Koh Samui a peaceful and magnificent Paradise in the Gulf of Thailand

Koh Samui, sometimes also spelt Ko Samui or Kho Samui, is Thailand's third largest island. It's a pretty big island, just about 500 kilometers south of Bangkok, only a little bit less than one and a half hour away from Bangkok by plane and one of the top 5 vacation spots in Thailand. Until tourism came coconut plantations allover the island were the all important industry here. About 150 years ago Samui's first settlers, seafaring islanders from Hainan Islands in China, came to here and took up coconut farming. The tourism boom began at the 1980s. Backpackers discovered this place and noted it as a peaceful and magnificent paradise with the result that the popularity island was increasing rapidly among the travelers in Asia. Today the island has become a destination for every tourist with many places to stay with many huts and inexpensive rooms for budget traveler. However the most of accommodations are bungalows and resorts in the more expensive mid- to high-range. The island features many beautiful beaches and a lot of activities you can enjoy. It is the perfect place for a rounded vacationer who wants to experience a bit of everything. If culture and history it is what you want, then probably Bangkok is the more preferable destination, while vacationers who want to take in an energetic nightlife should better travel to Pattaya or Phuket. However if you are looking for a perfect place that is something quieter without really big resorts, hotels and clubs or discotheques, but where you still can find great beaches, bars and places to eat and even quite a few nightclubs you should give Koh Samui a try. Most vacationers who have visited Koh Samui choose to come back and a lot of them return again and again.

Beaches of Koh Samui

Locals and tourists alike come to enjoy the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the beaches with fine sand and lined with mangroves and trees. The best and most popular beaches of the island you'll find at the northern and eastern coast of the island.

Chaweng Beach is the largest and one of the most beautiful beaches in Ko Samui. This beach is about 6 to 7 km long and is without doubt the most established and popular place of the island in terms of activities, dining and accommodation. Chaweng Beach provides a lot of of actions and is well-known for its unlimited space for sunning and natural beauty. At Chaweng Beach there are a a great number of budget, first class and deluxe resorts, all within spitting distance of shops, restaurants, bars, tour operators and an active nightlife. Chaweng definitely is one of the most suitable places to stay.

If you are want going after surf, head south to Lamai Beach, another popular beach on the east coast where you will not only find deeper waters that is perfect for surfing, but also great traditional Thai massages, facials and saunas.

If you are looking for more quiet and peace you should try Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach), Bophut or Maenam Beach along the northern coast. The water at these beaches isn't quite as clear as at the beaches on the eastern coast, however the feeling of privateness is greater and the rates for accommodation are less expensive.

Attractions of Koh Samui

Along with the beaches Koh Samui features some waterfalls. Hin Lat Falls you can reach from Na Tong. It's about 5 kilometers outside the town. There is a slippery trail to the top. You need just about one hour to hike to there. Na Muang is another fall located in the center of the island, about 12 kilometers from Na Thong. It is less frequented and more scenic. To go to there you can take a pickup-taxi from Na Tong, Chaweng or Lamai Beach.

At the northern end of the island, on a small rocky island, reachable by a causeway from Bang Rak Beach there is the temple of Big Buddha. This is why this beach is also called Big Buddha Beach. As with most temples in Thailand it is not allowed to visit it in sleeveless shirts and shorts.Other temples to visit are Wat Hin Lat close to the southwestern tip of the island, Wat Khunaram near the route between Ban Thurian and Ban Hua Thanon and Wat Samret close to Ban Hua Thanon. Wat Hin Lat is known as a temple for meditation that offers daily courses for Vipassana. The attraction of Wat Khunaram is the ghostly mummified monk.

South of Lamai there are the impressing rock formations of Hinta Hinyay (Grandfather and Grandmother) that attracts innumerous Thai tourists.

On a rotating basis events of buffalo fighting are arranged by local villagers. The buffalo fighting stadium is located near Ban Hua Thanon.

Food and Restaurants

The island features a distinctive cuisine influenced by the omnipresent coconut. Local markets with food stalls and restaurants offer great value for your money with their tasteful Thai food and specialties from all regions of the country and a several cuisines from all over the world.

Shopping

Chaweng and Lamai are the best places for shopping. Here you'll find most of the tailors and gem shops.

Accommodation

During peak-season from late December to Februar and from July to August it can be really difficult to find a suitable accommodation.

Weather

Koh Samui is a tropical island that offers all year-round enjoyable sun over 80^o F. Unlike most other destinations in Thailand the rainy season is focussed into the month of November and due to its position in the Gulf of Thailand, the island is protected from tropical cyclones.