Koh Samui Activities

Ang Tong National Marine Park Ang Tong National Marine Park consists of some 40 small islands and combines, dramatic limestone cliffs, white sand beaches, hidden lagoons, lush jungle and wild gibbons, to provide an unspoilt island experience for the whole family.

The park lies 31km from Koh Samui, accessible by a 45-minute speed boat ride or 2 hours by ferry. Here one can kayak over mangrove lined waters or drift silently to land and step onto a deserted beach. One of the first things that will strike you is the quiet. Then you’ll notice the gentle slosh of water as it glides up the sand or gurgle as it’s sucked between limestone boulders. If you’re quiet and alert, you may be lucky enough to spot a sea otter or gibbon nearby. The tropical bird life here is good too and you are sure to be rewarded with a number of sightings.

Butterfly Farm Visiting a butterfly farm is a great way of getting up close to these beautiful insects. The butterflies on the Samui farm flit about naturally amid tropical foliage. Close range observation is the best way to view some of the region's most beautiful butterflies. A definite must do if you have children.

Bungee Jumping Jungle Bungy Catapult on Lamai beach is a definite thrill-seekers choice for the older kids amongst us.

Elephant Trekking For quiet relaxation and something most children will love, elephant trekking is the way to go. Here the island's interiors can be easily accessed from the backs of these wonderful giants. Sit back and enjoy the silent ride. Standard treks last for 30 minutes, but longer trips can be arranged. There are several venues around the island, easy to spot.

Go Carts What child doesn’t like the thrill of this fast-paced sport? Samui Go-Kart, just off the 4169 Ring Road west of Bo Put village is the place to go. Tel: 077 245 041.

Jungles and Waterfalls The most beautiful and easiest waterfalls to get to are, Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2. If you fancy a jungle walk, then Hin Lad Waterfall is your choice. Here a 2 kilometre path winds its way to the picturesque spot. A must for all nature-lovers and clearly marked on any tourist map.

Monkey Shows On Samui, the monkey undoubtedly qualifies as man's best friend. This isn't surprising, since for centuries the people here have used monkeys to do the hardest work, climbing the trees to pick ripe nuts on their coconut plantations. Until the advent of tourism, coconuts represented the main industry here, so these industrious little animals were greatly prized. The monkey theatre offers shows in which the monkeys display their dexterity and not just at picking coconuts. The entertainment also includes performing elephants. Look for the theatre on the main road behind and between Chaweng and Bo Put village.

Mini Golf Treasure Island, in Chaweng has 18 holes of colourful fun. It’s ideal for the kids.

Paint Ball You can shoot your friends with paintballs at Samui Paintball, near the Samui International Hospital in Chaweng.

Snake Farm Impressive shows featuring native snakes, centipedes and scorpions are sure to mesmerize even the most seasoned traveller. Watch in amazement as the host surrounds himself with poisonous cobras and touches their reared head! It is a great venue for the entire family and worth looking out for. Follow the signs throughout the island.

The Playroom This is strictly for children, although parents get a lot of the benefit. Plenty of toys, games, videos and other kids, it's a great place for your 2 to 9 year olds to have some fun between 12 noon and midnight every day. Located at South Chaweng Beach Road, opposite Samui Resotel. Tel: 077 230 626

Big Buddha Temple (Wat Pra Yai) Wat Pra Yai is the home of Koh Samui's most famous landmark, the Big Buddha. Visitors come to marvel at the sheer size and beauty of this remarkable statue and the surrounding views at some point during their stay. Visible from several kilometres away and even from planes flying over the island, the 12m tall golden image stands proud. At the base of the structure, several shops and restaurants cater to the needs of devotees and tourists alike. Wat Pra Yai is on Bang Rak beach (also called Big Buddha beach) on route 4171 near the airport.

Most hotels have restaurants. Those who want to dine out for special treats can always go to numerous eateries, located in all corners of the city. Bo Put village is a charming place to dine, with many stylish restaurants and cafes on the sea.

If you have never tasted Thai Cuisine before, it owes much of its appeal to exotic spices, and herbs from China, India, Java and Portugal. The final art of the country's cuisine comes from the skill and ingenuity of cooks.

Although some Thai dishes are quite spicy, many are mild. If you don't want spicy food, it's a good idea to learn the words "My pet" meaning, “Not spicy”.

Shopping in Koh Samui for many is an exciting and pleasurable experience. Whether you are bargain hunting or designing your own custom tailored suit, shopping in Thailand is fun.

Street vendors often seem to be on every street corner showing you their goods from bikinis, hammocks and sarongs to laser pens, sunglasses and lighters. If you are interested in any of the wares you find, then it is time to start bargaining.

The outdoor markets in Nathon, Chaweng, and Lamai are the main shopping areas on Koh Samui. There are plenty of retail stores scattered throughout the island, but it’s at the markets where you’ll get your best bargains and find the most variety.

Fake designer labels are another popular item, a nightmare for the authentic companies, but a gift for those looking for Gucci, Levis and the like. Koh Samui also produces cotton hammocks and woodcraft items that prove popular with visitors. All in all, there’s a lot to choose from and shopping can be extended to include many pleasurable browsing hours, before you buy.

Koh Samui, as in almost any town in Thailand, has its share of tailors. They will take your measurements and create a clothing item for you in a few hours or days. Leave your measurements with them and you can keep in touch and order a new suit or outfit from home.

Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Khmer antiques are excellent buys. Certain categories of antiques are restricted, particularly Buddha images. Others pieces may require an export license, but any reputable dealer will be able to advise you the appropriate restrictions and necessary documentation.

Probably the most famous of all the kingdom's handicrafts, Thai silk is available in a range of colours, patterns and plies. It is sold by the yard or as ready-made clothing and souvenir items.

Cabaret Shows The dazzling costumes and transformative make-up of the performers is the main attraction. These dancers may look like glamorous ladies, but are in fact men! A popular venue is Christy’s in central Chaweng, opposite the Green Mango disco.

Discos and Nightclubs Nightspots vary from a lounge in the bar to full-scale discos. You can't expect Bangkok here, but you will certainly not miss excitement if that's what you are looking for. For techno and pop, head to Chaweng’s Green Mango or Reggae Pub. For live music, the Secret Garden on Big Buddha beach is a popular spot. If you're a musician, feel free to join in! Other good music and/or dancing venues are Chaweng’s Sante Fe Disco, The Club and the Bauhaus, amongst others.

Diving There is hardly a beach on Koh Samui that doesn’t have a diving school nestled on its shore somewhere. This is one recreation in plentiful supply. Do make sure you go with a reputable company that has internationally recognised instruction such as PADI or something similar. Day dives to the neighbouring island of Koh Tao offer the best dive sites in the area.

Full Moon Parties Some years ago, a group of tourists and the owner of Paradise Bungalow on Koh Phangan arranged a party along the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin to celebrate the Full Moon night. It was so successful that it became a social event every 28 days or so. People from all over the world join the celebration and now there are around 10,000 partiers each month. When the moon makes its appearance, the beach explodes into a dancing frenzy. Jugglers and fire-spinners entertain the crowds as the night rolls on and with the brilliant impromptu fireworks display, the party atmosphere is complete. Not only on the full moon, there are New Moon parties as well.

Golf So far, Samui has one golf course at the Santiburi Samui Country Club which is nestled among coconut gardens on the hills above the north coast. The country club is affiliated with the Santiburi Resort on Maenam beach and is open to outside guests. Green fees, including caddie and cart are around US$50 for 9 holes and US$100 for 18 holes.

Hiking More like “extreme walking” than hiking; Samui has several trails that offer magnificent views, and even some that reach cooler elevations. Take a look at any tourist map to see where the interior trails lie. Some trails reward hikers with a little restaurant at the view point.

Kayaking Paddle yourself along the coast or around Ang Tong National Marine Park. Keep alert for marine life as well as land animals and birds. Remember the quieter you are, the more you will see. Many bungalows, resorts and tour companies offer guided or self-guided kayaking.

Spas are plentiful ranging from casual day spas to full-scale luxury resort spas. The prices are reasonable, and anything from beauty treatments to hang-over remedies are available.

Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) Muay Thai is another form of cultural entertainment and a visit to this country wouldn’t be complete without watching this national sport. It is widely considered to be the world’s most dangerous sport. The speed and dexterity of the contestants is an art in its own right. Matches are held daily, Monday to Friday at the Samui stadium.

Thai Cooking class A good cook will never be turned away from a party. Develop your culinary skills at Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts or classes offered at various hotels. Telephone the institute on 077 413 172 for more information.

Thai Massage Thai massage has a long history in Thailand, having been practiced for centuries. The roots of Thai massage are traced back to India and resemble yoga with deep stretching and twisting movements. There is an abundance of massage “therapists” all over the island and its beaches, however not all are properly certified. It’s a good idea to watch what they are doing to another customer first and decide if it’s something you’d enjoy.

Target Shooting Learn to handle handguns or rifles. The strictest safety procedures are rigidly enforced, so you can fire live ammunition without fear. Samui Shooting Sport is on the 4169 ring road between Bo Put and Chaweng. You can’t miss the big red target sign.