The 3 Most Interesting Koh Samui Attractions

One of the most interesting sites in Koh Samui is the Magic Garden (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

There are tons of things to do in Koh Samui to keep you entertained throughout the duration of your vacation. While the typical activities include swimming in the crystal clear ocean water under the hot sun, building sand castles and paying a visit to Koh Samui attractions is one way to maximize a holiday at this tropical island.

However, the average time that a vacationer spends at this islet (which is about five days) isn’t enough to visit and enjoy everything that this island has to offer. With that being said, this blog will list and describe the three most interesting ones that you shouldn’t miss out on.

Visitors of this island are advised to visit the attractions listed here first, and then use their remaining time to check out others sites.

The first place that a tourist should visit is the Samui Snake Farm – here, vacationists can get a close-up view of Thailand’s most beautiful and dangerous snakes. This reptile zoo also features sixty-minute shows wherein trained professionals engage in daring acts of interaction with poisonous snakes and scorpions. Considered as one of the biggest Koh Samui attractions, shows are held every day, and are guaranteed to send tingles down the spines of spectators.

Another place that you shouldn’t miss out on is the Magic Garden. Located within the deeper parts of the jungle, this attraction features treasures and statues carved by Nim Thongsuk (deceased.) The garden is very serene and tranquil.

No one should attempt to get to Magic Garden on his or her own – its location makes it quite difficult to get to, therefore, a local driver with a 4 x 4 vehicle will be needed. Also, the driver should know his way around the area, because anyone could easily get lost.

The last place that you must visit when you go to Koh Samui is the Monkey Theatre, which is a place where locals show visitors how monkeys are trained to harvest coconuts atop tall coconut trees. The mere sight of monkeys obeying the commands of a human (in this case, gathering coconuts) makes paying a visit to this attraction one of the best things to do in Koh Samui.

There are of course, plenty of other Koh Samui attractions for tourists to see such as the famous temples, secluded islands, tiger zoo, crocodile shows and much more. Make sure to visit as many of these sites as possible you won’t regret it.  

Thai Cooking Courses and Thai Language Lessons in Koh Samui

Learn how to turn these Thai ingredients into a deletable meal! (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

Just can’t get enough of the delicious and exotic food you ate at the Koh Samui restaurants you’ve visited? Would you like to learn how Thais prepare their famous food delicacies? Thailand is famous for its exotic and delicious food offerings and now you can learn how to prepare and cook them while you’re vacationing in Koh Samui. 

Thai cooking lesson is one of the Koh Samui attractions that you can include in your travel itinerary while in Koh Samui. One of the best places to learn how to cook Thai food is at the ShaSa resort, where you can learn how to cook from the comforts of your own room. It does not matter if you have no background in Thai cooking, as the lessons are practically easy and quick to learn. 

Another place that people like to go to learn to cook Thai food is at the Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts or SITCA, professional chefs will help you fulfil your dream of learning how to cook Thai food.  Two daily classes are offered at the institute.  The classes are small and last for 3 hours. You can even invite some of your friends to enjoy the Thai meal that you will be preparing.  You can choose the type of course you want by logging online and browsing through the institute’s calendar. You can go for the 6-day intensive cooking course or if you want to have it longer, there is also the 12-day intensive course. 

In various Koh Samui restaurants, tourists are treated to fascinating and intricate food carvings. Now you can also start learning how the Thais do it.  SITCA offers courses to help tourists learn how food carving is done.  At the institute, you can enrol for the 1-hour crash course on food carving or you can opt for the 3-day comprehensive food-carving course if you want to learn more. The 3-day comprehensive course includes an instructional book that you can take home, some carving tools, and the apron.  Because this course is very popular among tourists, it is advisable to book in advance before all the slots are taken. 

Other Koh Samui attractions and lessons that you can also enjoy include lessons on Thai language, yoga, and massage.Learning a few Thai phrases can greatly help while vacationing in Samui and Mind Your Language Thailand can help you with it You can enrol for the 2-hour group lessons for beginners or you can choose the 30-hour Thai language course. 

If you want to learn how to do the Thai massage then you need to enrol at Tamarind Springs Massage Academy.  The academy has beginner lessons for reflexology and Thai massage.  For yoga enthusiasts, there are yoga lessons and yoga training courses you can take advantage of while in Koh Samui. 

Water sports such as sailing and diving are also some of the Koh Samui attractions you can try. The Samui Ocean Sports & Yacht Charter offer sailing experiences like no other.  Diving in the nearby Koh Tao Island is also exciting. If you’re a beginner, you can call one of the island’s diving academies such as the Discovery Divers for beginner lessons. 

Even during the rainy season, there is much to see and do in Koh Samui. From learning how to cook delicious Thai food made famous by Koh Samui restaurants to learning several water sports and other activities, Koh Samui is truly a haven for travellers.  

Traveling to Koh Samui Via Bangkok Airways

Most people like to use Bangkok airways to get to Koh Samui (photo courtesy flickr.com)

Considering how uncomfortable trips to tourist hotspots can easily turn anyone off towards going there in the first place, making arrangements with the right travel agency is unquestionably a must.

There are tons of Koh Samui attractions, on the island, which could easily get any vacationer overly excited. But to ensure that the journey from Bangkok to the tropical paradise is stress-free, flying via Bangkok Airways is frequently suggested by seasoned travellers.

Despite the fact that the trip lasts roughly one hour only, this airline actually feeds passengers food, unlike some of the other commercial airline companies.

For those who travel regularly, participating in the frequent flyer program, known as “Flyer Bonus”, is highly recommended. Members are given the opportunity to earn exclusive and special rewards, such as preferential check-in, increased luggage allowance, plus more. Moreover, not only will a passenger receive bonus points for flying (on their plane) during his or her birthday, signing up to become a member can be done easily through the Internet.

After arriving from the refreshing, stress-free ride courtesy of Bangkok Airways comes the hard part, which is getting to see all of those Koh Samui attractions.

There’s a wide range of mediocre to premium accommodations available (most of which are proximate to the popular crowd-drawers) throughout the entire area. For those working with a smaller budget, condominiums are a cheap yet comfortable alternative. These types of residential units for rent come with all the basic furniture, fixtures, plus adjacent amenities that a vacationer will need to live comfortably.

As for those fortunate enough to work with a large spending allowance, and want nothing less than the best the island has to offer, ShaSa Resort & Residences is one commercial establishment in particular that can cater for such desires. Fitted with elegant furniture and fixtures, designer appliances, and multiple views of the magnificent ocean outside, this hotel can give its customers a whole lot more than the normal VIP treatment.

Whichever condo, hotel room, suite or villa a tourist may stay at, it’s safe to say that it should be near a variety of Koh Samui attractions. Moreover, these commercialized businesses typically provide guests with various means of transport to get to certain attractions – be it via boat or land vehicle. 

What To Buy During Koh Samui Shopping Trips

There are plenty of cool souvenirs you can buy while in Koh Samui (photo courtesy of flickr.com) 

Some of the best memories are forged during vacations in distant places. A traveller was asked about what he loved the most during his trip to Thailand’s third biggest island, and he said it was the world-class accommodations he received at the ShaSa Resort as well as the mouth-watering exotic dishes he had at a couple of restaurants.

When asked how he planned on capturing the memory he had on the island, he answered: “with a camera and by doing a little Koh Samui shopping.” The most common way people cherish memories is by taking photographs, which is great. However, using this in combination with the acquisition of an actual commodity unique to the place would be even better.

There are many things that any vacationist can buy to commemorate his trip to this paradise island. With that being said, one item that seasoned travellers and locals recommend for tourists to bring back home is jewellery.

Shops on the island offer custom-made pieces that can be crafted in such a way that’s aesthetically appealing to the buyer, or in a way that’d remind the buyer of the island.

However, when doing a little Koh Samui shopping for jewelleries, shoppers are advised to make sure that the shop is authorized with a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) license to warrant the goods’ authenticity.

Moving forward, Koh Samui hotel staff say Thai triangular cushions also make great souvenirs. While these merchandises can be found everywhere, the widest selection of such goods is located at Nathon Town and Fisherman’s Village. At these places, silk wall hangings, wooden carvings plus other crafts can be purchased as well, all of which make great mementos of holiday spent in the charming island.

Another item that’d help commemorate the trip is local Samui rum – not only does it come in different delicious-tasting flavours, but many of these sport handsome wooden cases which look good at most (or some) western home displays.

A person can also purchase a tailor made suit in Koh Samui at a reasonable price. The prices for suits are extremely cheap and will last a good amount of time.

Koh Samui shopping for art works such as sculpted wooden images or paintings is advised, as they make great keepsakes, and are bound to blend well in anyone’s house. Many of these painters and carvers are willing to do custom jobs for their customers. Although it’ll cost more (depending on the rate charged by the dealer,) getting something truly unique is always a great way to remember any cherished holiday. 

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.