But where should you go in Thailand? Perhaps one of the most popular ways to see Thailand is to do some island hopping. But with so many gorgeous islands on offer, seeing them all could take some time. With that in mind, one of the best places to start is Koh Samui.
Koh Samui is Thailand’s second largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. Getting there involves a flight from Australia via Bangkok to Koh Samui. Alternatively, you could also take a flight from Australia via Bangkok to Surat Thani, then a bus and ferry to Koh Samui. While planning your flights, don’t forget to purchase your travel insurance from Chubb Travel Insurance to stay covered for your trip.
Even as a relatively small island, Koh Samui still manages to have something for everyone. If you want a lively atmosphere and plenty of partying, then Chaweng is the place for you. If you want to save money while still staying in the thick of things, check out Lamai.
If you want a more traditional experience and a village community atmosphere, Bophut may be the best option. If you want to get away from it all and enjoy lazing on tranquil beaches all day, Maenam is the ideal destination.
When it comes to getting around the island, there are various options on offer. You could take a taxi – but with just one taxi company on Koh Samui, this can get expensive. To save money, take a motorbike taxi or a songthaew (pick-up taxi). This is the closest thing to a bus on the island.
If you want a bit more independence, you can also rent a car or a bicycle, but be aware that Koh Samui has one of the highest rates of traffic accidents in Thailand. So stay safe and make sure you have insurance!
One of the great things about Koh Samui is that you can choose to do a lot or a little. Either works very well indeed! You could spend your entire holiday relaxing on the island’s many glorious beaches, or you could immerse yourself in any number of exciting activities.
When it comes to watersports, you could try your hand at snorkelling or scuba diving, kiteboarding or flyboarding. To see more of the island, you could take an ATV quad safari, or take to the water on a kayaking adventure.
If you want to do some sightseeing, there are temples and natural attractions galore. Be sure to visit Ang Thong National Marine Park, the Na Muang waterfalls, and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks (the Grandpa and Grandma rocks).
In terms of man-made attractions, check out the Secret Buddha Garden, the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, and the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram.
With so much to see, what will you do first?