What to Do in Koh Samui
There's so much to do on Samui that the real challenge is choosing an activity that will suit you and your family. From mini golf to the real thing and from paddling in the velveteen waters to scuba diving, the range is enormous.
Try an eco tour and discover the natural side of the island or head out into the azure Gulf of Thailand to explore the nearby island national parks. Whatever you decide to do in or around Samui it's bound to be fun.
Day Tours
There are a number of day tours around Samui to choose from. Typically, the tour will take in the Big Buddha, Hin Ta and Hin Yai, a monkey show or elephant trek or buffalo ride. These tours are either half-day or full-day and tour guides are available for different languages – double check your itinerary the day before as tours do vary.
Offshore day tours are certainly worth checking out, especially the full day tour to Angthong National Park and the snorkeling off Koh Tao is super. There are many tour agents throughout the island who will book these tours for you. (Read more...)
Eco Tours
There is no shortage of eco tours on Samui Island. Typically you will be driven to an elephant camp to go trekking through the countryside and return to ride in a cart pulled by a buffalo. Traveling through the upper reaches of Samui's jungle in a 4WD is great fun and makes for wonderful photo opportunities.
Some tours take you to the top of the island to the Magic Garden – a fantastic collection of mountain top cement sculptures made by an ex monk and with striking views out over the Gulf of Thailand. (Read more...)
Spas and Retreats
Samui has a number of spas and day retreats set in idyllic locations with state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained therapists. Some people come to Samui specifically to indulge in serious spa pampering with an eye to passively getting back in shape and there are more than enough spas island-wide to handle all your desires.
Some offer controlled cleansing and fasting programs while others are more spiritually inclined but all have one thing in common: they are good for your health. A recommended and atmospheric spa to try out is Tamarind Springs, on the ring road just outside Lamai. (Read more...)
Koh Samui Scuba Diving
Scuba diving off Samui is superlative and the island's many dive shops extremely informative in explaining where the underwater action is. PADI courses are available and reasonably priced, especially when compared with western rates and generally take about four days to complete but a good instructor will have you in the water within as little as half a day.
The Gulf of Thailand has some great dive sites and some are merely minutes away from Samui. Half, and full-day dive trips are the norm. For the fully certified diver day trips offer jaunts to Sail Rock, the National Marine Park, and Koh Tao amongst other destinations. (Read more...)
