Koh Samui is a tropical idyll that conjures up picture postcard images of golden sands, crystal blue waters and swaying coconut palms. It’s easy to see why this island and others that sit along side it are some of the best in the world.
If you visit Koh Samui, don’t miss the opportunity to take a trip out to the gorgeous Ang Thong National Marine Park. The myriad of islands off the coast of Samui were once a haven for pirate ships, but these days it’s tourists who board the boats in search of natural treasures in the form of isolated beaches and hidden caves.
Although tourism is vital to the local economy on Koh Samui, there are still local families on the island who make their living in the traditional way from fishing and from the coconut plantations just as generations before them did. Explore some of the local culture of Koh Samui with a half-day or full-day bicycle tour. For more examples of local culture, some lovely old wooden houses and shops can be found in the Fisherman’s Village at Bophut which also hosts an excellent night market every Friday.
At the southern end of Lamai Bay, the rock formations of Hin Ta (Grandfather Rock) and Hin Yai (Grandmother Rock) feature on all Koh Samui day tours. Located in close proximity, Hin Ta and Hin Yai are renowned because they resemble the male and female sexual organs which usually leads to ribald comments when photos of the rocks are posted on social media.
Wat Phra Yai is the temple which is home to the Big Buddha statue and the walk up the stairs to the viewing platform provides fine views over the ocean. Two more temples of note are Wat Khunaram and Wat Kiri Wongkaram. Both temples contain glass display cases which hold the mummified remains of two famous monks. The bodies can appear macabre to non-Buddhists, but the figures also serve as a powerful reminder that nothing in life is permanent.
It’s not every day you can see pigs ambling along the beach, but you can if you visit Ko Madsum, a small island located just off Samui’s south coast. The original family of pigs were rescued from a market on the mainland and brought to the island where they are now such a popular attraction that Ko Madsum is also known as ‘Pig Island’.
If you are looking to do something active during your holiday, there are an abundance of options on Koh Samui. You can try your hand at kiteboarding and golfers should take the opportunity to play a round at the scenic 18-hole Santiburi Golf Course. If you’re worried your golf skills won’t do the course justice, take a look at two fun alternatives: frisbee golf and football golf. For Thai boxing fans, you can train with Muay Thai at Superpro (they also offer yoga and MMA classes) or Lamai Muay Thai camp who offer classes for all ages and all levels of fitness.
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