Not far from the famous landmark of Big Buddha is Bophut
Beach. The beach itself encompasses some two kilometers
of white sandy shoreline fringed by coconut palms leaning
over the sea. The calm waters of the bay make this a popular
spot for simply relaxing. Stretched along the main road
you will find many small shops and restaurants. Bophut is
a good compromise between the super quiet places and the
hustle and bustle of Chaweng. This is one of the few beaches
on Samui where you can rent jet skis, as well as kayaks
and snorkeling gear.
The
Fisherman's Village
An
old house in fisherman's village
At the west end of Bophut is perhaps one of the oldest
places on the island, Fisherman's Village. The nostalgic
wooden houses and small local shops here are a reminder
of days gone by. The "main street" along the beach
is not longer than a kilometre but is rich in style and
variety of shops, from the oldest local shop selling just
about anything, to the most elegant restaurant, but all
of them have some kind of unique touch.
There are several seafront shophouses which have been converted
into trendy restaurants with small and cozy terraces overlooking
the Bophut Bay and the islands of Koh Phang Ngan and Koh
Tao. Most of these restaurants offer an excellent selection
of international dishes.
Angela's
Bakery... mmm...
A few recommendations from residents include:
Angela's Bakery Wide choice of sandwiches and salads, generous servings,
plus cakes and pastries, and lemon cheese cake.
Starfish and Coffee: Trendy cafe serving Thai
and international dishes with a stylish touch. Starfish
and Coffee also has a shop with selected Thai handicrafts
and a beautiful massage centre where you can have a relaxing
foot massage on a quiet terrace facing the sea.
The Greek Restaurant located at the west end
of the street along the beach is also a local favourite.
La Sirene: A French Restaurant with some seafood
specials prepared with a touch of the South of France.
Also offers tours (see below)
Try
a foot massage
at Starfish & Coffee
For scuba enthusiasts there are also a few dive
shops in the area offering lessons or day trips to the
Ang Thong Marine National Park, Sail Rock or Koh Tao.
La Sirene also offers some selected tours to secret
spots in the surrounding islands or some Jeep rides to places
difficult to access for visitors not familiar with the island,
mainly the Secret
Buddha Garden. Try an elephant ride in the tropical
forest or go for a fishing trip on a local fishing boat
with a real fisherman to the waters of Koh Phang Ngan.
Maenam
The
wide beach at Maenam
Maenam is located about 2 Km west of Bophut. It still remains
very much a traditional Thai village in the true sense of
the word. Some of the wooden houses and shops are over 70
years old and it's well worth taking a stroll down to the
waterside to take in the character of the place. The 4 Km
long beach here is clean with calm water. The sand is not
as smooth as Chaweng's and the sea not as shallow, but it
provides a quiet and remarkably tropical ambiance. Some
dive shops and watersport facilities are available and it's
a great place to go windsurfing, especially in November
and December. Many speedboats going to Koh Phangan and Koh
Tao depart from Maenam Pier. Along the main road is a small
town with some restaurants and shops. If you want some action
at night, just head on over to Chaweng, which is only 10
minutes away by car or motorbike.
The tranquility of the area has attracted some of the more
expensive resorts on the island, as well as small bungalows
dotted along the coastline. For those in need of some pampering
and stress relief, there are some great spa centres. You
can eat well too with many small restaurants offering excellent
value for money. A good place to stay if your priority is
not necessarily a busy nightlife.
Lotus ponds, delicate flowering shrubs,
coconut palms, and a freshwater stream cover
the 23-acre landscaped gardens at the Santiburi
resort, the only luxury resort on Mae Nam
Bay. The resort is a 70-minute flight from
Bangkok to the island, and a 12-kilometre
drive along the north shore of the island.
Paradise Beach Resort is situated directly
on the waterfront in the centre of Maenam
Beach - an isolated and relatively undeveloped
stretch of white sands midway between Nathon
and Chaweng Beach on the north coast of
the island. Paradise Beach Resort is only
10 minutes drive from Samui Airport, and
about 5 minutes from Maenam Village.
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