Joanna James
The lovely Thai island of Koh Samui attracts its share of holidaymakers from across the globe. Known for its picturesque beaches, groves of coconut palms, dense rainforest and tourist attractions, Koh Samui offers much that would draw the interest of the visitor. Although you could very well spend many days exploring this island, you could still experience its major attractions on a single weekend, as described below.
Koh Samui is rightfully renowned for its appealing beaches and you could spend your first morning on the island experiencing them. You will find that the beaches on the island’s eastern coast would be amongst the finest and the most frequented, with the much-loved Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach amongst them. On the other hand, the beaches on the west coast such as Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam and Phang Ka would be less crowded and offer relatively more seclusion. A choice of accommodation to consider near Phang Ka Beach would be Avani+ Samui Resort which may be regarded as a pleasingly located resort in Koh Samui to base yourself at.
On your weekend getaway, you may spend the afternoon visiting Koh Samui’s engrossing temples. Highlights amongst these would be Wat Plai Laem and the Big Buddha Temple which feature massive eye-catching statues. You could also marvel at Wat Khunaram’s mummified monk and visit other noteworthy shrines like Wat Lamai and the Hin Lad Waterfall Temple.
In the evening, you could check out Koh Samui’s captivating shopping attractions. Make sure to experience the distinctive Fisherman’s Village Walking Street which functions on Friday evenings; also of note are Bophut’s Elephant Walk, the Chaweng Walking Street and the Lamai Night Plaza. On the other hand, if you would prefer an air-conditioned shopping experience, make your way to Central Festival Samui, the island’s foremost mall which offers an array of fashionable clothing options.
Next, it would be time to party and the locality of choice would be Chaweng which features some of Koh Samui’s largest and best bars and clubs. Many visitors choose to enjoy ARK Bar’s beach party, and then after midnight, head over to Soi Reggae or Soi Green Mango. Other towns such as Lamai and Bophut also have their share of bars.
The next morning, you could take the opportunity to go island-hopping amongst the small islands to be found in the Gulf of Thailand. You may choose to experience the entrancing attractions of the Ang Thong Marine National Park; other captivating destinations would include Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. You will be able to reach these places via a ferry ride, while some resorts will also offer longtail boat trips too.
Your visit to Koh Samui wouldn’t be complete without exploring the island’s untamed interior. If you take the opportunity to explore the central part of the island, you will encounter jungle-swathed mountains, a host of natural attractions, superb views and interesting wildlife. Make sure to visit highlights like the Secret Buddha Garden, Lamai Overlap Stone, Sky Fox Cable Ride and Na Muang Waterfall.
Thailand happens to be renowned for its flamboyant and enjoyable cabaret shows as well as its exciting Muay Thai combat matches. You will have the opportunity to enjoy both these not-to-be-missed experiences in Koh Samui, as the island boasts several cabaret theatres and Thai boxing stadiums. Another interesting spectacle would be the fire shows presented nightly on the principal beaches of the island.
To round off your weekend in Koh Samui, spend your final evening at one of the alluring beach clubs. Some of these clubs will offer fine cuisine and a great ambience along with enticing views of the local sunset. Spending an evening at one of these clubs would be a memorable conclusion to your visit to this enchanting island.
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.
