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| With waters like this no wonder Koh Samui is such a popular attraction |
From
water springs life, a truism that holds even more true in Koh Samui, a major
tourist destination for Thailand whose pulse beats to the lapping of the waves
around its impressive coastline. Koh Samui beaches, flaunting pristine white
sands, constitute but one of the trademarks that have endeared the island to
tourists, both foreign and local. Off these beaches too are the marine
offerings in the crystal clear environs of the Gulf of Thailand, enabling
activities that have molded Koh Samui as top international travel destination.
Tourist-oriented
establishments have made the island’s affinity with the sea as central to their
development. At the southern end of Koh Samui, for instance, the ShaSa Resort
was built with its own section of a beach for guest to better partake of the
bountiful leisure activities the island’s waters have to offer.
Year-round sea offerings
What’s
even more fascinating, an exploration of the island’s waters is practical the
whole year, given Koh Samui’s favourable tropical environs. Besides swimming,
the diversity of the island’s marine life can be enjoyed anytime of the year.
This being so, Koh Samui has etched a prominent mark in the map for sites of
divers seeking venues for their holidays. To top it off, you don’t need to be
as skilled as the disciples of Jacques Cousteau to enjoy the island’s
underwater world. Snorkelling too can provide as much fun as scuba diving at
the near-shore reefs around Koh Samui.
For
seasoned scuba divers, of course, there’s no substitute to going all out to the
deep and experience the challenge of drop-offs at dive sites around the island,
which are varied, colourful, and diverse. Must-visits for these intrepid of the
deep are the National Marine Park and Sail Rock, day-long sorties to which can
be arranged with local dive tour operators. A trip to any of these destinations
also need not be confined to diving, as kayaking can also be incorporated into
the itinerary.
Exploring nature and more
This
opens more delightful discoveries to be unravelled. One of the most memorable
experiences that can be had, for example, is an interlude with the hidden lake at
the Ang Thong Marine National Park. In addition to this “golden bowl” are the
groups of fifty limestone rock islets, which too have made the park so
attractive to nature explorers. Paddling
amid these intriguing rock formations can indeed trigger realisations that Koh
Samui and its waters have so much to offer.
