How to get the best out of Samui in a day
Koh Samui is situated in an archipelago of 80 mostly uninhabited islands off the coast of southern Thailand. By far the largest of the islands, Samui is now one of the main attractions in the Gulf of Thailand for its variety of activities. In fact, the island is so popular it now finds itself importing fish and coconuts, previously plentiful, to cater to the thousands visitors who flock here each year.
It should come as no surprise that many visitors to Koh Samui are here to see the looking-glass flipside of the island’s beauty and explore the virgin territory that lies under the waves. There are too many dive schools here to mention, so it’s best to do some research and find one that suits your needs and price range. The most popular spots to dive tend to be nearby Koh Tao or within the Angthong Marine National Park. Daytrips to these and other dive spots can be booked easily anywhere in the vicinity of the main beach on the island, Chaweng.
If you’re on Samui to dive for a leisurely daytrip, chances are this will take up your whole day. Another way to take in the waters but still have a chance to see some of the island’s other sights is to take a kayak excursion. These commonly last a half-day and can be booked from Chaweng Beach, leaving you time for the many others things to do around the island.
One thing that is rarely on anyone’s itinerary but has a habit of inducing impulse visits is Samui Go Kart, which is located a stone’s throw from the Chaweng Beach. If this doesn’t sate you appetite for frivolity, the Living Bowl Centre just above the popular McDonald’s Chaweng outlet just might.
Though the island is the granddaddy among its tiny neighbours, you can easily circumnavigate the entire landmass within daylight hours, and stop to enjoy a wide variety of pleasantries and oddities along the way. From the garish and obvious to the unexpected and serene, a daytrip around Koh Samui is worthwhile no matter how you choose to do it. The most popular way to tour is to rent a motorcycle from any one of the numerous hire shops. Just leave your passport with the shop, don your helmet, and hit the road. Cars are also readily available for hire.
The island’s population is 90 per cent Buddhist, so why not start your tour by visiting Samui’s 15-metre tall Big Buddha on the north shore. If the size inspires you, there are some waterfalls 10kms south of Nathon that will have you gaping again. Na Muang waterfall is 80 metres high! Farther south is another geological idiosyncrasy that has attracted so much interest it has in fact inspired a legend. Hin Ta and Hin Ya are some rather Freudian shaped rocks that the locals say were created by the bodies of a fabled couple whose boat was shipwrecked in the bay.
While on the south shore, Tian Butterfly Garden has a concentration of the colourful insects that flutter about in natural surroundings and an old Thai house. If you’ve been paying attention to the road signs, by now you will have seen signs for the Snake Farm. Not for the squeamish, this place has cock fighting as well as all the scaly slithering reptiles you can imagine.
After a tour of the coastline and a sampling of local cuisine along the way, it will probably be approaching dusk. One great way to see the sunset is to make your way to the central granite peak. After the prismatic spectacle is over, it will be time to get back to civilisation and take advantage of the various nightlife options available on Samui. Restaurants, bars and nightclubs will keep you happy until bedtime, or morning; whichever comes first.
- More on Samui Sightseeing
- Samui Activities
