Last visited Feb/March 2017
Listen upward trendsetters - who says yous can't uncovering laid-back, picturesque, good-value places on Samui these days? This is Jungle Club high inwards the hills behind Chaweng Noi alongside 180 grade panoramic views from the pool, those hillside roofed sitting-bures silhouetted at left-background as well as the Bali-style restaurant. (click to expand pix)
You tin terminate banking concern check the coastline stretching from Chong Mon/Maitang Island inwards the due north (most distant inwards shot), downwardly thru Chaweng as well as Chaweng Noi to the surface area some Coral Cove inwards the south. Accommodation hither starts at backpacker/flashpacker level. More details as well as pix t at the pes of the page.
Samui map from http://www.phukhao.com/ The 2 principal beaches, Chaweng as well as Lamai are on the due east coast at right. Chaweng Noi is the smaller beach just inwards a higher identify the Viewpoint mid due east coast. Tiny Thong Ta Kien is the 2d little bay (near the road) on the due north side of Laem Nan peninsula just due north of Lamai.
For a to a greater extent than detailed map it is difficult to beat sawadee.com's interactive map. This tin terminate survive enlarged as well as the hundreds of accommodation options tin terminate survive clicked on to convey upward sawadee's info, photos, invitee reviews as well as cost lists.
SAMUI gets bad press on many go sites for beingness overdeveloped as well as trashy. I disagree. It is difficult to uncovering a nicer white-sand beach inwards southern Thailand than Chaweng as well as the resorts lining the beach are pretty attractive, non Miami Beach/Surfers Paradise recreated. Lamai is non too far behind Chaweng.
And midrange/high-end travellers deserve a squeamish scenic isle mid-year when the Andaman as well as eastern Gulf are oft too moisture - equally practice the sun/swim/party set as well as the rent-girl chasers. Okay, the girlie-bar areas inwards Chaweng as well as Lamai may survive a turn-off for some, but these are easily avoided.
True, the route strip behind Chaweng's beachfront hotels as well as bunalows is becoming a kinda tourist trap alongside lots of tacky t-shirt as well as sarong shops as well as those pesky tailors, but ane time once to a greater extent than this is easily avoided. As is the super busy Chaweng by-pass alongside just nearly every type of work concern yous tin terminate imagine. You take away hold to yell back Samui has quite a large local economy, as well as this strip contains many of the goods/service-suppliers for such. It aint so much for tourists, but it does brand the trip from the due north to state Lamai much quicker than the skillful quondam days.
Ah yeah, the skillful quondam days. All yous dudes wishing Chaweng was similar the belatedly 80s should consider whether your town is unchanged since that time. And as well as so caput a curt distance due north of Samui where Phangan offers beaches just similar Chaweng's skillful quondam days at Hads Thian, Why Nam, Sadet, Thong Reng, Mae + Coral Cove, Bottle Beach as well as others.
But hey, yous don't take away hold to drib dead to Phangan. There are soundless some beaches on Samui which are quiet, scenic as well as set back. And on Chaweng as well as Lamai it is soundless possible to uncovering some old-time skillful value traveller type joints.
THE EAST COAST
CHAWENG - CHAWENG NOI - CORAL COVE - THONG TA KIEN - LAMAI - CHONG MON - HUA THANON.
THONG TA KIEN
And who says yous can't uncovering a quiet, scenic white-sand beach alongside skillful value accommodation on the pop due east coast of Samui inside a few minutes of the shopping as well as amusement of Lamai as well as Chaweng?
This is THONG TA KIEN, a little bay at the start of the hilly department of coastline betwixt Lamai as well as Chaweng. There are iv bungalow joints on this bay as well as since showtime seeing it way dorsum I've been determined to remain hither some day.
This shot is at nearly half-tide. At lower tide levels the far destination of the bay becomes really shallow as well as at that topographic point is a department of rocks mid-bay which is exposed. However the western department of the bay closest photographic goggle box camera is sandy correct out into deeper water, which at lowest tide is perhaps 30m out to survive deep plenty to swim. Closer to the beach is squeamish for pottering some looking at fishies etc - or snorkelling when the tide is up. The H2O was really clear when I visited. I also snorkelled along the western headland - at that topographic point were little patches of fringing coral, but mainly mono-colour as well as underwhelming.
The route climbs quite steeply along this headland as well as at that topographic point are some squeamish bar/restaurants alongside skillful views inside 10 minutes walk. The 2d ane yous come upward to has budget prices.
To the south, the northern constituent of Lamai beach is only a 10 infinitesimal walk. Lamai is a long beach, the busy fundamental constituent is state 10 minutes inwards songthaew. Chaweng is nearly the same.
Thong Ta Kien is a tranquility bay - I don't think I saw a longtail boat seat inwards or fifty-fifty exceed closed to shore. Most accommodation is far plenty from the route for vehicle dissonance to survive a non-issue except perhaps for some of the rooms at the western-most place, Crystal Bay Resort.
Check farther downwardly page for Coral Bay, a similar beach nearly 2km along this hilly section, closer to Chaweng.
Least expensive touchstone rooms at Thongtakian Resort.
I saw a Thorntree postal service way dorsum inwards the 90s raving nearly Thongtakian, as well as when I checked the user reviews on Trip Advisor, travelfish and the diverse booking sites it seemed to larn the most raves for my budget make (just inwards a higher identify flashpacker - Lady Tezza practice similar her aircon as well as hot water).
Okay, the touchstone rooms equally yous tin terminate run across take away hold a squeamish garden setting. You larn a refrigerator as well as TV on top of the aircon as well as hot-water addition brekka included for 1100 high flavor August 09.
The room was clean, perhaps approaching fourth dimension for an interior repaint, plenty large plenty for 2 as well as their gear, had sufficient storage, a king-size bed which was pretty comfortable, as well as was serviced daily. Adequate bath alongside western toilet, plenty of H2O pressure level as well as skillful hot water. The balcony was a squeamish identify to hang belatedly afternoon alongside a drinking glass of ruby-red (we brought a inexpensive Aussie box of wine) or a beer. Note at that topographic point was a little store upward close reception where beers were nearly equally inexpensive equally 7/11s inwards town - bless that refrigerator inwards the room!
Thongtakian has plenty of to a greater extent than expensive rooms as well as bungalows. You tin terminate run across the make on Thongtakian's website and sawadee.com. Some guests at the puddle said their high-end poolside rooms inwards the novel hotel wing were existent nice.
The eating theatre was beachfront alongside some of the chairs as well as tables on the sand, prices nearly average for budget bunalows (and this identify is mid-range), nutrient pretty nice. The buffet breakfast was served inwards a divide surface area upward close reception (maybe so yous tin terminate materials yer bags alongside pastries etc when your daytrip shuttle motorbus comes a chip early) as well as was pretty skillful except similar every other Thai buffet identify this trip, to a greater extent than oestrus would non take away hold wound at times. I'm a populace cast fang merchant - tin terminate hoover downwardly tucker similar I've been starved the in conclusion 10 years - I reckon I easily got thru 200+ baht of multiple juice/coffee/fruit/cereal+yoghurt/eggs/half a dozen other hot things each morning. And if yous think I'm good, yous should run across Lady T go! Lucky she gyms it out as well as I run/swim/cycle or nosotros could destination upward circumferencially enhanced similar my quondam pal Singapore Slim.
All this brings into consideration VALUE - nosotros paid 1100 high flavor but subtract state 400 for brekka as well as yous are talking 700 room only, which makes Mai Pen Rai's 650 baht backpacker bungalow on Had Sadet Phangan, no aircon/TV/hot water/fridge/pool/daily service perhaps a chip expensive. Hey, I'm becoming a fan of midrangers - if I take away hold someone to share.
Oblique Google globe epitome of Thong Ta Kien looking from the north-west.
LAMAI
Here it comes ane time to a greater extent than - who says yous can't larn a beachfront budget bungalow of the quondam style on LAMAI these days?
Google for New Hut, Lamai. These share-bathroom bungalows were going for 350 high flavor 2010. One the other side of the atmospheric beachfront eating theatre were bigger places alongside bath for 450.
This identify was towards the due north destination of Lamai where a little current cuts the beach. There is a reef which runs downwardly the northern tertiary Lamai forming a shallow lagoon at depression tide, way too shallow for swimming inwards most places. Some people similar this because it allows for some fossicking or just sitting some inwards a shallow puddle of water. I prefer deeper H2O so I tin terminate swim anytime - which is available starting v minutes farther due south - the middle as well as due south destination of the beach take away hold no reef as well as skillful H2O depth depression tide. Note that a chip farther due north from New Hut is a novel little harbour for longtails constructed from dredged reef-rock, which looked a chip daggy depression tide.
Lamai beach from the viewpoint on the southern headland.
The beach must survive nearly 4km long. I specially similar the department right away across from the nearest jet ski, where a collection of boulders gives the beach some grapheme as well as makes for some squeamish swimming as well as snorkelling inwards H2O clearer than at the close headland. Note the relative lack of people at prime number sunshine fourth dimension - 11am on a perfect August (high season) day.
Lamai seemed to take away hold fewer large resorts than Chaweng as well as quite a few smaller places advertising room alongside air for 700 - a lot had pools.
The far headland is the Laem Nan peninsula - at that topographic point are some squeamish resorts along hither alongside elevated views downwardly the bay as well as neat patches of sand below, but shallow H2O depression tide. The surface area was a frenzy of novel construction when I checked it out this visit.
Thong Ta Kien is a curt distance thru the lower saddle inwards the middle background.
Maybe 15% from the far due north destination of Lamai is this little harbour which kinda detracts from the surface area as well as would take away hold a chip of dissonance from longtails leaving early morn for some fishing. Maybe it would survive a skillful thought to banking concern check the location of your resort relative to this - most of the booking sites take away hold a satellite map. btw the beach is non too bad fairly closed both sides of the harbour so I'd only worry if my resort is to a greater extent than or less adjacent.
Lamai from the south. A is the start of the reef surface area which run to the destination of the beach at C. B is the river entrance - run across below.
Google Earth's epitome at the fourth dimension of posting showed this rather large interruption to the beach inwards the mid-north. I take away hold never seen this - I'm assuming it is a moisture flavor epitome - inwards the dry out flavor the current is just a trickle as well as the beach to a greater extent than or less straight here.
A closer aspect at the northern destination of Lamai. D is the Laem Nam peninsula. This hilly surface area has a lot of recent evolution - much of it mid-range or better. Quite a few on the close side take away hold skillful elevated views over Lamai's bay as well as lilliputian sandy beaches on the shoreline. I tried to attain that beach to the correct of the D in conclusion trip but access was blocked yesteryear edifice activity.
CHAWENG
Brace for it - who says yous can't larn a reasonably priced beachfront identify on CHAWENG? This is the beach surface area for OP Bungalows which gets skillful posts on go forums. Aircon - hot H2O bungalows were going for 1050 when I called around. UPDATE - oops! 2200 inwards March 2017. Probably soundless the best priced beachfront articulation on Chaweng but Thailand is becoming SO EXPENSIVE.
OP Bungalows is situated on a specially squeamish department of sand nearly ane quarter downwardly from the northern destination where the beach does a curve. Note the exposed delineate of reef rocks inwards background - Chaweng also has a lagoon province of affairs running along its northern third. The lagoon is to a greater extent than attractive than Lamai's as well as had quite a few people splashing around, fossicking as well as sitting inwards the shallows behind photographic goggle box camera - addition sunbathers on exposed sand-bars 100m from the beach. Central as well as southern Chaweng take away hold no reef - depression tide H2O is deep plenty for swimming but yous may take away hold to drib dead out a chip farther than similar areas at Lamai. Lamai's sand is pretty white, but Chaweng is fifty-fifty to a greater extent than so.
Okay quondam Samui hands - this is the site of the old-time favourite travellers' articulation - Charlie Hut. H5N1 beach-vendor lady told me inwards 2013 she used to operate hither as well as it had been closed iv years. It surprises me that such a prime number seat inwards the middle of Chaweng would sit down idle for so long.
Charlie Hut has inwards fact had 2 locations - the showtime correct next door to the south. This is the boutique resort constructed on Charlie's master copy site. Nostalgia trippers should banking concern check for Buri Rasa, but yous are gonna pay a wee chip to a greater extent than than the skillful quondam days.
The far southern destination of the principal Chaweng Beach. People wanting really uncrowded conditions should caput this way. The breakwater inwards the foreground is at the go out of a little river against the headland, important H2O clarity isn't dandy for the showtime 100m or so, but ane time upward close those beach umbrellas it is fine.
MARCH 2017
Latest pass-by showed important beach erosian inwards the due south of CHAWENG. Similar department just behind camera. Further due north the beach was less broad but soundless usable.
Pool as well as premium room hotel block at First House, Chaweng. This identify is at the far southern destination of the principal Chaweng beach. There is a little river betwixt the sunlounges as well as the far bungalows , alongside attractive Chaweng Noi beach behind. The bungalows belong to First Bungalow resort. First House has a little span across the river important yous tin terminate survive sunning it on Chaweng Noi inwards no fourth dimension at all. First House also has direct access onto the southern destination of the bigger principal Chaweng beach.
I wanted to destination our vacation inwards a squeamish hotel as well as exhibit Lady T Chaweng so inwards typical Tezza fashion booked the cheapest touchstone room at First House which is inwards a divide block to the above. On arrival they upgraded us costless to a household unit of measurement suite inwards the newer poolside block on work concern human relationship the aircon inwards the touchstone room was broken.
Jeez, what a blow - I've never stayed inwards a 4200 baht room inwards Thailand before. So I can't genuinely give a comparative room written report except to state the suite was everything I expected, the puddle was great, the included buffet breakfast pretty awesome (restaurant prices for other meals were higher than other places this trip but at that topographic point was a skillful budget eating theatre on the street nearby, non to advert some minimarts alongside competitive prices), service really good. Being correct at the southern destination of principal Chaweng beach it was perhaps a v infinitesimal walk upward to the start of the busy constituent of the Chaweng beach route shopping-restaurant strip.
Chaweng from the north. The genuinely busy constituent of Chaweng beach is due south from side yesteryear side Ko Matlang symbol.
NORTH CHAWENG
My Google globe epitome inwards a higher identify is a chip misleading - suggests Nth Chaweng is from contrary Ko Matland due north - inwards fact I would course it equally from the showtime inward plow of the beach just this side of the "reef" identify marker.
Whiteness of sand as well as H2O character can't tally Chaweng fundamental farther south, bt this a pretty squeamish area. Here I take away hold a mid-tide shot where the H2O is deep plenty for some protected kayaking. Ko Matlang background provides skillful shelter making this a protected lagoon. When the tide drops yous take away hold the pools for fossiking addition some squeamish sand bars for sunning.
A host of mainly midrange or improve resorts along hither - google for Papillon, Chaweng Blue Lagoon, Coral Bay, Al's Leam Song, Anantara Lawana. Plenty to a greater extent than - banking concern check Agoda as well as similar.
There are plenty of competitive beach bars/restaurants along hither but these dudes take away hold tried for something a chip special.
The route behind Chaweng beach has a busy work concern department which runs for perhaps 2km. This is the start at the northern end, contrary nth Chaweng. Shops, restaurants, bars, banks --- yous yell it. There are fifty-fifty a few girly bars. This evolution has greatly upset quondam fourth dimension Samu hands - but the fact is visitors await to survive able to access a total make of retail as well as services at a prime number beach area.
CHAWENG NOI
CHAWENG NOI from the northern destination close First House as well as First Bungalow resorts.
UPDATE - my 2017 exceed yesteryear showed to a greater extent than evolution inwards this northern one-half - FIRST BUNGALOW RESORT has expanded a skillful way downwardly the beach.
Noi agency small, as well as the beach is little compared to 5km long principal Chaweng to its immediate north, but non inwards absolute terms.
This is a fine beach alongside some skillful shade as well as specially clear H2O inwards this northern section. The rocks at the little headland out of painting to left brand for some interesting snorkelling fish-wise although at that topographic point is no dandy coral. Some local dudes take away hold prepare a beach bar close these rocks selling inexpensive beer, other drinks as well as eats. This northern surface area tin terminate larn quite crowded but farther downwardly the beach people tend to survive less concentrated. Exclusively midrange as well as high-end accommodation along this beach, but at that topographic point are some skillful budget dining places on the sand at the far southern end.
Thong Ta Kien as well as Coral Cove are tucked inwards behind those high headlands bring upward left.
Samui is becoming a existent pop identify for farang weddings. This is a hotel-beachfront undertaking on Chaweng Noi which attracted a crowd of interested sunbather onlookers.
Lady Tezza commented the location was a chip to a greater extent than romantic than the civil celebrant's shack behind the Shell service station inwards the good for yous steel-city suburb of Unanderra^^.
Maybe so, but I bet this dude couldn't larn his fuel injectors flushed as well as plugs swapped out piece he got hitched. Or brand the afternoon shift inwards the slab mill.
^^for yous non-Oztrayans - pronounced Yew-nan-derr-uh.
My kids maintain telling their friends mum as well as dad were married inwards a petrol station. Jeez - how unclassy practice they think nosotros are?
Chaweng Noi as well as Coral Cove (see below) from the north-west. That's the southern destination of Lamai beach yous tin terminate just run across top left. Note cool Jungle Club high inwards the hills.
CORAL COVE
Coral Cove is the other little bay betwixt Lamai as well as Chaweng Noi - closer to the latter.
Sand perhaps non quite equally white equally Thong Ta Kien, H2O non quite equally clear, but pretty nice, set dorsum as well as no exposed stone at depression tide. Maybe a chip of route dissonance - the principal route is really closed to the dorsum of the beach inwards the middle. Coral Cove Resort has a bunch of bungalows, some on the beach, some on the headland behind the camera. These include some budget priced options.
The flash looking identify at the far destination of the beach inwards the shot is Coral Cove Chalet, midrange as well as up. Higher on the hillside inwards what often is referred to equally Coral Cove Heights is a bunch of midrangers alongside pretty squeamish views.
One of the hillside joints inwards Coral Cove Heights - Hi Coral Cove Bungalow.
Pretty snazzy identify alongside a squeamish puddle out of shot, access to little patches of sand betwixt the rocks. Some local dudes were line-fishing off these rocks, so this could survive a identify for yous keen anglers. Mid-range resort alongside some flashpacker-priced options. This is shot from the principal route restaurant/bar - Chong Monday as well as Chaweng inwards background.
Viewpoint from the mount side behind Hi Coral Cove on a skillful concrete route which takes off steeply from the principal coast route closer to Coral Cove beach.
Ko Matland off the due north destination of Chaweng tin terminate survive seen at right, Choeng Monday farther away to its left, long Chaweng inwards the middle as well as Chaweng Noi disappearing behind the close headland. That's Ko Phangan far background partly nether cloud.
Some squeamish places to remain along this route - banking concern check sawadee.com's interactive map for Best View Bungalows as well as neighbours.
CHOENG MON
This really attractive smaller beach inwards the due north due east of the isle was pretty undeveloped when I showtime saw it alongside only a few hotels as well as bungalow places, but these days is a thriving beach-spot alongside mainly to a greater extent than expensive resorts, vacation villas as well as individual dwellings. There is a bustling shopping/restaurant surface area along the principal route thru hither - although this route is good away from the busy around-island drag as well as is pretty tranquility inwards comparison. Both due north as well as due south are little bays alongside similar development. It's non too far from the aerodrome hither although yous volition survive away from the flight-path.
Choeng Monday inwards the far north-east of the island.
Choeng Monday 2013 - I've come upward to the determination this is ane of the nicest stretch of sand on the island. The resorts behind the beach are non shabby either.
Choeng Monday nutrient hawker doing business. It's non just budget travellers who appreciate the yummy as well as inexpensive tucker.
HUA THANON
This is the large bay due south of Lamai as well as belike the to the lowest degree touristy coastline on the island, but skillful if yous desire to banking concern check a working Muslim line-fishing villages area. The beach does improve towards the south-east corner of the isle approaching Laem Set as well as yous take away hold attractions similar the Samui Aquarium as well as the Butterfly Farm addition a handful of midrange+ resorts.
Hua Thanon inwards the south-east corner of the island. My Samui map shows a fair chip of evolution along hither since I in conclusion passed thru. Labels may survive clearer if yous click-expand.
Part of the Hua Thanon coast non really far due south of Lamai. Not bad, but sand non upward to the touchstone of the improve beaches as well as H2O really shallow offshore at lower tide levels. Some of the to a greater extent than upmarket resorts farther due south belike practice the common splendid undertaking of beach manicuring/improvement but I did non brand them on this trip (August 2013) on work concern human relationship I turned inland to the waterfalls/viewpoints presently after the surface area inwards shot. I in conclusion checked out farther due south in conclusion century inwards my travel-lite no photographic goggle box camera days - at that topographic point was lilliputian evolution dorsum then.
THE NORTH EAST CORNER
A really curt distance due north of Chong Moeng is a lovely lilliputian surface area of twin rainforested capes as well as several little coves alongside squeamish sheltered beaches (look for Samrong Bay, Tongson Bay as well as Tongsai Bay). This is a newish surface area alongside mainly high destination as well as midrange accommodation - addition a lot of novel villa construction where no dubiety the Samui aerodrome taxi mafia volition live. Plus all yous Wall St fugitive bond traders. You larn a feel of islolation hither as well as yet the airport** as well as Chong Meong work concern surface area are only a few km away, Chaweng a chip further.
**off the flght path so dissonance wouldn't survive a problem.
SAMRONG BAY
That's the large bucks Six Senses on the headland. Equally expensive Idlyllic Samui as well as to a greater extent than affordable Arayaburi Boutique* are hidden at the closer destination of the beach. Ko Phangan tin terminate survive seen correct background.
* Arayaburi has a squeamish villa alongside breakfast for $us100 inwards peak early January. Hell I lately paid that for a basic province NSW motel inwards mid-week. You may think I'm a chip anal checking Agoda etc for prices but I'm ever planning Thailand trips alongside Lady Tezza inwards tow. She likes comfort. Funny, so practice I, as well as its such a alter from my most-typical budget beach bungalow when travelling solo (although The Lady also likes some of her vacation fourth dimension inwards these too, bless her).
TONGSON BAY
How sugariness is this.?Resorts include Melati, Samui Emerald and Tongson Bay Villas.
Nice area. Airport Departures is 2km due south of Big Buddha Temple.
THE NORTH COAST
This is a quieter surface area compared to Chaweng-Lamai as well as the favourite of many long fourth dimension travellers. You volition uncovering to a greater extent than budget accommodation hither than the due east coast, although these days at that topographic point is no shortage of midrangers as well as better. I noticed when researching Samui accommodation that some of the midrangers seemed to offering really skillful value - aircon hot H2O rooms as well as pools at what would survive flashpacker prices inwards the Andaman inwards a similar season.
MAE NAM
MAE NAM is the nicest of the due north coast beaches IMHO, specially hither inwards the western tertiary of the bay where quite a few squeamish midrange as well as improve resorts are located.
Mae Nam also has belike the biggest make of budget places on the due north coast if non the island. The beach is to a greater extent than yellowish than white as well as has a steeper profile as well as coarser sand than Chaweng, but aint bad at all as well as the H2O tends to survive pretty clear.
Oblique Google globe epitome of Mae Nam from the west. Note that except for a little surface area close the pier at that topographic point is no route right away behind the beach - access to beachfront resorts is mainly yesteryear lanes downwardly from the highway.
BO PHUT due east of Mai Nam has a string of mainly midrange as well as improve places specially on its western one-half but yous tin terminate soundless uncovering some really skillful budget places. Like Bang Rak/Big Buddha right away east, it is pop alongside longer term travellers.
The beach is non too bad at all, but perhaps a measuring downwardly from Mae Nam as well as no tally for Choeng Monday as well as the best parts of Chaweng/Lamai.
East of mid-bay the curt street which runs downwardly to the "pier" surface area from the principal route has a lot of grapheme alongside old-style Thai coastal hamlet shops mixed alongside traveller-type restaurants as well as other services. H5N1 beachside route runs at a T to this alongside access to beach restaurants on the body of body of water side as well as restaurants/resorts on the other. This is the famous Fisherman's Village area. I've come upward thru hither several times (the Phangan due east coast ferry lands at the destination of the street inwards shot) but inwards August 2013 I called inwards at night some 1930 as well as was pleasantly surprised - the whole surface area had transformed into a sort of WALKING STREET - shops as well as restaurants were brightly lit as well as people strolling inwards their finery. Reminded me of the Greek Islands.
Part of Google Earth's composite epitome was shot inwards moisture flavor thence the cloud over the vital pier-main street surface area of Bo Phut. But overall their endeavor is much improve at nowadays - previously much of Chaweng as well as Lamai was covered inwards cloud.
Note yous tin terminate just run across the far destination of Chaweng Noi beach towards the top left of image.
BANG RAK-BIG BUDDHA looked less appealing to me alongside a less attractive beach, lots of boats moored as well as moving around, a number of non so snazzy piers, H2O non so clear. Nevertheless it is pop alongside a lot of budget travellers beingness uncrowded as well as alongside a skillful make of accommodation alongside no shortage of budget places. It is really closed to the aerodrome for Tao/Phangan people wanting somewhere to remain overnight earlier an early flight.
UPDATE AUGUST 2013 - proximity to the aerodrome is why I decided to pass a few nights at Bank Rak on my way betwixt Phangan as well as Phuket. I began to run across why it is pop alongside so many - I took me 3 minutes to walk from the fundamental pier to my beachfront accommodation at Bangrak Beach Resort as well as less than 10 minutes yesteryear vehicle to Departures at the wonderful Samui airport. The town has an abundance of skillful value as well as to a greater extent than expensive accommodattion/restaurants as well as shops as well as is a pretty skillful base of operations to attain a lot of other Samui areas relatively quickly.
BANG PO/POR is on the other (western) side of Mae Nam as well as is a long department of beach which runs almost to the due north due west corner of Samui. This surface area was really underveloped on my showtime Samui see all those years ago, as well as I was surprised that it soundless is ane of the quietest areas on the island. Over a really dispersed surface area at that topographic point are a few high destination villa joints some of which could survive time-share, a growing number of midrange resorts, some little housing developments addition a handful of budget traveller places. Some volition appeal to wellness freaks as well as new-agers when they tire of Had Thian East on Phangan. Lots of unsettled beach along Bang Por.
Bang Por is the showtime of the nicer beaches from the arrivals piers inwards Naithon - equally such it is sure to drib dead the novel frontier for resort/villa development. Already at that topographic point are some fine midrange places scattered along this squeamish strip of sand although budget travellers tin terminate soundless uncovering some old-time gems inwards the area. Many of the latter take away hold a rep for new-age type activities.
Bang Por from close the western destination - attractive sand as well as clear water. But if yous banking concern check the Google globe epitome inwards a higher identify this pic yous volition notice the coral reef stone starts right away off the sand inwards most spots, leading to shallow H2O at depression tide. But non too bad - tide is out inwards this shot as well as at that topographic point is no stone exposed.
Bang Por from close the eastern destination - some pretty sugariness places hither - for flash joints, google The Sea Samui Vacation Residences Bang Por (closest camera) - as well as for value By Beach Resort.
A skillful value budget place Freedom Beach Sunset Bar as well as Restaurant is located here. I love joints similar this - had to accept fourth dimension out from my beach exploration for a beer or two. Sunsets indeed would survive fine, made to a greater extent than dramatic yesteryear setting inwards sure months over the rugged islands of the Ang Thong National Marine Park to the due north west, just out of frame to the right. Equally rugged Ko Phangan is right away due north (directly correct from camera), only 10km or so away. Actually all the due north coast beaches take away hold skillful views of this large island.
Bang Por genuinely extends a chip farther due east than the inwards a higher identify 2 shots - this department is separated from the principal beach yesteryear a curt stretch of rocks (a really high colina alongside some dandy villas is behind - dissimilar most of Bang Por which has level Earth behind the beach). The local quest this department of beach is Ban Tai and at that topographic point appeared to survive some resorts behind those palms yesteryear the tourist activity on the beach. Try googling Koh Samui Resort as well as Mimosa Resort. Less expensive - Baan Suan Siriwin.
THE SOUTH COAST
Ao Thong Krut (aka Thong Tanote Beach/Thong Krut Bay - lower constituent of epitome below) inwards the southwest is a laid-back surface area alongside a pair of midrangers, some skillful beachfront seafood restaurants, a line-fishing hamlet to the east, a fair few line-fishing boats offshore as well as skillful views as well as access to the islands of Ko Tan as well as Ko Mat Sum. H5N1 perfect larn away from the crowds spot.
So too is Ao Bang Koa/Bang Kao Bay, the large bay inwards the fundamental south. Lots of deserted sand as well as backdrops along hither alongside widely dispersed tourist accommodation as well as individual dwellings. Some sections of this beach are really attractive but yous volition drib dead nuts selecting which of nearly a dozen access tracks from the principal route yous should take.
At the due south due east corner of the isle yous take away hold Laem Set, a headland/cove surface area alongside little patches of sand as well as some pretty snazzy resorts addition a slightly longer beach right away north-east alongside similar accommodation. When I showtime visited Samui at that topographic point were some funky travellers' bungalows inwards this attractive surface area - no more.
The due south coast from the west. Quite a lot of novel resorts are beingness established along hither but because of its size the surface area is soundless underdeveloped. Note depression tide tin terminate acquaint shallow H2O along hither but the flats are mainly sandy, non mud or dead coral. You tin terminate daytrip to Ko Kaen - the pier for the boats is just inwards a higher identify the symbol for Bang Krut Bay. Any little go agent or accommodation should survive able to organise this.
UPDATE AUGUST 2013 - I'm disappointed I did non take away hold fourth dimension to cruise the due south coast as well as larn some shots to brand upward for my lack of photographic goggle box camera in conclusion fourth dimension I checked the surface area in conclusion century. But I had limited fourth dimension latest Samui see as well as spent way to much of my some isle motorbike trip checking the waterfalls as well as viewpoints to the close due north of the inwards a higher identify shot. Maybe next visit.
About the best I tin terminate offering is this shot I took from the Bangkok Air flying from Phuket showing nearly ane tertiary of the due south coast (at right) as well as the southern one-half of the due west coast.
THE WEST COAST
Even though I stayed at NATHON inwards MARCH 2017, I haven't had a take away chances to banking concern check the residual of the due west coast on recent trips - it was black as well as threatening pelting yesteryear the fourth dimension I left the waterfall areas nearby inwards 2013. I toured along hither inwards the mid 90s as well as at that topographic point was lilliputian tourist development. The beach areas were pretty squeamish although no tally for the due east coast. There is a vogue towards shallow H2O at depression tide.
From the vehicle ferry coming from Don Sak/ Nai Thon later on trips I could run across a handful of pretty snazzy resorts located at some of the improve areas - quite a few on bluffs overlooking the coast alongside patches of beach below. Knowing the powerfulness of mid-range/high destination resorts to farther improve beach quality, I reckon prospective guests should non worry on this issue. The due west coast gets magic sunsets, has lots of empty beach as well as skillful views of the mountainous mainland as well as the Ang Thong Marine Park islands to the due north east.
The due west coast looking from due south of south-west. Naithon is the isle administrative uppercase as well as the arrival pier for most vehicle as well as other ferries from the Surathani coast. However the Raja vehicle ferries come upward inwards towards the due north destination of Taling Ngam beach nearly 10km due south (pedants volition Federal Reserve annotation I take away hold paced the symbol slightly too far due south - it should survive just on the other side of that tiny headland nearly touching it at present) . If yous are going to the eastern beaches from at that topographic point the quickest route if via the southern route equally marked. From Naithon yous volition survive taken via the due north coast road.
Looking due south at the northern constituent of the due west coast addition a little constituent of the due north coast (bottom of image). I don't know what this smaller beach due west of Ban Por is called - the principal due north coast route from Nathon misses most of this beach as well as so vacation residential evolution is low.
If yous click expand yous volition survive able to run across how shallow the due west coast H2O is due north of the Nathon piers - non a lot of vacation activity along this stretch. But the steep mount slopes due east of the beach take away hold some squeamish looking identify (some hotels - many are individual villas).
At the due south destination of the due west coast is the hilly Laem Hin Klom peninsual as well as a novel articulation which caught my oculus from the ferry in conclusion 2 trips is the really high end Conrad Ko Samui cascading downwardly the steep hillside. I reckon the views from the higher areas would survive outstanding.
I'm non sure how Google globe generates relief on its oblique images but some structures destination upward looking a chip weird - the units are non tipped equally they appear here.
NATHON
I take away hold passed thru this due west coast pier town as well as Samui's administrative uppercase many times, off ferries from the MAINLAND, PHANGAN as well as TAO as well as on some isle motorbike tours. But inwards MARCH 2017 I spent a few nights hither earlier as well as after my remain at ANG THONG NATIONAL MARINE PARK.
Thing is NATHON has ever been pop alongside budget conscience travelers - accommodation is to a greater extent than reasonable than the to a greater extent than "IN" beaches, at that topographic point is no shortage of skillful value eats/drinks places as well as a rent-moto provides an inexpensive way to larn to other places on the isle (I'm non too sure if SONGTHAEW users larn value - inwards 2017 it cost 100baht to CHAWENG alone. If yous wanted to tour the whole isle yesteryear songthaew it would cost multiples of a moto hire.) H5N1 improve choice which many travelers accept is a hire moto - dirt inexpensive specially for multi-day hires as well as gets into spots the songthaews don't go.
It's to a greater extent than Thai town-typical than the touristy due east as well as due north coast places, alongside skillful shopping, budget eating, a fair but of traditional architecture as well as magic sunsets, all of which brand it a skillful destination for day-trippers. The Sabbatum black WALKING STREET when the seaside route sets upward equally a pedestrian mall alongside heads of nutrient as well as other shopping activities is a especial attraction.
The nightly nutrient marketplace seat is seaside just due south of the principal (central) pier as well as has a stack of elcheapo as well as yummy food/drink stalls. However the 500m of the side yesteryear side beach route also has a bunch of vigorously competitive restaurants which are non too much to a greater extent than expensive as well as way to a greater extent than comfortable. I believe the parallel route ane inland has much the same.
For some argue I did non accept my photographic goggle box camera to the inwards a higher identify as well as had to pinch this shot from samui.com
ACCOMMODATION.
INCOMING, my ANG THONG booking agency suggested the articulation across the street, the budget COFFEE ISLAND. No prizes for guessing its Earth flooring eating theatre specialised inwards java as well as seemed to attract a skillful crowd of jitter-juice aficionados. Meals covered all budgets as well as were pretty good. My fan/outside bath room at 350 baht was perhaps 100baht to a greater extent than than value (I was too tired to bargain) - it was top flooring as well as faced due west as well as so suffered HEAT SOAK large time. However it was comfortable as well as non too noisy, despite the principal route outside.
NATHON. I forgot to add together a linear scale: it is 750m inwards a straight delineate betwixt the identify markers of SEATRAN PIER as well as SRI SAMUI
OUTGOING (after ANG THONG) I decided to caput upmarket a chip as well as got a room at SRI SAMUI, on the beach route inwards the southern constituent of town nearly 400m due south of the principal pier,
This identify has the wages of beingness away from the principal route - upward behind a restaurant/bar. Reviews utter nearly the tranquility but unfortunately my room was closest to the bar which played music until midnight on this week-day night. It wasn't equally loud equally a lot of places but calorie-free sleepers should perhaps specify on a the to a greater extent than distant rooms.
Otherwise the identify was fine - contemporary style 3 room level (living, sleeping room as well as bath all big), good equipped, lotsa hanging space, tranquility aircon. At 700baht I represented skillful value.
.
DAYTRIPS
ANG THONG NATIONAL MARINE PARK.
The viewpoint at Wua Talap, the National Park headquarter isle is non too bad at all alongside 360 grade views of dozens of islets - epitome http://www.thailand-travelonline.com/
The climb upward hither is pretty strenuous but good worth while. That's constituent of the headquarters surface area bottom left - in conclusion I heard it was possible to rent longhouse rooms as well as military camp here. There is a divide climbing rails to the correct of the viewpoint ane to some okay cliffside caves.
I did this on my showtime see to as well as reckon it is a must not-miss. There are seemingly hundreds of islands inwards this surface area betwixt Samui as well as the mainland.
Most daytrips involve some snorkelling/beach time, a trip to overview Thai Nai - the Emerald Lagoon on which the lagoon inwards the novel/movie The Beach was based (the novel had the heroes starting inwards Samui as well as chartering a longtail to a undercover nearby isle - almost for sure inwards the Ang Thong grouping as well as a hell of a long way from Phi Phi Don inwards the Andaman where the motion-picture exhibit was shot) as well as a fair chip of fourth dimension on headquarter island. Any hotel go desk or little go agent inwards Samui tin terminate organise a trip - both slow-boats as well as speedboats tin terminate survive used. I noticed prices had gone from budget to midrange since my in conclusion visit.
Trip reporter MV sent me this dandy shot from the viewpoint at Ang Thong National Marine Park headquarters island.
I pinched this Ang Thong map off http://samui.sawadee.com/map/12img/121angthong.jpg
UPDATE MARCH 2017 - I finally got the take away chances of staying over at ANG THONG. It didn't disappoint.
These panorama shots click-expand nicely
Chez Tezza
Cute
I take away hold done a divide page alongside to a greater extent than information as well as pix HERE.
OTHER ISLAND DAYTRIPS
Trip sellers also offering daytrips to neighbouring Ko Phangan as well as Ko Tao/Ko Nangyuan. Both areas are existent squeamish as well as good worth seeing, but I personally consider Tao/Nangyuan a chip of a stretch inwards a boat unless yous are going to remain there.
Note that these days Lomprayah's fast catamaran from Mae Nam calls inwards at all 3 as well as is ordinarily a chip to a greater extent than comfortable as well as non too much slower than the speedboats doing the trip. People take away hold told me the cats are non too skillful inwards existent petroleum seas - neither are the speedboats. The slower ferries are ordinarily the drib dead inwards these conditions.
You tin terminate also see Ko Kaen to the due south of Samui. Google travelfish for a skillful article.
WATERFALLS
Most accessible are the Namuang falls inwards the fundamental south. I visited inwards a previous trip (travel-lite:no camera) as well as found the lower falls underwhelming (only 18m high) as well as didn't take away hold fourth dimension to access the upper falls (you had to walk for nearly xxx minutes), but people on later on trips said the 80m drib is worth it. Apparently at that topographic point are some other attractions similar elephant rides along the track.
Okay, inwards August 2013 I got to Namyuang Waterfall 2. I didn't think this met the description of an 80m drop, but.....
....maybe they are including this lower section. Thing is I painting waterfalls equally FALLING direct from above, non similar the above, which I personally would course equally STEEP RAPIDS. tezza rating hither - undewhelming, but perhaps I'm difficult to please.
Okay, the skillful tidings - dissimilar my in conclusion century see to this area, at that topographic point is at nowadays a route (good condition, sealed) which goes withing 10 minutes rainforest walk of Falls 2. Look for the signs towards the western destination of the hamlet on the principal east-west cross isle route (see epitome below) - nearly 4km from the due east coast intersection alongside the route heading to the due south coast.
There is an elephant trekking identify perhaps 2km due south of the falls, which would survive a neat way to access.
I didn't worry nearly Falls 1 which didn't print me in conclusion century. The route inwards at that topographic point is separate, but the turnoff is only nearly 300m farther due west on the principal southern due east due west route.
Route to Namyuang Falls as well as some other nearby falls as well as viewpoints (see below).
OTHER FALLS AND VIEWPOINTS
Samui must take away hold a dozen waterfalls. For representative yesteryear error I took an early plow towards the mountains when looking for Waterfall 2 (was fooled yesteryear "WATERFALL" sign when cruising the cross isle road, turned inland at nearly 2.5km from the due east intersection alongside the route heading to the due south coast (behind the 4170 mark above) instead of 4km) - but the ride upward this route was non precisely wasted time. Only problem is I spent so much fourth dimension checking out this surface area I didn't take away hold plenty left to grab some pix of the due south as well as due west coast beaches. Next time.
Khao Yai Falls - this is nearly 5km upward the route - nearly a 30m drop, pleasant plenty but ane time once to a greater extent than perhaps underwhelming for nosotros dudes looking for the sheer drop. There is a path leads upward to the top of the falls on the left. The access path drops steeply from the mount route - sign says 20m to falls but to a greater extent than similar 300. The skillful affair is it's good sealed as well as okay for motorcyclists - yous volition take away hold to walk the in conclusion 70m or so. H5N1 dude collects 20baht just yesteryear the parking area. (Namyuang Waterfall is free!).
Note at that topographic point are perhaps some other 3 or iv similar waterfalls along this road.
Roadside inwards a higher identify the Khao Yai waterfall access path is a squeamish budget eating theatre with.....
....an okay viewpoint (another 20baht trendsetters) looking over the due south due east corner of Samui. You would think that at that topographic point would survive just body of body of water inwards this direction betwixt Samui as well as due north Borneo, but inwards fact that Earth far background is the mainland coast which turns to the due east due south of Samui.
GOING HIGHER - this route continues steeply into the mountains. I was impressed alongside the status - a really skillful concrete surface. Seems to me someone inwards Samui has political force - similar roads on Phangan or Tao would survive dirt after 1km - this ane didn't plow to dirt until perhaps 10-12km.
Getting existent high - perhaps only 2km from the destination of the sealed section, is a neat joint, Sea View Restaurant. This has an okay viewpoint as well as this sugariness puddle alongside skillful views over the due south due west corner of the island. The Don Sak/Surathani mainland coastline inwards the background. I think the viewpoint had a accuse of 20baht as well as the puddle 100.
Note at that topographic point are several similar viewpoint restaurants upward inwards this part (but I don't know if they run to pools) - addition safari parks as well as similar.
OTHER ACTIVITES
You tin terminate practice dive trips as well as deep body of body of water fishing. There are nearly 3 different jungle treks including ane of those treetop walkways, to a greater extent than elephant joints, a serpent farm, butterfly garden, go-karting, golf game - it seemed to me Samui at nowadays offers equally much diversity inwards activities equally Phuket. Several Island Tour outfits volition combine a handful of these attractions alongside visits to some of the to a greater extent than scenic viewpoints on the island.
WHEN TO GO.
The Samui/Phangan/Tao surface area tends to take away hold a different moisture flavor to most of Thailand. Normally this kicks inwards belatedly September/early Oct as well as runs into early January, although the fact that Christmas/New Year is peak flavor indicates that it can't survive too bad come upward belatedly December.
The skillful tidings is that when the Andaman as well as Eastern Gulf islands are inwards moisture flavor midyear, Samui is ordinarily much drier. Sure it volition pelting a chip inwards these months but ordinarily sunshine dominates. This drier weather condition agency a 2d high flavor inwards July/August as well as consequently non the cope accommodation prices yous volition uncovering inwards Phuket, Krabi or large Ko Chang etc.
Feb thru Apr are fifty-fifty drier. Note March Apr tin terminate survive pretty hot.
H5N1 dot nearly this area's moisture flavor - oft this tin terminate survive equally vacation friendly equally most other Thai regions, but every at nowadays as well as and so they take away hold a shocker. In all the years I take away hold been next Thai weather condition this is the only identify I take away hold seen forum posters complaining nearly persistent bad weather, prolonged heavy pelting etc. This seems to take away identify every 3rd or quaternary year, but non necessarily on a regular basis. So if I was planning a Thai beach vacation inwards state Oct, Nov or early Dec I mightiness think to a greater extent than nearly the mid or eastern Gulf or the Andaman. However if these months were the only fourth dimension I could see as well as I genuinely wanted to run across Samui, I would non survive put-off - my showtime see into this surface area was inwards a Nov as well as I got existent squeamish weather, equally skillful equally my 3 August visits.
H5N1 smaller dot - May inwards this surface area as well as many other Thai regions often gets a lilliputian blip of extra pelting compared to side yesteryear side months. Usually this is non plenty to brand it a mini moisture flavor but ane time once to a greater extent than I occasionally run across complaints from the Phangan/Samui/Tao areas nearly prolonged rainy spells.
For the cost conscious, yous are going to larn skillful discounts inwards moisture season. But Federal Reserve annotation months similar March, April, June as well as a lot of Septrember are ordinarily not wet, yet many accommodation places drib dead into depression flavor pricing. Note too that low-budget places are much less variable inwards pricing compared to midrange as well as high-end joints.
GETTING THERE
From Bangkok
The to the lowest degree expensive way is to larn a bus/ferry or train/ferry combination ticket correct onto Samui. Most of these involve go to the Surathani surface area piers, although Lomprayah as well as Seatran run their buses/fast catamaran or ferry via Chumpon-Tao-Phangan.
Both offering an overnight motorbus services, as well as the sleeper develop choice is also pop alongside people wishing to minimise beach fourth dimension lost to travel.
Many complaints take away hold come upward nearly thefts from luggage inwards buses seat on yesteryear go agents inwards the Khao San Road surface area of Bangkok - people are urged to role the authorities buses from Bangkok's southern motorbus terminal which also render the combination ferry ticket.
Lomprayah is ane individual operator which seems costless of theft.
Note that Surathani's railway station is Phun Phin, nearly 12km due west of town. The most used piers are some 60+km due east of Surathani, inwards the Don Sak area, although Seatran's limited boat as well as the black ferry leave of absence from the Bandon pier inwards town. If yous drib dead far without a combined ticket, the little go agents across from the station volition sell yous a combination bus/ferry ticket to the pier as well as beyond. Ditto if yous wing into Surathani aerodrome or drib dead far at Surathani town's motorbus station.
Seatran vehicle/passenger ferry at Samui's Naithon pier - xc minutes to Donsak (140baht May 2012) addition 45 minutes Seatran motorbus into Surathani (100baht) - purchase a combined ticket. Drops off at go agency on principal drag. Some of these take away hold a reputation for mucking people* some so I wandered upward to the nearby motorbus station as well as caught a minibus to Phuket.
*one outfit which has a skillful rep alongside a modern spacious aircon constituent inwards Surathani is Pantip Travel. I take away hold used them alongside satisfaction. Their constituent is inwards the principal route (TALED MAI RD) block right away due north of Bus Station One where most intercity coaches as well as minibuses are based. Don't larn off an incoming motorbus a few blocks earlier the terminal when the conductor yells TRAVEL AGENTS TO SAMUI etc - the agents hither are venal as well as dishonest.
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Don Sak due east of Surathani.
From the due west as well as south.
You tin terminate also larn motorbus (or minibus)/ferry tickets from Phuket, Trang, Hat Yai, Penang, KL, Krabi as well as Phi Phi. Note inwards relation to the latter that ane of the principal operators, PP Family belike gets to a greater extent than complaints than whatsoever other regular Thai carry operator - non only for underbus thefts but for fourth dimension wasting as well as full general lack of tending - travelfish advises against them. I reckon if yous select deal of the showtime ferry out as well as the normal Krabi-Surathani minibus yous would brand it inwards a day. Catching the black ferry from Surathani town pier some 2200-2300 assures this. Actually yous would belike survive able to leave of absence PP on the afternoon ferry as well as soundless brand the black ferry.
Note the sleeper develop choice is pop alongside people coming from Penang, Kl as well as Singapore.
Lomprayah ferry arriving at Samui's Mae Nam pier early afternoon. People on correct of pier are disembarking - those on left are leaving for Ko Phangan, Ko Tao as well as Chumpon/Bangkok. Lomprayah is non a bad outfit -runs a really skillful delivery/pickup service on Samui, but needs to streamline check-in. They larn yous to write your yell on a rider listing - a computerised listing which they could just tick off would survive so much quicker.
Very handy for people arriving too belatedly for the in conclusion ferry out of Donsak (1900) is ane of my favourites, the black ferry which leaves some 2300 from the town pier, chugs downwardly river as well as and so across the bay, yous on your designated matress as well as pillow, arriving inwards Samui nearly 0530 where carry is waiting at the pier to accept yous to your beach of choice. You tin terminate grab a swim as well as brekka piece all those lazy travellers are soundless tucked into their bungalows cutting the zzzzzs.
From Phangan as well as Tao
H5N1 number of companies run ferries to both NATHON as well as the due north coast piers - a pretty skillful timetable showing just nearly ALL ferry services (ie non only from the neighbouring islands but also Chumpon as well as the Surathani coast) is on sawadee.com
This doesn't exhibit the little ferry which runs downwardly the due east coast of Phangan, starting at Thong Nai Pan some 0900 as well as picking upward at several beaches on the way downwardly including Than Sadet as well as East Hat Rin as well as arriving at Bo PHut around1100-1130.
You tin terminate also cross from Phangan as well as Tao yesteryear speedboat - dearer, often bumpy, but saving mass time.
The Had Rin Queen approaches Bang Rak pier close the airport. This is the best way to access from due south due east Phangan. But if yous are coming from Phangan's due east coast anywhere due north of Had Rin, the best bet is to role the smaller due east coast ferry (although at that topographic point is only ane service each way per day, compared alongside the Had Rin Queen's several).
Flying
The ane wages of flying into Surathani tin terminate survive cheaper tickets, but direct flights into Samui's uniquely appealing airport is worth the extra $ inwards fourth dimension saved. Some skillful ex-airport carry information on that link.
Bangkok Air as well as Thai wing into Samui from Bangkok - as well as Bangkok Air also flies inwards direct from Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai as well as U-Tapao close Pattaya.
International flights:
Direct flights into Samui are offered yesteryear Bangkok Air from Hong Kong as well as Singapore. Berjaya wing from KL equally does Firefly.
BACK TO THE JUNGLE CLUB
Jungle Club's Balinese-style eating theatre from the pool. Has similar panoramic if non so needlelike views equally the puddle as well as hillside bures. Prices perhaps 10-20% higher than budget bungalow eating theatre level, but soundless a steal yesteryear western standards.
Accommodation hither ranges from neat old-style budget bungalow to high-end - banking concern check the make at sawadee.com which also has a bunch of splendid pix. This identify gets user raves on the booking sites as well as go forums. I walked upward from the southern destination of Chaweng Noi beach inwards xxx minutes. The access route takes off from the principal Samui coast route nearly midway along the Chaweng Noi strip as well as JUNGLE CLUB is good sign-posted. The access road, really steep inwards parts, is concreted for all except the in conclusion 400m which is non equally steep as well as would non survive too tricky for amateur motorcyclist. I gotta pass a few nights hither next visit.
Which I did. In May 2012 I jumped across from Phangan specifically for a few nights at Jungle Club.
Jungle Club's atmospheric eating theatre has fine views. Food is really skillful alongside prices perhaps 20% higher than average budget bungalow restaurants (most of the accommodation hither is lower midrange). Quite a lot of outsiders seemed to brand their way upward hither to dine. Excellent friendly service.
As said upward page, Jungle Club also has budget bungalows. That's Chez Tezza above. Old fourth dimension backpackers volition practice deja vu all over again. Typical budget bungalow except for the hot water. Plenty of room but non for a tertiary mattress. King sized bed tin terminate slumber 3 friends. Nice fitted net. Good lights, tranquility fan. Very tranquility upward hither all round. Spacious manicured grounds. 800 baht skillful value considering the inferior yard baht places on Ko Ngai same trip - as well as they didn't take away hold a pool. Hell, I'd pay an extra 300 a hateful solar daytime just for JC's pool.
Sweet
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If yous see Samui yous mightiness also survive interested inwards nearby:
KO PHANGAN (PAGE 1)
KO PHANGAN (PART 2)
KO TAO
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If yous take away hold whatsoever questions, delight inquire them inwards THE FORUM rather than below. I don't larn a take away chances to banking concern check all isle pages daily, but unless I'm travelling I'll assay to monitor THE FORUM regularly. Sumber http://tezzasthaiinfo.blogspot.com/
Listen upward trendsetters - who says yous can't uncovering laid-back, picturesque, good-value places on Samui these days? This is Jungle Club high inwards the hills behind Chaweng Noi alongside 180 grade panoramic views from the pool, those hillside roofed sitting-bures silhouetted at left-background as well as the Bali-style restaurant. (click to expand pix)You tin terminate banking concern check the coastline stretching from Chong Mon/Maitang Island inwards the due north (most distant inwards shot), downwardly thru Chaweng as well as Chaweng Noi to the surface area some Coral Cove inwards the south. Accommodation hither starts at backpacker/flashpacker level. More details as well as pix t at the pes of the page.
Samui map from http://www.phukhao.com/ The 2 principal beaches, Chaweng as well as Lamai are on the due east coast at right. Chaweng Noi is the smaller beach just inwards a higher identify the Viewpoint mid due east coast. Tiny Thong Ta Kien is the 2d little bay (near the road) on the due north side of Laem Nan peninsula just due north of Lamai.For a to a greater extent than detailed map it is difficult to beat sawadee.com's interactive map. This tin terminate survive enlarged as well as the hundreds of accommodation options tin terminate survive clicked on to convey upward sawadee's info, photos, invitee reviews as well as cost lists.
SAMUI gets bad press on many go sites for beingness overdeveloped as well as trashy. I disagree. It is difficult to uncovering a nicer white-sand beach inwards southern Thailand than Chaweng as well as the resorts lining the beach are pretty attractive, non Miami Beach/Surfers Paradise recreated. Lamai is non too far behind Chaweng.
And midrange/high-end travellers deserve a squeamish scenic isle mid-year when the Andaman as well as eastern Gulf are oft too moisture - equally practice the sun/swim/party set as well as the rent-girl chasers. Okay, the girlie-bar areas inwards Chaweng as well as Lamai may survive a turn-off for some, but these are easily avoided.
True, the route strip behind Chaweng's beachfront hotels as well as bunalows is becoming a kinda tourist trap alongside lots of tacky t-shirt as well as sarong shops as well as those pesky tailors, but ane time once to a greater extent than this is easily avoided. As is the super busy Chaweng by-pass alongside just nearly every type of work concern yous tin terminate imagine. You take away hold to yell back Samui has quite a large local economy, as well as this strip contains many of the goods/service-suppliers for such. It aint so much for tourists, but it does brand the trip from the due north to state Lamai much quicker than the skillful quondam days.
Ah yeah, the skillful quondam days. All yous dudes wishing Chaweng was similar the belatedly 80s should consider whether your town is unchanged since that time. And as well as so caput a curt distance due north of Samui where Phangan offers beaches just similar Chaweng's skillful quondam days at Hads Thian, Why Nam, Sadet, Thong Reng, Mae + Coral Cove, Bottle Beach as well as others.
But hey, yous don't take away hold to drib dead to Phangan. There are soundless some beaches on Samui which are quiet, scenic as well as set back. And on Chaweng as well as Lamai it is soundless possible to uncovering some old-time skillful value traveller type joints.
THE EAST COAST
CHAWENG - CHAWENG NOI - CORAL COVE - THONG TA KIEN - LAMAI - CHONG MON - HUA THANON.
THONG TA KIEN
And who says yous can't uncovering a quiet, scenic white-sand beach alongside skillful value accommodation on the pop due east coast of Samui inside a few minutes of the shopping as well as amusement of Lamai as well as Chaweng?This is THONG TA KIEN, a little bay at the start of the hilly department of coastline betwixt Lamai as well as Chaweng. There are iv bungalow joints on this bay as well as since showtime seeing it way dorsum I've been determined to remain hither some day.
This shot is at nearly half-tide. At lower tide levels the far destination of the bay becomes really shallow as well as at that topographic point is a department of rocks mid-bay which is exposed. However the western department of the bay closest photographic goggle box camera is sandy correct out into deeper water, which at lowest tide is perhaps 30m out to survive deep plenty to swim. Closer to the beach is squeamish for pottering some looking at fishies etc - or snorkelling when the tide is up. The H2O was really clear when I visited. I also snorkelled along the western headland - at that topographic point were little patches of fringing coral, but mainly mono-colour as well as underwhelming.
The route climbs quite steeply along this headland as well as at that topographic point are some squeamish bar/restaurants alongside skillful views inside 10 minutes walk. The 2d ane yous come upward to has budget prices.
To the south, the northern constituent of Lamai beach is only a 10 infinitesimal walk. Lamai is a long beach, the busy fundamental constituent is state 10 minutes inwards songthaew. Chaweng is nearly the same.
Thong Ta Kien is a tranquility bay - I don't think I saw a longtail boat seat inwards or fifty-fifty exceed closed to shore. Most accommodation is far plenty from the route for vehicle dissonance to survive a non-issue except perhaps for some of the rooms at the western-most place, Crystal Bay Resort.
Check farther downwardly page for Coral Bay, a similar beach nearly 2km along this hilly section, closer to Chaweng.
Least expensive touchstone rooms at Thongtakian Resort.I saw a Thorntree postal service way dorsum inwards the 90s raving nearly Thongtakian, as well as when I checked the user reviews on Trip Advisor, travelfish and the diverse booking sites it seemed to larn the most raves for my budget make (just inwards a higher identify flashpacker - Lady Tezza practice similar her aircon as well as hot water).
Okay, the touchstone rooms equally yous tin terminate run across take away hold a squeamish garden setting. You larn a refrigerator as well as TV on top of the aircon as well as hot-water addition brekka included for 1100 high flavor August 09.
The room was clean, perhaps approaching fourth dimension for an interior repaint, plenty large plenty for 2 as well as their gear, had sufficient storage, a king-size bed which was pretty comfortable, as well as was serviced daily. Adequate bath alongside western toilet, plenty of H2O pressure level as well as skillful hot water. The balcony was a squeamish identify to hang belatedly afternoon alongside a drinking glass of ruby-red (we brought a inexpensive Aussie box of wine) or a beer. Note at that topographic point was a little store upward close reception where beers were nearly equally inexpensive equally 7/11s inwards town - bless that refrigerator inwards the room!
Thongtakian has plenty of to a greater extent than expensive rooms as well as bungalows. You tin terminate run across the make on Thongtakian's website and sawadee.com. Some guests at the puddle said their high-end poolside rooms inwards the novel hotel wing were existent nice.
The eating theatre was beachfront alongside some of the chairs as well as tables on the sand, prices nearly average for budget bunalows (and this identify is mid-range), nutrient pretty nice. The buffet breakfast was served inwards a divide surface area upward close reception (maybe so yous tin terminate materials yer bags alongside pastries etc when your daytrip shuttle motorbus comes a chip early) as well as was pretty skillful except similar every other Thai buffet identify this trip, to a greater extent than oestrus would non take away hold wound at times. I'm a populace cast fang merchant - tin terminate hoover downwardly tucker similar I've been starved the in conclusion 10 years - I reckon I easily got thru 200+ baht of multiple juice/coffee/fruit/cereal+yoghurt/eggs/half a dozen other hot things each morning. And if yous think I'm good, yous should run across Lady T go! Lucky she gyms it out as well as I run/swim/cycle or nosotros could destination upward circumferencially enhanced similar my quondam pal Singapore Slim.
All this brings into consideration VALUE - nosotros paid 1100 high flavor but subtract state 400 for brekka as well as yous are talking 700 room only, which makes Mai Pen Rai's 650 baht backpacker bungalow on Had Sadet Phangan, no aircon/TV/hot water/fridge/pool/daily service perhaps a chip expensive. Hey, I'm becoming a fan of midrangers - if I take away hold someone to share.
LAMAI
Here it comes ane time to a greater extent than - who says yous can't larn a beachfront budget bungalow of the quondam style on LAMAI these days?Google for New Hut, Lamai. These share-bathroom bungalows were going for 350 high flavor 2010. One the other side of the atmospheric beachfront eating theatre were bigger places alongside bath for 450.
This identify was towards the due north destination of Lamai where a little current cuts the beach. There is a reef which runs downwardly the northern tertiary Lamai forming a shallow lagoon at depression tide, way too shallow for swimming inwards most places. Some people similar this because it allows for some fossicking or just sitting some inwards a shallow puddle of water. I prefer deeper H2O so I tin terminate swim anytime - which is available starting v minutes farther due south - the middle as well as due south destination of the beach take away hold no reef as well as skillful H2O depth depression tide. Note that a chip farther due north from New Hut is a novel little harbour for longtails constructed from dredged reef-rock, which looked a chip daggy depression tide.
Lamai beach from the viewpoint on the southern headland.The beach must survive nearly 4km long. I specially similar the department right away across from the nearest jet ski, where a collection of boulders gives the beach some grapheme as well as makes for some squeamish swimming as well as snorkelling inwards H2O clearer than at the close headland. Note the relative lack of people at prime number sunshine fourth dimension - 11am on a perfect August (high season) day.
Lamai seemed to take away hold fewer large resorts than Chaweng as well as quite a few smaller places advertising room alongside air for 700 - a lot had pools.
The far headland is the Laem Nan peninsula - at that topographic point are some squeamish resorts along hither alongside elevated views downwardly the bay as well as neat patches of sand below, but shallow H2O depression tide. The surface area was a frenzy of novel construction when I checked it out this visit.
Thong Ta Kien is a curt distance thru the lower saddle inwards the middle background.
CHAWENG
Brace for it - who says yous can't larn a reasonably priced beachfront identify on CHAWENG? This is the beach surface area for OP Bungalows which gets skillful posts on go forums. Aircon - hot H2O bungalows were going for 1050 when I called around. UPDATE - oops! 2200 inwards March 2017. Probably soundless the best priced beachfront articulation on Chaweng but Thailand is becoming SO EXPENSIVE.OP Bungalows is situated on a specially squeamish department of sand nearly ane quarter downwardly from the northern destination where the beach does a curve. Note the exposed delineate of reef rocks inwards background - Chaweng also has a lagoon province of affairs running along its northern third. The lagoon is to a greater extent than attractive than Lamai's as well as had quite a few people splashing around, fossicking as well as sitting inwards the shallows behind photographic goggle box camera - addition sunbathers on exposed sand-bars 100m from the beach. Central as well as southern Chaweng take away hold no reef - depression tide H2O is deep plenty for swimming but yous may take away hold to drib dead out a chip farther than similar areas at Lamai. Lamai's sand is pretty white, but Chaweng is fifty-fifty to a greater extent than so.
Okay quondam Samui hands - this is the site of the old-time favourite travellers' articulation - Charlie Hut. H5N1 beach-vendor lady told me inwards 2013 she used to operate hither as well as it had been closed iv years. It surprises me that such a prime number seat inwards the middle of Chaweng would sit down idle for so long.
Charlie Hut has inwards fact had 2 locations - the showtime correct next door to the south. This is the boutique resort constructed on Charlie's master copy site. Nostalgia trippers should banking concern check for Buri Rasa, but yous are gonna pay a wee chip to a greater extent than than the skillful quondam days.
The far southern destination of the principal Chaweng Beach. People wanting really uncrowded conditions should caput this way. The breakwater inwards the foreground is at the go out of a little river against the headland, important H2O clarity isn't dandy for the showtime 100m or so, but ane time upward close those beach umbrellas it is fine.MARCH 2017
Pool as well as premium room hotel block at First House, Chaweng. This identify is at the far southern destination of the principal Chaweng beach. There is a little river betwixt the sunlounges as well as the far bungalows , alongside attractive Chaweng Noi beach behind. The bungalows belong to First Bungalow resort. First House has a little span across the river important yous tin terminate survive sunning it on Chaweng Noi inwards no fourth dimension at all. First House also has direct access onto the southern destination of the bigger principal Chaweng beach.I wanted to destination our vacation inwards a squeamish hotel as well as exhibit Lady T Chaweng so inwards typical Tezza fashion booked the cheapest touchstone room at First House which is inwards a divide block to the above. On arrival they upgraded us costless to a household unit of measurement suite inwards the newer poolside block on work concern human relationship the aircon inwards the touchstone room was broken.
Jeez, what a blow - I've never stayed inwards a 4200 baht room inwards Thailand before. So I can't genuinely give a comparative room written report except to state the suite was everything I expected, the puddle was great, the included buffet breakfast pretty awesome (restaurant prices for other meals were higher than other places this trip but at that topographic point was a skillful budget eating theatre on the street nearby, non to advert some minimarts alongside competitive prices), service really good. Being correct at the southern destination of principal Chaweng beach it was perhaps a v infinitesimal walk upward to the start of the busy constituent of the Chaweng beach route shopping-restaurant strip.
NORTH CHAWENG
My Google globe epitome inwards a higher identify is a chip misleading - suggests Nth Chaweng is from contrary Ko Matland due north - inwards fact I would course it equally from the showtime inward plow of the beach just this side of the "reef" identify marker.
A host of mainly midrange or improve resorts along hither - google for Papillon, Chaweng Blue Lagoon, Coral Bay, Al's Leam Song, Anantara Lawana. Plenty to a greater extent than - banking concern check Agoda as well as similar.
CHAWENG NOI
CHAWENG NOI from the northern destination close First House as well as First Bungalow resorts. UPDATE - my 2017 exceed yesteryear showed to a greater extent than evolution inwards this northern one-half - FIRST BUNGALOW RESORT has expanded a skillful way downwardly the beach.
Noi agency small, as well as the beach is little compared to 5km long principal Chaweng to its immediate north, but non inwards absolute terms.
This is a fine beach alongside some skillful shade as well as specially clear H2O inwards this northern section. The rocks at the little headland out of painting to left brand for some interesting snorkelling fish-wise although at that topographic point is no dandy coral. Some local dudes take away hold prepare a beach bar close these rocks selling inexpensive beer, other drinks as well as eats. This northern surface area tin terminate larn quite crowded but farther downwardly the beach people tend to survive less concentrated. Exclusively midrange as well as high-end accommodation along this beach, but at that topographic point are some skillful budget dining places on the sand at the far southern end.
Thong Ta Kien as well as Coral Cove are tucked inwards behind those high headlands bring upward left.
Samui is becoming a existent pop identify for farang weddings. This is a hotel-beachfront undertaking on Chaweng Noi which attracted a crowd of interested sunbather onlookers.Lady Tezza commented the location was a chip to a greater extent than romantic than the civil celebrant's shack behind the Shell service station inwards the good for yous steel-city suburb of Unanderra^^.
Maybe so, but I bet this dude couldn't larn his fuel injectors flushed as well as plugs swapped out piece he got hitched. Or brand the afternoon shift inwards the slab mill.
^^for yous non-Oztrayans - pronounced Yew-nan-derr-uh.
My kids maintain telling their friends mum as well as dad were married inwards a petrol station. Jeez - how unclassy practice they think nosotros are?
CORAL COVE
Coral Cove is the other little bay betwixt Lamai as well as Chaweng Noi - closer to the latter. Sand perhaps non quite equally white equally Thong Ta Kien, H2O non quite equally clear, but pretty nice, set dorsum as well as no exposed stone at depression tide. Maybe a chip of route dissonance - the principal route is really closed to the dorsum of the beach inwards the middle. Coral Cove Resort has a bunch of bungalows, some on the beach, some on the headland behind the camera. These include some budget priced options.
The flash looking identify at the far destination of the beach inwards the shot is Coral Cove Chalet, midrange as well as up. Higher on the hillside inwards what often is referred to equally Coral Cove Heights is a bunch of midrangers alongside pretty squeamish views.
One of the hillside joints inwards Coral Cove Heights - Hi Coral Cove Bungalow. Pretty snazzy identify alongside a squeamish puddle out of shot, access to little patches of sand betwixt the rocks. Some local dudes were line-fishing off these rocks, so this could survive a identify for yous keen anglers. Mid-range resort alongside some flashpacker-priced options. This is shot from the principal route restaurant/bar - Chong Monday as well as Chaweng inwards background.
Viewpoint from the mount side behind Hi Coral Cove on a skillful concrete route which takes off steeply from the principal coast route closer to Coral Cove beach.Ko Matland off the due north destination of Chaweng tin terminate survive seen at right, Choeng Monday farther away to its left, long Chaweng inwards the middle as well as Chaweng Noi disappearing behind the close headland. That's Ko Phangan far background partly nether cloud.
Some squeamish places to remain along this route - banking concern check sawadee.com's interactive map for Best View Bungalows as well as neighbours.
CHOENG MON
This really attractive smaller beach inwards the due north due east of the isle was pretty undeveloped when I showtime saw it alongside only a few hotels as well as bungalow places, but these days is a thriving beach-spot alongside mainly to a greater extent than expensive resorts, vacation villas as well as individual dwellings. There is a bustling shopping/restaurant surface area along the principal route thru hither - although this route is good away from the busy around-island drag as well as is pretty tranquility inwards comparison. Both due north as well as due south are little bays alongside similar development. It's non too far from the aerodrome hither although yous volition survive away from the flight-path.
HUA THANON
This is the large bay due south of Lamai as well as belike the to the lowest degree touristy coastline on the island, but skillful if yous desire to banking concern check a working Muslim line-fishing villages area. The beach does improve towards the south-east corner of the isle approaching Laem Set as well as yous take away hold attractions similar the Samui Aquarium as well as the Butterfly Farm addition a handful of midrange+ resorts.
THE NORTH EAST CORNER
A really curt distance due north of Chong Moeng is a lovely lilliputian surface area of twin rainforested capes as well as several little coves alongside squeamish sheltered beaches (look for Samrong Bay, Tongson Bay as well as Tongsai Bay). This is a newish surface area alongside mainly high destination as well as midrange accommodation - addition a lot of novel villa construction where no dubiety the Samui aerodrome taxi mafia volition live. Plus all yous Wall St fugitive bond traders. You larn a feel of islolation hither as well as yet the airport** as well as Chong Meong work concern surface area are only a few km away, Chaweng a chip further.
**off the flght path so dissonance wouldn't survive a problem.
SAMRONG BAY
* Arayaburi has a squeamish villa alongside breakfast for $us100 inwards peak early January. Hell I lately paid that for a basic province NSW motel inwards mid-week. You may think I'm a chip anal checking Agoda etc for prices but I'm ever planning Thailand trips alongside Lady Tezza inwards tow. She likes comfort. Funny, so practice I, as well as its such a alter from my most-typical budget beach bungalow when travelling solo (although The Lady also likes some of her vacation fourth dimension inwards these too, bless her).
TONGSON BAY
Nice area. Airport Departures is 2km due south of Big Buddha Temple.
THE NORTH COAST
This is a quieter surface area compared to Chaweng-Lamai as well as the favourite of many long fourth dimension travellers. You volition uncovering to a greater extent than budget accommodation hither than the due east coast, although these days at that topographic point is no shortage of midrangers as well as better. I noticed when researching Samui accommodation that some of the midrangers seemed to offering really skillful value - aircon hot H2O rooms as well as pools at what would survive flashpacker prices inwards the Andaman inwards a similar season.
MAE NAM
MAE NAM is the nicest of the due north coast beaches IMHO, specially hither inwards the western tertiary of the bay where quite a few squeamish midrange as well as improve resorts are located. Mae Nam also has belike the biggest make of budget places on the due north coast if non the island. The beach is to a greater extent than yellowish than white as well as has a steeper profile as well as coarser sand than Chaweng, but aint bad at all as well as the H2O tends to survive pretty clear.
BO PHUT due east of Mai Nam has a string of mainly midrange as well as improve places specially on its western one-half but yous tin terminate soundless uncovering some really skillful budget places. Like Bang Rak/Big Buddha right away east, it is pop alongside longer term travellers.
Note yous tin terminate just run across the far destination of Chaweng Noi beach towards the top left of image.
BANG RAK-BIG BUDDHA looked less appealing to me alongside a less attractive beach, lots of boats moored as well as moving around, a number of non so snazzy piers, H2O non so clear. Nevertheless it is pop alongside a lot of budget travellers beingness uncrowded as well as alongside a skillful make of accommodation alongside no shortage of budget places. It is really closed to the aerodrome for Tao/Phangan people wanting somewhere to remain overnight earlier an early flight.
UPDATE AUGUST 2013 - proximity to the aerodrome is why I decided to pass a few nights at Bank Rak on my way betwixt Phangan as well as Phuket. I began to run across why it is pop alongside so many - I took me 3 minutes to walk from the fundamental pier to my beachfront accommodation at Bangrak Beach Resort as well as less than 10 minutes yesteryear vehicle to Departures at the wonderful Samui airport. The town has an abundance of skillful value as well as to a greater extent than expensive accommodattion/restaurants as well as shops as well as is a pretty skillful base of operations to attain a lot of other Samui areas relatively quickly.
Bang Rak/Big Buddha at the eastern destination of the due north coast. The actual Big Budhha is at the bay front end temple roughly fundamental epitome - the area names of Bang Rak/Big Buddha seem interchangeable. Note proximity of airport, Chaweng. The closest best beach is Choeng Monday which is on the upper due east coast of the isle just out of frame to the left - took me 10 minutes on a motorcycle. Bo Phut starts to the correct of that headland far correct of frame.
I was pleasantly surprised alongside the beach inwards front end of my digs at Bang Rak Beach Resort. Nice sand as well as kept inwards pretty create clean status despite the air current that fourth dimension of twelvemonth blowing materials over from Phangan. Water withal was non equally clear equally at some places inwards Samui. Bang Rak Beach Resort was a modestly priced lower midrange articulation alongside create clean comfy motel-like rooms (although at that topographic point was a snazzy household unit of measurement villa beachfont) as well as splendid staff. Their linked motorbike hire identify gave me an almost novel moto for 200 a day.
Not bad sunsets either
Bang Rak north beach is nowhere close equally attractive - equally good the scratchier sand, shallow H2O seems to a greater extent than widespread. This was taken from side yesteryear side the northern breakwater of the little arts and crafts harbour which itself is nearly 700m due north of the Big Buddha temple. There are a number of accommodation places behind the sand, some of them non budget. Many are calling themselves Choeng Mon located, but that much nicer beach is nearly 2.5km yesteryear route across the peninsula to the correct of shot. Bang Rak nth is my yell although I take away hold seen some local maps using Plai Laem Beach as well as the ane I'm looking at at nowadays labels it Big Buddha Beach.
BANG PO/POR is on the other (western) side of Mae Nam as well as is a long department of beach which runs almost to the due north due west corner of Samui. This surface area was really underveloped on my showtime Samui see all those years ago, as well as I was surprised that it soundless is ane of the quietest areas on the island. Over a really dispersed surface area at that topographic point are a few high destination villa joints some of which could survive time-share, a growing number of midrange resorts, some little housing developments addition a handful of budget traveller places. Some volition appeal to wellness freaks as well as new-agers when they tire of Had Thian East on Phangan. Lots of unsettled beach along Bang Por.
THE SOUTH COAST
Ao Thong Krut (aka Thong Tanote Beach/Thong Krut Bay - lower constituent of epitome below) inwards the southwest is a laid-back surface area alongside a pair of midrangers, some skillful beachfront seafood restaurants, a line-fishing hamlet to the east, a fair few line-fishing boats offshore as well as skillful views as well as access to the islands of Ko Tan as well as Ko Mat Sum. H5N1 perfect larn away from the crowds spot.
So too is Ao Bang Koa/Bang Kao Bay, the large bay inwards the fundamental south. Lots of deserted sand as well as backdrops along hither alongside widely dispersed tourist accommodation as well as individual dwellings. Some sections of this beach are really attractive but yous volition drib dead nuts selecting which of nearly a dozen access tracks from the principal route yous should take.
At the due south due east corner of the isle yous take away hold Laem Set, a headland/cove surface area alongside little patches of sand as well as some pretty snazzy resorts addition a slightly longer beach right away north-east alongside similar accommodation. When I showtime visited Samui at that topographic point were some funky travellers' bungalows inwards this attractive surface area - no more.
UPDATE AUGUST 2013 - I'm disappointed I did non take away hold fourth dimension to cruise the due south coast as well as larn some shots to brand upward for my lack of photographic goggle box camera in conclusion fourth dimension I checked the surface area in conclusion century. But I had limited fourth dimension latest Samui see as well as spent way to much of my some isle motorbike trip checking the waterfalls as well as viewpoints to the close due north of the inwards a higher identify shot. Maybe next visit.
THE WEST COAST
Even though I stayed at NATHON inwards MARCH 2017, I haven't had a take away chances to banking concern check the residual of the due west coast on recent trips - it was black as well as threatening pelting yesteryear the fourth dimension I left the waterfall areas nearby inwards 2013. I toured along hither inwards the mid 90s as well as at that topographic point was lilliputian tourist development. The beach areas were pretty squeamish although no tally for the due east coast. There is a vogue towards shallow H2O at depression tide.
From the vehicle ferry coming from Don Sak/ Nai Thon later on trips I could run across a handful of pretty snazzy resorts located at some of the improve areas - quite a few on bluffs overlooking the coast alongside patches of beach below. Knowing the powerfulness of mid-range/high destination resorts to farther improve beach quality, I reckon prospective guests should non worry on this issue. The due west coast gets magic sunsets, has lots of empty beach as well as skillful views of the mountainous mainland as well as the Ang Thong Marine Park islands to the due north east.
If yous click expand yous volition survive able to run across how shallow the due west coast H2O is due north of the Nathon piers - non a lot of vacation activity along this stretch. But the steep mount slopes due east of the beach take away hold some squeamish looking identify (some hotels - many are individual villas).
I'm non sure how Google globe generates relief on its oblique images but some structures destination upward looking a chip weird - the units are non tipped equally they appear here.
NATHON
I take away hold passed thru this due west coast pier town as well as Samui's administrative uppercase many times, off ferries from the MAINLAND, PHANGAN as well as TAO as well as on some isle motorbike tours. But inwards MARCH 2017 I spent a few nights hither earlier as well as after my remain at ANG THONG NATIONAL MARINE PARK.
Thing is NATHON has ever been pop alongside budget conscience travelers - accommodation is to a greater extent than reasonable than the to a greater extent than "IN" beaches, at that topographic point is no shortage of skillful value eats/drinks places as well as a rent-moto provides an inexpensive way to larn to other places on the isle (I'm non too sure if SONGTHAEW users larn value - inwards 2017 it cost 100baht to CHAWENG alone. If yous wanted to tour the whole isle yesteryear songthaew it would cost multiples of a moto hire.) H5N1 improve choice which many travelers accept is a hire moto - dirt inexpensive specially for multi-day hires as well as gets into spots the songthaews don't go.
It's to a greater extent than Thai town-typical than the touristy due east as well as due north coast places, alongside skillful shopping, budget eating, a fair but of traditional architecture as well as magic sunsets, all of which brand it a skillful destination for day-trippers. The Sabbatum black WALKING STREET when the seaside route sets upward equally a pedestrian mall alongside heads of nutrient as well as other shopping activities is a especial attraction.
For some argue I did non accept my photographic goggle box camera to the inwards a higher identify as well as had to pinch this shot from samui.com
ACCOMMODATION.
INCOMING, my ANG THONG booking agency suggested the articulation across the street, the budget COFFEE ISLAND. No prizes for guessing its Earth flooring eating theatre specialised inwards java as well as seemed to attract a skillful crowd of jitter-juice aficionados. Meals covered all budgets as well as were pretty good. My fan/outside bath room at 350 baht was perhaps 100baht to a greater extent than than value (I was too tired to bargain) - it was top flooring as well as faced due west as well as so suffered HEAT SOAK large time. However it was comfortable as well as non too noisy, despite the principal route outside.
OUTGOING (after ANG THONG) I decided to caput upmarket a chip as well as got a room at SRI SAMUI, on the beach route inwards the southern constituent of town nearly 400m due south of the principal pier,
Otherwise the identify was fine - contemporary style 3 room level (living, sleeping room as well as bath all big), good equipped, lotsa hanging space, tranquility aircon. At 700baht I represented skillful value.
.
DAYTRIPS
ANG THONG NATIONAL MARINE PARK.
The viewpoint at Wua Talap, the National Park headquarter isle is non too bad at all alongside 360 grade views of dozens of islets - epitome http://www.thailand-travelonline.com/The climb upward hither is pretty strenuous but good worth while. That's constituent of the headquarters surface area bottom left - in conclusion I heard it was possible to rent longhouse rooms as well as military camp here. There is a divide climbing rails to the correct of the viewpoint ane to some okay cliffside caves.
I did this on my showtime see to as well as reckon it is a must not-miss. There are seemingly hundreds of islands inwards this surface area betwixt Samui as well as the mainland.
Most daytrips involve some snorkelling/beach time, a trip to overview Thai Nai - the Emerald Lagoon on which the lagoon inwards the novel/movie The Beach was based (the novel had the heroes starting inwards Samui as well as chartering a longtail to a undercover nearby isle - almost for sure inwards the Ang Thong grouping as well as a hell of a long way from Phi Phi Don inwards the Andaman where the motion-picture exhibit was shot) as well as a fair chip of fourth dimension on headquarter island. Any hotel go desk or little go agent inwards Samui tin terminate organise a trip - both slow-boats as well as speedboats tin terminate survive used. I noticed prices had gone from budget to midrange since my in conclusion visit.
UPDATE MARCH 2017 - I finally got the take away chances of staying over at ANG THONG. It didn't disappoint.
I take away hold done a divide page alongside to a greater extent than information as well as pix HERE.
OTHER ISLAND DAYTRIPS
Trip sellers also offering daytrips to neighbouring Ko Phangan as well as Ko Tao/Ko Nangyuan. Both areas are existent squeamish as well as good worth seeing, but I personally consider Tao/Nangyuan a chip of a stretch inwards a boat unless yous are going to remain there.
Note that these days Lomprayah's fast catamaran from Mae Nam calls inwards at all 3 as well as is ordinarily a chip to a greater extent than comfortable as well as non too much slower than the speedboats doing the trip. People take away hold told me the cats are non too skillful inwards existent petroleum seas - neither are the speedboats. The slower ferries are ordinarily the drib dead inwards these conditions.
You tin terminate also see Ko Kaen to the due south of Samui. Google travelfish for a skillful article.
WATERFALLS
Most accessible are the Namuang falls inwards the fundamental south. I visited inwards a previous trip (travel-lite:no camera) as well as found the lower falls underwhelming (only 18m high) as well as didn't take away hold fourth dimension to access the upper falls (you had to walk for nearly xxx minutes), but people on later on trips said the 80m drib is worth it. Apparently at that topographic point are some other attractions similar elephant rides along the track.
Okay, the skillful tidings - dissimilar my in conclusion century see to this area, at that topographic point is at nowadays a route (good condition, sealed) which goes withing 10 minutes rainforest walk of Falls 2. Look for the signs towards the western destination of the hamlet on the principal east-west cross isle route (see epitome below) - nearly 4km from the due east coast intersection alongside the route heading to the due south coast.
There is an elephant trekking identify perhaps 2km due south of the falls, which would survive a neat way to access.
I didn't worry nearly Falls 1 which didn't print me in conclusion century. The route inwards at that topographic point is separate, but the turnoff is only nearly 300m farther due west on the principal southern due east due west route.
OTHER FALLS AND VIEWPOINTS
Samui must take away hold a dozen waterfalls. For representative yesteryear error I took an early plow towards the mountains when looking for Waterfall 2 (was fooled yesteryear "WATERFALL" sign when cruising the cross isle road, turned inland at nearly 2.5km from the due east intersection alongside the route heading to the due south coast (behind the 4170 mark above) instead of 4km) - but the ride upward this route was non precisely wasted time. Only problem is I spent so much fourth dimension checking out this surface area I didn't take away hold plenty left to grab some pix of the due south as well as due west coast beaches. Next time.
Note at that topographic point are perhaps some other 3 or iv similar waterfalls along this road.
Roadside inwards a higher identify the Khao Yai waterfall access path is a squeamish budget eating theatre with.....
GOING HIGHER - this route continues steeply into the mountains. I was impressed alongside the status - a really skillful concrete surface. Seems to me someone inwards Samui has political force - similar roads on Phangan or Tao would survive dirt after 1km - this ane didn't plow to dirt until perhaps 10-12km.
Note at that topographic point are several similar viewpoint restaurants upward inwards this part (but I don't know if they run to pools) - addition safari parks as well as similar.
OTHER ACTIVITES
You tin terminate practice dive trips as well as deep body of body of water fishing. There are nearly 3 different jungle treks including ane of those treetop walkways, to a greater extent than elephant joints, a serpent farm, butterfly garden, go-karting, golf game - it seemed to me Samui at nowadays offers equally much diversity inwards activities equally Phuket. Several Island Tour outfits volition combine a handful of these attractions alongside visits to some of the to a greater extent than scenic viewpoints on the island.
WHEN TO GO.
The Samui/Phangan/Tao surface area tends to take away hold a different moisture flavor to most of Thailand. Normally this kicks inwards belatedly September/early Oct as well as runs into early January, although the fact that Christmas/New Year is peak flavor indicates that it can't survive too bad come upward belatedly December.
The skillful tidings is that when the Andaman as well as Eastern Gulf islands are inwards moisture flavor midyear, Samui is ordinarily much drier. Sure it volition pelting a chip inwards these months but ordinarily sunshine dominates. This drier weather condition agency a 2d high flavor inwards July/August as well as consequently non the cope accommodation prices yous volition uncovering inwards Phuket, Krabi or large Ko Chang etc.
Feb thru Apr are fifty-fifty drier. Note March Apr tin terminate survive pretty hot.
H5N1 dot nearly this area's moisture flavor - oft this tin terminate survive equally vacation friendly equally most other Thai regions, but every at nowadays as well as and so they take away hold a shocker. In all the years I take away hold been next Thai weather condition this is the only identify I take away hold seen forum posters complaining nearly persistent bad weather, prolonged heavy pelting etc. This seems to take away identify every 3rd or quaternary year, but non necessarily on a regular basis. So if I was planning a Thai beach vacation inwards state Oct, Nov or early Dec I mightiness think to a greater extent than nearly the mid or eastern Gulf or the Andaman. However if these months were the only fourth dimension I could see as well as I genuinely wanted to run across Samui, I would non survive put-off - my showtime see into this surface area was inwards a Nov as well as I got existent squeamish weather, equally skillful equally my 3 August visits.
H5N1 smaller dot - May inwards this surface area as well as many other Thai regions often gets a lilliputian blip of extra pelting compared to side yesteryear side months. Usually this is non plenty to brand it a mini moisture flavor but ane time once to a greater extent than I occasionally run across complaints from the Phangan/Samui/Tao areas nearly prolonged rainy spells.
For the cost conscious, yous are going to larn skillful discounts inwards moisture season. But Federal Reserve annotation months similar March, April, June as well as a lot of Septrember are ordinarily not wet, yet many accommodation places drib dead into depression flavor pricing. Note too that low-budget places are much less variable inwards pricing compared to midrange as well as high-end joints.
GETTING THERE
From Bangkok
The to the lowest degree expensive way is to larn a bus/ferry or train/ferry combination ticket correct onto Samui. Most of these involve go to the Surathani surface area piers, although Lomprayah as well as Seatran run their buses/fast catamaran or ferry via Chumpon-Tao-Phangan.
Both offering an overnight motorbus services, as well as the sleeper develop choice is also pop alongside people wishing to minimise beach fourth dimension lost to travel.
Many complaints take away hold come upward nearly thefts from luggage inwards buses seat on yesteryear go agents inwards the Khao San Road surface area of Bangkok - people are urged to role the authorities buses from Bangkok's southern motorbus terminal which also render the combination ferry ticket.
Lomprayah is ane individual operator which seems costless of theft.
Note that Surathani's railway station is Phun Phin, nearly 12km due west of town. The most used piers are some 60+km due east of Surathani, inwards the Don Sak area, although Seatran's limited boat as well as the black ferry leave of absence from the Bandon pier inwards town. If yous drib dead far without a combined ticket, the little go agents across from the station volition sell yous a combination bus/ferry ticket to the pier as well as beyond. Ditto if yous wing into Surathani aerodrome or drib dead far at Surathani town's motorbus station.
*one outfit which has a skillful rep alongside a modern spacious aircon constituent inwards Surathani is Pantip Travel. I take away hold used them alongside satisfaction. Their constituent is inwards the principal route (TALED MAI RD) block right away due north of Bus Station One where most intercity coaches as well as minibuses are based. Don't larn off an incoming motorbus a few blocks earlier the terminal when the conductor yells TRAVEL AGENTS TO SAMUI etc - the agents hither are venal as well as dishonest.
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From the due west as well as south.
You tin terminate also larn motorbus (or minibus)/ferry tickets from Phuket, Trang, Hat Yai, Penang, KL, Krabi as well as Phi Phi. Note inwards relation to the latter that ane of the principal operators, PP Family belike gets to a greater extent than complaints than whatsoever other regular Thai carry operator - non only for underbus thefts but for fourth dimension wasting as well as full general lack of tending - travelfish advises against them. I reckon if yous select deal of the showtime ferry out as well as the normal Krabi-Surathani minibus yous would brand it inwards a day. Catching the black ferry from Surathani town pier some 2200-2300 assures this. Actually yous would belike survive able to leave of absence PP on the afternoon ferry as well as soundless brand the black ferry.
Note the sleeper develop choice is pop alongside people coming from Penang, Kl as well as Singapore.
Very handy for people arriving too belatedly for the in conclusion ferry out of Donsak (1900) is ane of my favourites, the black ferry which leaves some 2300 from the town pier, chugs downwardly river as well as and so across the bay, yous on your designated matress as well as pillow, arriving inwards Samui nearly 0530 where carry is waiting at the pier to accept yous to your beach of choice. You tin terminate grab a swim as well as brekka piece all those lazy travellers are soundless tucked into their bungalows cutting the zzzzzs.
From Phangan as well as Tao
H5N1 number of companies run ferries to both NATHON as well as the due north coast piers - a pretty skillful timetable showing just nearly ALL ferry services (ie non only from the neighbouring islands but also Chumpon as well as the Surathani coast) is on sawadee.com
This doesn't exhibit the little ferry which runs downwardly the due east coast of Phangan, starting at Thong Nai Pan some 0900 as well as picking upward at several beaches on the way downwardly including Than Sadet as well as East Hat Rin as well as arriving at Bo PHut around1100-1130.
You tin terminate also cross from Phangan as well as Tao yesteryear speedboat - dearer, often bumpy, but saving mass time.
Flying
The ane wages of flying into Surathani tin terminate survive cheaper tickets, but direct flights into Samui's uniquely appealing airport is worth the extra $ inwards fourth dimension saved. Some skillful ex-airport carry information on that link.
Bangkok Air as well as Thai wing into Samui from Bangkok - as well as Bangkok Air also flies inwards direct from Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai as well as U-Tapao close Pattaya.
International flights:
Direct flights into Samui are offered yesteryear Bangkok Air from Hong Kong as well as Singapore. Berjaya wing from KL equally does Firefly.
BACK TO THE JUNGLE CLUB
Jungle Club's Balinese-style eating theatre from the pool. Has similar panoramic if non so needlelike views equally the puddle as well as hillside bures. Prices perhaps 10-20% higher than budget bungalow eating theatre level, but soundless a steal yesteryear western standards.Accommodation hither ranges from neat old-style budget bungalow to high-end - banking concern check the make at sawadee.com which also has a bunch of splendid pix. This identify gets user raves on the booking sites as well as go forums. I walked upward from the southern destination of Chaweng Noi beach inwards xxx minutes. The access route takes off from the principal Samui coast route nearly midway along the Chaweng Noi strip as well as JUNGLE CLUB is good sign-posted. The access road, really steep inwards parts, is concreted for all except the in conclusion 400m which is non equally steep as well as would non survive too tricky for amateur motorcyclist. I gotta pass a few nights hither next visit.
Which I did. In May 2012 I jumped across from Phangan specifically for a few nights at Jungle Club.
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If yous see Samui yous mightiness also survive interested inwards nearby:
KO PHANGAN (PAGE 1)
KO PHANGAN (PART 2)
KO TAO
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