Joanna James
Attracting travellers from far and wide, Koh Samui is a pristine island haven for beach lovers. Here are the top 5 things to do during a vacation in this serene corner of Thailand.
Tipped to be one of the island's most breathtaking natural wonders, the Na Muang Waterfalls are no ordinary cascades in the beach capital. The two waterfalls occupy the southern reaches of the island and draw countless visitors to their scenic confines all year round. A whopping 18m tall, Na Muang Waterfall 1 is the first sight travellers come across as it is located near the entrance of the area while the 80m high second waterfall is a 30-minute walk away. Those who wish to travel this particular distance by vehicle can hire a jeep for the journey.
Koh Samui is not only known for its stunning beaches and breathtaking natural attributes but the iconic beach parties hosted in the sandy confines of its golden beaches. Party districts in Koh Samui not only include Chaweng which is a nightlife hotspot for the masses but also nearby Lamai where Ibiza scale parties are hosted on full moon nights and other special occasions. Dance the night away in this one of a kind beach parties where the liquor and the music flow throughout the night with well-known Dj's also making guest appearances and spinning discs for the revellers. As a rite of passage, all backpackers heading to Koh Samui must enjoy, Koh Samui's beach parties are the stuff of legends.
Often regarded as the most coveted cultural highlight in all of Koh Samui, a tour of the Big Buddha sculpture and the temple within which it is contained is an attraction all visitors must explore on a holiday in the island. Occupying pride of place in the north-eastern quarters of Koh Samui, the Wat Plai Laem temple and the Big Buddha statue are not the only cultural points of interest worth touring as shrines dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, Guan Yin is also part of the landscape. Both these edifices indicate Koh Samui's complex cultural heritage and spiritual identity.
Lamai is not only an area synonymous with beach parties and other beach holiday events but one of Koh Samui's most breathtaking precincts. Encircled by white, sandy beaches, Lamai is a food lover's haven lined with seafood restaurants and cocktail caravans the likes of Dave the Rave's Cocktail Caravan or Samui I Am. Ideal for snorkelling activities, Lamai's water and weather conditions are perfect for the water-based activity. What's more, Lamai is the perfect place to unwind by the pool and soak up the sunny atmosphere away from Koh Samui's busier beach hubs.
Revered as one of Thailand's top water sports Meccas, Koh Samui is the ideal venue to engage in a plethora of water-bound activities. From scuba diving to sea kayaking and parasailing to Jet skiing, the choices are seemingly endless when it comes to exciting water sports varieties. Those based at a Samui beach resort the likes of the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort or any similar accommodation provider will find that most hotels also house water sports facilities and organize surfing tours and other excursions around the island.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
