Exploring the Koh Samui Islands

Ready for an adventure? Visit the gorgeous Koh Samui island today, you won't be disappointed (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

A tour of Koh Samui either by boat or by land offers a much more enjoyable experience than simply staying at a Koh Samui hotel all day. Now it’s time to take out your sunscreen and your camera and enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the island while enjoying the sunny Koh Samui weather. You surely won’t be disappointed! 

If you decide to tour Koh Samui by land then you need to have a car. You can easily find a local shop that offers a rent-a-car service for tourists. With a car, you can tour the island by simply following wherever the road takes you. You can even have your own side trips along the way without having to worry about transportation. Be sure to take a shortstop to visit Koh Samui’s magnificent waterfalls named Namuang I & II. You can also join the tour groups that visit the waterfalls on a daily basis if you prefer to have company. Just a reminder, wear only slip-proof footwear since the area leading to the falls can be slippery. 

Touring Koh Samui by boat is another experience you don’t want to miss. Bored of staying at your Koh Samui hotel and looking for a new adventure while in the island? Then the boat tour is for you.  Ever heard of the Angthong Marine Park? It is a chain of uninhabited islands and you can visit this national park by going on a day trip by boat. You need a whole day to be able to tour the park. You can either rent your own boat for the trip or you can join a tour. At the Angthong Park, tourists can enjoy private beaches and other activities such as hiking and snorkelling. The park also has a museum that displays some of Koh Samui’s history. 

Are you familiar with the long-tail boat tour? Some establishments at the island like the Five Islands Restaurant offer a boat tour using private long-tail boats, hence the name. Tourists can fully enjoy the beauty of a secluded beach while snorkelling all day under the sunny Koh Samui weather through this tour. 

Sunset cruises are also available during your stay at the island. You can choose if you want to go on a speedboat, or a yacht, or even on craft-catamarans for the cruise. Experience the beautiful sunset at Koh Samui up close instead of simply watching it through your Koh Samui hotel window. 

Enjoy the magnificent beauty of Koh Samui and have fun exploring the island by either boat or by car. 

Learning Muay Thai in Koh Samui

Come to Koh Samui and learn some Muay Thai from the finest trainers in the world (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

Koh Samui in Thailand is not only famous for its scenic beauty but also for its Muay Thai lessons. This martial art has fascinated the world and there has been significant increase in the number of people wanting to learn it. If you are interested in learning Muay Thai then you can start planning your own Koh Samui trip so that you can marvel at the magnificent tourist spots while learning how to execute Muay Thai. 

In what part of Thailand is Koh Samui located? It is situated in the country’s southeastern part and about 700-km away from Bangkok. The island is a Changwat Suratthani district and home to 50,000 people known as the “Chao Samui”. Prior to becoming a hotspot among tourists, the island was thriving on coconut planting and fishing. 

Nowadays, there are a lot of things to do in Koh Samui, which provide tourists with an unforgettable and fun travel experience.  One of these things is learning the art of Muay Thai. Koh Samui is home to several Muay Thai camps catering the need for excellent Muay Thai lessons among Muay Thai enthusiasts.  These camps boast of excellent accommodations and facilities as well as top-notch trainers, most of whom are Thai boxing champions. 

Aside from learning Muay Thai, Koh Samui can also make your stay even more exciting through its magnificent and sparkling beaches, scenic tourist spots, and other exciting activities happening in the island. Some things to do in Koh Samui include visits to its famous hotels and restaurants, boat and land tours that occur daily, and lessons on Thai food cooking, food carving, yoga, and diving to name a few. 

Koh Samui may be a small island but it is equipped with facilities to make every tourist’s stay convenient. The island has its own hospital in case of emergencies. You can also find several ATM machines within the area so concerns regarding money transactions are not a big deal.  So what are you waiting for? Stop delaying your Koh Samui travel plans and start looking forward to the various things to do in Koh Samui, such as learning Muay Thai. 

If you want to be the best Muay Thai fighter then you have to go for the best teachers of the art and you can meet them at Koh Samui Muay Thai camps. Make your dream come true and book your trip to Koh Samui today, so that you can become an excellent Muay Thai fighter in no time.  

Experience The Nightlife of Koh Samui!

The Koh Samui is absolutely incredible! (photo courtesy of Flickr.com)

Whether a vacationer is old or young, feeling inclined to party at night venues at places he or she has never been to before would only be natural. Luckily, the Koh Samui nightlife is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. And no, it doesn’t matter if they’re eighteen or fifty-five; because this tropical island has a wide range of commercial establishments, which can easily, cater to the needs and wants of both crowds.

For older folks, it’s recommended that they book a room somewhere in or near the Choeng Mon Beach, since this tourist hotspot is packed with beachfront restaurants offering various perks to keep guests entertained. Individuals will certainly relish in devouring a local spicy meal while enjoying the picturesque view of the ocean.

In addition to this, guests will be entertained by the live music performances by some of the popular local musicians, all the while gulping down alcoholic beverages, and chewing on BBQ goodies.

For the young and single, it’s highly recommended that they visit the Chaweng Beach. There are tons of nightclubs and places to dance with the attractive locals. Here, the Koh Samui nightlife is very similar to the atmosphere in Bangkok and other parts of the world!

For couples, the Laemset beach is a place that caters to all love bird’s romantic needs, whether they are newly weds or taking their first trip together, this place is serene, quiet and has nice view.  At this place, romantic, classy dinners can be enjoyed over a glass of wine at a table for two with a magnificent view of the moon hovering above the mystical sea.

Moreover, there are a wide variety of restaurants, lounges and pubs throughout Koh Samui to hang out at. The bulk of these businesses can be located along the village road, so they are easily accessible by both boat and by car.

For those who aren’t into a Koh Samui nightlife that’s focused on partying in clubs, romantic meals, or family-bonding time (usually groups of men), Muay Thai is popular night-time activity held on this island, and the fights are held every week. 

These striking matches take place at Chaweng Stadium, at about 9pm, the main bout starts somewhere between 10pm to 10:30pm. And when the match is over, spectators will be free to carry on doing other manly things throughout the night, such as grabbing a few Thai beers at the Reggae Pub nearby or heading to somewhere with some live musical performances.

Four Reasons To Stay At Koh Samui

The gorgeous Sunset is yet another reason to come to Koh Samui (photo courtesy of www.shasahotels.com)

There are tons of Koh Samui attractions that make this island a tourist magnet to vacationers everywhere. The obvious things that entice people from all over the planet to pay a visit to this tropical paradise, and come back to visit it again and again, include the white sand beach, crystal-clear ocean water, sea breeze, outstanding local hospitality and of course unforgettable sites.

However, similar things can be found at other popular tourist destinations elsewhere – so what separates this island from its counterparts within and outside the country? Below are the four biggest reasons that make this private getaway standout from the rest.

First off, Samui has the perfect balance between seclusion and convenience – since it can’t be reached by bus, travellers who go here tend to spend more time. While this islet is more developed as compared to other locations within region, there are numerous spots that are left virtually untouched.

For this reason, people can either choose to stay at a place loaded with various types of accommodations, which are closely situated near shops, bars, clubs and other commercial establishments; or stay at a mediocre to premium villa located far from such businesses and noisy tourists.

The second reason can be considered one of the biggest Koh Samui attractions: local cuisine. There’s a good reason why Thai cook books sell very well. Some of the best restaurants in the entire island include “The Z” and “Beyond the Sea” – they’ve been praised by individuals from all parts of the world for their mouth-watering, tongue-tantalizing food.

Third reason to stay at this fun-filled island is the wide range of activities for tourists to do – for those who like to spend their holidays at a laid-back pace, buying books from local stores, and reading under the palm shades at the beach, is one thing for these types to do. They can also choose to go to a spa, and unwind with a massage from experienced professionals.

As for those who’d like to keep busy during their visitations, this islet does exceptionally well at catering for that need – getting on a boat going to Ang Thong Marine Park is a great option. Here, vacationers can choose to go snorkelling, kayaking, or explore the park’s interior.

Fourth and last reason is the opportunity to learn something completely new – this island has various schools and instructors who are more than willing to give lessons in culinary cooking, yoga, diving, sailing plus wind-surfing.

There are of course, plenty of other Koh Samui attractions, which make this tourist hotspot an excellent place to visit. The ones listed here are just some of many reasons why a vacationist should definitely consider spending a vacation here! Many activities have been described on this blog in earlier posts, however if you would like to learn more about some other activities we haven’t yet covered, please let us know.

Do's and Don'ts When in Koh Samui

Do respect the monarch during your visit to Thailand. Long live the King (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

Well-known for its majestic Buddhist temples, pristine white-sand beaches, and a wide variety of delicacies, Koh Samui is definitely one of the top places to visit when traveling to Southeast Asia. Most of the Thai population are already used to seeing foreigners everywhere, especially at top tourist destinations. However, it still pays to be familiar, even just a little bit, with the country's culture along with some basic do's and dont's. It'll make you appreciate the place better. After all, you wouldn't want to embarrass yourself, and your country's name in a place as well-respected as Thailand right?

The Five Do's When in Koh Samui

Keep your composure. Be patient and stay calm, despite getting lost in Koh Samui and not knowing where to go. Thai's are very friendly and hospitable so there's no need to panic. After all, it's what they call the land of smile.

Wear proper attire. especially when visiting temples. This means covering the shoulders and knees for both ladies and gentlemen. Remember to bring appropriate clothes when packing. In addition, flip-flops are a no-no when temple-hopping but are generally allowed in other places such as at Koh Samui beaches.

Show respect to the monarchy. You may be used to a different type of ruling or government in your hometown but no matter what, show some reverence. After all, it's their country and you're just a visitor.

Remove your shoes. when entering homes and other establishments. Look for piles of shoes and slippers outside to double check if you will have to take off your shoes if you aren’t sure.

Read about their culture in advance. A little research over the net will do but you can also buy travel guides to make your Thailand trip truly unforgettable.

The Four Dont's When in Koh Samui

Raise your feet. To the Thai's, feet equates to dirt. So remember to always keep your feet on the floor. When sitting, hide them beside or beneath your legs. Note that pushing or kicking things with your feet is a sign of disrespect so don't ever do that.

Touch the head. It's the most important part of the body for the locals so don't ever touch anyone's head, children included.

Point with one finger. When you're trying to gesture to something, always use all four fingers and put the thumb against the palm. It's the correct way of showing people around.

Expose too much skin. And never swim nude, even on Koh Samui beaches. Check your travel guide to learn the ideal dress code.

Spectacular Cruising in Koh Samui

Cruising in Koh Samui is something you must do while you are on the island (photo courtesy aimforawesome.com)

Yachts visiting Samui will be able to experience the spectacular maritime scenery that the island has to offer. Samui is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket. This tropical gem is located in the south-eastern part of the country. Although the island was unknown for many years, today, it is a popular tourist destination and offers incredible itineraries to super yachts visiting. Koh Samui travel helps many people experience a wonderful vacation in this paradise destination.

From the different super yachts visiting the waters of Samui, one of the biggest luxury sailing yacht is Vertigo that was constructed in the Southern Hemisphere. The Captain of the Vertigo, Captain Charlie said that the owner and guests would have a splendid time in Koh Samui because of its beauty and also because of the incredible services offered by the team.

Captain Charles Dwyer, also known as Champagne Charlie of the Super yachts Samui Asian Pacific and founder of the yacht services in Samui and Asia Pacific Super yachts is a skipper of Yanneke a 120’ sailing yacht. He is a long time, American sailor enthusiast and became captain of some of the word’s most prestigious yachts over the past twenty years, racing and cruising all around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia.

The skipper has called the island of Samui home for a lot of years and talks about various journeys he went on. Koh Samui is the center of the Gulf as well as the easiest and best port to enter in the Siam Gulf. He also says that coming back to the island reminds him of the gorgeous natural beauty of Koh Samui and the island’s breath-taking cruising waters. Those who go on a cruising journey will find this island idyllic.

Captains, crews, and owners are drawn to Thailand because of the people, culture, their graciousness, and welcoming smiles. This kind of treatment is not something many will find in just any international destination visited by super yachts.

Charlie is currently the skipper of 36-meter Yanneke super yacht and has been for the last eighteen years. He is also an organizer of the leading yearly Asia Super yacht Rendezvous that is held every year in Phuket, Thailand during the month of December. As super yachting expands in Asia, experienced agents just like Captain Charlie will be able to offer top-notch service. Make sure to make travel plans with Koh Samui travel.www.shasahotels.com