SWIMMING IN KOH SAMUI

You go swimming in one of the ShaSa's many beautiful pools (pictured above) or at one of the popular beaches nearby. 

Whether you want salty or fresh water, Thailand is still one of the best countries in the world for swimming. You may have heard of Phuket numerous times but it doesn’t mean Koh Samui beaches will give you less value for your travel money. Samui’s hotel resorts are also one of the best finds in Thailand.  Case in point is  ShaSa Hotel where you don’t need to be forced to get initiated in Thailand swimming in one of the hotel’s cascading pools overlooking the sea.

Swimming may sound like a lazy tourist’s activity as opposed to kayaking, jet skiing, and other watersports. Yet, it gives you the best chance (on the boat you are more likely to be looking offshore) to look attentively towards the shore to admire the coconut palms slowly waving, the powdery sand, and the spellbinding landscape. Actually, your mind is the best camera for taking photos of beautiful Koh Samui beaches.

Where do you get wet in Thailand’s third largest island? Almost everywhere because you can only walk on the streets looking for Thai stuff to bring home, sleep on your bed at one of island’s best resorts or look at mysterious rock formations. Probably ninety percent of the time, you’re in Koh Samui beaches giving your feet a grand vacation on the sand and then before you know it you will be surrendering your body again to the sea. Swimming is the most natural thing to do in this island for every member of the family.

If you like places with a more festive mood, go to Chaweng and Lamai, the biggest Koh Samui beaches. While waiting for the night market or the bars and discos, you can take a dip into the sea and rush to nearby drinking and dining spots to re-charge. Changwe is also the island’s departure point if you want to go swimming and snorkeling in Ko Tao and Angthong National Marine Park. For true-blue backpackers who would like to pretend keeping the sea for themselves, there are Koh Samui beaches that won’t disappoint. Check out Choeng Mon on the north coast. It offers a series of bays and the clean waters are absolutely great for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. If you want to check out  a quiet private beach you should head to the Laem set beach located right next to the Shasa hotel. 

The amazing thing about a few days of life in this island is that you can go to the sea in all directions. Koh Samui beaches have everything to offer whether you like socializing with a crowd of beach folks or contemplating on the vastness of the sea by yourself or with just a few people.

GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDFATHER ROCKS

The Grandfather Rocks looks like a males reproductive organ, while the Grandmother rocks looks like a women's region. Both rocks have become big tourist attractions in Koh Samui.  (photo courtesy of panoramio.com)

The rock formations popularly known as Hin Yai (Grandmother Rock) and Hin Ta (Grandfather Rock) have certainly become one of the most visited and most photographed Koh Samui attractions. Located on the southern tip of Koh Samui island between Lamai beach and Hua Thanon, the two rock formations have been formed due to natural erosion of inland boulders by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. A half-day tour of the city wouldn’t be fulfilling enough if these Koh Samui attractions are not made part of your travel itinerary.

How They Look Like

Before you start expecting that these Koh Samui attractions resemble grandmother and grandfather images, well you’d be in for a great surprise. Grandmother Rock resembles a woman’s groin area; Grandfather Rock rises up into the air like a man’s phallus. Grandmother Rock is characterized by a crevice that has been naturally formed from the repeated action of the sea against what probably had been a straight slab; the sea could have created the ridge. The second of these Koh Samui attractions sticks out sharply among the other rocks just near Grandmother Rock; Grandfather Rock is a huge seemingly “capped” pillar projecting from among other rocks.

Folklore

Interestingly enough, the signboard for this pair of Koh Samui attractions tells an interesting tale of an old couple, Ta Kreng (Grandpa Kreng) and Yai Riem (Grandma Riem), who had decided to marry their son off to Ta Monglai’s daughter. A violent storm caused their boat to capsize, drowning the old couple. To show how sincere and noble the couple’s intentions were of having their son marry the bride, they were transformed into those two interesting Koh Samui attractions that have become mesmerizing spectacles to this day. This story appropriately shows how Buddhist culture can weave legends into interesting components of nature.

How to Get There

Shortly after getting off Lamai beach, go south and take a left off the main coast road. You will get to a pay parking area near the end. Find the small street lined with food, drinks and souvenir shops and stalls leading to the rocks. Follow the small street until you come upon Grandmother Rock; you’ll find Grandfather Rock just to the right. Visitors find these two Koh Samui attractions great spots to take amusing photos. You need to walk farther ahead to make out the crevice that forms Grandmother Rock’s famous anatomical characteristic. Grandfather Rock would be, for obvious reasons, much harder to miss. 

KOH SAMUI BLACK MOON PARTY

Koh Samui's Black Moon Party is one of the biggest parties held on the island every month. 

One of the more interesting Koh Samui things to do is the traditional Black Moon party. Captivated by the absence of lunar light, party people gather together at various Koh Samui venues to drink, chat, dance, and basically have a blast with other partygoers. If you’re planning your own itinerary of Koh Samui things to do, then this is definitely one event you won’t want to leave out.

What is a Black Moon Party?

Held two weeks before and two weeks after a full moon, a black moon beach party is mounted on a much smaller, more intimate scale than other moon parties and thusly is one of those rare Koh Samui things to do that simply anyone must do. With Koh Samui offering a spectacular vantage point that literally “lights up” the entire party scene, black moon parties have surely become a spectacular component of Koh Samui things to do.

What Happens at Black Moon Parties?

With the moon absent from the sky on such events, expect a lot of neon art and one-of-a-kind ultraviolet decorations to provide that special glitter to this fundamental of Koh Samui things to do and give that extra oomph that any party goer will die for. The beach literally comes to life at black moon parties. Mind-blasting musical element is provided by excellent DJs who create the perfect atmosphere for such a unique occasion. Playing throbbing tunes like underground house and psych trance, the DJs guarantee the best musical experience for dancers on the floor--nothing less than the most excellent among the many Koh Samui things to do.

Other Things to Enjoy/Consider

Black Moon parties,  being only one of the more interesting Koh Samui things to do, is also an event that showcases the skills of fire dancers. As the fire dancers wildly swing their sticks any which way, they provide great entertainment for party goers. In addition, a lot of drinking is to be enjoyed by all, along with enough energy drinks to keep everyone’s energy up for all-night dancing and partying. Drugs have never been allowed at such venues, and party people are cautioned from trying to get away with using them during the party. 

It is also recommended that guests bring along their hotel’s business card in unlikely emergency episodes that could happen while at the party. Visitors should keep themselves hydrated at all times, as excessive alcohol intake and all that dancing and moving around could easily deplete their bodily water reserves. And what happens to be the most important thing? Just kick off your shoes, let your hair down, and GO PARTY!

CHOENG MON BEACH

The Choeng Mon beach is a nice quiet, private beach in Koh Samui  located only a few minutes away from the ShaSa resort. (Photo courtesy of samuiontour.com)

Comparatively more upscale than neighboring Big Buddha Beach, Choeng Mon beach is one of those Koh Samui beaches that promises to live up to its higher class image.  Nestled on the northwestern edge of Koh Samui, Choeng Mon offers exclusivity to the more discerning traveler who prefers a more private setting for a holiday at any of the popular Koh Samui beaches. The elite handful of resorts that offer either three- or five-star accommodations attests to how individuality is nurtured on this side of the island.

How To Reach Choeng Mon

The serene setting of Choeng Mon is reachable by proceeding east past the airport turnoff. In similar fashion to most other Koh Samui beaches, the area is primarily a coastline setting and lies barely 15 minutes north of Chaweng. This captivating bay expanse is characterized by sprawling and pristine sandy beaches. Rock formations capture the imagination, and a small island on the other side mesmerizes with its own beauty. Choeng Mon, as many other Koh Samui beaches, offers much in the way of making more discriminating travelers feel they are truly away from the hustle and bustle of a very public world.

Resort Regulars

Beguiled by the relative seclusion offered by Choeng Mon, patrons who choose this beach among all other Koh Samui beaches belong to the older, package tour crowds. Frequenters are visitors from France and Germany, which is why entertainment and food selections are mostly geared toward this group. The spiciness of typical Thai cuisine is normally tempered down this side of Thailand. Most of the resorts have been designed to be self-sufficient within themselves, offering in-house entertainment to clients who do not wish to go venturing out for such. Western pop tunes are given expert covers by a good number of Filipino bands; traditional Thai dancing is also a staple in this upscale element of Koh Samui beaches.

Where to Stay

Choeng Mon beach naturally has several coves and islets just waiting to be explored by visitors out for some exploring to do on Koh Samui beaches. Luxurious resorts have been erected in a number of these islets and coves. The unbelievably two-level traditional teakwood Thai boats or barges and spectacular villas that make up The Imperial Boathouse provide breathtaking views of the surrounding areas, which have no villages but abound with tour counters, restaurants and minimarts. The White House,  considered by many as possibly the most romantic spot on this part of the island, offers exclusivity coupled with Thai hospitality. The Nara Garden offers captivating views and ultimate pampering to visitors out for a good dose of Thai warmth. 

KOH SAMUI SHOPPING: ESSENTIAL BARGAINING TIPS

Be sure to read this blog post to get some Koh Samui shopping advice. 

During your stay at ShaSa Resorts and Residences, you’ll know doubt want to get out there and hit the shops and markets that abound everywhere on Koh Samui island, and pick up some of the excellent bargains in clothes, gadgets, jewelry and souvenirs just waiting to be had.

Koh Samui shopping is both cheap and plentiful on the island – at every single beach, every single town and village, you’ll find vendors and stalls, shops and malls all vying for your business. But while you’ll notice that the price of goods is much cheaper than your home country than they are when Koh Samui shopping, you still might end up paying over the odds if you’re not too careful.

There’s a trick to Koh Samui shopping that every shopper needs to be aware of – you gotta bargain hard to get what you want at the right price! Bargaining is pretty much the done thing in Thailand – unless the store is an official one with clearly marked prices, virtually everything you buy has to be negotiated. 

So how to negotiate? The trick to bargaining when Koh Samui shopping is to first of all, know what a realistic price is for the item you are trying to buy. Second, always bargain with a smile on your face – don’t get angry or upset as this won’t get you anywhere. You can bargain hard, but always keep it friendly.

To begin with, ask the Koh Samui shopping vendor what the price is. Naturally, the vendor will always start off with a high price, perhaps two or three times the actual price. For example, if you’re buying a T-shirt and the vendor asks for 500 baht, then the real price is probably going to be more like 200 or 300 baht. Offer him 100, but do it with a smile on your face. Guaranteed, the vendor will look shocked! But it’s also guaranteed he or she will make a lower counter-offer. He might say “okay, 350 baht”. In that case, offer 200 baht, and then he or she’ll probably say 300. Now you’re getting closer! 300 baht isn’t a bad price at all, but with skill you may be able to get that T-shirt for even less, but remember not to push too hard or they may just refuse you altogether! With practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it.

And of course we should mention that if you can speak some Thai, even if it’s only a few simple phrase such as “How much is this?”, your Koh Samui shopping will be much easier and the prices you’ll be quoted much cheaper.

Have fun with your shopping!

MUST SEE KOH SAMUI EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Picture above is a Kratong, used to celebrate the Thai festival Loy Kratong in Koh Samui. 

The festivals and events of the island should be included in your Koh Samui things to do list. The Thai love festivities and enjoying parties. Their festivals and events are among the most unique and extraordinary in the world. There are so many festivals and events in Koh Samui. These festivals and events are among the long list of Koh Samui things to do.

The Songkran is a festival celebrated from April 13 to April 15. Songkran is derived from Sanskrit words that mean “New Year” but in Thailand, “Songkran” is known as the Water Festival. It is a day to celebrate new life and new beginnings symbolized by cleansing using water. Usually, the Thais celebrate it by pouring small amounts of water on themselves or on their family and friends. Nowadays, the celebration has evolved into a whole day water fight on the streets. One of the many Koh Samui things to do is participating in the water fights.

Traditionally, Songkran was a religious holiday and the Thais would travel back to their hometowns and visit relatives. Families would gather together and have a feast. Their homes would prepare for the New Year celebration by cleaning and washing the holy artifacts in their homes. The religious tradition of Songkran is not popularly known to most people but the water fights are known worldwide.

People, both locals and foreigners, look forward to the water fights during the Songkran celebration. They would aim water pistols on passersby and some even have buckets and hoses of water prepared. Though the celebration is quite wild and rowdy, foreigners should be mindful that the uniformed police, the elderly and the injured should not be included. Also, drivers of motorbikes and bicycles should not be aimed at with water pistols and the like. If your idea of Koh Samui things to do includes water fights and getting drenched on the street, then you should join in on the fun! It is a great way to experience a unique festival in Koh Samui island.

The Loy Kratong is among the many Koh Samui things to do as well. It is celebrated during the full moon of the 12^th lunar month. Usually, the festival is held in the month of November. It is also popularly known as the Festival of Light. Among the other festivals, the Loy Kratong is perhaps, the most anticipated festival in the Thai calendar aside from the Songkran.

If you want to include the Loy Kratong in your Koh Samui things to do list, then you should prepare your offerings. The kratong will carry them into the sea or the local river. The Loy Kratong comes from the combination of the Thai word “loy” which means “to float” and kratong which is a name of a small craft that locals make. Traditionally, the kratong is crafted from strips of the trunk of the banana or the leaves of the banana. Nowadays, the materials are far more creative and advanced. The kratong contains the offerings such as money, flowers, incense sticks, food and candles.  

GOLFING IN KOH SAMUI

Koh Samui is home to the Santiburi Samui Country Golf Course. (photo courtesy of pr.syndacast.com)

Staying at ShaSa Resort and Residences, you’ll surely never run out of things to do in Koh Samui. Whether it’s exploring the island, with its jungles and its oceans, or simply relaxing and having the time of your life with our award winning spa and massage facilities, you’re sure to have the time of your life.

But there’s more to Koh Samui than just relaxing and checking out the sights. Did you know that the island is also a sporting hub in Thailand? That’s right, sports are BIG on Koh Samui - none more so than golf. Koh Samui is one of the premiere golfing destinations, and here at ShaSa Resort we are more than happy to arrange a day out for you at one of the excellent facilities on the island when you’re looking for things to do in Koh Samui. 

From mini golf to championship-standard golf course, the golfing scene on Koh Samui island is really taking off. Santiburi Samui Country Club is one of the best things to do on Koh Samui – the island’s first professional golf course, it’s set in a breathtaking location up on the hills overlooking Mae Nam Beach, just a short drive away from ShaSa Resort.

Santiburi Samui Country Club offers action packed golf at its very best – it’s a hugely challenging 18-hole course, with each one offering its own unique challenges. With its rolling hills and steep slopes, its winding fairways fringed by coconut palm forests, cliffs and creeks, this course is not only a huge pleasure to play on, but it’s also one of the most beautiful in all of Asia – a perfect balance of natural harmony and entertainment.

As well as Santiburi, Koh Samui is also home to Thailand’s first-ever professional mini-golf course as well. If you’re travelling with kids and looking for some things to do in Koh Samui that will keep them active while they’re being entertained, then Mini Golf International is the perfect day out! Set in the jungle overlooking Choeng Mon Beach, this complex houses 18 highly original mini-golf courses, offering hours of fun for you and your family. They welcome beginners as well as professionals, and the expert coaches are on hand to give you a few tips if it’s your first time playing.

Golf is one of the best things to do in Koh Samui, and it’s one of the most enjoyable too. Take a break from your stay at ShaSa Resorts and ask our staff about playing some golf – we’ll be delighted to fix you up with a round!