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Koh Samui Travel Guide
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| Koh
Samui Introduction |
This beautiful
247-square-kilometre island, one of the most famous attractions
of Thailand, is some 84 kilometres east of Surat Thani's provincial
capital. It can be reached by by boat from Surat Thani Town,
or by ferry either from Don Sak (some 70 kms. from Surat Thani)
or Khanom (in Nakhon Si Thammarat). A 51-kilometre ring road
encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and
bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested
hills. Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern
coasts.
The most popular are Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai where, generally,
attractive accommodation can be found. Besides marvellous
beaches, other interesting attractions include the Samui Butterfly
Park; the Monkey Centre; the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls;
the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay,
and a massive seated Buddha image on Ko Fan. The island's
major seafront settlement is at Na Thon where shops, restaurants
and tour agents are located. |
| Koh
Samui Major Beaches |
| Chaweng
Beach
Samui's most popular and lively beach. Along the
seven kilometer stretch can be found some of the island's
best hotels, together with an endless number of bungalows,
beach bars restaurants, discos and shops. The strip splits
naturally into three sections, with the resort town located
in the central area. In recent years it has blossomed into
the island's second largest town, and is a magnet for visitors
from all over the island. All of the attractions are easily
accessed by the road which runs parallel with the beach.
Central Chaweng Beach
has the greatest concentration of venues, and most of the
nightlife attractions are located here. You will find a good
choice of music venues ranging from traditional Thai to jazz,
rock to roots-reggae, many of them keeping open until dawn.
For a quieter evening there are plenty of bars and restaurants
right on the beach, offering a dreamy view of the Gulf. Food
lovers can find just about anything, whether it be Thai or
western fare, and there are some excellent seafood restaurants.
Chaweng has the greatest number of dive shops on Samui, many
of which organize night dives off the beach. Despite all the
activity, however, Chaweng still maintains the classic image
of a palm-fringed tropical beach.
Lamai Beach
Samui's second most popular beach, Lamai is a little
quieter, a little looser, and a little cheaper than Chaweng.
There is something distinctly boom-town about the main strip,
which is generally referred to as Lamai Gulch, with its bars,
diners and shops crammed together along the roadside and down
the dusty sidelanes. Ride or walk to the back of the beach
road and you're in the heart of banana groves and coconut
plantations, and you can take a mountain bike ride up the
hilltracks and into the rugged interior... Or follow the road
down past the headland where the infamous Grandfather and
Grandmother rocks attract picnicking Thais.
Lamai is home to a charming
old temple with a tiny museum, and a number of local gyms
where you can take Thai boxing lessons. You will also find
a choice of dive shops and even a couple of meditation centers.
After dark Lamai Gulch loses its sleepy daytime persona and
becomes a jumping nightspot. There are some real home-style
alfresco places with Thai and western food, pub/saloons featuring
live bands, video movies on show and several discos which
start swinging 'round about midnight.
Central Lamai has a broad selection of bungalow type accommodation,
ranging from budget lodgings to the magnificent, the latter
with tended landscaped gardens, swimming pools and sweet seclusion.
Lipa Noi &
Taling Ngam Beach
Ta-Ling Ngam Beach is a quiet and remote enclave,
far from the crowds, with one luxury resort being almost the
only building here.
Maenam
Beach
Maenam Beach is some two kilometers to the west
of Bophut. There is a largish village here with several small
restaurants and some dive and windsurfing centers.
Maenam has a smooth white beach running for four kilometers
along the calm, scenic bay. This is a pleasant, secluded spot
for swimming and sunbathing, and attracts families and honeymooners.
For nightlife you need to travel.
Big
Buddha Beach
Big Buddha Beach is to the east of Bophut and takes
its name from the twelve meter tall statue sitting out on
an islet connected to Samui by a causeway. This is part of
the Koh Farn temple, which is the focal point of this area;
there is no town as such, although there are plenty of little
shops and restaurants around the temple. The beach itself
is very quiet and peaceful and the waters are calm.
Choeng
Mon Beach
Choeng Mon Beach is eastwards past Big Buddha. A
remote and quiet part of the island it has several smaller
capes and bays, some of which have been developed into self-contained
resorts. Owing to the geography of Choeng Mon there is no
central village: this really is where you can get away from
it all. |
| Koh
Samui Attractions |
| The
Big Buddha
Samui's most popular attraction, The Big Buddha sitting 15
meters tall was built in 1972 by the local society to give
visitors a place to pay respect to The Lord Buddha. This monumental
landmark is placed on the island's Northern shore.
Namuang
Fall
Na Muang Waterfall is located 10 km south from Nathon at Ban
Thurian. There are 2 waterfalls.Na Muang one is 18 meter high
and can be reached by vehicle.
Na Muang two is about 80 meters high and can only be reached
by a 30 minute walk. The waterfalls are the most scenic on
the island
Hin
Ta - Hin Yai
Strangely shaped rocks at south Lamai.
A local story tells of an old couple whose ship was wrecked
in the bay. Their body's were washed ashore to create the
rocks
Hin
Lad Water fall
Hin Lad Waterfall is located? 2 km south of Nathon Town.He
can be reached by a 3-4 kilometer walk down a country foot
walk. In evergreen, rain forest setting with palms and creepers,
the waterfall have several levels with a cool pool for a fresh
water swim.
Secret
Buddha Garden
The secret Buddha garden is hidden in the hills
of Samui. You can see several statues, temples and waterfalls
which are build by one man in the last 20 years.
Ancient
House
A house made of teakwood without any nails at Ban Thale is
the oldest house on the island.It was built approximately
150 years ago, is constructed of teak planks and shows off
many beautiful woodcarvings.
Butterfly
Garden
Na Tian Butterfly Garden is situated at the bottom of the
hill south of the island. Apart from the numerous species
of butterflies on display, there are also other interesting
features in the garden: The bee house, a Thai style house
which allows the visitor to observe the activities of bees.
The insect museum, rare insects from Thailand and other countries
are displayed here.
Snake
Farm
A definite must see for all those visiting the island. Shows
featuring snakes indigenous to Samui as well as Centipede,
Scorpion and Cock Fighting shows. Informative and entertaining.
Great for the entire family and worth looking for. Follow
the signs seen throughout the island. Show times are 11.00
and 14.00 everyday.
Naga
Pearl Farm
Visit the Naga Pearl Farm and discover how pearls are cultured.
A 30 minute boat ride from Ban Thong Krut landing will bring
you to Koh Matsum and the Naga Pearl Farm. After you learn
about pearl culture, you will enjoy eating Thai food and spend
the afternoon on the white sandy beach. Don't miss the Naga
Pearl Shop, located at 81/1 Ban Thong Krut, where all varieties
of pearl and pearl products are offered. Pearl shells and
special handicrafts are very nice souvenirs to bring back
home. |
| Koh
Samui Activities |
| Elephant
Trekking
If you prefer to see the trees without the help of motors,
you can go on an elephant trek. While elephants are not native
to Samui, there appearance on the island is actually a good
sign. Because Thailand’s remaining natural forests are
now protected, elephants are no longer employed in their traditional
logging work, and so have plenty of free time to work with
visitors. Despite their huge size, elephants are incredibly
sure footed, even on steep and narrow trails. And the world
just looks more amazing from 3 metres up on the back of an
elephant. Standard trips last a half hour, but longer trips
can be requested.
Diving
Diving is one of the most popular activities on Samui and
the surrounding islands, because going beneath the waves reveals
a whole new world. If you are experienced or not, have your
own equipment or not, you can find a dive school and tour
to suit your tastes.
Around Koh
Samui itself there are five dive spots: Matlang Island, Chaweng
Reef, Car Ferry Reef, Five Islands and Koh Matsum. Several
of them can be reached by swimming from the shore, and Matlang
Island, especially, is excellent for snorkeling. Beyond Samui
there are two excellent sites: Hin Samran (Samran Pinnacles)
and Hin Bai (Sail Rock). Some dive masters in Samui say that
Sail Rock - "just full of big fish" - is their favourite.
Kayaking
You can glide across the water’s surface near Samui’s
shores or around the cave studded islands of Angthong National
Marine Park. Sea Kayaks are very stable and easy to use. A
number of hotels in Chaweng rent kayaks or Blue Stars Kayaking
can arrange a full day tour complete with guides and kayaks
in the marine park.
Running
The Hash House Harriers has been described alternately as
runners with a drinking problem, or drinkers with a running
problem.Either way, they gather every other Saturday (December
2, 16 and 30) to run. They meet at Tradewinds Cottages in
Chaweng at 3:30, and the Red Fox Bar in Lamai at 4pm. From
there they head to a different location on the island each
time for some running fun and some seriously entertaining
company.
Adventure
Sports
If you desire more than the average adrenaline rush, you have
a number of options. You can head to Samui Shooting Sport
on the main road between Bophut and Chaweng, to safely use
rifles and handguns. You can shoot your friends with paintballs
at Samui Paintball, near the Samui International Hospital.
You can head to Lamai to shoot up into the air compliments
of the Jungle Bungy Catapult. Or you can head to Samui Go
Kart between Mae Nam and Bho Put to shoot around their track.
Jungle
Tours
Koh Samui is covered in a number of areas with fantastic dense
jungle. The biodiversity of these areas make a trip inland
well worth tearing yourself away from the beach for a day.
Many places can be reached by jeep and/or a short hike. Most
travel agents will have information about and pictures of
the various tours and can book a reservation for you.
Thai
Cooking
One of the best things about Thailand, of course, is the food.
If you want to have more than a passing knowledge of classic
Thai dishes, you can learn how to cook them yourself. A culinary
institute and several hotels offer demonstrations and hands
on practical experience in Thai ingredients and cooking techniques.
Introductory courses can take as few as three hours while
more intensive courses can last up to a week or two.
For more information contact: Samui Institute of Thai Culinary
Arts (SITCA) - Tel: 413-172, Health Oasis Resort - Tel: 420-124
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| How
To Get There |
By
Bus
Bangkok
to Samui: First class air-conditioned buses leave
Bangkok's Southern bus terminal in Thonburi twice in the morning
and oncein the evening Journey time to Surat Thani is 11 hours
and the fare is 315 baht. There is also one second class air-conditioned
departure at 10.00pm that costs 250baht and one VIP departure
at 8.00pm for 400baht . Private Companies also run 'Super
VIP' buses with only 24 seats for 500baht. Ordinary buses
leave the Southern bus terminal in the morning and once in
the evening for 180 baht. Public buses and share taxis run
from the Talat Kaset 1 or 2 markets.
Samui to Bangkok: Depart 2.00pm from
Nathon, arriving 4.00pm at Surat Thani pier. It's then a 30-minute
bus journey into Surat Thani. The main bus then departs Surat
Thani at 7.00pm and arrives into Koa Sarn Road, Bangkok the
next morning. The boat journey portion can commence from any
of the local islands, but there will be a surcharge for this.
En-route, the buses stop regularly for refreshments. The fare
for the VIP bus is 450 baht.
By Rail
Bangkok to Samui: Trains for Surat
Thani, which actually stop in Phun Phin, 14kms. west of Surat
Thani, leave Bangkok's Hualamphong station at 12.20pm (rapid),
2.15pm and 2.35pm (special express), 3.50pm (rapid), 5.05pm
(express), 5.35pm and 6.20pm (rapid), 7.15pm (express) and
10.30pm and 10.50pm (express diesel railcar), arriving 10
to 11hours later. The 6.20pm (rapid) train is most convenient
as it arrives at 5.28am allowing you plenty of time to catch
a boat to Ko Samui (if that's where you are going). Fares
are about 519 baht in 1st class, 248 baht in 2nd class and
107 baht in 3rd class, not including the rapid/express/special
express surcharges or berths.
(Surcharges are 50 baht/person
for the express train, 30 baht/person for the rapid train,
and 70 baht/person for the special express train. Extra charges
for an air-conditioned sleeping berth are: 520 baht/person
for a 1st class double cabin, and 220 baht/person for an upper
bed on the 2nd class rapid service (270 baht for the lower
bed.)
Tickets for the train
can be booked at Bangkok Railway Station and many travel agencies
in Bangkok. A combination ticket can be purchased from the
State Railway of Thailand that allows you to go straight through
to Ko Samui or to Ko Pha-Ngan from Bangkok on a train, bus
and boat combination, The saving is typically little more
than 50 baht.
Samui to
Bangkok: Take the 2.00pm boat from Nathon to
the mainland, a connecting bus will take you from the pier
to the train station in Surat Thani. The train departs at
6.20pm from Surat Thani and arrives at 8.00am the next morning
in Bangkok. There are other later trains leaving from Surat
Thani, but that means a longer wait at the train station.
You can opt for a seat or a bed. Upper beds are cheaper than
the lower as they are smaller, but people 6ft or taller would
be advised to request a lower bed. Tickets purchased from
agents in Samui normally include the boat, bus and train fares.
The ticket is cheaper if you go to the station yourself but
there is a good chance that the train will be fully booked
as much as a week in advance.
By Air
Bangkok Airways is the only airline that flies directly to Koh
Samui. They operate approximately 17 flights per day during
high season between Bangkok and Samui International Airport.
From Samui International Airport you can take a pick-up truck
(they operate as small buses in Thailand) or taxi to your hotel.
Thai Airways does not fly directly to Samui, but flies to Surat
Thani from Bangkok twice daily, flight time is 70 minutes. Passengers
must then make the onward journey to Samui by bus and ferry
(approx. 3 hours). Air-con vans from Surat Thani airport to
town cost about 80 baht per person. Thai also runs a limousine
service for 150 baht or 280 baht all the way to Ko Samui.
Please
click here to preview flight timetable or to book a flight
By Car
Surat Thani can be most conveniently reached by car from Bangkok
by taking Highway 4 (Buddha Monthon Road) to Nakhon Pathom,
and thence to Chumphon via Phetchaburi, Hua Hin and Chumphon,
and thence onto Highways 41 and 401.
Surat Thani-Ko Samui Connections
1. Express boats leave Tha Thong pier two times daily at 08.00
and 14.00 hours. Duration 2 hours.
2. Night ferry leaves Ban Don pier nightly at 11 p.m. and reaches
Na Thon around 5 a.m.
3. Vehicle ferry leaves Don Sak pier 7 times daily. Duration
1 ? hours.
Samui-Phangan Connections
Daily boat services connect the two islands. Contact the TAT
office in Surat Thani for full details. |
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