For a long time a bit of a hippy haunt, Koh Samui has developed over the last two decades to attract a more eclectic audience. Pretty much everyone from backpackers to luxury travellers adores this island – which is the third largest in Thailand and you can get an idea of the best reasons to visit below. Hopefully, they”ll help you decide whether the destination”s for you!
Experience a slice of paradise
Unsurprisingly, one of the top reasons to visit Koh Samui is having the chance to experience life on a paradise-like island. You”re bound to have seen pictures of this place – stunning blue seas, picture-perfect white sand beaches, lush greenery on the interior. Look at any photo of the island and it”ll seem almost unreal. Happily for us travellers, it is real – and if you”ve always wanted a getaway on a gorgeous sun-soaked isle, you can”t fail to be impressed by it.
Nightlife (the island and beyond)
What”s good about Koh Samui – depending on your viewpoint, of course – is that it has all its bases covered. Pretty much everyone can enjoy a trip here, since anyone looking for a quiet holiday will have amazing beaches to relax on (it”s still possible to find some secluded spots), but people keen to party will also have a great choice of venues to check out. Plus, there”s a good balance between spots that seem virtually untouched and home comforts; you”ll even come across major brands here.
On the island itself, there”s a decent range of bars and clubs, including everything from English-style pubs (like the Black Jack Pub on Chaweng Beach Road) to open-air bars, such as The Deck, which let you make the most of the weather. In terms of clubs, electronica fans should check out Gecko Village in Bo Phut – an awesome beachfront venue that”s known for attracting international DJs.
It”s also worth taking a trip off the island to Koh Pha-Ngan, if only to experience it”s absolutely legendary Full Moon Parties. These are held each month (you should check upcoming dates before you travel) on Hat Rin beach. Buckets – quite literally – of alcohol, fire spinners and an amazing beach setting make this a pretty unforgettable experience. Plus, it”s only half an hour away by boat, so it”s not a major trek.
Scuba diving
Thailand”s islands are pretty famous for their scuba diving opportunities, and Koh Samui is a great place to base yourself if you want to check out the local marine life. Just to the east of the island is the incredible Ang Thong National Marine Park, which you can explore by boat from Mae Nam or Na Thon.
Made up of lagoons, white sand beaches and around 40 small islands, this place really is incredible – and you might recognise it from the film adaptation of Alex Garland”s The Beach. The coral reef is in the south-west of the park, and it”s home to some wonderful, colourful marine life.
Tours of Thailand
Another great reason to head to Koh Samui is that, if you”re planning on travelling to lots of different Thai, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia destinations, it”s an awesome place to round things off. Spend the final few days of your trip unwinding on the beach, or finish on a bang by going to the Full Moon Party.