KohSamui
5
Day Itinerary •
Thailand
Five days on Koh Samui and the Gulf Islands lets you explore the full extraordinary depth of Thailand's east coast island chain. From Samui's hidden waterfalls and sacred temples to the 42-island wilderness of Ang Thong Marine Park, the hidden north beaches of Koh Phangan, and the finest snorkelling and diving reefs of Koh Tao. This route moves through the Gulf island chain from south to north, spending two days on Koh Samui before crossing to Ang Thong and the full moon island of Koh Phangan with its hidden northern beaches, then reaching the finest snorkelling in the Gulf at Koh Tao and finishing with an extraordinary wreck dive and night snorkel.
Best Time To Visit
January to August
Getting There
Fly into Koh Samui (USM) or ferry from Surat Thani
Getting Around
Scooter on each island, Lomprayah 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 PHANGAN
MORNING
KOH PHANGAN NORTH COAST, THE HIDDEN BEACHES OF THAILAND'S PARTY ISLAND
Koh Phangan is famous worldwide for its full moon party but its extraordinary north coast is almost entirely unknown, a series of deserted white sand beaches accessible only by dirt track or longtail boat. Bottle Beach is the finest, a perfect cove with no road access backed by jungle-covered hills. Longtail from Thong Sala pier approx 200 baht. Ferry from Koh Samui approx 200 baht, 45 minutes. Drive/Travel: 30 min by longtail
MIDDAY
THAN SADET WATERFALL AND THE ROYAL FOREST, WHERE THAI KINGS BATHED
The Than Sadet waterfall in the extraordinary jungle interior of Koh Phangan was visited by Kings Rama V, VI and VII, who carved their initials into the rocks. The national park forest here is the most extraordinary and least visited on the island, with a trail following the waterfall stream through primary jungle. The royal initials on the boulders are extraordinary. Entry approx 200 baht. Drive/Travel: 40 min by scooter
AFTERNOON
HAAD YAO AND THE CORAL REEF SNORKELLING OF THE WEST COAST
The west coast of Koh Phangan at Haad Yao and Haad Salad is the finest for snorkelling on the island, the calm water and extraordinary coral gardens accessible directly from the beach. The extraordinary sunset from any west coast beach on Koh Phangan, with the silhouette of the Samui mountains across the water, is among the finest in the Gulf. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Koh Ma, a tiny island connected to the north coast of Koh Phangan by a sand causeway that appears at low tide, is one of the most extraordinary hidden snorkelling spots in the Gulf of Thailand. The coral reef surrounding the island is the finest and most undamaged on Koh Phangan. Walk across the causeway at low tide and snorkel the western reef for extraordinary marine life. Entry free. Snorkel hire from Mae Had village approx 100 baht.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Thong Sala pier market Outstanding local food market at the main pier. Roti, boat noodles and fresh fruit. | Lunch: Bottle Beach restaurant Simple Thai food delivered by longtail boat to the beach. Fresh fish caught that morning. | Dinner: Haad Yao beachfront Grilled seafood and cold beer at sunset on the finest west coast beach on Phangan.
DAY 4
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 5
KOH TAO DIVING
MORNING
KOH TAO OPEN WATER DIVE, THE FINEST LEARNING DIVE IN ASIA
Koh Tao is the most affordable and finest place to learn to dive in Asia, with over 50 PADI dive schools and extraordinary shallow training reefs. A single fun dive with equipment costs approx 1,000 baht and reaches sites with blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles and giant moray eels in water with visibility up to 30 metres. The HTMS Sattakut warship wreck at 18 metres is the finest dive in the Gulf. Drive/Travel: 30 min by longtail
MIDDAY
HTMS SATTAKUT WRECK DIVE, THE FINEST IN THE GULF OF THAILAND
The HTMS Sattakut is a US Navy landing craft sunk deliberately in 2011 to create an artificial reef off the southwest coast of Koh Tao. The 50-metre wreck lies at 18 to 30 metres and is now covered in extraordinary coral growth with lionfish, scorpionfish and batfish in residence. The hull penetration through the engine room is extraordinary. Guided dive approx 1,200 baht. Drive/Travel: 20 min by longtail
AFTERNOON
NIGHT SNORKELLING ON KOH TAO, THE BIOLUMINESCENT REEF
The night snorkelling off Sairee Beach on Koh Tao is among the most extraordinary experiences in Thailand. The bioluminescent plankton creates an extraordinary blue glow around swimmers in the dark. The nocturnal reef fish, sleeping parrotfish and hunting reef sharks visible at night are entirely different from the daytime reef. Guided night snorkel approx 500 baht.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Hin Wong Bay on the east coast of Koh Tao is the finest and most pristine snorkelling bay on the island, a deep rocky bay with extraordinary visibility and minimal boat traffic. The enormous boulders underwater create extraordinary swimthroughs and hiding places for giant grouper, batfish and trevally. Almost entirely free of tour groups. Accessible by scooter on the east coast road. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sairee Beach cafe Dive boat breakfast at 7am. Full Thai breakfast included with most dive packages. | Lunch: Zest, Sairee Return for the finest lunch on the island between the morning and afternoon dives. | Dinner: Safety Stop, Sairee Beach The finest dive bar on Koh Tao. Extraordinary burgers and cold Chang beer post-dive.
Where To Stay
Koh Samui, Nights 1 to 2 Bophut north shore. Four Seasons or Samui Palm Beach. Approx 60 to 250 USD per night. Koh Phangan, Night 3 Haad Yao or north coast bungalow. Haad Yao Bay Resort. Approx 30 to 80 USD per night. Koh Tao, Nights 4 to 5 Jamahkiri Resort or Koh Tao Cabana, Sairee. Approx 40 to 120 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Gulf coast dry season is January to August. Avoid Koh Samui in October and November.
2. Bottle Beach on Koh Phangan has no road access. Longtail from Chalok Lam village approx 150 baht.
3. Koh Tao diving is the most affordable in Asia. An open water PADI course costs approx 10,000 baht.
4. Night snorkelling on Koh Tao needs a guide for safety. Book through any dive school on Sairee Beach.
5. Koh Nang Yuan entry fee: no plastic bottles allowed. Buy water before boarding the longtail.
6. Ang Thong Marine Park: book speedboat not slow boat. The emerald lake trail closes at 3pm.
Total Budget
50 to 200 USD/day