KohSamui
3
Day Itinerary •
Thailand
Three days on Koh Samui and the Gulf Islands give you the finest tropical island experience on Thailand's east coast. The extraordinary Ang Thong Marine National Park with its 42 emerald islands, the world-famous snorkelling reefs of Koh Tao and the finest palm-fringed beaches in the Gulf are all within easy reach of Samui. This route covers Koh Samui from its extraordinary Big Buddha and hidden jungle waterfalls to the Bophut Fisherman's Village, then crosses to the 42-island wilderness of Ang Thong Marine Park before reaching the finest dive island in the Gulf at Koh Tao with its blacktip reef sharks and extraordinary coral reefs.
Best Time To Visit
January to August
Getting There
Fly into Koh Samui (USM) or ferry from Surat Thani
Getting Around
Hired scooter or Grab on Samui, ferry between islands
Budget Per Day
Approx 50 to 150 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, beaches and boat trips
DAY 1
KOH SAMUI
MORNING
THE BIG BUDDHA AND WAT PLAI LAEM, THE SACRED NORTH SHORE
The 12-metre golden Big Buddha of Wat Phra Yai on a small island connected by a causeway is the most recognisable landmark in Koh Samui. The adjacent Wat Plai Laem contains the extraordinary 18-armed Guanyin goddess statue above a lotus pond filled with turtles. Both temples are free to enter and require modest dress. The north shore at this hour is extraordinary in the morning light. Drive/Travel: 30 min by scooter
MIDDAY
NA MUANG WATERFALL AND THE SAMUI INTERIOR, THE UNKNOWN ISLAND
Na Muang 1 is the finest waterfall on Koh Samui, a 20-metre cascade into a natural swimming pool deep in the extraordinary jungle interior that most beach visitors never reach. The drive through the coconut plantations and rubber tree forests of central Samui reveals a completely different island from the beach strip. Entry free. Accessible by scooter on a good road. Drive/Travel: 20 min to north shore
AFTERNOON
FISHERMAN'S VILLAGE, BOPHUT, AND THE WALKING STREET MARKET
Bophut Fisherman's Village is the finest neighbourhood on Koh Samui, a preserved row of century-old Chinese shophouses on the north shore with independent boutiques, excellent restaurants and the extraordinary Friday Walking Street market. The beach at Bophut is calmer and less crowded than Chaweng and the extraordinary views across to Koh Phangan at sunset are the finest on the island. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Secret Buddha Garden is hidden in the jungle hills of southern Koh Samui at 400 metres elevation, a series of extraordinary Buddhist and Hindu statues carved into the forest by local fruit farmer Nim Thongsuk who began the garden in 1976. Accessible only by 4WD or a steep hike. Almost entirely unknown to beach visitors. Entry approx 80 baht.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lamai market, Koh Samui Fresh roti with condensed milk and Thai iced coffee from the morning market stalls. | Lunch: The Hut, Maenam Outstanding fresh seafood on the quiet north shore. Grilled barracuda and coconut curry. | Dinner: Bophut Fisherman's Village Friday Walking Street from 5pm is the finest evening food market on the island.
DAY 2
ANG THONG MARINE PARK
MORNING
ANG THONG MARINE NATIONAL PARK, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ARCHIPELAGO IN THE GULF
Ang Thong is 42 uninhabited limestone islands covering 102 square kilometres of the Gulf of Thailand, one of the most extraordinary marine national parks in Asia. The islands inspired Alex Garland's novel The Beach. The emerald lake of Thale Nai on Koh Mae Ko, accessible by a steep 430-step jungle trail, is the most extraordinary sight in the park. Speedboat day trip from Samui approx 1,500 baht. Drive/Travel: 30 min by speedboat between islands
MIDDAY
THE VIEWPOINT AND THE SEA KAYAKING THROUGH THE KARST CAVES
The viewpoint on Koh Wua Ta Lap gives an extraordinary panorama over the entire archipelago. The sea kayaking through the limestone caves and hidden lagoons between the islands is the finest in the Gulf of Thailand. Several islands have beaches accessible only by kayak. The extraordinary clarity of the water in the protected park is unlike anywhere on the Samui coast. Drive/Travel: 1 hour speedboat back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO SAMUI AND THE CHAWENG LAKE HIDDEN LAGOON
The return to Samui via the extraordinary Chaweng Lake, a freshwater lagoon hidden behind the beach strip and almost entirely unknown to tourists, gives a remarkable perspective on the island. The lake is home to extraordinary birdlife and the walk around its perimeter through coconut groves is the finest hidden walk on Samui. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Koh Nang Yuan, three tiny islands connected by extraordinary white sand causeways just north of Koh Tao, is one of the most photographed places in the Gulf of Thailand. The viewpoint above the central causeway gives an extraordinary aerial perspective over all three islands. Day trip from Koh Tao by longtail approx 100 baht. Entry fee approx 100 baht. No plastic bottles allowed on the island.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Nathon pier cafe Simple Thai breakfast before the 8am speedboat departure from Nathon pier. | Lunch: Ang Thong park restaurant Fresh seafood and Thai curries on the main island. Eat under the casuarina trees. | Dinner: Chaweng Beach Road Return for the finest seafood barbecue on the island. Choose your fish from the display.
DAY 3
KOH TAO
MORNING
KOH TAO, THE FINEST SNORKELLING ISLAND IN THE GULF OF THAILAND
Koh Tao is the finest and most affordable snorkelling and diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand, its extraordinary coral reefs hosting blacktip reef sharks, whale sharks, turtles and the finest diversity of reef fish in the Gulf. The island has more dive schools per square kilometre than anywhere in Asia. Ferry from Koh Samui approx 600 baht, 1.5 hours. Drive/Travel: 15 min by longtail
MIDDAY
SHARK BAY AND THE BLACKTIP REEF SHARKS OF KOH TAO
Shark Bay on the southern tip of Koh Tao is the finest snorkelling spot in the Gulf, a shallow reef where blacktip reef sharks are reliably seen feeding in clear water just metres from the beach. The extraordinary concentration of juvenile sharks makes this one of the finest wildlife snorkelling experiences in Thailand. Longtail boat from Sairee Beach approx 150 baht. Drive/Travel: 20 min by longtail
AFTERNOON
SAIREE BEACH AND THE KOH NANG YUAN DAY TRIP
Sairee Beach is the longest and finest beach on Koh Tao, a 2km curve of white sand with the clearest water in the Gulf. The extraordinary Koh Nang Yuan, three islands connected by white sand sandbars, is accessible by longtail from Sairee for approx 100 baht return and has the finest viewpoint in the Gulf of Thailand. The snorkelling between the sandbars is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Japanese Gardens snorkelling site off the northeast coast of Koh Tao is the finest coral garden in the Gulf of Thailand, an extraordinary shallow reef of table corals, staghorns and brain corals in water so clear the bottom is visible at 15 metres. Almost entirely free of crowds compared to Shark Bay. Accessible by longtail from Mae Haad pier for approx 200 baht return. Snorkel hire 100 baht.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ferry breakfast, Koh Samui pier Buy Thai breakfast at the ferry terminal before the early morning departure. | Lunch: Zest, Sairee Beach Outstanding Thai and international food on Koh Tao's finest beach. Fresh tuna sashimi. | Dinner: Sairee Beach barbecue Fresh lobster and giant prawns grilled on the beach at sunset. The finest dinner in the Gulf.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Koh Samui, Nights 1 to 2 Bophut or Maenam north shore. Four Seasons or Samui Palm Beach. Approx 60 to 250 USD. Koh Tao, Night 3 option Stay on Koh Tao if time allows. Jamahkiri Resort or Koh Tao Cabana. Approx 40 to 120 USD. Budget Option Samui Backpacker or Mad Monkey Hostel. Approx 12 to 30 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Koh Samui wet season is October to December. The Gulf coast is opposite to the Andaman for weather.
2. Ang Thong Marine Park: book the speedboat tour rather than the slow boat for maximum time in the park.
3. Shark Bay on Koh Tao: go at 7am before the snorkel tour boats arrive. Sharks are most active at dawn.
4. Koh Nang Yuan entry fee includes a no-plastic-bottle rule. Buy water before you board the longtail.
5. Bophut Friday Walking Street is the finest market on Samui. Arrive at 5pm for the best food stalls.
6. Scooter hire on Samui requires an international licence. Police checkpoints are common on Ring Road.
Total Budget
50 to 195 USD/day