Sightseeing / Attractions
Samui Attraction summary
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Suratthani province, the island has long been developed into a popular holiday resort enveloped by more than fifty stunning island. Koh Samui is conceived as a paradise for beach lovers, seafood gourmets and water sports enthusiasts alike. It has been able to maintain its exceptional charm and classical image of a tropical beach resort fringed by coconut trees. This treasure trove in the Gulf of Thailand enjoys a blend of allthat is best in Thailand natural wonders, friendly folks and attractive spots to discover. Lovely beaches, crystal clear waters and lush tropical gardens also await all visitors to island. Recommended places here include Hat Chaweng, Hat Lamai, Hat Na Thon, Mu Kho Ang Thong National Marine Park, Animal Farms & Shows, Hin Ta-Hin Yai, Samui Aquarium, Samui Golf&Country Club and Wat Phra Yai or the Temple of the Buddha.
Koh Samui Tourist Attractions :
The second largest island in the country of Thailand, Koh Samui epitomizes the pristine beauty of nature, almost personifying nature herself. Also known as Koh Samui, this island in the Gulf of Thailand is a major tourist attraction of South East Asia. A leading holiday destination of the world today, the Koh Samui tourist attractions charm all the tourists in Koh Samui with their charm, which is even today, surprisingly uncorrupted.
The beaches of Koh Samui form the predominant tourist attraction of Koh Samui with their scenic beauty as well as bustling atmosphere. However, the island has a lot more to offer than just beaches. If you are planning a holiday in Koh Samui, make sure to visit some of the main Koh Samui tourist attractions like:
The Big Buddha
Perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols of Koh Samui, this is a 15 meters high statue of Lord Buddha and is a must-visit while planning a trip to Koh Samui.
Buddha's Footprint
As there is no sign posted, finding this attraction will be part of the adventure. Take Rt. 4170 and 2 km west of the turnoff for the Butterfly Garden, go up the concrete slope on the left. Housed in a hilltop shrine, four footprints have been engraved one atop another. There are 163 steps to climb in all, but the view up there of the surrounding treetops and valleys will be worth it.
Hin Ta Hin Yai (at Lamai Beach)
Upon viewing those astonishing creations, even scientific purists would be tempted to believe that nature can also be as whimsical as the most eccentric artist. Also known as "Grandfather and Grandmother rocks"; entirely formed by the elements, two extraordinarily accurate male and female genitalia-shaped rock formations share a perch overlooking the sea. Delightfully refreshing forest forays, if you plan to do more than admiring the view - that is plunge into one of the island's natural waterfalls, then take along a sturdy and non-slip pair of old shoes and tread carefully. Those who have difficulty walking mountain paths are advised to visit Na Muang 1, and content themselves with enjoying the view. The volume of water at the falls will vary, depending on the time of year and recent rainfall. The last few months of the year are the wettest, while the months of March through September are fairly dry.
Namuang Waterfall
Picturesque in the way it represents the constant influence of nature on Thailand, the Na Muang Waterfall, located just around 10 kms south of Nathon at Ban Thurian is one of the principal tourist attractions of Koh Samui.
Samui Monkey Theatre
Located in Bophut, this crude zoo with a performing animal arena features shows several times a day. Small monkeys are trained to perform various tricks on stage, and then they climb the trees to demonstrate how they harvest coconuts; a feat for which the area's monkeys are uniquely skilled.
Chaweng Beach
Chaweng is the longest and most developed of Samui's beaches. The soft white sands attract thousands of visitors all year round and there is a vast choice of accommodation and food both on the beach and all along the main shopping street just behind it. Chaweng is the resort capital of the Island which gives the area an international flavor and means that much of the best shopping and entertainment is also to be found here. There are stalls and shops selling every kind of gift and souvenir plus innumerable bars, clubs and restaurants.
Lamai Beach
Lamai is Chaweng's smaller sister, another fine white sand beach with good swimming and lush tropical scenery all around but slightly less developed in terms of the big international resorts and chains. There are more mid-range and budget choices here as well as a large number of resident foreigners who came to Samui years ago and never quite managed to leave. Lamaj has the same type of long shopping and entertainment strip as Chaweng and the nightlife can certainly be iust as lively as the number of bars, clubs and restaurants is increasing all the time
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Samui Beaches
Samui Buddha
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A very standard sight on any 'round island tour is the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) on Samui's north coast. The temple is a rather modern construction, and it lacks almost all of the grace and beauty typical of most Thai temples.
The 12 meter high Buddha sits on a small islet connected to the big island by an unpaved causeway. In front of the temple is a cluster of shops and food stalls catering to bus loads of tourists and day-tripping Thais. In amongst the cheap souvenirs is a small silver shop run by the smith who has crafted most of the items on display.
Entering the temple, you first come to a large paved courtyard with a dragon stairway on the other side. Flanking the stairs are two small pavilions housing smaller Buddha images. The stairs lead you up to the platform on which the Buddha image sits. From the platform you get some good views of the long beach where the islet sits.
On a filled area facing the big island are a number of cartoonish mythical statues painted in bright sparkling colors.
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Buffalo Fighting
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A pair of male water buffaloes are pitted against one another in what amounts to a fairly harmless head wrestling contest. This widely loved spectacle still takes place at selected venues around the island, where banners are displayed days in advance. Like sumo, the elaborate and theatrical preparations are an important part of the show, after which the animals are set loose to glower and paw the ground.
Finally they lock horns and the crowd goes wild. The show at the edge of the ring is just as entertaining as the one within. The first beast to turn and run away is the loser, and so are some punters in the crowd.
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Butterfly Garden
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Located opposite the Central Samui Village in Laem Set, the Butterfly Garden is built into a scenic hillside, covered with netting. Vividly colored tropical butterflies can be seen along a winding foot path and the panoramic views from the top are spectacular too. |
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Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo
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Just around the corner from the Butterfly Garden at Laem Set beach, this attraction features live specimens of local marine life in a darkened tunnel filled with tanks. On display at the zoo are five playful Bengal tigers and a collection of tropical birds including parrots, eagles and love birds. This attraction now also boasts a truly once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with South American sea-lions who have been trained in human rescue services. |
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Crocodile Farm
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Samui Crocodile farm is located behind the airport and easy to find. On an area of 7,000 sqm you can find app. 100 animals of various kinds like Siam crocodiles, caimans, Saltwater crocodiles, snakes, lizards, monkeys and many others. Showtime is two times daily, at 1400h and 1630h.
> Do you know? There are three types of crocodile in Thailand, two of which are believed to be extinct in the wild. Of the third, the Siamese crocodile, there are less than 200 left in the world. Crocodiles can go up to 18 months without eating.
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Diving in Koh Samui
The Best Sites in the Gulf of Thailand
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Samui Island has been welcoming visitors since the early 1970's and has developed into the most popular tourist destination on the east coast of Thailand. The Gulf of Thailand is somewhat sheltered from the major oceans in the region and that protection gives the Gulf a number of high quality dive sites which can be dived all year round. Most of the dives sites are close to Koh Tao and can be dived on full day trips out of Koh Samui. Many pelagic fish such as whale sharks are frequent visitors to the area. There are towering pinnacles, huge rock formations, colourful soft & hard corals and sloping reefs. Although most people would agree that the diving is better on Thailand's west coast, the east coast still has some world class diving. Koh Samui will always be one of Thailand's favourite tourist destinations. With some excellent hotels and resorts, great beaches, the spectacular Ang Thong National Marine Park, and a mix of nightlife and quiet retreats, Samui makes a fine place for a dive holiday, especially during the summer months when Phuket and the Similans are in low season
Diving Season
You can dive all the Ko Samui and Koh Tao diving spots year round, but the very best conditions exist from May to August, which is when the Andaman coast has low season.
September to November brings the Northeast monsoon winds and surface swells to the islands, reducing visibility by about 30%. It's pretty rare that diving trips are cancelled due to bad weather, but speedboat rides can be somewhat bouncy. It can also be windy and wet from November to February so it may be better to go diving in Phuket, Phi Phi or the Similan Islands then.
Reef Basics
Great for: Small animals, beginner divers, value-for-money, snorkelling and non-diving activities
Not so Great for: Wrecks and drift dives
Depth : 5 - 40m
Visibility : 5 - 40m
Currents : Can be strong
Surface Conditions : Calm to moderate
Water Temperature : 27 - 29°C
Experience Level : Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites : ~10
Access : Day trips from Koh Samui by speedboat
Recommended length of stay : 1 week
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Samui Elephants
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Did you ever want to ride an elephant? If the answer is yes just head down to Namuang Waterfall where you can find the elephant camp at Namuang Safari Park.The ride lasts app. 30 minutes and costs about 500-700 Baht. You also can join one of the safari tours which mostly includes a elephant ride.
> Do you know? Elephants are herbivores and will consume about 2-300kg of food per day, and 150 liters of water. Elephants may be heavy animals, but they can run up to 15 miles per hour.
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Samui Freshwater Lake
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Hidden freshwater lake on tiny island off
of Koh Samui
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Samui Full Moon
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Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party that takes place in Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan, Thailand on the night of every full moon.
Full Moon Party (Koh Phangan) Once upon a time Had Rin Beach on nearby Koh Phangan was a secret haven for a few 'hippy' backpackers who could only get to the beach by boat. Currently, however, Had Rin is packed with bungalows, bars, pizza joints and even a 7-11. Every month on full-moon a huge party is held; one that has become internationally renowned. All through the night party-goers can drink and dance to the latest rave sounds played by well-known DJs from around the world. Literally ten of thousands appear solely for the point of joining in the action.
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Samui Golf
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Koh Samui Golfing Information
Santiburi Samui Country Club is currently the only full size course in Koh Samui, but is absolutely worth visiting the little coconut island for. The course was opened in 2003 and is truly a sensation. Located at the slopes of Samui's mountains at the North Coast (Maenam), around 15 minutes drive from the island town Nathon, offering stunning views over the sea and the neighbor island Koh Panghan. The great course with it's difficult mountain and valley fairways is hard to cope without a golf cart (compulsory). Small fairways are often leading hill up, hill down, but the large greens make the landing of the balls a little bit easier. The spectacular view over the coconut palm tree covered mountains and the sea is not making it easy to concentrate on the game during the first round. The clubhouse is designed in a luxury style as the Country Club and provides comfortable changing rooms, a big Pro-Shop and a restaurant with delicious food and a huge terrace. |
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Samui Hin Ta Yai
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Strangely shaped rocks south of Lamai Beach are locally dubbed Hin Ta - Hin Yai. According to legend, an old couple were shipwrecked in the bay and died and their bodies washed ashore creating the rocks.
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Pattaya Beaches
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KAJAKING AT THE SAMUI MARINE PARK |
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Samui Monkeys
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On Samui, the monkey undoubtedly qualifies as man's best friend. This isn't surprising, since for centuries the people here have used monkeys to do the hardest part of the work climbing to the trees to "pick ripe nuts" on their coconut plantations. Until the advent of tourism, coconuts represented the main industry here, so these industrious little animals were greatly prized.
To see the monkeys at work just watch out for signs at the roadside which say "Monkey work coconut" or go to the monkey theatre which offers shows in which the monkeys display their dexterity, and not just at picking coconuts
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Mosque on Samui
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Name of Mosque : Nuruliahsan
Address : 368/1 Moo1 Maret Koh Samui Suratthani
Tel : 0898726665
Name of Iman : Sommad Tokhard
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Secret Buddha Garden Koh Samui
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Invitingly beautiful and a must visit while on a trip to Ko Samui (or Koh Samui as it is also known), the Secret Buddha Garden, Ko Samui is one of the most important tourist attractions of Ko Samui. The garden which was built by a Samuian fruit farmer around the year 1976 called Nim Thongsuk, who was 77 years old when he started building the garden. This has also resulted in another name for the garden. It is also fondly known as Uncle Nimm's Garden.
The garden, which is surrounded by jungles and rocky hills, is slightly difficult to reach, which, however, is not considered to be much of a hindrance for tourists on a holiday in Ko Samui. A number of tours are conducted in the area, which covers a number of other nearby tourist attractions of Ko Samui as well. The entirety of the tour takes around 2 hours if started from the Lamai Temple and is an extremely enjoyable ride. Perhaps another important attraction on the route to the Secret Buddha Garden, Ko Samui is the highest point on the island, which overlooks some of the most spectacular sceneries surrounding the region.
The entire garden is adorned with sculptures and structures depicting both humans, in various poses, as well as various deities.
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Samui Snakes
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Samui snake farm is located at Talingngam on the south of the island. As its name implies, it is where all kinds of snakes and reptiles are gathered. Some rare species of poisonous snakes those that cannot be found in Europe or America are kept here. Some of these snakes take the center stage during the farm's special shows. An exciting part is a fight between man and scorpion, and even centipede (a show unique here). There is also a cobra show that only Samui Snake Farm can put up and don't worry,
The animals are not harmed during the show. Snakes, for example, aren't caught to have their teeth or their poison taken away. These natural shows are presented in line with the highest standards of Thailand. Visitors can be assured of 100 percent safety during the performances. Aside from the exciting shows, you can also avail of various interesting information in the exhibition rooms and snakes' houses. Showtime: 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. daily. Fee is 250/150 Bahtadult/kids
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Hin Lat Waterfall
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Located at the end of Route 4172, 3 kilometers south of Na Thon Bay, the waterfall is encircled by palms, ferns and creeping plants. Hin Lat Waterfall also provides a few natural pools for bathing. An enjoyable 2-kilometer walk to the top allows visitors to get a panoramic view of the waterfall.
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Halal Restaurants on Samui
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- Faria halal food
Oposit Bangkok Hospital Chaweng
Tel.0866262722
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- Hayam Restaurant
Chaweng
adjoin gas station PTT
Tel. 0896498751
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- Halal Kitchen
Nathon on the beach
Tel. 0810836692
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