Koh Samui

Koh Samui, often simply called Samui, is located in the Gulf of Thailand, in the Surat Thani Province and is the country’s third biggest island. It is surrounded by 60 other islands, mostly within the Ang Thong National Marine Park and has a population of about 50,000 people. The typical tropical island Koh Samui, with its white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees, is one of the favorite holiday destinations in South-East Asia.

No matter what your financial possibilities or your preferences are, Koh Samui surely has what you’re looking for. Koh Samui is a peaceful place that satisfies all the tastes. You will be overwhelmed by the island’s beauty the minute you will land on its airport, which is one of the loveliest in the world. It is in open air, lined up with palm trees and beautiful gardens with tropical flowers. While you wait for your luggage, the large ceiling fans will take the heat down for a little while and give you the chance to catch your breath.

There is no doubt that the main attraction to Koh Samui is its beautiful beaches, each with its own charm and characteristics. The most popular and the busiest beach on Koh Samui is Chaweng Beach. Apart from having white and very fine sand, Chaweng is famous for its sophisticated nightlife lined up with numerous bars and restaurants. Accommodation options are endless, going from the more modest bungalows to famous five stars hotels such as Poppies Samui and Centara Samui Beach Resort.

The second beach when it comes to popularity is Lamai. The beach is six kilometers south of Chaweng, but has much deeper waters and it is not protected by a reef.  However, Lamai has a lot to offer in terms of accommodation, dining, tourist attractions, and shopping, and it is more peaceful than Chaweng. The water on both beaches is perfect for swimming and water sports and they both have the same powdery white sand.

Another beach located nearby Samui’s airport is Big Buddha Beach. You will find here the Big Buddha Temple Wat Phra Yai, visible for miles around and located on a small island connected to the main island by a bridge. The statue is 12-metre tall and it was built in 1972. The temple also has a meditation center and requires the same rules of dress as any other temple in Thailand – that is wearing long pants, covering your shoulders and taking your shoes off before entering the temple. The beach is close to Chaweng and is the best place in the north of the island to take a ferry or speedboat over to Had Rin on Koh Pha Ngan where the famous Full Moon Party is held.

A more tranquil beach that has become a favorite destination for backpackers is Maenam. The beach offers beautiful views of Koh Phangan and is lined up with bungalows, but also has a few of its luxurious options, if money is no issue. We can mention here the Santiburi Resort, the 5 star Pansea Napasai and the Health Oasis Resort.

A more special beach is Bophut, which extends between Big Buddha and Maenam and which features one of the oldest places on the island, the Fisherman’s Village. Elegant and well-preserved, the Fisherman’s Village is lined up with old Chinese shop-houses and a few modern buildings that create a Mediterranean feeling. There are also several boutiques that sell quality clothes and jewelry. You can also take scuba lessons or dive to some famous places, such as the Ang Thong Marine Park or Koh Tao. And if diving is not your thing, you can take a Jeep ride to difficult to reach places or an elephant ride in the forest.

A less vibrant and agitated beach is Lipa Noi. The beach is perfect for swimming, especially for kids, as it has no rocks or coral and the water is very shallow at the shore and up to 100 meters out. There aren’t many entertainment options on the beach and it is not the place for a party, that’s why younger tourists are not so attracted to this area. But it is the remoteness and relaxing atmosphere that attract the regular tourists who just want some peace and quiet.

In addition to the beautiful tropical beaches that you can’t stay away from, Samui offers a variety of other attractions worth your while. When you’ve had enough of the beach for one day, you can head to the refreshing waterfalls. Koh Samui has a lot of waterfalls, but the most popular ones are Na Muang and Hin Lat. There is Na Muang 1, which is 18 meters high, and Na Muang 2, which is 80 meters high, and is close by. Hin Lat is on the upper, northwest side of the island and has many pools to swim in.

Another peculiar and interesting hot spot is the Grandmother & Grandfather Rocks, situated south of Lamai Beach. There is a legend going around that claims that years ago a boat that was carrying an elderly couple was sunk and both of them drowned, forming the Hi Ta and Hin Yai rocks, which bring an amazing resemblance to male and female genitalia. There are also plenty of stores in the area, so you can stop by and pick up some souvenirs.

Koh Samui is the perfect destination for everyone. It can make for a perfect honeymoon destination as well, especially if you choose more secluded hotels or resorts that are away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches. A perfect choice would be the Sandalwood Luxury Villas, which are situated on a hill and offer breathtaking views over the island and over the nearby Coral Cove beach.