Angthong Marine Park

Don't miss out on your chance to visit the Ang Thong Marine Park (photo courtesy flickr.com)

When people plan on going to a tropical destination, which is commercially dubbed as a tropical paradise, they usually expect to get more or less than what’s being advertised. However, the natural beauty of most island tourist hotspots is tarnished by industrialization and commercial expansion.

On the contrary, every Koh Samui travel agency wouldn’t bother selling tourism related services for Thailand’s second biggest island if it didn’t have the right balance between natural formations and commercial accommodations and establishments.

Out of the many attractions Koh Samui has, Angthong Marine Park is one site in particular that’s frequently visited by tourists. Comprised of forty-two island this attraction has a total land area of approximately 250 square kilometres.

People are on holiday who stay in Koh Samui will be pleased to know that Angthong Marine Park is just a few hours travel (via boat) away from their location. But why should they bother going out of their way to another venue when the place they’re currently residing at is already a tropical paradise?

According to Koh Samui travel guides, this “park” (not an actual park) is said to be even better – this attraction outshines its counterparts with its magnificent limestone mountains and rock formations, as well as its abundance of coconut trees plus other plant life. Since the area is predominantly uninhabited, the surrounding beaches and ocean water appears to be extra clean and clear.

In addition to the facts above, there are around sixteen types of mammals living within the area, which would make for a pleasant sightseeing experience for adults and children. Strolling deeper into the depths of the “jungle” is recommended (under the supervision of reputable tour guides), since there’s a variety of lakes and other pleasing sights to see as well.

Vacationers staying in Koh Samui should definitely consider paying a visit to Angthong Marine Park. Approaching various boat charters and hiring these professionals for a private trip, or getting on a scheduled trip with the other tourists, is the best way to get to the park. Such tours usually last for an entire day, and include food plus water.

Experienced Koh Samui travel guides are included in the package as well, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost. Lastly, it’s highly advisable to bring snorkelling equipment along, since a wide range of aquatic life can be found near the shorelines of the beaches. 

What Do I Need For Koh Samui?

Don't forget to pack the essentials to your trip to Koh Samui (photo courtesy shasahotels.com)

Many people head off to this tropical paradise ill prepared, which will cause many problems. A person who doesn’t pack everything they need for their trip will not have as much fun as someone who is prepared. Riding a plane to Thailand, staying in a fancy hotel, and partying at night won’t be cheap, so it’s important that you prepare everything that’s needed for the trip ahead of time!

The obvious things vacationers should bring include a passport, travel insurance, and money. As for the not so obvious items, the first one that’s often neglected by overly excited vacationists is a guidebook. At this island getaway, there are plenty of beaches to visit, mediocre to premium accommodations to stay at, attractions to see, and bars to hang out at.

Staying at some place that’s near a fair amount of the attractions would be an ideal move, but nevertheless, it’s something that the clueless tourist couldn’t possibly do by himself. Naturally, a guide book will be able to pinpoint the best hotels, condominiums or even beachfront villas to stay at, while issues with being too far from the coolest attractions will be effectively eliminated.

Moving forward, the second thing that may be considered necessary in the formation of any Koh Samui travel plan is a book with some essential Thai phrases. However, considering that the entire country is a tourist hot spot, essential English phrases are known by the majority of the locals, especially those working in commercial establishments.

Learning basic Thai will definitely be appreciated by the Thais. Moreover, the inhabitants of the islet love it when they hear foreigners speaking in their tongue, so it’d certainly help when it comes to making to friends.

The third items on this list is to pack all the necessary travel essentials – this includes medication (numerous vacationers had to cut their holidays short due to vital medicine left behind), luggage locks, travel organizers, sun block, sun glasses, hats and a camera.

Last item to include in any Koh Samui travel plan is an mp3 player and earplugs, since the trip going to Thailand is anything but short. Spending long hours on a plane, it will be important to get sleep.

Listening to music is a great way to kill time. Trying to fall asleep is a feasible yet challenging option in economy class, but having earplugs will help make the task easier. 

Sports in Koh Samui

Rock Climbing is one of the sports you can partake in at Koh Samui (photo courtesy  flickr.com)

An ideal destination is more than just a span of white sand beaches, tropical trees, and beautiful sceneries; it must be filled with fun activities. Vacationers are likely to gain extra pounds by just laying around the beach, enjoying the sun with a cold drink. Physical activities and sports are good ways to eliminate extra pounds. However, don’t forget to bring sunscreen and a cold bottle of water.

Santiburi Samui Country Club, high up in the hills above and with an incredible view of Samui’s north coast, is the best place to play golf. It offers full cart and caddy service. It rents out golf shoes, clubs, and other golfing gear at the pro shop. After an exhilarating round of golf, one can relax with a light lunch and refreshing drink in Santiburi, a breezy patio restaurant. Dress code is a must and reservations are necessary. Green fees are 3,350 THB and cart/caddy charges.

Most people come to Koh Samui to do water sports. Some popular water sports on the island include jet skiing, go carting, and rock climbing, bungee jumping, fishing and scuba diving.

Other Koh Samui sporting activities include running which can be done at several places such as at the hotel gym or along the beach. Running along the road is discouraged for two reasons: road surfaces are concrete and not advisable for joints. The highly recommended running venue is the beach of Maenam, which is longer and flatter than Bophut and Choengmon. The best time to start is before 7:30 a.m. otherwise it might be too hot.

Yoga is another sport that visitors to the island love to partake in. Thai yoga is Koh Samui is superior to other places due to its ambiance. Everyone is welcome and yoga skills do not matter, as there is both advanced and beginner courses offered.

 Additional sports that tourists like to enjoy on the island are kayaking, sea swimming and tubing. Sports lovers will also consider the Angthong Marine Park, which offers numerous water sports. Many places throughout the island offer Scuba courses and PADI certification. Some places a person can get certified at includes the Choeng Mon beach and Fisherman’s Village in Bophut.

Lastly a person can go Kite boarding in Koh Samui. There are individual or 2-on-1 lessons from certified instructors. 3-day beginner’s courses are also available.

There are so much Koh Samui activities that tourists have to make a second or third and even fourth trip back to experience them all. A person should never have a dull moment in Koh Samui. 

Koh Samui Packing Tips and Tricks

All packed up and ready to go? (photo courtesy of  flickr.com)

Having a hard time figuring out what things to bring to Koh Samui, Thailand and which to leave at home? No need to panic, as we'll list down some tips and tricks that will alleviate the stress and make your Koh Samui travel experience a memorable one.

Keep in mind your hosts

Locals, especially Thai women, typically dress modestly. Most often than not, you'll see that they keep their shoulders and knees covered. Make sure to follow these dress codes especially when visiting sacred temples and shrines. On the other hand, rules are more relaxed when it comes to islands such as a Koh Samui beach. The locals typically don’t bikinis, however they aren’t offended or care much about tourists who do decide to wear them. The important thing to remember is to look decent and presentable when visiting a temple (means no sandals or short skirts or shorts).

Don't forget the climate

Koh Samui is a tropical island – meaning it's generally hot all year round. Stray away from heavy clothing such as jeans, as well as anything made of polyester. Instead, go for the cotton. Whatever style of clothing you choose just make sure it's light, preferably cotton. It best suits the Koh Samui weather.

Think about the Koh Samui activities

There are tons of things you can do a Koh Samui – frolicking by the beach, sailing through the waters, hanging out by the pool, pigging out by some nice restaurant, and even trekking your way to a waterfall. Think of the best combination of clothing and footwear that matches every possible activity that you can do when you get there. Just be smart in prioritizing or else you'll end up bringing your whole closet with you!

Bring some sunscreen

This is a necessity you will need to any tropical country you plan on visiting. Generally, the closer to the equator, the harsher the sun is. The sight of the Koh Samui beach will make you want to go and lay out and tan bur remember to do your skin a favour by bringing some sunscreen and applying a generous amount before basking under the sun. For added protection bring a hat and sun glasses.

No need to worry about laundry

 If you're staying for quite a while in Koh Samui, then laundry is going to be the least of your problems. Almost every area and decent hotels offer laundry service. If there's none, then fret not because laundry shops can be found in almost every corner of the island.

Getting Around Koh Samui

This a view from the back of a Thai Tuk Tuk, one of the many types of transportation available in Koh Samui (photo courtesy of Flickr.com)

A few decades ago, the Koh Samui beaches were visited only by a limited number of backpackers craving for a quiet and relaxing getaway. Now, Koh Samui has seen an influx of tourists, attracting all types of travelers from the posh, luxury vacationists to budget travelers staying in simple beach-side bungalows. What's unique about the Koh Samui travel experience is the way it offers comfort and privacy to its visitors through the relaxed atmosphere, which can be felt all throughout the area. 

Getting around Koh Samui is very easy. You can navigate around either by car, motorbike, boat or on foot. Koh Samui is just a small, simple place it's just 25 kilometers long and 21 kilometers wide. A circular road sits around the entire island connecting the beach to the other note-worthy Koh Samui attractions.

So if you're trying to get to a certain place, chances are you can easily reach your destination by motorbike. The good thing about this is that most of the Koh Samui local people are truly nice and hospitable people. You can always ask around if you're unsure of where you're headed.

If you want to drive around the island, there are two options available – you can either rent a car or hail a taxi. Renting a car is one good way of making the most out of your trip, offering flexibility and allowing you to visit as many Koh Samui attractions as possible. On the other hand, taxis are a good alternative when you simply want to hop from one spot to another such as to a restaurant from your hotel. However, make sure to negotiate the rates first, especially at night when rates are usually higher.

The Koh Samui travel experience will never be complete without riding a songthaew – the island's public bus system. It looks nothing like a bus, it's merely a pick-up truck with converted seats but it's your cheapest alternative to get around the island. It has a fixed route around the ring road and fares normally start at 20 baht. During the night, several songthaews also double as private taxis that tourists can rent to get from one beach to another. The fare depends on distance but it usually costs a hundred baht.

Lastly, traveling by boat is also common in Koh Samui. Some beaches cannot be reached by car or motorbike, they can only be reached by taking a boat. Depending on the location and the amount of people you are travelling with, you will probably have to pay anywhere from 200 baht to 500 baht per boat ride.