Why You Should Vist Hua Thanon

This a beautiful view of a Hua Thanon beach (photo courtesy of beachthailand.com)

Hua Thanon is area of Koh Samui that is home to fascinating rock formations. The natural geological formations called Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks resemble the male and female genitalias. When you come to see these rocks, you should find out about the interesting legend behind them too.

Hua Thanon is a Muslim village that boasts of white sand, pristine turquoise beaches and is home to a number of Koh Samui attractions. Both backpackers and luxurious travelers will love Hua Thanon. 

One could meet the fishermen about to set sail in their colorful and artfully painted kor lae boats that resemble the village's equally colorful fish market. Authentic Samui cuisine, usually made up of fresh seafood, can also be found at numerous restaurants by the beach. 

You can choose to lounge on the beach all day with your favorite brand of cocktail or if you are staying at the ShaSa Resort, enjoy a day in the spa and feast at the resort's famous Beyond the Sea restaurant. But if you are wishing to experience more of the Koh Samui attractions, there are a number of fantastic things to do and see while on the island.

Enjoy the day snorkeling or diving and if you want to "get into the wild" you could visit the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo and enjoy a wide variety of wild and exotic animals. You can have your photos taken with those fierce, striped tigers and get up close with other creatures such as manta rays, leopard sharks, nurse sharks, monkeys and sea turtles.

One of the more famous Koh Samui attractions is the main show at the zoo by the Bengal tigers and leopards that demonstrate an exciting display of their strength, speed, agility and naturally intimidating beauty. These live shows are conducted by professional animal trainers so they are safe.

For a more peaceful and less heart pounding adventure, Hua Thanon is home to the Butterfly Garden, a famous Koh Samui attraction. Discover different species of some of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. Walk into the stony steps while being surrounded by these lovely fluttering creatures and if you are lucky, they might even land on your hands. The Butterfly Garden will surround you with both beautiful butterflies as well as blooming flowers. 

Hidden Hotspots of Koh Samui

The amazing Buddha Footprints is a hidden gem in Koh Samui. (Photo Courtesy of Flickr)

Koh Samui, the third largest island in Thailand, is a treasured gem because of the many Koh Samui attractions. Roughly in a circular shape, the heart of the island is the majestic Khao Pom peak of a mountain jungle. The naturally beautiful landscape of the island is a top destination of tourists from all over the world. Holiday goers are attracted to the laidback beach villages, clear seas and the many island resort to choose from. It is the perfect getaway from the bustling life of the city.

Here is a guide to the hidden hotspots and Koh Samui attractions:

• The Buddha Footprints are quite difficult to locate compared to the other Koh Samui attractions in the island but the extra time and effort to go there is guaranteed to be worth it. This hidden hotspot is situated on a hilltop shrine that is only a few kilometers away from the famous Butterfly Garden. The Buddha Footprints are four footprints etched one on top of the other. It is a sacred artifact that cannot be found anywhere else on the island. You will have to climb about 163 steps to the top and then you will get a magnificent view of the island.
• The Chinese Temple the Goddess Zhao Mei Guan Im is one of the Koh Samui attractions you should not miss. It is a 30-year-old temple consisting of only one building. This temple is fairly new with a humble altar and expertly made paintings that depict the stories of Zhao Mei Guan Im. The most renowned painting is the one situated on the stone altar. This temple has a view of the Turtle Island near Koh Mud Sum mainland. If you look towards the south, you can see the fishing boats sailing under the beautiful sunset. You can easily get there by following the route from the Snake Farm of Samui.
• The Hin Lad Waterfall Temple is among the many Koh Samui attractions. This temple is relatively small and is located along the Hin Lad Waterfall trail. It is a peaceful and tranquil place. Along the path to the temple, there is a bridge where you can stop over and feed the fish. There is also a Buddha statue towards the back of the temple.
• The Hua Thanon is also one of the many Koh Samui attractions. It is a fishing village that is mostly inhabited by Samui’s Muslim residents. It is one of the few places that carry the traditional Samui way of life with the teakwood houses and authentic seafood restaurants. There are plenty of boutiques that sell ethnic clothes and jewelry here.

Jet Skiing in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is considered one of the best places in the world to go jet skiing. 

What can be more exciting than riding on the waves in one of the most beautiful beaches in the world? When you’re touring Koh Samui beaches, you will not want to be swimming in the waters all the time. If you are in the need for speed out in the open sea you should try jet skiing.

The moment you arrive at Koh Samui, you can check in at the ShaSa hotel right away and get an initial splash at its wonderful swimming. And then with the assistance of its gracious travel and tour staff, you can make arrangements to go to any or all of the Koh Samui beaches.

Jet ski rentals are available at the most popular Koh Samui beaches like Chaweng and Lamai. Just make sure not to throw caution to the wind and use your best knowledge of the sports and the island (something you should have at all times even in your own country) to stay safe and secure.

Don’t forget also to understand the terms and conditions of the rental and don’t just dash off to a Jet Ski right away. With all the great views and action that Koh Samui beaches can offer, you don’t have to worry about not getting the best of the value of your trip to Thailand. Even the awe-inspiring sunset in quieter beaches like Bophut and Maenam is more than what you have expected from Thailand.

Jet skiing is not the only thing to do on the Gulf of Thailand, of course. Try banana boat riding, water skiing, and wakeboarding, windsurfing, parasailing or fishing! And don’t forget that Koh Samui beaches have beach bars and restaurants in many places. If you want to just go with the flow of time and stare at the sea lazily, you can stay on-shore and nurse your thirst with a refreshing drink.

Other Koh Samui beaches like Thong Krut, Bang Kao and Hua Thanon have their own spells as well. Aside from sea-bound activities, you can have a day trip to see a waterfall, tiger zoo, the Samui Aquarium, monkey show, or temple and other attractions on the way.