Joanna James
As one of Thailand's most popular beach holiday destinations, there's more to a Koh Samui vacation than simply soaking up the rays. Here are 5 engaging things to do during a getaway in Koh Samui.
While the stunning beaches of Koh Samui are its main attributes, Koh Samui is also home to a plethora of heritage sites and cultural attractions. Exploring these breathtaking and historic sites is one of the true pleasures of a holiday in Koh Samui as venues such as The Big Buddha are awe-inspiring, to say the least. Towering above the surrounding landscape, the 12m high sculpture is surrounded by smaller statues of Lord Buddha. Other highlights include Wat Plai Laem which also houses a mesmerizing sculpture of the Goddess of Mercy.
Nature lovers, on the other hand, should visit the Ang Thong Marine National Park while the Hin Ta & Hin Yai rock formations are another sightseeing must.
Although Koh Samui's retail landscape is not as vibrant as Bangkok's, the shopping opportunities are no less engaging. The Lamai Walking Street is a must for all tourists as the venue is the best place to pick up souvenirs, food items and other products including trinkets and clothing. The Central Festival Samui is the island's most popular shopping complex and is a mammoth department store spread out over 90,000 square metres. Visitors will find branded clothing, accessories, footwear and other luxury goods in this sprawling shopping complex.
With ideal conditions for water sports prevalent throughout the year, Koh Samui is the perfect location to experience a plethora of water sports activities. From parasailing and snorkelling to kayaking, the rich marine life heritage off the coast of the island also makes the island an excellent venue to enjoy scuba diving adventures. Those who wish to learn diving, kayaking or any other water sport will also find that water sports centres in Koh Samui offer lessons as well as courses. Travellers can also sign up for a dolphin watching safari and catch a glimpse of the areas pink dolphins.
After dark entertainment in Koh Samui comes in the form of beer bars and beach clubs where one can dance the night away with the beach in view. Discos and cocktail bars are also rife in Koh Samui's top hotels whether it's the Avani+ Samui Resort or any other accommodation provider. Some of the top things to do in Samui for beach lovers include catching live entertainment acts in local clubs.
Home to some of Thailand's most luxurious spas and meditation centres, Koh Samui takes rest and relaxation quite seriously. The serene environment on the island also makes it the perfect venue for spa retreats as Thai, Balinese and Ayurvedic massage and spa therapy techniques are available in most establishments. Those who would rather work on their spiritual well-being can sign up for a meditation course or retreat while yoga fanatics will also find special getaways designed with the yogi lifestyle in mind.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
