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Koh Samui |
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Koh Samui |
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Chaweng is the most popular beach on Koh Samui
In addition to the popular beaches are another 23 individual beaches, some much more removed and quieter. The choice is yours alone.80 kilometers out from the mainland of Southern Thailand lies the beautiful tropical island of Koh Samui. Set amongst innumerable smaller islands of the Angthong Archipelago and the Angthong Marine National Park, Koh Samui is the largest and most populated of the islands in this region.
From the moment that you set foot on the ferry pier after the boat trip across, or on the tarmac at the Samui airport, the charm of this enchanting island gets you.
The airport is one of the most beautiful small airports in the world today with landscaped gardens and traditional island architecture. The ferry ports at Nathon and Chon Khram are also quaint, island style points of arrival and departure worth a visit in their own right..
Samui had a local population of some 35,000 Thai people. The island folk are kind-hearted, smiling, happy people who seem to have not a worry in the world. Who would, living on such a paradise island? Their lifestyle is idyllic to say the least.
Until the advent of tourism in the late 70's, fishing and coconut farming were virtually the only sources of income on Koh Samui. Both these industries remain today, with Samui exporting thousands of tons of coconuts to the mainland each year. You still see the coconut pickers, huskers and copra burners at work today, the sweet smell of coconut woodhusk smoke permeating the air in places.
The most popular beaches on Samui are Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam. Sporting accommodation from simple thatch roof bungalows to full 5-Star luxury, these places are none-the-less never overcrowded or too busy.
Weather on Samui is generally very, very agreeable with a temperature of around 25 degrees C. in the cool season (from November to February) to highs of 35 degrees plus in the hot dry season (from March to June). Although humid at times, the heat is never oppressive, cooled Samui is by the gentle sea breezes from The Gulf of Thailand.
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Facilities |
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| Company | Contact | Address | Information |
| Lodging | |||
| Moby Dick Guesthouse | 168/37 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach Koh Samui - Suratthani - Thailand 84320 Tel
+66 (077) 413-107 |
Located behind Blue Wave City, Central Chaweng Beach Excellent value for money Rooms for rent daily, weekly and monthly rates Clean and spacious rooms (cleaned daily) Air-conditioned rooms with hot water and refrigerator Fan rooms |
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| Le Chablis bed and breakfast hotel |
119/22
Moo 2 Tambon Bophut. Chaweng Beach Road. Koh Samui. Thailand. |
Offering
European management, service and style at a price you can easily afford.
Le Chablis provides quality accommodation right on Chaweng Beach, the most
popular beach on Samui.
16 rooms/apartments with very reasonable rates and very comfortable and cleanly kept rooms. |
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| Moon Bungalows | |||
| Anong Villa Resort | |||
| Corto Maltese restaurant and resort | |||
| Papillon Resort | |||
| Ocean View Resort | |||
| Bantai Resort | |||
| Secret Garden Bungalows and live music | |||
| Eating | |||
| Nowi Butchery and Restaurant | |||
| Chez Ban Ban restaurant and resort | |||
| Other | |||
| Easy Divers | |||
| Big Blue Diving | |||
| Mui Divers | |||
| The Diveshop | |||
| Discovery Dive Centre | |||
| Paradise Tours | |||
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Koh Samui Anchorages
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Ao Na Thon Anchor in 7-10 metres well clear of the jetties. Na Thon, the main town on the island, offers a market as well as shopping, banking, postal and other facilities. This is also where you go to deal with Customs and Immigration. The main jetty is designed for fast passenger ferries, the local fishing fleet and bulk transport. Fuel and water are available on the jetty by arrangement only. |
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Ao Na Sai This is the main car ferry terminal from Donsak, and it is not particularly recommended unless you are meeting passengers from the ferry. |
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Koh Katen and Koh Mat Som Anchor between the islands in 6-7 metres on a muddy bottom, well clear of the fringing reef on the west coast of Koh Katen. This makes a pleasant and secluded overnight spot or an ideal day destination from the main island. Local legend has it that dogs cannot survive more then a couple of days on Koh Katen. |
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Ao Lamai The best anchorage is in 6-8 metres on a sandy bottom in the middle of the bay. Care should be taken to avoid the coral outcrops to the north of the bay. The anchorage may become uncomfortable in the southwest season due to ground swell. This is the second-most developed bay on the island, and there is plenty of action ashore. Accommodation of all types is available, together with the usual conglomeration of minimarts, bars, discos and restaurants. |
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Ao Thong Takien This small indention in the coast north of the headland makes a nice lunch stop, and is used as such by many local fishing boats. Anchor outside the bay in 10 metres on sand, as the inner bay has a rocky bottom. |
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Ao Chaweng The main tourist bay on Samui Island, Ao Chaweng is separated by a rock formation into two beaches; Chaweng Noi (southern end) and Chaweng Yai (northern end). The gradually sloping sandy bottom permits anchorage in 5-10 metres anywhere in the bay. In the southwest season, even in quite strong prevailing westerlies, a ground swell from the east can make this anchorage uncomfortable. Major Hotels, resorts, bungalows, restaurants, shops and disco sprawl along the entire beach road. Transport can be arranged by local bus or taxi from many points on the road, and Na Thon is about half an hour away. Tradewinds, on the north side of the huge Central Resort in mid Chaweng, is run by well-known sailor John Stall and is always a welcome stop for yachtsmen. |
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Haad Choeng Mon This is a reasonable daytime anchorage, affording access to the resorts ashore, but it is not suitable for overnight stays due to the rocky bottom. Anchor in 8-12 metres well clear of the beach. |
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Ao Bang Rak The north-coast beaches have developed more recently than Chaweng and Lamai, on the eastern side of Samui, and are nowhere nearly as built up, as yet. Look for the huge sitting Buddha on Koh Fan, the island north of Haad Bang Rak. Local boats offer passage north across Chong Samui to Koh Pha Ngan. Ashore in each bay you'll find clusters of small resorts and bars as well as a variety of small shops and local markets along the road. |
