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.

Elephant Riding in Koh Samui

Elephant Riding in Koh Samui is an unforgettable experience. (Courtesy of thailandfamilyholidays.com)

Ever wonder how it would be to ride an elephant in Thailand? Well, here’s your chance!

Complete your Koh Samui travel experience with elephant riding in Koh Samui. The island is home to well-preserved trekking grounds and beautiful scenery. Many visitors look forward to experiencing elephant riding during their Koh Samui travel. Usually the elephant trek is luxuriant and hilly. More than just the view and the trekking experience, the visitors will be amazed at the gentleness and the amazing ability of the elephants.

The magnificent elephants are considered Thailand’s national animal and they symbolize royalty and strength. Koh Samui has many tropical rain forests at the heart of the island.

Here are some popular elephant riding tours for your Koh Samui travel:

Elephant Trekking Tour in Koh Samui

During the trip, you’ll pass by a unique collection of fauna and flora. Take in the amazing view of the waterfalls and get to know the true beauty of Koh Samui travel. This particular tour will pass through the jungle, through rivers and through other interesting landscapes. You will be safe riding the magnificent elephants for they are gentle and intelligent beasts. During the trip, visitors can stop by the Namuang 1 Waterfall and take a dip.

Half-Day Tour - 9 In 1 Safari in Koh Samui

This tour is an extensive program that lasts for half a day. Though it is only half a day, you can expect an exhilarating experience that will leave you wanting more. This Koh Samui travel experience will also give you a chance to view the amazing jungles of the island and the various coconut plantations on the island. You can also enjoy the amazing Elephant Show where you can meet and feed these gentle beasts. There are many photo opportunities for you to choose from during this trip! Aside from these, you can also watch the Monkey Show where you can see how the monkeys learn and are trained to get coconuts from the trees. The Rice Farming Show includes a presentation of a local farmer suing the traditional Thai style of farming. There would be a demonstration on their unique method in harvesting and growing rice with the water buffalo’s help. The Ox Cart Riding is also part of the half-day tour in the safari. Enjoy your Koh Samui travel by riding in the ox cart of a farmer around the rice fields and the plantation.

Full Day Koh Samui Eco Tour

You can also have a whole day of enjoyable Koh Samui travel experience by riding the elephant throughout the island’s jungles, plantations and fields. 

MAENAM NIGHTLIFE AND BARS

Local bar in Maenam, Koh Samui. 

Koh Samui nightlife at Maenam may not be as rousing and rowdy as those of Chaweng and Lamai, but it still exists there. Although the entire strip is generally more hushed and less complicated, a good number of party places still stand to offer a more subdued yet classy entertainment scene to partygoers out to have a great time. The more restrained atmosphere here at Maenam is probably the main attraction for those out to have good, clean, family-oriented fun. This is Koh Samui nightlife at its simplest, and probably at its finest.

The Lazy Coconut

This is basically the coolest and most popular place to hang out in and experience the Koh Samui nightlife in Maenam. Tastefully laid out with inner and outer seating accommodations, The Lazy Coconut prides itself in having a darts board and a pool table plus the attraction of TV sports viewing. Not to be outdone is its unassuming and homey menu, with an incomparable selection of beer to serve as a fitting accompaniment to the uncomplicated food offerings. Sporadically, The Lazy Coconut features DJ-facilitated and live band music repertoire on weekends. One can partake of barbecues offered regularly. Dancing on the floor is probably the best sampling of Koh Samui nightlife you can ever have.

Napasai Pool Bar

Serving easy meals and light snacks all day long, Napasai Pool Bar is a casual venue to savor Koh Samui nightlife.  With its irregularly contoured infinity pool serving as a backdrop, one can enjoy great cocktail concoctions prior to indulging in an elegant Thai dining affair. Guests are accorded a great view of the ocean and treated to live waterfront entertainment on all weeknights.  Karaoke singing is also offered occasionally. Unpretentious yet exquisite in its simplicity, the easy ambience at the Napasai Pool Bar is one refreshing experience you wouldn’t want to miss. Just a wee bit pricier, the costs are up to par with the simple elegance you can actually savor.

Rim Talay Beach Bar

Sheltered by the numerous coconut palms on the beach are comfortable lounge chairs and tables on Rim Talay Beach Bar. The waterfront-setting characteristic of this party place sets it apart from other venues where you can experience KohSamui nightlife. Feast on their awesome snack offerings and superb cocktail concoctions. Indulge your taste buds with excellent seafood cuisine. Magicians, fire breathers, dancers, and various entertainers provide nightly entertainment with nightly live performances. This is a great place to unwind after a full, hard day.

Taksin Lounge

Live music entertainment six nights a week is provided by a great in-house band. Taksin Lounge is one great place to sip your after dinner drink while enjoying the resident band’s repertoire. It’s a child-friendly dining venue, where you are given perfectly cordial service while dining on marvelous food selections to appease the most discriminating palates. Indulge in the unclutteredness of simple Koh Samui nightlife here at Taksin Lounge.

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.

What To Do While at Chaweng Beach

View from Chaweng Beach located only 15 minutes from the ShaSa Resort. (photo from Chawengburi.com)

Want to relax, while sitting beachside sipping on fresh coconut juice during the day and go partying at night?

Sounds like you want the best of both worlds, but you are not sure which KohSamui beach you should stay at to accomplish this. Well, if you want to stay along a beautiful beach with plenty of entertainment options then you should consider Chaweng beach. Whereas if you want to stay somewhere quiet and more family oriented you definitely think about staying at the Laem Set beach instead.

Although it isn’t the most tranquil Koh Samui beach, the Chaweng beach makes up for it in other areas, specifically its nightlife.

Chaweng is home to the Koh Samui’s bubbliest nightlife, various malls and a scenic beach. The area is light years ahead of other Koh Samui beaches in terms of malls and nightlife.

There are numerous pubs, dance clubs and girly bars along the Chaweng strip. Green mango is the most renowned nightclub in Koh Samui.  The most popular meet up spot in the area is Tropical Murphy’s Irish Pub. Please note that all the nightclubs in the area close their doors at 2 am.

Clubbing and drinking not your thing? Then you should go to Petch Bucha Thai Boxing Stadium and watch some Muay Thai boxing matches. Matches usually take place from 9 pm until midnight.

Another popular place you should check out while you at Chaweng is the Moulin Rouge. Some of the most gorgeous lady boys perform here daily. After the show you can take photos with the performers, then when your trip is over you can even ask your buddies if you think this “chick” is hot.

The Chaweng beach is the longest Koh Samui beach and stretches over 5 miles. Along the beach you will find masseuse offering beachside massages and vendors selling fresh coconuts and cocktails.

If you are looking for some action packed water sports then you won’t have to look far. Chaweng beach is full of areas where you can go parasailing; jet skiing, water skiing and banana boating. Individuals who are more adventurous can also go out for a scuba diving 1-day trip from this beach.

This Koh Samui beach probably isn’t the beach of choice for families, but if you are single, young and looking for some fun then you definitely consider visiting this beach before heading to somewhere quieter to sleep.

Don’t worry about booking a hotel in advance, you won’t also have problem finding a place to stay. There are many hotels along Chaweng, however most of them are loud at night and won’t provide a great sleep. A close boat ride away is one of the top hotels just outside Chaweng, which is the ShaSa resort.

HISTORIC TEMPLES OF KOH SAMUI

Stunning view of the Wat Phra Yai, Big Buddha (photo courtesy of  http://bluedandelion.net/)

Koh Samui, or simply Samui, is famed not only for being a beach-and-coconut tourist destination island, but also for its historic temples, which serve as one of KohSamui’s attractions. Immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist culture by visiting any one of several temples that attest to how the island is steeped in Buddhist tradition and how the veneration of the Supreme Buddha is a most significant part of this island’s inhabitants. Sawadee!

TheWat Phra Yai and Big Buddha

Home to the island’s most famous image, Wat Phra Yai is undeniably the most visited Koh Samui attraction on this island. The Big Buddha, majestic at 12 feet, visibly towers towards the skies as travelers get to Koh Samui Island. Located on the northeast tip of the island on route 4171, this Koh Samui attraction is easily accessible to travelers from the airport. And for travelers wanting to get the best accommodations possible at a similarly located resort, your best bet is to get yourself booked--and literally hooked--at ShaSa Resort and Residences, just a mere 45-minute-drive from the airport. After you’ve gone through the many shops and restaurants designed for travelers and Buddhist devotees alike, rest your shopping-tired but spiritually-invigorated selves at ShaSa Resort and Residences, where lovely service and pampering are unarguably one of the greatest of Koh Samui attractions.

TheWat Plai Laem

Nestled north of Samui on route 4171 at about the same general area as the Wat Phra Yai, this temple is another showcase of magnificence of Koh Samui attractions as it is home to the colorful statue of the 18-armed Buddha that sits right in the middle of a lake.  Feeding the big, lovely fish that abound in the lake waters will prove to be an enjoyable experience, as fish food packs can be had for a relatively cheap 10-baht donation. And for those looking to enjoy bigger and more fascinating water adventures, situated along the same general location as the ShaSa Resort.

The Laem Sor Pagoda

Majestically constructed on the rocks at the water’s edge, this ornately designed edifice easily stands tall among Koh Samui attractions because of its shimmering yellow tiles that appear golden when viewed from a distance. Lying south off the island, it is easily accessible via road 4170 between Ban Tale and Ban Pang Ka.

The Coral Buddha

Located not far from ShaSa Resort and Residences at 4169 ring road are the ruins of what used to be a jewel among Koh Samui’s attractions--the Coral Buddha. Lying to the right side of Hua Thanon at approximately 800 meters, the small, crumbling figure of the Coral Buddha is a revered place of devotion among devout Buddhists, especially among monks from nearby Wat Sumret.

Unforgettable Full Moon Party Should Be Atop your Koh Samui Things To Do List

While staying at the ShaSa Resort you should definitely consider going to the Full Moon party.
 (photo from blog.travelpod.com)

Have you ever imagined how it would be like to party in paradise? Lose your inhibitions, relax and rejoice over something you have taken for granted for years. Welcome in the new Full Moon by attending this unforgettable party.

The Full Moon Party has been considered one of the world’s top parties for years! There’s a reason it has this distinction.

Legend has it that some tourists who were visiting this Had Rin beach discovered that the most gorgeous full moon they had every seen in their lives could be found here.

They then arranged a huge party with their friends along this beach. Other people then arranged parties along this beach and the party just grew from there. Today this party is on top of many people’s Koh Samui things to dolist. 

It doesn’t matter what kind of music you like, you’ll be able to find it here. The atmosphere is absolutely crazy; throughout the party you’ll find fire-eaters, jugglers, giant slip and slides, people fire jump roping and impromptu firework displays.

Here are seven interesting facts you probably didn’t know what the Full Moon Party.

1. 1)    It’s the world’s biggest beach party
2. 2)    It occurs every full moon
3. 3)    Even in low season you’ll find over 10,000 party animals here
4. 4)    Expect to find over 30,000 party-goers for New Years
5. 5)    Famous DJ’s regularly play here
6. 6)    There are dozens of beach clubs you can choose from
7. 7)    Number 1 on Koh Samui things to do list for most individuals 18-30 years old

Be careful not to get too out of control as some partygoers are sometime left with 3^rd degree burns from jump roping with the notorious fire jump rope in the middle of the party. If you aren’t sober you should leave this to the professionals.

Please be advised that there are tons of soft-core and hardcore drugs that can be found here. However, if you decide to buy drugs or take them while at the party, do so discreetly or you may be arrested by an undercover policemen.

There are tons of Koh Samui things to do but none of them compare to this event. You’ll never look at a full moon the same after this party.