To find his favorite place you have to first look at some places. The Samui archipelago includes the three islands Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, as well as the 42 islands of Ang Thong Marine National Park. The three sister islands are very easy to reach by ferry, while the National Park can only be visited in the course of guided tours. But there is the possibility to stay on the main island Koh Wua Talap. You should take a few days for each of the three islands to explore them and let them all affect you.
If you're traveling to Thailand for the first time, you're in for a treat Thailand round trip recommended. This is by far the best way to discover the different regions.
So in the north the food is very different than in the south. The climate, the landscape and the vegetation differ slightly from each other and the culture of the population has its peculiarities everywhere. Then you can plan your next trip to the region of your choice, and so keep pulling the circle until you land at your absolute favorite place.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the largest of the three islands with 233 km² and the only one with an airport. The quickest and most convenient way to get to this corner of Thailand is by plane directly from Bangkok. Koh Samui has more of everything: well-built roads, high-end luxury hotels, upmarket boutiques, good hospitals and clinics, and high-end restaurants. Like everywhere in Thailand, you'll find these treats side by side with simple Thai restaurants or backpacker resorts.
The diversified offer and the good infrastructure make Koh Samui especially attractive for families and older people. The busiest places are Chaweng and Lamai with a good nightlife. The fishing village Bophut has blossomed into a beautiful village with many coffees, small shops and a weekly walking street.
We would particularly like to highlight the Samui Elephant Sanctuary, a partner organization of Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Admittedly, a visit is not cheap, but you can be sure that no animal will be tormented and you will experience incredible things about elephants. The price is also so high because the founder - the wonderful Lek Chailert - tirelessly from all over the country elephants from terrible conditions bought out and provided medical care.
Another attraction are the grandmother and grandfather rocks - Hinta and Hinyai - near Lamai, a place of pilgrimage for lovers. Already falls on approach Big Buddha In the eye, a large temple district with restaurants and shops invites you to linger. Koh Samui does not owe anything to activities such as a go kart track, a butterfly park, you can book off-road trips or hike to the waterfalls, the Secret Buddha Garden magically looks at you and four times a week International Muay Thai fights are taking place.
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is the little crazy sister of Koh Samui. Four different ferry companies travel back and forth between the two islands several times a day.
For a day trip but still the time is not enough, you should stay at least one night here. Koh Phangan is mainly due to the monthly Full Moon Party internationally known. The party offer is great, only the lunar parties - Full Moon, Half Moon, Shiva Moon and Black Moon - can fill your calendar, plus many smaller events.
Ko Phangan is more than a party island!
Koh Phangan is the international mecca of the electronic music scene, famous DJs want to play here and many careers started here. In contrast to the party scene, the island has made a name for itself far beyond its borders for Yoga and Healthy Living. Whatever you are looking for in this area, you will find it on Koh Phangan.
The range of alternative methods is almost limitless, such as Reiki, Theta Healing, Rebirthing, Chystal Healing or Bars Therapy. In addition, there is a high density of vegetarian and vegan restaurants.
There are some luxury hotels in the northeast, most hostels in the southwest, and a mix of bungalow resorts, holiday homes and villas. On Koh Phangan there is a lot of nature, because a large part of the central country is a protected national park. The island attracts especially backpackers, yogis and party animals. Here you can, for example, book kitesurfing, trekking tours, try your hand at the wakeboard, climb Adventure Parks, cycle around on a bicycle, or go by boat to otherwise unreachable bays.
Koh Tao
The island beauty Koh Tao covers only 21 km² and is translated as turtle island. Ferries depart from / to Koh Samui, as well as to / from Koh Phangan. Again, the time is not enough for a day trip, and you should stay at least one night!
Diving in and around Ko Tao
It is the hotspot for divers, there are hardly any currents, excellent visibility and the underwater world is largely intact. This is how one actually encounters sea turtles, stingrays and reef sharks. With a little luck, you can even watch whale sharks!
Those who do not want to scuba dive can enjoy the colorful underwater world while snorkeling. The diving schools work together with the Thai authorities on various environmental projects. Turtles and shells, for example, are reared, later rebuilt, artificial reefs are raised, and the sea and its inhabitants are well protected.
In addition to water sports, Koh Tao invites to hiking on densely wooded ridges, experienced off-road riders can rent enduro machines or ATVs, you can climb on rocks, in the jungle rumble with paint ball guns or a game Miniature golf play. The roads on Koh Tao are now quite well developed and it is absolutely worthwhile to go exploring with the rented scooter. View Points is the magic word! Most vantage points are connected to restaurants, or you have to pay a small amount to maintain the trails. Most of that moves between 20 and 50 baht. Most of the nightlife you find in Sareee in the northwest, pizza and burger stalls included. For peace seekers offers Chalok Baan Kao further south. Between Mae Haad and Sairee Beach has a daily night market with delicious Thai street food. In addition to small bungalow resorts are on Koh Tao also very nice hotels and villas, and cheap hostels. The island is mainly visited by divers and backpackers.
