Koh Samui

Overview

Koh Samui, the second largest island after Phuket and one of the most picturesque islands in the Gulf of Thailand, has firmly established the reputation of the bounty resort – with snow-white sandy beaches, a quiet emerald sea, countless coconut plantations and eternal summer.

What to see in Koh Samui

There are so many attractions on Koh Samui that hardly all the interesting places will be able to see in a week. Almost all of them are located along the coast, with the exception of waterfalls. The best way to explore Koh Samui is to go around the island by the ring road, there are signs everywhere on Koh Samui.

Koh Samui is rich in Buddhist temples and shrines: Khun Aram (Wat Khun Aram), Plai Laem (Wat Plai Laem), Na Phra Lan (Laem Na Phra Lan), Wat Samret (Wat Samret), Phra Yai Temple and the statue of the great Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), Kiri Wongkaram (Kiri Wongkaram), Laem Sor Temple and Pagoda (Laem sor), Chinese Guan Yu Temple, Racha Thammaram Temple (Wat Ratchathammaram), Buddha's Foot Print (Kaw Lae), Wat Praderm (Wat Praderm), Lamai (Wat Lamai). There is even an Orthodox Church of the Ascension on Koh Samui on the island.

We recommend visiting the Magical Garden of the Buddha, Waterfalls On Muang and Hin Lad, the fishing village of Bophuta and the Sunday night market Lamai, the stones of Grandma and Grandpa, as well as the observation decks of Lad Koh, Mae Nam.

Entertainment on Koh Samui

The main types of recreation on Koh Samui, in addition to traditional beach holidays, are boat trips to the nearest islands, diving, temple visits, relic tours and hiking in the mountain jungle.

Families with children will enjoy the Tiger Zoo and Aquarium (Samui Aquarium), Paradise Park Farm, Pink Elephant Water Park, Monkey Center, Sheep Farm, Crocodile Farm, Snake Farm, Namuang Safari Park, Tesco Lotus entertainment center, go-karting and mini golf.

Who is suitable for a vacation on Koh Samui

Holidays on Koh Samui are suitable for those who prefer a relaxing holiday, unity with nature and appreciate good beaches. Fans of more active recreation will not get bored here either: in the local variety of excursions, everyone will find something for themselves - from water activities to interesting excursions in the surrounding area.

When is it better to relax on Koh Samui

The high season on Koh Samui starts from mid-December to the end of March. From December to February, there are rare rains, and when there is no precipitation, the sky is cloudy. But the sunny season begins in February. In the period from April to May, Koh Samui has hot and dry weather. In general, the climate on Koh Samui is somewhat milder, the rainy season and the heat season are less pronounced.

Beaches of Koh Samui

The beaches of Koh Samui are fabulously beautiful and picturesque: white sand, azure sea, picturesque coves, an abundance of palm trees. On Koh Samui, you can see the unforgettable beauty of sunsets. The beaches of Koh Samui can be divided into those that are designed for an ideal beach holiday and others, rocky, where you can sunbathe and take beautiful pictures, but it is inconvenient to swim.

Chaweng is the most famous beach in Koh Samui and the epicenter of beach activity due to the abundance of all kinds of bars, discos and entertainment against the backdrop of beautiful nature.

Chaweng Noi is an ideal place to relax with children: white sand, gentle entrance to the water, small waves, good infrastructure.

Lamai is one of the cleanest and longest beaches on Koh Samui, and it is very different throughout all 5 kilometers. We can say that these are three beaches in one, which are conditionally divided into central, southern and northern Lamai. The central part is noisy and crowded, there are lots of water activities and extensive infrastructure.

Coral Cove is a small, cozy and romantic beach with coral dunes. It is located between the beaches of Chaweng Noi and Lamai.

Bo Phut is located between the beaches of Maenam and Bang Rak. In the central part of the beach there is the famous Fisherman Village promenade, the heritage of the fishing village. Deep sea, well-groomed beach and clean bottom. In the evening, adventure time begins here, so fans of hanging out will like this place.

Choeng Mon Beach is a fairly large and beautiful beach with a wonderful view of a small island. This is a great place for swimming with children, it is not deep here, and the sand on the beach is clean and pleasant. Well-developed infrastructure makes it possible to relax in comfort.

Maenam is suitable for families with children, it is an excellent combination of tranquility and developed infrastructure. Manam is one of the few beaches whose quality does not change with the tide, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. The sea goes away for several meters, leaving smooth sand under the palm trees.

Bang Por is located in the northern part of the island, between Thong Plu Bay and Ban Thai Beach — this is perhaps the quietest beach on the entire island. It can even be called one of the best in Koh Samui in the category for holidays with children. The sea is shallow, the sand is clean, the entrance to the water is gentle. Ang Tong National Park is located near the beach.

Ban Thai is sparsely populated and calm. Good entrance to the water, shallow water. pure yellow sand is an excellent option for family and children's recreation.

Wild beaches of Koh Samui

"Bounty" is the conventional name of wild beaches on Koh Samui. Land and sea meet in unique natural beauties, an amazing combination of sea, tropical plants, shores and sky give a complete sense of harmony and tranquility.

Lipa Noi is a place where you can enjoy stunning sunsets on white sand under palm trees. There is a shallow sea, peace and quiet, there is no entertainment and infrastructure. By the way, this beach is sometimes called Tong Yang — do not be confused by the fact that you can see another name on the map.

Taling Ngam is located far from shops, there is no infrastructure. People come here for peace and romance. Several hotels that are located at great distances from each other do not break the silence.

Samrong is a little—known area of Koh Samui, which is located in a rocky bay. There is a gradual descent into the sea, there is no entertainment. Attractions include the large Buddha statue and the Plai Laem Temple nearby.

Tongson is a little—known but very romantic beach. It is quiet, cozy and beautiful here. Yellow sand, rocks, a gentle descent into the water and sunsets of amazing beauty.

Koh Samui's closed beaches

According to Thai law, all beaches are municipal and must have free access. If there is no direct access to the beach, then the hotel has no right to close its territory to the passage. The beaches at such hotels are usually clean and well—groomed, they have a gentle slope, excellent sea and well-developed infrastructure - an ideal place to relax in company and with children.

The beach at W-Retreat Koh Samui is located between Maenam and Bo Phut beaches. A sparsely populated, well-equipped beach with full service and water activities. Sun beds and umbrellas are designed for guests, and the sea and the beach can be used without restrictions.

Tongtakian Bay – picturesque cliffs and coral reefs, this bay is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Koh Samui. Snorkeling is especially picturesque here – the corals are inhabited and full of amazing fish. Here you can relax with grown-up children.

Tongsai is a closed area of the Thongsai Bay Hotel. Despite its small size, the beach is fabulously beautiful. It is always clean and quiet here. There are few people, mostly hotel guests. The place for children's recreation is unsuitable – the depth in the sea is rapidly increasing, and underwater rocks are found in the water.

Beaches that are not suitable for comfortable swimming

Some beaches on Koh Samui are used as berths, so they are not designed for a comfortable beach holiday. Usually there is some water pollution, rocks overgrown with algae or other obstacles for recreation.

Naton, to the shores of which a lot of ships arrive, is somewhat polluted. The bottom is muddy, there are algae and rocks. The beach is not suitable for swimming.

Bang Rak, or as it is also called Big Buddha, is not suitable for swimming and relaxing, there is a pier where ferries dock. There is a lot of debris in the form of leaves and sticks on the narrow coast, as well as many small vessels, which makes Bang Rak beach completely unsuitable for recreation.

The beach next to the Plai Lai Temple is not clean. Industrial buildings, shops and a laundry are located nearby. The sea is muddy, the beach is not cleaned.

Laem Nan is also not suitable for swimming. The reason for this is the muddy bottom and rocks under water. Nevertheless, people often come here to play with children.

Hua Tanong is a great place for photo shoots and just for the soul, not a suitable place for swimming. Garbage on the shore, fishermen's boats, rocky bottom.

Nahai is a favorite place for windsurfers, but not for tourists. The sea is shallow, at low tide it goes 400 m from the shore. There is a weak infrastructure here, but there is a zoo of marine animals and tigers.

Natjen is one large beach, accommodating several small ones, which are protected from each other by powerful boulders. It is difficult to swim here because of the rocks, and the sea itself is shallow. The infrastructure is weak — the nearest supermarket is 10 km away. But it's very beautiful here – a great place for impressive photos.

Laem Set is suitable for those who like to feel away from other people's eyes, on a desert island. This beach is fenced on all sides by fences of luxury hotels. If you are not a guest, then you will not be able to use all the delights of the beach. There is little vegetation, the coast of Laem Set changes with every bend of its lines — sometimes it is rocky, then in the "bounty" style, there are places with large white sand. It is difficult to swim here – the way to the water is blocked by rocks. In addition, the water leaves the shore at low tide at 300-400 m.

Bang Kao is wild and completely unsuitable for recreation. This place is favored by fishermen and their boats.

Bang Makham beach on Koh Samui is similar to the previous unsuitable neighbors for a comfortable stay – there are stones here, the water goes away strongly at low tide, leaving enough garbage on the shore.

Laem Yai is a rocky beach, which, like the previous one, is revived with the tide. There is no infrastructure here. This is a sparsely populated and little-known beach.

Rockies Beach is a place to take a break from the hustle and bustle, sunbathe on boulders and enjoy wonderful sunset views. A large amount of vegetation will allow you to hide in the shade. There are bars and restaurants on the beach. Shallow sea, muddy bottom with rocks and shells makes it uncomfortable for swimming.

Tong Krut is a little—known and sparsely populated place. A shallow sea full of rocks and shells. But you can order a boatman to swim to the neighboring islands where you can swim a lot. As for the infrastructure, it is not here.

Tong Tanod is an almost uninhabited island with a wild beach. There are huge palm trees and boulders, sun and sand. All this looks great in the pictures, but shallow water won't let you swim. There is no infrastructure, but there is a pier.

Pang Ka is not suitable for elite swimming — rocks, debris, coastline with a pier. Despite this, there are sun loungers and parasols. There is an artificial canal on Pang Ka where you can ride a jet ski and take advantage of water excursions.

How to get to Koh Samui

The easiest and fastest way to get to Koh Samui is by plane. Koh Samui Airport is small, accepts domestic flights and planes from some Asian countries. There are no direct flights from Russia to Koh Samui, you can only get here with a transfer in Bangkok or Phuket. Domestic flights are operated by only two airlines - Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways. You can get directly to Koh Samui from Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Guangzhou.

You can get from Bangkok to Koh Samui by bus, it's about 12 hours away.

The most inconvenient, but very exotic way to get to Koh Samui is by train, which departs from Hualampong Railway Station in Bangkok and goes to Surat Thani. Then you need to take a bus to the pier on Koh Samui. This is the longest route.

Transportation to Koh Samui

Songteo is considered public transport in Koh Samui – bright mini–trucks equipped to transport passengers. Songteo follow a certain route, and work as a taxi in the evening and at night. The prices for day and night trips are different.

In addition to songteo on Koh Samui, you can use a taxi, travel by car or motorbike. In tourist areas, taxi drivers usually work around the clock.

Hotels in Koh Samui

The main feature of the hotels on Koh Samui is the proximity to the sea. You can settle on the island both in a luxury villa and in a bungalow without water and electricity. The most luxurious hotels are usually located in the interior of the island. Usually, housing is chosen depending on the characteristics of the nearest beach and infrastructure, carefully study the guidebooks before booking accommodation, especially if you go on vacation with your family and children.