Secret Thailand > Koh Samui > Activities & Tours
Just off of Koh Samui's Western coast are over 50 islands that make up Angthong National Marine Park. Private speed boats or slower group tour boats can be hired for transport to the park from almost every hotel or tour shop on Koh Samui. The tour boat prices should include the price of snorkel and sea kayak equipment. Most also include lunch. Additional activities for most tours include swimming and stops at some of Angthong's most beautiful beaches. This island of Koh Mae is home to Emerald Lake, a breathtaking pool that is completely hidden by the island's exterior. The hike from the beach to Emerald Lake and the fantastic viewpoints along the way is moderate.
The national park's office building is located on the island of Koh Wat Ta Lap, as is its only campground. Campers can bring their own tents or rent them from the park. The island also has a few bungalows available for rent, though they lack hot water and electricity is shut off after 11:00 PM. Usually the bungalows are made available to those who are part of a tour group, so be sure to have one reserved if traveling individually to Angthong.
Elephant Trekking
Elephant Trekking is an extremely popular activity in Koh Samui. There are many outfits selling tours throughout the island and most hotels will be happy to book a trek for you. There are several different activities you can enjoy during your treck, like waterfall swimming, a demonstration of coconut harvesting by a monkey, or a baby elephant show. Most elephant trek routs also take you by Wat Kunaram, where the mummified body of monk Luang Phor Daeng. He died over 20 years ago, sitting in the meditative lotus position. Several tours switch from elephant to 4x4 later in the day in order to access some of the islands higher points, like the Magical Garden, where numerous Buddhas have been carve into rocks and cliffs. You can customize your trek or pick a ready made tour. Costs should include hotel transfers and for the longer treks, lunch is usually included.
Cooking Classes
Taking a cooking class is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening while visiting Koh Samui. It is an excellent opportunity to not only learn how to cook some of your favorite Thai dishes, but also to learn about Thai customs and culture. Working with exotic ingredients to create authentic dishes is fun...especially when you get to eat them!
The Samui Institute of Thai Cullinary Arts is the most popular place to take a cooking class. They offer 2 classes a day with a different menu prepared at each class. The instructors are happy to work around any dietary restrictions one may have. They also offer fruit carving classes and intensive six and 12 day cooking courses.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Colorful coral reefs and crystal clear waters make scuba diving in Koh Samui a breathtaking adventure! There are countless PADI certified dive shops on the island, offering all levels of training and certification. In case of emergency, a hyperbaric chamber is located on Koh Samui.
One of the most popular tourist activities in Koh Samui is snorkeling. Most of the water around the island has fantastic visibility and the shallow coral reefs are perfect for snorkeling. A mask, snorkel, and fins can be rented from virtually every hotel, plus there are several outfits on the more popular beaches that rent equipment.
Whether scuba diving or snorkeling, it is important to always remember the coral reefs are living objects that play a very important role in the vitality of Koh Samui's underwater life. Refrain from touching the coral, be cautious not to break any off as you swim by.
Golf
The Santiburi Resort overlooks Maenam on the Northern side of Koh Samui and is home to The Santiburi Samui Country Club, where one finds Koh Samui's only professional golf course. The Greens fees are considered somewhat high, but the course is spectacular, and with a par of 72, it is also somewhat challenging. The 18 hole course takes you through a jungle of coconut trees, to an ocean side cliff with the perfect view of neighboring island Koh Pangang.
Sailing
Sailing is quickly increasing in popularity on Koh Samui. Taking advantage of the near-constant breeze, sailboats, catamarans, luxury yachts, and even junks zip through the waters surrounding the island. Boats can be charted for one day or several and are the perfect way to explore the beautiful islands surrounding Koh Samui. You can personalize with scuba and snorkeling trips, go fishing, learn to sail, or just sit back and relax.
Zip Line Tours
Taking a zip line canopy tour while visiting Koh Samui is an exhilarating way to get a birds eye view of the lush jungle and mesmerizing waters. Sky Fox is located by Namuang Waterfall, near the middle of the island, and is the island's only canopy tour operator. The have shuttles that offer hotel transfers three times a day. Once you arrive you'll meet your English speaking guide, receive thorough instruction and safety lessons, and then you'll be off zipping through the 7 platform course.
After completing the canopy tour, groups visit the waterfall for a swim before being dropped back off at their hotels. Sky Fox welcomes riders aged 8 years and up.
Thai Boxing
A trip to Thailand just isn't complete until you experience muay Thai. Take in a bout of Thai boxing in Koh Samui to see what Thailand's national sport is all about. Chaweng Stadium has boxing every Monday and Friday night, plus Sunday night fights during the peak season.
Butterfly Garden
Koh Samui's Na Tien Butterfly Garden and Insect Museum is an entertaining and educational way to spend an afternoon. The waterfall studded garden is a protected home to thousands of butterflies. The Insect Museum houses examples of interesting bugs from all over SE Asia. A bee house gives guests a peek at the active lifestyle of bees in the hive.
Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo
The Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo is located in the Orchid Beach resort on Koh Samui's southern side. A visit to the aquarium is always an exciting underwater journey. The aquarium showcases aquatic life native to Thailand and surrounding waters. Turtles, tropical fish, sharks, and seals are all on display along with bright and colorful coral.
The Tiger Zoo creates a natural habitat for Royal Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, and Lions. Guests can watch the giant jungle cats interacts and the bravest of visitors can pose for a photo with on of the zoo's tigers.
Koh Samui Tours & Activities
Angthong National Marine ParkJust off of Koh Samui's Western coast are over 50 islands that make up Angthong National Marine Park. Private speed boats or slower group tour boats can be hired for transport to the park from almost every hotel or tour shop on Koh Samui. The tour boat prices should include the price of snorkel and sea kayak equipment. Most also include lunch. Additional activities for most tours include swimming and stops at some of Angthong's most beautiful beaches. This island of Koh Mae is home to Emerald Lake, a breathtaking pool that is completely hidden by the island's exterior. The hike from the beach to Emerald Lake and the fantastic viewpoints along the way is moderate.
The national park's office building is located on the island of Koh Wat Ta Lap, as is its only campground. Campers can bring their own tents or rent them from the park. The island also has a few bungalows available for rent, though they lack hot water and electricity is shut off after 11:00 PM. Usually the bungalows are made available to those who are part of a tour group, so be sure to have one reserved if traveling individually to Angthong.
Elephant Trekking
Elephant Trekking is an extremely popular activity in Koh Samui. There are many outfits selling tours throughout the island and most hotels will be happy to book a trek for you. There are several different activities you can enjoy during your treck, like waterfall swimming, a demonstration of coconut harvesting by a monkey, or a baby elephant show. Most elephant trek routs also take you by Wat Kunaram, where the mummified body of monk Luang Phor Daeng. He died over 20 years ago, sitting in the meditative lotus position. Several tours switch from elephant to 4x4 later in the day in order to access some of the islands higher points, like the Magical Garden, where numerous Buddhas have been carve into rocks and cliffs. You can customize your trek or pick a ready made tour. Costs should include hotel transfers and for the longer treks, lunch is usually included.
Cooking Classes
Taking a cooking class is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening while visiting Koh Samui. It is an excellent opportunity to not only learn how to cook some of your favorite Thai dishes, but also to learn about Thai customs and culture. Working with exotic ingredients to create authentic dishes is fun...especially when you get to eat them!
The Samui Institute of Thai Cullinary Arts is the most popular place to take a cooking class. They offer 2 classes a day with a different menu prepared at each class. The instructors are happy to work around any dietary restrictions one may have. They also offer fruit carving classes and intensive six and 12 day cooking courses.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Colorful coral reefs and crystal clear waters make scuba diving in Koh Samui a breathtaking adventure! There are countless PADI certified dive shops on the island, offering all levels of training and certification. In case of emergency, a hyperbaric chamber is located on Koh Samui.
One of the most popular tourist activities in Koh Samui is snorkeling. Most of the water around the island has fantastic visibility and the shallow coral reefs are perfect for snorkeling. A mask, snorkel, and fins can be rented from virtually every hotel, plus there are several outfits on the more popular beaches that rent equipment.
Whether scuba diving or snorkeling, it is important to always remember the coral reefs are living objects that play a very important role in the vitality of Koh Samui's underwater life. Refrain from touching the coral, be cautious not to break any off as you swim by.
Golf
The Santiburi Resort overlooks Maenam on the Northern side of Koh Samui and is home to The Santiburi Samui Country Club, where one finds Koh Samui's only professional golf course. The Greens fees are considered somewhat high, but the course is spectacular, and with a par of 72, it is also somewhat challenging. The 18 hole course takes you through a jungle of coconut trees, to an ocean side cliff with the perfect view of neighboring island Koh Pangang.
Sailing
Sailing is quickly increasing in popularity on Koh Samui. Taking advantage of the near-constant breeze, sailboats, catamarans, luxury yachts, and even junks zip through the waters surrounding the island. Boats can be charted for one day or several and are the perfect way to explore the beautiful islands surrounding Koh Samui. You can personalize with scuba and snorkeling trips, go fishing, learn to sail, or just sit back and relax.
Zip Line Tours
Taking a zip line canopy tour while visiting Koh Samui is an exhilarating way to get a birds eye view of the lush jungle and mesmerizing waters. Sky Fox is located by Namuang Waterfall, near the middle of the island, and is the island's only canopy tour operator. The have shuttles that offer hotel transfers three times a day. Once you arrive you'll meet your English speaking guide, receive thorough instruction and safety lessons, and then you'll be off zipping through the 7 platform course.
After completing the canopy tour, groups visit the waterfall for a swim before being dropped back off at their hotels. Sky Fox welcomes riders aged 8 years and up.
Thai Boxing
A trip to Thailand just isn't complete until you experience muay Thai. Take in a bout of Thai boxing in Koh Samui to see what Thailand's national sport is all about. Chaweng Stadium has boxing every Monday and Friday night, plus Sunday night fights during the peak season.
Butterfly Garden
Koh Samui's Na Tien Butterfly Garden and Insect Museum is an entertaining and educational way to spend an afternoon. The waterfall studded garden is a protected home to thousands of butterflies. The Insect Museum houses examples of interesting bugs from all over SE Asia. A bee house gives guests a peek at the active lifestyle of bees in the hive.
Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo
The Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo is located in the Orchid Beach resort on Koh Samui's southern side. A visit to the aquarium is always an exciting underwater journey. The aquarium showcases aquatic life native to Thailand and surrounding waters. Turtles, tropical fish, sharks, and seals are all on display along with bright and colorful coral.
The Tiger Zoo creates a natural habitat for Royal Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, and Lions. Guests can watch the giant jungle cats interacts and the bravest of visitors can pose for a photo with on of the zoo's tigers.
