Ko Samui

Ko  Samui is Thailand’s third largest island at 247 sq. km., and during the last decade it has become one of Southeast Asia’s premier tourist destinations.

Samui sits snugly in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by other island gems like Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, and is located 84 km. east of Surat Thani, the provincial capital on the mainland. With soft sandy beaches shaded by towering palms, delicious fresh seafood and a vibrant nightlife, Samui has a magical formula that seems to cast its spell on everyone. Many visitors are content to laze their days away on the beach, soaking up the sun and cooling off in the turquoise waters, but for action enthusiasts there are plenty of choices like diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and paragliding, beach volleyball, off- road driving, and other similar activities.

One of the island’s most appealing features is the loop road, which makes a 50-km. circuit around the island, giving a glimpse of superb beaches on the north, east and west coasts. It runs past sleepy fishing villages and through seas of coconut palms, passing Samui’s most impressive waterfall and tempting turn-offs into the highlands along the way. Other attractions on or near the road include a butterfly garden, a snake show, a monkey training centre, and health spas dedicated to pampering the body.

There is plenty on Samui to keep even the most jaded traveller happy for a week or two, but for anyone spending even a few days here, an opportunity not to be missed is a trip to the emerald islands of the Mu Ko Angthong National Marine Park, which offers another perspective of a tropical paradise.

The Kingdom’s third largest island, after Phuket and Ko Chang, Ko Samui lies 84 km. from the coast and covers an area of 247 sq. km. A mountain ridge runs east to west and most of the hinterland comprises forested hills and coconut plantations, while the coast is dotted with palm-fringed beaches and quiet coves.

Given its varied topographical make-up, Samui provides plenty of options for your preferred style of holiday. The most famous beaches are Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast, which are long majestic sweeps of sand, hugely popular and backed by a host of hotels, restaurants, shops, bars and discos. However, if the traveller seeks a quieter scene, the smaller beaches and coves on the south, west or north shores afford tranquil hideaways. Moreover, each locale has its own character and ambience, offering a refreshing change of scenery as one tours the island.

Matching the blue of the sea with the green of lush tropical vegetation is Samui’s hilly interior, where there is plenty of scope for excursions to such picturesque sights as Na Mueang Waterfall. There is also a wide choice of things to do and see, ranging from cultural attractions, such as the impressive Big Buddha statue, to elephant shows, butterfly parks and, not least, a whole host of health spas offering all kinds of massage and other treatments to rejuvenate, invigorate and relax both body and mind. With it classic tropical island looks and splendid range of facilities, Samui really does fulfil dreams of the ideal escape.