Koh Samui - pointers and tips, please!
Discussion
In a rare moment of spontaneity, I have booked a two-week break to what looks like a lovely resort in Koh Samui. Arriving in April slap bang in the middle of their New Year; expecting to get water thrown at us!
Usually, I research a potential holiday destination for weeks before booking, but this time I have only done the basic, rudimentary research: weather looks good, hotel looks fairly luxurious, flight times seem okay, visas don't appear to be needed for a 14 night stay. Job done.
My aim is total relaxation (previous top holidays have been in the Maldives which were absolutely perfect, but unfortunately also slightly over budget for next year). I'm not into partying, trekking or any backpacking style adventures.
I've never been to the Far East before, so I'm looking for some pointers for things to do, visit and see whilst on the island. To be perfectly honest, I'll probably spend 80-90% of the time in the resort, relaxing in and around the pool but might find the effort to make the odd jaunt outside of the resort...
Usually, I research a potential holiday destination for weeks before booking, but this time I have only done the basic, rudimentary research: weather looks good, hotel looks fairly luxurious, flight times seem okay, visas don't appear to be needed for a 14 night stay. Job done.
My aim is total relaxation (previous top holidays have been in the Maldives which were absolutely perfect, but unfortunately also slightly over budget for next year). I'm not into partying, trekking or any backpacking style adventures.
I've never been to the Far East before, so I'm looking for some pointers for things to do, visit and see whilst on the island. To be perfectly honest, I'll probably spend 80-90% of the time in the resort, relaxing in and around the pool but might find the effort to make the odd jaunt outside of the resort...
Not sure where you're staying, but if it's Chaweng then be aware it is like Magaluf nowadays. However it is still a nice island, you just 100% have to get yourself a motorbike and go riding around the place. 5 minutes out of the main areas and it starts to get very nice. There are a lot of very quiet and nice beaches, waterfalls etc to see and it's a piece of piss to ride around with no chance of you getting lost. Just take your time and don't fall off.
I'll be staying on the south east side of the island, Natien beach. This place: http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/csv/
All the reviews suggest it is very quiet... I'm hoping this is the case.
Scooter/bike will almost certainly be on the cards; I'm a biker at heart so any chance to get on two wheels (albeit 50 or 125cc) is welcomed.
All the reviews suggest it is very quiet... I'm hoping this is the case.
Scooter/bike will almost certainly be on the cards; I'm a biker at heart so any chance to get on two wheels (albeit 50 or 125cc) is welcomed.
We just stayed at the north east side , so can recommend...
BoPhut - fisherman's village they have a walking street on Fridays.
Bangrak - big Buddha and a great street side restaurant called shambala.
Chaweng as mentioned is bit brash but there some great little bars north of soi green mango. There's a Bob Marley tribute bar on the beach well chilled.
Enjoy.
BoPhut - fisherman's village they have a walking street on Fridays.
Bangrak - big Buddha and a great street side restaurant called shambala.
Chaweng as mentioned is bit brash but there some great little bars north of soi green mango. There's a Bob Marley tribute bar on the beach well chilled.
Enjoy.
Some good poinbts from Funky, there.
A second vote for Fishermans Village on a friday night.
I would urge you to reconsider the scooter rental though.
As a biker myself and experience of the Samui roads over the last 20 years, I would never use a scooter.
Samui has an extremely high fatality rate for locals and visitors alike, due to scooter accidents.
I have lost a close friend to injuries sustained on the island. He was an experienced rider and Samui resident of 15 years. Hire a car and explore.
Get yourself off the beaten track and just stop when you see somnething interesting; you cant get lost.
Nathon is well worth a walk around.Proper Thai markets and traders there.
Ang Thong is a popular day trip. There's some good snorkellin and diving there. The waters off the Samui beaches are poor for snorkelling and diving.
If you fancy a change of scene, head to Nikki Beach for the day. Typically "cool" and trendy, but a pleasant way to spend a day. Good for the sunsets too.
Chaweng can be horrible or great fu. It all depends on what you are after.
Lamai is similar.
The Cliff is a good spot for dinner. Also try Floyds at the Tongsai. Prego at the Amari in north Chaweng is pleasant if you fancy a break from Thai food.
Ninja Crepe in south Chaweng for some old style Samui budget dining; its an experience.
A second vote for Fishermans Village on a friday night.
I would urge you to reconsider the scooter rental though.
As a biker myself and experience of the Samui roads over the last 20 years, I would never use a scooter.
Samui has an extremely high fatality rate for locals and visitors alike, due to scooter accidents.
I have lost a close friend to injuries sustained on the island. He was an experienced rider and Samui resident of 15 years. Hire a car and explore.
Get yourself off the beaten track and just stop when you see somnething interesting; you cant get lost.
Nathon is well worth a walk around.Proper Thai markets and traders there.
Ang Thong is a popular day trip. There's some good snorkellin and diving there. The waters off the Samui beaches are poor for snorkelling and diving.
If you fancy a change of scene, head to Nikki Beach for the day. Typically "cool" and trendy, but a pleasant way to spend a day. Good for the sunsets too.
Chaweng can be horrible or great fu. It all depends on what you are after.
Lamai is similar.
The Cliff is a good spot for dinner. Also try Floyds at the Tongsai. Prego at the Amari in north Chaweng is pleasant if you fancy a break from Thai food.
Ninja Crepe in south Chaweng for some old style Samui budget dining; its an experience.
I have been there a couple of times and rented scooters without issue. I have ridden around india on scooters and that place is much worse, ko samui was deserted in comparison. Just take your time is the best bet, thai drivers can be a bit unpredictable so give everyone plenty of room and you'll be fine.
IanCormac said:
I have been there a couple of times and rented scooters without issue. I have ridden around india on scooters and that place is much worse, ko samui was deserted in comparison. Just take your time is the best bet, thai drivers can be a bit unpredictable so give everyone plenty of room and you'll be fine.
They certainly can be unpredictable!I was a passenger in a cab that pulled out of a hotel and staright into a Thai fella on his scooter. Not at all pretty!
We'll have to disagree regarding the wisdom of renting scooters. The chances are, that you will be absolutely fine. I just don't like taking the chance, especially around Songkran, when the roads are covered in water and half the people on the road are lashed.
I'm in Samui now (in the tongsai bay for 3 weeks). Went tot the fishermans village last Friday - full of westerners as you would expect. We ate in a place called the hut - dosent look much but the food was incredible (went went there after looking at tripadvisor recommendations). Manager of the hotel recommended coffee and starfish restaurant so will probably try that tonight.
It's pretty warm out here at the moment!
It's pretty warm out here at the moment!
All Samui suggestions here are spot on I would say. On the bike thing, seriously if you are going to rent one, make sure that your travel / health insurance will. Over you for any accidents. Living in Asia and travelling regularly in Thailand the stories I hear of tourist bike accidents are far too common.
Alternatively you can usually rent Suzuki SJ20 jeeps cheaply too!
Remember it is not just you, it is the others too, especially during Songkran, and they will be thoroughly drunk!!
Alternatively you can usually rent Suzuki SJ20 jeeps cheaply too!
Remember it is not just you, it is the others too, especially during Songkran, and they will be thoroughly drunk!!
Agree with the Jeep suggestion - I think they run about £20 a day. The island is quite spread out and having transport makes it much easier and more rewarding to explore than going everywhere by bus/taxi, which can be expensive.
Motorbikes are great but Samui seems to be even more unpredictable than the rest of the country, and during Song Kran you'll get water thrown over you while riding, which can be a real pain and of course dangerous.
No visa needed, and you should be able to get a connecting flight from Bangkok to Samui.
It's also blazing hot at that time of year. Not sure if you've done hot before, but it's not like a hot day in the UK - it's "Jesus titty f
king Christ I didn't know it was possible to be this hot" sort of hot, where things don't cool down at night. Walking up a flight of steps causes huge ssweating. It's ok if you're by the beach, not doing too much and drinking plenty of water, but don't do what a lot of people do and get drunk in direct sun on day 1, ruining the rest of your holiday.
Do talk to local expats too. They can seem a bit strange - lots of tattooed types, 60 year old guys with 25 year old wives etc, but they're mostly friendly and their local knowledge will give you ideas for things to do that you wouldn't otherwise come across.
Motorbikes are great but Samui seems to be even more unpredictable than the rest of the country, and during Song Kran you'll get water thrown over you while riding, which can be a real pain and of course dangerous.
No visa needed, and you should be able to get a connecting flight from Bangkok to Samui.
It's also blazing hot at that time of year. Not sure if you've done hot before, but it's not like a hot day in the UK - it's "Jesus titty f
king Christ I didn't know it was possible to be this hot" sort of hot, where things don't cool down at night. Walking up a flight of steps causes huge ssweating. It's ok if you're by the beach, not doing too much and drinking plenty of water, but don't do what a lot of people do and get drunk in direct sun on day 1, ruining the rest of your holiday.Do talk to local expats too. They can seem a bit strange - lots of tattooed types, 60 year old guys with 25 year old wives etc, but they're mostly friendly and their local knowledge will give you ideas for things to do that you wouldn't otherwise come across.
Songkran is hilarious fun but you need to enter into the spirit of it. You will get soaked and, when you've changed into new clothes, you will get soaked again.
I have been to Thailand a dozen times as I have mates live there. I am a biker and always hire bikes out there. (My travel insurance did cover bikes - most do exclude it.) All I would say is that challenging roads, with often broken or unmade surfaces, are not the place to learn to ride a bike. I do believe that applies equally for any holiday island be it Gran Canaria or Koh Phangan.
Samui is very overdeveloped (I remember Bo Put when it was just a fishing village and that beach had lots of tiny independent resorts) but it is still beautiful. You do need transport to find those places, though.
I have been to Thailand a dozen times as I have mates live there. I am a biker and always hire bikes out there. (My travel insurance did cover bikes - most do exclude it.) All I would say is that challenging roads, with often broken or unmade surfaces, are not the place to learn to ride a bike. I do believe that applies equally for any holiday island be it Gran Canaria or Koh Phangan.
Samui is very overdeveloped (I remember Bo Put when it was just a fishing village and that beach had lots of tiny independent resorts) but it is still beautiful. You do need transport to find those places, though.
db10 said:
I'm in Samui now (in the tongsai bay for 3 weeks).
We were at Tongsai Bay a month ago. Sharpest sand known to man. Great guys in the bar though.For good food close by head to Bangrak and find Shambala. Tiny roadside kitchen but the food is fab.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g29...
FG
Stayed at centara villas twice in the past few years, great hotel with ye cool bar on the beach- say hello to doung and un, they will get you leathered if that's your thing!
Samui is a stunning island, we hired a scooter last year and went all over the island- I wouldn't recommend it if you've never ridden before but If you have just take your time- theres no such thing as rush hour there.
Have a great time , would love to be going back this year
Samui is a stunning island, we hired a scooter last year and went all over the island- I wouldn't recommend it if you've never ridden before but If you have just take your time- theres no such thing as rush hour there.
Have a great time , would love to be going back this year
Maty,
Haven't stayed at Bandara, but been for dinner and to spend the day. Very pretty resort, with nice, private villas.
Location is up on the north shore, looking out toward Koh Phanyang. You are well placed for some good restaurants and bars, albeit many are a songtheaw ride away.
Make sure you get down to Fishermans Village on Friday for some hectic market action and then a more relaxed dinner on the sand.
Head over to Nikki Beach for the Sunday brunch.
The weather has been pretty good of late. Generally, 25-26 degrees at 0700 Hrs, with some isloated clouds. Sunday was a bit more overcast though.
The forecast will always mention rain. Don't panic about that.
Have a great time.
Haven't stayed at Bandara, but been for dinner and to spend the day. Very pretty resort, with nice, private villas.
Location is up on the north shore, looking out toward Koh Phanyang. You are well placed for some good restaurants and bars, albeit many are a songtheaw ride away.
Make sure you get down to Fishermans Village on Friday for some hectic market action and then a more relaxed dinner on the sand.
Head over to Nikki Beach for the Sunday brunch.
The weather has been pretty good of late. Generally, 25-26 degrees at 0700 Hrs, with some isloated clouds. Sunday was a bit more overcast though.
The forecast will always mention rain. Don't panic about that.
Have a great time.
Edited by Nobby Diesel on Wednesday 29th August 12:19
Nobby Diesel said:
Maty,
Haven't stayed at Bandara, but been for dinner and to spend the day. Very pretty resort, with nice, private villas.
Location is up on the north shore, looking out toward Koh Phanyang. You are well placed for some good restaurants and bars, albeit many are a songtheaw ride away.
Make sure you get down to Fishermans Village on Friday for some hectic market action and then a more relaxed dinner on the sand.
Head over to Nikki Beach for the Sunday brunch.
The weather has been pretty good of late. Generally, 25-26 degrees at 0700 Hrs, with some isloated clouds. Sunday was a bit more overcast though.
The forecast will always mention rain. Don't panic about that.
Have a great time.
Thanks for this, I've heard about the Friday market so thats on the list. Hadn't heard of Nikki beach but we'll give it a try!Haven't stayed at Bandara, but been for dinner and to spend the day. Very pretty resort, with nice, private villas.
Location is up on the north shore, looking out toward Koh Phanyang. You are well placed for some good restaurants and bars, albeit many are a songtheaw ride away.
Make sure you get down to Fishermans Village on Friday for some hectic market action and then a more relaxed dinner on the sand.
Head over to Nikki Beach for the Sunday brunch.
The weather has been pretty good of late. Generally, 25-26 degrees at 0700 Hrs, with some isloated clouds. Sunday was a bit more overcast though.
The forecast will always mention rain. Don't panic about that.
Have a great time.
Edited by Nobby Diesel on Wednesday 29th August 12:19
Maty said:
We're on our way out to Thailand on Sunday for honeymoon. Few days in Bangkok first then over to Samui so thanks for the tips thus far! We're staying at the Bandara Resort in Bo Phut, anyone been before??
Hopefully the weather is good at the moment.
Looking to plan a honeymoon to Thailand so will eagerly await your return Hopefully the weather is good at the moment.
Went there as part of the honeymoon in 1998, got there and thought Oh my God! All this way for crappy bars and replica football shirt shops. 
But moved on that evening to Bophut and found it quite nice with a little set of chalets on the seafront (Ziggy Stardust) and it was really lovely. Just a couple of bars and restaurants to choose from and a lovely empty beach. Not sure if it's still like that or has become a fair bit more commercialised in the 14 years since we were there.
Worth hiring a 4x4 to go round the island to see it, plus go target shooting at one of the places there, which was good with .357 Magnums.
But moved on that evening to Bophut and found it quite nice with a little set of chalets on the seafront (Ziggy Stardust) and it was really lovely. Just a couple of bars and restaurants to choose from and a lovely empty beach. Not sure if it's still like that or has become a fair bit more commercialised in the 14 years since we were there.
Worth hiring a 4x4 to go round the island to see it, plus go target shooting at one of the places there, which was good with .357 Magnums.
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