Travel to Koh Samui

Travel to Koh Samui

Koh Samui, the island of the coconut tree, is Thailand's third-largest island. A backpackers secret for years, this sun lover's paradise, with its coconut plantations, rolling hills, curved white-sand beaches and offshore islands, has gradually developed into a holiday destination for all with a local island flavour.

Koh Samui is situated about 80kms off Thailands east coast, among the Ang Tong group of islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It is easily accessible by sea or air. From nearly every point on the island, you are presented with a breathtaking view of the sea. The airport itself is beautiful, and its gardens are a picture of year-round greenery and flowers. The ferry ports lead you straight to palm fringed shores and quaint villages.

Transportation to Koh Samui

Koh Samui is well served by a quaint airport which has frequent daily links with Bangkok as well as flights to Pattaya, Krabi, Phuket and Singapore. Travelling by train or bus from Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand, it is likely that you will end up at Surat Thani, before taking one of the frequent ferries across to the island.

What to see

Samui is a place to relax, enjoy the beautiful sands and pristine seas, meet people and party. The nightlife is good, with open-air discos, music bars and good restaurants. The island still has a laid back feel, with friendly and welcoming locals and off-beat attractions which haven't become as commercialised as those in many other places in Thailand.

Daytime activities are diverse and include water sports, shooting, shopping and visiting Samuis many sights which include a crocodile farm and a tiger zoo.

Daytrips

Boat travel is common and allows you to island-hop around the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Phan Ngan and its world-famous full moon parties is only half an hour away by boat, while Koh Tao offers a pleasant and popular option a little further north. There are also a number of smaller islands that are well worth discovering.

Activities and leisure

The largest and most popular beaches on Samui are Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam. Although dotted with bungalows and resorts, due to the length of these beaches they never feel too crowded. For those seeking quieter spaces there are many other beaches to choose from such as Natien, Tongsai Bay and Taling Ngam.

Other than the beaches and water sports, entertainment can be found in many forms. From boat trips, waterfalls and snake shows to temples, petrified monks and strange rock formations; theres something for everyone. The choice of nightlife and shopping in Chaweng is very varied.

Safety issues

Samui is a safe holiday destination which has little in the way of threats to tourists, with the exception of pickpockets, dangerous marine life and traffic accidents. Be careful of your belongings when on the beach, and do not leave things unattended. Likewise, always wear a helmet if you drive a motorbike.