks directly into the stunning Thai sunsets. This is part of the island where you can feel free from the tourist circus, a really romantic location.

The Big Buddha is a twelve meter high Buddha statue, which lies at the top of ceremonial dragon steps at the Wat Phra Yai. Koh Samui also has a number of other impressive temples; Wat Khunaram is where the mummified body of Loung Pordaeng, a monk who died in a meditating position is on display. The Grandmother and Grandfather rocks on the south end of Lamai beach are a source of amusement for tourists due to their striking similarity to a vagina and penis.

The mountain jungle in the interior of the island is an excellent day out, and is home to a number of impressive gardens built by the legendary Samuian farmer Nim Thongsuk. Na Muang has many impressive waterfalls, real working rubber plantations and the most amazing views over the Ang Thong archipelago. The roads in the jungle are an adventure in themselves; tourists are advised to take a tour with an experienced Samui driver guide.

Muay Thai boxing takes place regularly at the islands stadiums in Chaweng and Lamai. There are numerous animal attractions dotted around the island, including a crocodile farm, Tiger Zoo, Monkey Theatre, Tropical Bird Show elephant trekking, a snake farm, an aquarium and a butterfly garden.

Most visitors to Koh Samui take a day trip out to the beautiful Ang Thong National Marine Park at least once on their stay in Samui. Boats depart from Nathon several times a day.

Ang Thong National Marine Park is a fascinating archipelago of islands to the north west of Koh Samui. The islands are close to each other making it a breathtaking panorama sailing around the park. They are all different shapes and sizes most of them are covered with tropical forests and named after their distinguishing geography. A kind of descriptive appellation, such as (Sleeping Cow Island) and (Three Pillar Island) Kayaking is a great way to see Ang Thong Marine National Park.

Ang Thong translates as (golden bowl). The archipelago occupies almost 250 square kilometers, including 50 square kilometers of limestone islands and karsts topography. Which rise from the sea as dramatic rock cliffs and bizarre rock formations, caves, hidden lagoons and white sand beaches are there to be explored? Snorkeling among the shallow coral gardens makes a popular and fascinating day trip.

Ang Thong National Marine Park protected nature area consists of over 40 islands and is famous for its natural beauty. The islands are uninhabited and undeveloped except one Koh Paluay, which is inhabited by sea gypsies who still earn a living from fishing.

Large animals do not thrive on these islands as they are small and dominated mostly by steep limestone mountains with only few lightly to moderately slanted plains. Sixteen species of mammals like otters, langurs, crab eating monkeys, hogs, silver haired bats, dolphins and whales are found.

Other inhabitants are at least 54 species of birds, including Little Herons, Brahminy Kites, Common Sandpipers, Oriental Pied Hornbills, Drogues and Hill Mynas. 14 species of reptiles are found like ground lizards, iguanas, Green turtles, Hawksbill turtles, pythons, cobras and five species of amphibious animals, Common Asian Toads, Tiger frogs, Rugose frogs, Grass frogs and Tree frogs.

The waters of the national park are home to Butterfly fish, Angel fish, Parrot fish, Blue Spotted fantail rays, Blacktip reef sharks, snapper’s groupers, sea slugs, blue swimming crabs, sea fans, sea whips, giant clams, oysters and coral, as well as breeding ground for mackerels.

Access to the Marine Park is controlled. There are several Samui based boat rental and kayak operators who are licensed carriers. Catering to both independent visitors and organized kayaking and camping trips. The parks headquarters are located on Koh Wua Talab and has basic bungalow accommodation for rent.

The most common transport is tour boats taking 40 to 50 people at a time with lunch on board. You can also take speedboat tours with a snorkeling program getting you to the archipelago faster. The best way is to put together a group of friends to hire a boat and explore the islands and beaches in your own time and leisure.

The Visitor Center is visited by most tour operators for lunch, making it very crowded. This applies for the time from about 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Before and after it’s a totally secluded place with almost nobody around.

Koh Mae Ko (Mother Island) is a must to visit it has an emerald seawater lake in the middle of the island, encircled on all sides by limestone cliffs. The cliffs are linked by an underground tunnel connecting with the sea. Reaching the lake entails a strenuous climb of about 40 minutes and is rewarded with spectacular views across the whole park.

The caves in many of the islands have intriguing rock formations, visiting them is an awesome experience. The beaches are surrounded with excellent coral reefs which make it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Hundreds of the beaches in the archipelago are deserted, so get a boat and find your own secret beach away from the crowds.

Other popular islands are Koh Sam Sao (Tripod Island) with an extensive coral reef and Wua Talap Island (sleeping cow). It takes some effort to climb up the steep 430 meter hill to the viewpoint offering great scenery of the entire archipelago and the mainland.

National Parks Thailand

Direct flights are available from Don Muang Airport Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong to Koh Samui and are by far the most convenient way to get there.

Koh Samui Airport is privately owned and operated by Bangkok Airways. The price of the ticket is high by comparison to other comparable destinations throughout the country.

One option to consider is a flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani with Thai Airways International, Air Asia or One Two Go. The cost of the ticket is substantially less than the Bangkok Airways direct flight to Koh Samui. From Surat Thani you can to take a taxi or bus from the airport to the ferry.

Many travelers book sleeping berths in overnight trains from Hua Lampong Station Bangkok, disembarking at Surat Thani station early in the morning. From the station you are taken by bus to the ferry for the 1 to 2 hour crossing to Koh Samui.

Buses are the least expensive option for those on a tight budget. They also travel to Surat Thani from all major cities in Thailand. Departing from Bangkok you arrive early morning at Surat Thani. The mainland access city to Koh Samui, you will transfer to another bus for the trip to the ferry that crosses to the island.

VIP Air conditioned double Decker Buses are the most comfortable. They have toilets and seats that lean back quite far with leg rests. Blankets are also supplied for the journey and evening videos are shown on an overhead TV. All buses stop at least once for refreshment, little or no food or drink is served on board.

Lomprayah High Speed Ferries offer a combined bus and high speed catamaran ferry service from Bangkok to Koh Samui which takes about 11 hours. The bus pauses in Hua Hin and then stops at Chumphon where it connects with the ferry, stopping at Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan on its way to Koh Samui. The air conditioned buses and ferry are very comfortable.

If you are touring Thailand by car or motorcycle and you wish to take it to Koh Samui. Raja Car Ferry service starts at 6:00 a.m. operating simultaneously from both Donsak Surat Thani and Samui ferry piers every hour on the hour until 6:00 p.m. The ferry crossing takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes.

Air Rail and Bus Time Tables

The usual panoply of water sports is available, including plenty of dive shops. Most  Scuba diving is done either in the nearby Ang Thong Marine National Park, Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan. You can book diving day trips at dive shops, based in Chaweng and Lamai.

Sailing is beginning to become popular in Samui, led by the success of the Koh Samui Regatta. The major hindrance to sailing in Koh Samui is the lack of a marina to provide safe mooring and support services.

The Santiburi Samui Country Club boasts the only 18 hole golf course on the island, located inland from Mae Nam. The challenging mountain side high valley fairways offer stunning views of the bay area and distant Koh Pha Ngan. Golf carts are compulsory, to prevent the exhaustion of players. The clubhouse includes locker rooms, dining, conferencing rooms as well as a driving range, practice green and pro shop.

The hotel resorts on Koh Samui offer plenty of leisure and sporting activities such as spas, massage, fitness and tennis. For the adventurous and fit, Bungy Jumping is situated on the Reggae Street side of Chaweng lake, Samui Shooting Range is where you can fire various 9mm and revolver pistols even the famous AK 47, just turn up and shoot, prices are quite expensive at around 1000 Baht for a magazine. But it makes for a memorable experience.

Those of you, who want luxury with all the facilities, will find some very exclusive  Spa resorts and Hotels with all the modern amenities. Many of the mid range hotels offer similar facilities as the high end hotels and represent excellent value.

There is also many small family hotels set in tropical gardens close to the beach. Some low cost hotels have coffee shops and serve western food. There are also many individual beachfront bungalows (idea for families with children). At the bottom end of the market beach huts, small bungalows and basic fan cooled rooms can be found for as little as 400 - 500 Baht a night.