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What to Do on Koh Samui

Samui has lots to offer visitors and if you like lazing on the beach,

then there are more than a few to check out with white powdery fine sand, coconut palms and a turquoise ocean just tempting you to dive in.

Chaweng is one of the livelier beaches on the island filled with holidaymakers seeking action and excitement, the place to go if you like water sports such as jet skiing, water skiing, speedboats, parasailing and banana boats.

If you yearn for something quieter then you might prefer a quieter location away from the crowds and no-one to bother as you lounge on your sunchair with a favourite book in hand.

A popular day trip is to charter a boat and spend the day exploring the best snorkelling sites and coral reefs amongst the nearby tropical islands. The Koh Samui archipelago has more than 60 islands to discover and many of them are uninhabited.

On the island itself you could try your skills at the shooting range, or go-carting – if you want to get the blood racing then bungee jumping is an extreme sport that will test your courage. Relaxing activities include a sedate horse ride along the beach, or there are more than a few first-class golf courses around the island. The international standard Santiburi Country club is of an international standard with an 18 hole course set in the hills behind Mae Nam Beach.

The fertile sultry jungles found inland on Samui can be explored on foot or by bicycle, or follow the coast road that runs right around the island, it’s the perfect way to get a first hand look at the difference between the southern part of the island inhabited by locals and the busier tourist areas in the north.

There are lots of organised activities for those looking to fill up their days, including many that let you find out more about local culture and island wildlife, if you want to get the most out of your day then consider signing up for a tour which will show you the best sights of Samui in one day.

Visit the Big Buddha temple with its 15m high buddha looking out to sea, or the quirky Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks located south of Lamai Beach. Namuang waterfalls and the town of Nathon are other interesting places to check out.

Some tours have a particular focus that introduce you to the local culture and food, discover the monkeys who are trained to climb the tall coconut palms and collect coconuts, go for a ride on an elephant, admire waterfalls and take photos of the local fauna including butterflies, snakes and crocodiles.

The evenings are cooler in Koh Samui and perfect for sitting under the stars feasting on seafood caught fresh that day and cooked over an open fire. If you prefer French or Italian cuisine then it’s available too, and for local Samui cuisine make your way to Huathanon Seafood in Fisherman Village at Bo Phut Beach.

Only a small section of Samui offers busy bars and clubs at night, if you prefer peace and quiet then opt for a stroll along the beach or visit a quiet restaurant. Of course if dancing and partying is why you’re here then Chaweng’s Beach Road has everything you need. For the hardcore party goers you can catch a boat to Koh Pha Ngan nearby and the famous full moon party.

Choosing your accommodation on the island you can opt for simple or first-class, cute beach huts with thatched roofs and seaview balcony or lavish 5-start resorts, Koh Samui hotels has it all and Chaweng has numerous quality hotels to fit all tastes and budgets.

Choosing koh Samui as your holiday destination means leading the kind of life you generally only wish for. Book your dream holiday today and prepare yourself for total bliss.
By Simon S Coleman  |   Submitted On December 14, 2010
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Koh Samui Island Weather Seasons, Monsoon Guide and Best Times to Visit

Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s most popular tropical island holiday destinations which lies in the Gulf of Thailand, part of the South China Sea.

The island is renowned for its endless stretches of white sands, coconut tree covered hillsides and idyllic weather throughout most of the year. But when are the best times to visit Koh Samui and are there any times that should be avoided to ensure the sun shines throughout your stay? Weather

The weather on Koh Samui is dry, humid and hot throughout the year though it is affected by both the Southeast Monsoon and the Northwest Monsoon systems. The SE monsoon causes storms to sweep in from Indonesia and The Philippines towards Thailand and Malaysia during the months of October, November and December. The NW monsoon moves in from India during the months of June, July and the start of August though Koh Samui isn’t badly affected by this system as the Thai mainland protects the island from much of its effects.

During the months of June, July and the start of August, the NW monsoon lightly affects Samui with heavy showers that generally last about 30 minutes, mostly confined to late afternoon or early evening. The more powerful SE monsoon system can cause powerful, tropical storms to sweep into the island which can last for up to one week with torrential rainfall and high winds. During this rainy season, Samui can be hit by several storms though it is important to note that the weather usually remains dry with hot and sunny spells between storms and it is not a time of constant rainfall.

When a bad storm does hit Koh Samui and its surrounding islands, the effects can be frightening. Large torrents of water run down from the island’s central, mountainous region causing flash flooding to hit the coastal towns, closing roads and businesses and often causing long power cuts. The tourist center of Chaweng is usually the first area of the island to be affected by the rainfall as Chaweng Lake overflows and floods the town with water up to one meter or more in depth.The tourist areas of Bophut, Maenam, Lamai and Cheong Mon are also prone to flash floods though they are not as intense as the flooding in Chaweng. Recent improvements in drainage do mean however that the floods subside reasonably quickly when the rainfall finally stops.

Statistically, November is the wettest month with 500 mm of rainfall followed by October and December when about 200mm of rain falls. Throughout the rest of the year rainfall measurements are between 50 and 150mm with February being the driest month.

Koh Samui‘s average temperatures throughout the year are quite constant, between 29 and 32 degrees Celsius, though during the hottest months of February, March, April and May highest temperatures can reach as high as 38 Celsius. Lowest temperatures during the SE monsoon can reach a low as 18 Celsius with highest temperatures of about 32 Celsius.

For guaranteed sunshine, without a doubt, the best time to visit Koh Samui is during the hot season from February to May when the possibility of rain storms is very low and temperatures are at their highest. The months of June to August have higher chance of heavy showers in late afternoon or evening but during the day the weather is sunny and hot, though more pleasant than the sometimes uncomfortable heat of February to May.
By Bob Robert Johnston  |   Submitted On January 02, 2012
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Koh Samui is quite simply, the most beautiful island getaway on this Earth. Chaweng Beach

Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, just off of Thailand’s western coastline, there is no better paradise to escape to when you want to relax and enjoy sun, sand and sea at its ultimate best. But when you’re staying at Koh Samui for just a short time, what on Earth will you see? With so many highlights, it can be impossible to decide where to go. Therefore, we’ve made it simple for you, by outlining the five must-see sights in Samui.

1. Koh Samui is a haven for tourists. One of the 5 must see sights on Samui Island is Laem Sett Beach. So much more than just a beach, glittering blue waters, and golden sands, Laem Sett is home to a wide range of stunning resorts which make for a perfect, romantic escape to paradise. One of the most charming locations on the island, it’s also one of Samui’s few remaining beaches that is free from the hectic, wild night life scene the island is so famous for – offering visitors a genuine relaxing holiday that nowhere else on the island can match.

2. Chaweng Beach is one of the most visited beaches in Samui because of its laidback and party scene. Since 1990, the beach has been developed for Samui tourism. Now, it is a haven for tourists looking for a Koh Samui holiday by the beach during the day and a beach party by night.

3. The Big Buddha Beach, another attraction in the island makes it to the top 5 reasons to go to Samui. It is situated only fifteen minutes away from Chaweng beach and is similarly beautiful. The beach is known for being exotic and lined up with places of entertainment and relaxation for its visitors. Tourists can stay at the their resort and relax by the beach during the day. By night, they can choose among the parties and club lined up along the beach.

4. From the airport, you can stop by the Wat Phra Yai Temple, which stands out because of its large size and striking design. Travel routes starting from the airport will not fail to notice the Wat Phra Yai Temple, a famous tourist spot in Koh Samui that is especially known for its marvelous Buddha sculpture which stands 12 meters in the temple.

5. Those staying on the island can drop by the Ancient House during the day. The Ancient House on Samui can be found in Ban Thale and is the oldest house built more than 150 years ago. It has an extraordinary architecture and was put together without the use of nails but only teak planks. Its woodcarvings are exquisite and are visited by many tourists on Koh Samui holiday.

By Dickson Etuhu  |   Submitted On October 29, 2011

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 Koh Samui is an island blessed with pristine beaches.

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