 Samui Sighseeing
Koh Samui may be the biggest and most populated island in the region, but there are also a number of smaller islands in the archipelago. The most popular of these are Koh Phangan, home of the word-famous full moon party, and Koh Tao, the region’s largest dive destination. There are however, many more options scattered around the coast, not to mention the forty islands that make up the impressive Ang Thong National Marine Park in the azure oceans to the south of Samui. For those who feel like island hopping, there’s certainly no shortage of day trips to choose from.
Koh Phangan is located about half an hour North by ferry from Samui and is widely tipped to become the next big Thai holiday destination. As Samui developed into a full-scale international resort location, Koh Phangan took over as the budget travellers’ alternative. Nowadays it is catching up with its big sister and already boasts a number of upscale resorts, although the roads and infrastructure remain basic. The monthly full moon party attracts an average of five thousand revellers, many arriving several days beforehand on Haad Rin beach to build up to the big event. Beyond the party beaches, it’s still possible to find a more secluded island feeling on Koh Phangan, with swathes of untouched sand and some isolated natural attractions. It’s also possible to travel by boat from Samui in the morning, have a look around and return in the evening. Most of the boat operators are based on Big Buddha beach, which also has the main pier for Koh Phangan, but travel agents in Chaweng can also arrange tickets and pick ups.
Koh Tao was once a small fishing community, but is now one of South East Asia’s most popular dive destinations. A large number International and local companies offer courses from beginner up to instructor level, and trips can be arranged from Samui to visit the many spectacular dive sites around the island. (See Watersports and Diving section). Koh Tao still has a few secluded bays and beaches, but the main attraction is definitely under the water with snorkelling also a fabulous experience for those without a dive certificate. Various resorts, restaurants, and bars cater for the large numbers of divers who now visit Koh Tao, and there is some quite sophisticated nightlife on offer in the main port town of Mae Hat.
The Ang Thong National Marine Park is a protected reserve spreads along the Thai coast and is located just under one hour’s speedboat ride away between Koh Samui and the mainland. Day trips generally include snorkelling and some time to swim or laze on one of the pristine beached. You can also venture off in kayaks into shallow caves and follow trails to visit the famous ‘Emerald Lake’.
Koh Nangyuan is also part of the marine park, but is located about an hour and a half north of Samui just off Koh Tao. This fabulous strip of white sand beach is actually out at sea, connected to two small offshore islets. With just one dive resort on the island it’s a beautiful secluded spot for a day spent swimming, snorkelling and eating. Speedboat operators and the large Lomprayah catamaran offer such trips, as well as ferry services to and from Koh Tao.
 Samui Coastal Islands
Koh Tan is a few hundred metres off the southwestern coast of Koh Samui from Taling Nam fishing village (Koh Samui map C6). It is a small, largely unspoilt island, known for its coral and marine life. Giant clams, fan corals and a wide variety of fish species live in and around the protected reefs. Koh Tan can be reached by local long tail fishing boat, and several local fishermen in Taling Nam have an excellent knowledge of the island and a commitment to the conservation of the reef. Trips generally include snorkelling on the reef, a stop at one of the island’s fine beaches, and a walk along the wooden platform that was built by the locals to view the mangrove forests. Koh Tan is known throughout the region as the island without dogs. According to local folklore, any dog that has been taken to live there has quickly gone insane, but luckily the local population seem not to suffer the same fate.
Koh Matsum is just south of Koh Tan, opposite the beaches by the Laem Sor Chedi (Koh Samui map I2) and it is also a popular spot for a day trip. A long sandy beach is a favourite with local Thai tourists for picnics, and there are often groups of students camping on the beach or singing songs around campfires. It’s a good place to join the locals on a ‘tio’, Thai for day out.
Koh Som is the tiny island that protects the Big Buddha temple from the sea. There is a fine sandy beach here, but as yet no resorts. It’s possible to hire a fishing boat from Big Buddha Beach to visit Koh Som, or even to reach it by kayak, but watch out for strong currents between the islands. Parties and camping are occasionally advertised on this island, but proximity to several large resorts on Samui means that noise must be kept to a minimum.
 Getting About Samui
Getting About
If you don't want to spend all your holiday lounging on a single beach, then Samui is remarkably easy to get around. In fact, a round trip by car can be done in about an hour. Of course, it makes much more sense to take a little longer and see some of the sights along the way.
Songthaews
Covered red pick-up trucks called songthaews serve as local buses during daylight hours. Each songthaew's destination is clearly marked in English on the front and sides of the vehicle. Songthaews follow fixed routes around the island but there are no official stops. Just flag down the first one you see, and confirm that the drivers going in your direction. Press the button or bang on the roof to signal when you want to get off and pay when you exit the vehicle. Fares range between 10 and 50 baht. At night songthaews also operate as private taxis and can be chartered to go anywhere, but fares can increase sharply. Should you wish to charter a vehicle late at night from Chaweng or Lamai to outlying areas such as Maenam, the fare could run as high as several hundred baht. If there are already people on board, it should still be operating as a bus and be correspondingly cheaper.
Car Rentals
Renting your own vehicle is an excellent way to get around as it allows you to explore the many small roads and tracks that lead off into the jungle-clad interior or down to one of the islands many little coves and deserted beaches. Prices vary from 800-2000 baht according to type and condition of the vehicle. Local operators generally rent manual shift Suzuki jeeps, while the major car rental companies like Avis and Budget now rent both manual and automatic sedans and air-conditioned cars and jeeps. Smaller companies will ask you to leave your passport as collateral on the vehicle. Make sure that full insurance is included, or you will be held responsible for the potentially ruinous expense of any damage to the car in an accident and compensation for others involved.
Motorbike Rentals
Most visitors to Samui rent 100cc four gear Honda Dream's and Wave's, for between 120-250 baht per day. Be careful that you don't get a 'Samui tattoo' - burning your right calf on the exhaust when changing gear. Fully automatic Yamaha Neuvo's are slightly more expensive (200-300 baht) but are much easier to handle. Don't forget that Samui has the highest rate of driving fatalities in the kingdom, and motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than other road users. So try and stay sober and be especially careful of sand on the road. Motorbikes do not come insured, so you will be responsible for anything that happens in an accident.
Fuel is available around the island at modern petrol stations or from roadside stands. You can spot these by the pumps attached to 55-gallon oil drums; the price is higher than in stations though. If you get a flat tyre, don't panic. You are seldom more than 100 metres from someone who can repair it or knows a neighbour who can. This takes about 30 minutes and costs about 50-100 baht - more if your whole inner tube needs to be replaced or you had to wake someone in the middle of the night. Large off-road dirt motorbikes can also be rented around the island. Prices are around 500 baht per day.
Taxis
Samui has dozens of yellow metered taxis for those who prefer to travel in air-conditioned comfort. They can be found at the airport and cruising the islands major roads throughout the day and night. The downside is that it's virtually impossible to get drivers to actually turn on their meters and prices can be high, so try to negotiate a reasonable fare before departing.
Bicycles
With a little asking around, you can find reasonably high quality bikes to rent around the island for around 80 baht a day. Don't ride at night if you can avoid it as you'll be the most vulnerable person on the road, and bear in mind that the hills between Chaweng and Lamai and between Maenam and Nathon are very steep.
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