Koh Samui Travel: Mountain Bike Trails

There are several wonderful biking trails in Koh Samui. 

Just because you are here on holiday at ShaSa Resort, it doesn’t mean that you have to sit back and do nothing all day long – although you’re more than welcome to if you want! But for those guests of ours who prefer to be a little bit more active during their Koh Samui travel breaks, we strive to put together as many activities as possible for our guests to enjoy.

If you love the great outdoors and the warm sunshine, and you want to keep yourself in shape, then one of the best ways to see this wonderful island is from the seat of a mountain bike. Yep, that’s right. Koh Samui travel is perfectly suited to mountain biking – its lush tropical terrain is simply breathtaking to behold – many of the best views are wasted when you travel by car from place to place. So saddle up and peddle off for an experience you will never forget.

Koh Samui travel on mountain bikes is easy. You can rent mountain bikes from just about anywhere on the island, and they’re incredibly cheap too, starting at around 100 baht a day. The bike you get might not be a brand you’ve ever heard of, but don’t worry as all the bikes are perfectly capable of tacking Ko Samui’s challenging terrain.

For a true endurance test of Koh Samui travel, rent yourself a mountain bike and go all out – try and complete a full circuit of the island if you dare! Just give yourself plenty of time so that you’ll be back before dark. The route takes around 4 to 5 hours, with time for the odd break, so we’d suggest setting out in the morning if you’re planning this (the reason being, the roads can be quite scary at the best of times, and at night with no headlights it’s ten times as bad!).

If you want a more technical challenge then we suggest that you head inland with your mountain bikes. One of our favorite spots for a bike ride is around Mae Nam Valley. Here you’ll find some great hilly terrain with loads of ups and downs, amidst stunning scenes of farmland and coconut groves. You may want to bring a compass and a map, and try not to damage any farmer’s crops!

For a real daredevil challenge on your Koh Samui travel mountain biking adventures, there’s only one place to go. Head on up the road to Wanorn Waterfall, which lies just south of Nathon. A word of warning though – this Koh Samui travel route is tough, and so you’ll need to be pretty fit to manage it. The condition of the road isn’t too bad at first, but it quickly gets a whole lot worse once you gain some altitude. At around 200 m, the road becomes a gravel track, and later on you’ll be having to dodge boulders, navigate through slippery mud and deal with a 1:4 gradient (believe us, that is steep!). And you’ll have to do all this while staring over the edge of a ravine…

But! If you do make it to the waterfall, you’ll be delighted you made it. The view from here is quite simply spectacular – it offers some of the most incredible photo opportunities and you’ll be able to cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool by the waterfall. It’s the ultimate Koh Samui travel experience but not for the lighthearted! 

Mae Nam Beach

The Mae Nam Beach is a great place to go with the whole family

If you have been thinking about coming to Thailand for a few or weeks but hesitant to rub elbows with the rest of the million or more visitors to this country, don’t give change your mind yet or find another destination. If you know where to look, you can find a Ko Samui beach that is just right to bring out the backpacker spirit in you.

Mae Nam Beach could be one of the places you’re looking for. It’s a district in Ko Samui, an island in the Gulf of Thailand that is more known for its Chaweng and Lamai beaches. The island is next to Phuket as the most popular island destination in this Asian country. Because the largest beaches can get overcrowded in peak season, some visitors stay away from the island’s populous areas and look for their own Ko Samui beach destination.

For starters, stay at the ShaSa Hotel – Samui Boutique Hotel where you can get your first taste of Ko Samui beach view and breeze from its large terraces and pool bars. Kayak and water sports are also available. With the perfect hideaway to go home to at the end of the day, you can confidently explore the rest of the island. Go to Mae Nam Beach via the hotel’s shuttle service bound for Changwe. From there, you can ride a songthaew (some sort of a minibus) to Mae Nam which has a 7-km stretch of beach with white sand and coconut trees. Most of the time, the sea is calm and soothing to see.  Its shallow water is also appropriate for swimming and sunbathing especially for families with children.

Of course, a Ko Samui beach is not all there is in Mae Nam though the beautiful sunset from the east end is worth the time for coming here. Though many people would rather run to the nearby Changwe for its discos and a-go-go bars, there are a number of visitors who come to Mae Nam instead if they’re looking for a night of fun. There are some excellent pubs in the area where you can share some drinks and chat with a loved one or friends in Ko Samui beach venues. If you’re passing through Mae Nam on the way to Chaweng, you can drop by Mae Nam’s classy restaurants by the sea and in the village by the pier. You can also find a quite popular bakery and café.

Everybody seems to be eyeing on Thailand but that doesn’t mean you have to look the other way if you want some peace and quiet.  Don’t forget that there is a quiet Ko Samuibeach accessible from pristine boutique hotel awaiting you.

TOP 5 DIVING SITES IN KOH SAMUI

Koh Samui has some of the world's top diving sites. Don't miss out!

Koh Samui and other outlying islands in the Gulf of Thailand are endowed with a good number of diving sites that serve as Koh Samui attractions. They can be great spots for diving all year round, but the Andaman low season beginning May until August is highly recommended for diving enthusiasts who want to make the most out of their diving adventure. Shasa Resort and Residences provides great tour and travel assistance for snorkeling and diving activities.

Green Rock

Probably so-named because of the vast array of swimming dwellers that abound in its waters, Green Rock promises to provide a stunning underwater vista to the diving explorer out to savor Koh Samui attractions. Be delighted by its network of tunnels and swim-throughs exquisitely afforded by the various rock and boulder formations outcropping from the main pinnacle, which rises a meter above water and extends 28 meters below it. Swim with blue-spotted stingrays and white-eyed morays while enjoying spectacles of hawksbill turtles, butterfish and angelfish. A bonus:  nearby nesting grounds of the highly territorial and moody titan triggerfish.

Chumpon/ Chumporn Pinnacles

Located within the Angthong National Marine Park, Chumpon Pinnacles is one of the outlying Koh Samui attractions normally considered as Koh Tao’s premier diving site. With depths at a manageable 14 meters underwater graduating to 35 meters, this dive site will prove to be a real challenge to novice divers and is best explored with more seasoned or expert divers. Standing out among the smaller rock pinnacles is a singular, large granite rock formation extending to 16 meters below the sea water and serving as home to pink anemone fish and sea anemones. Large, oceanic fish abound: man-sized groupers, barracuda, bat fish, grey reef sharks, mackerel, trevally and tuna. Whale sharks are occasionally spotted.

Samran Pinnacles

Still another diving spot considered as one of the surrounding Koh Samui attractions is the Samran Pinnacles. Recommended for more seasoned divers, water currents tend to be relatively stronger and the waters much deeper than the average diving sites. Lying twelve meters underwater are numerous rock formations, home to barracudas, large jackfish and trevally.

Southwest Pinnacles

Ascending majestically above water in this site is another rock pinnacle worthy of belonging to the many Koh Samui attractions. Lying five meters just below the surface, this pinnacle gently undulates downwards and out then fuses with the seabed at 30 meters. Smaller rock outcroppings dot the primary pinnacle to afford a most spectacular underwater view. Be fascinated by blue ringed angelfish, bannerfish, yellow-tailed barracuda, giant groupers, as well as occasional sightings of grey reef and whale sharks.

White Rock

With two pinnacles submerged 18-22 meters beneath the water while extending two meters above it, diving in White Rock will surely excite any diving adventurer looking to explore one of the many Koh Samui attractions the island has to offer. Some of the most common colorful and interesting underwater fauna native to this cool diving site: angel and butterfly fish, blue-spotted stingrays, moray eels, turtles, sea snakes, and the titan trigger fish. Staghorn corals lying on the White Rock seabed have also become dwelling places for breams and damsels. If you’re lucky, you might even come across the red-breasted wrasse, the longtom, and the hexagon grouper.

Bophut Beach Nightlife

The Bophut beach nightlife scene is quite fun. (Courtesy of photography-on-the.net)

Have one of the best experiences of Koh Samui nightlife  in Bophut, known for the Bophut beach and the Fisherman’s Village. The beach is a long stretch from the Big Buddha and Maenam beaches. The Fisherman’s Village is at the heart of the beaches; it is an image of the island’s shift to modernity with its high end boutiques like Karma Sutra, luxury hotels like ShaSa Resort and a strip of classy restaurants. Despite the many up and coming markets and night spots in Bophut, there still remains the charm of the old salts of the village.

You can explore the Koh Samui nightlife by going around the pier of Bophut. Turn left to experience the Bophut beach nightlife or turn right to try out the restaurants and guesthouses. FYI, you won’t see Go-Go’s or girlie bars in this area. The charm of Bophut is its laidback and chill atmosphere where people can relax and have a good time at night.

Here are some places to check out for your Koh Samui nightlife in Bophut:

ShaSa Resort- This is a luxury hotel near Bophut Beach. Actually, there aren’t a lot of places to stay in Bophut area itself but there are hotels nearby for you to check out. Bophut has become popular compared to other places in Koh Samui because of its reputation for elegance, charm and laidback atmosphere. Experience night life in Bophut beach then come home to luxurious accommodations in ShaSa Resort where you can enjoy the executive villas, spa treatment and an overall luxurious stay at the hotel.

Karma Sutra- This place is the perfect spot to spend your time in Bophut. It was originally a Chinese shop house with intricate wooden interior that was transformed into a bar, restaurant and boutique all in one. You can have a cozy meal all throughout the day until night time in this place.

The Pier- This is one of the classiest restaurants in Bophut beach. It has an amazing view of the Gulf of Thailand amidst the cool, coastal wind and an impressive menu to choose from. Try out Koh Samui nightlife with class by checking out the international seafood dishes served in this restaurant. The centerpiece of the restaurant is a grand wooden staircase where diners can go up and dine while the view of the Gulf of Thailand mesmerizes them. Plus, the staff members are friendly and hospitable.

LAMAI SHOPPING

Listed below are some of the best places to go to get some shopping done in Lamai, Koh Samui

Just a short drive north-east from ShaSa Resort andResidences, Lamai is perhaps the best nearby Koh Samui shopping location for our guests. Here is a place where you can find everything you will possibly need – be it swimming gear, toiletries, clothes, souvenirs, gadgets, tailor made suits or jewelry, Lamai has it in abundance.

 Lamai is actually fairly typical of Koh Samui shopping locations, in that the main shops and markets are all located in a pretty centralized area. In fact, virtually all the shops and vendors worth checking out are located on the main, Beach Road that runs through Lamai, or on the sois that run off the road. As always when doing your Koh Samui shopping, it pays to look around and see what’s available first; compare the quality of goods in different shops and try to get the best price!

Lamai Night Bazaar

Although it’s supposedly a night bazaar, you’ll find that many of the stalls open up for business before the sun comes down. This Koh Samui shopping haven is located smack bang in the middle of town, across from the McDonald’s restaurant. It’s much like the night markets you get in Bangkok’s Patpong or Khao San Road, with stalls lining both sides of the street, selling tons of pirated goods, from clothes and flip flops, to watches, knives, lighters and various other knick-knacks.

69 Slam Underwear

Although you might be expecting a display of saucy lingerie, you’ll actually find there’s far more to this popular store once you step inside. Guaranteed, no trashy tourist junk in here – they offer high quality beachwear, swimming clothes, accessories and jewelry. Well worth a look but it does cost more than what you’ll find on the street!

Asian Lights

One of our favorite Koh Samui shopping stores is this tastefully fitted store, which has a fanatastic selection of hundreds of different kinds of handmade lights and lamps. You’ll find innovative designs here in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and what’s more the prices are good.

Buddy Boutique Shopping Plaza

If you’re looking for a Koh Samui shopping experience that’s a bit more upmarket, check out this place for its range of stylish designer boutiques and brand name stores. Sure, the bargains are harder to find, but if you want genuine Thai antiques and Thai silks, quality clothes and (real) electrical goods, this is the only place to be. 

AFTERNOON COCKTAILS AT LAEM SETT

There's truly no better place in the world to enjoy a refreshing afternoon cocktail than on Laem Set beach

With its seaside beach setting characterized by soft, pristine sand and providing a great venue for peaceful, lazy afternoons, cocktails by the beach along ShaSaResort is nothing short of heavenly. Imagine the sea lapping softly at the beach and the lethargy-inducing soft wind against your face. Beyond the Sea at ShaSa Resort promises to give the traveler pampering service that truly goes beyond the sea.

Out-on-the-Terrace Cocktails

With a great, expansive view of the Gulf of Thailand, Beyond the Sea at ShaSa Resort easily provides an unrivalled afternoon cocktails experience to the visitor out for a breezy, great time. Nurse your perfect cocktail brew prepared meticulously by Beyond the Sea bartenders. Sip to your heart’s content while gazing out at the clear blue ocean and inhaling refreshing gulps of ocean air. Indulge in lazy conversations with your loved one or travelling companion while seated at lounge chairs or low chairs that allow you to stretch your legs. Here at ShaSa Resort, afternoon cocktails have never been sunnier than what you can truly experience at Beyond the Sea.

Afternoon Cocktails Inside Beyond the Sea

A 360-degree tour of the interiors of Beyond the Sea at ShaSa Resort will reveal tasteful, minimalist details which could be a Zen-like affair to the traveler wishing to unwind in restful comfort. Indulge in afternoon cocktails here while looking out large bay windows. Feel your cares melting away while you sip your excellent cocktails and gaze out those windows that invite you to either dip your tired feet into the pool or go out further into the ocean. Wooden interior walls, chairs provided with cushions, lounging chairs that invite you to hang loose, attentive service from dedicated waiters….blissful contentment at Beyond the Sea, the brasserie at ShaSa Resort.

Go Barefoot

The idea of going barefoot while enjoying sips on your afternoon cocktails might just be the key to let the wooden floor out on the terrace at Beyond the Sea drain tiredness away from you. The low chairs beckon that you do so—they are designed for really lazy, casual afternoons where kicking off your shoes or heels could become so addictive, you’d want to do it every afternoon here at Beyond the Sea on ShaSa Resort. But do get some spa treatment at the ShaSa Health Club first, so the afternoon cocktails while barefoot would be a great cap for your spa experience. 

Want to Scuba Dive in Paradise?

Scuba Diving in Koh Samui should atop your Koh Samui things to do list.

Scuba diving with amazing creatures in Koh Samui should be on your list of Koh Samui things to do! Scuba diving is a popular water sport in Thailand and many tourists from all over the world make time to visit just to experience the rich and abundant waters of Thailand. Experience a whole new world under the sea using the diving equipment. See the majestic creatures of the waters of Thailand. The coral reefs and multitude of sea creatures will never cease to amaze you. Fill your hungry eyes with the sea cows, giant barracuda, sharks and even manta rays! Yes, there are many other Koh Samui things to do but why miss out on such a unique underwater experience?

Since the start of the 70s, Koh Samui has been the center of attention for many visitors looking for a rich, well preserved coast. Situated on the east coast of Thailand, the island is a sheltered coastal paradise that is a diver’s haven because of the coral reefs and dynamic sea creatures. The diving sites have majestic rock formations and coral reefs that cannot be seen anywhere else.  Because of the popularity of the island for scuba diving, tourists have made it a point to include the water sport in their list of Koh Samui things to do. Nowadays, Koh Samui is one of the world class diving sites.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

ShaSa Resort- Before heading out for a scuba diving adventure, check in at the exclusive villas, spa treatment and pampering at the ShaSa Resort where you can get the best quality accommodations. Families, couples and groups of friends can find a relaxing place to stay on the island in this hotel. It is near various diving sites so you can easily travel back and forth.

Koh Samui Diving Sites

There are various diving sites on Koh Samui. Here are the best ones to go to:

• Chumphon Pinnacle
• Sail Rock
• Koh Nang Yuan
• Koh Tao
• Southwest Pinnacle

Diving Season in Koh Samui

Lots of tourists include scuba diving in their list of Koh Samui things to do because the diving season is available the whole year. However, the best time to go is from the month of May until August. During these months, the Andaman coast experiences a low season. From September until November, the Northeast monsoon winds bring surface swells into the island so there is 30% decrease of visibility.