The Best Places to Visit Near Koh Samui

Visit Ang Thong National Marine Park

Ang Thong National Marine Park embraces 42 islands. It only covers 18 sq. km of land out of an entire area of 120 sq. km. Thong National Park was founded in 1980 as a protectorate preserving a diversity of wildlife and numerous eye-catching sea creatures. Most of the people visit this Marine Park to hike, sail, dive, snorkel, and sea kayak. Moreover, the island has many caves and cliffs due to the ability of limestone to change its structure quickly as a result of chemical and atmospheric conditions.

Visitors “tourists or locals” can buy a boat charter ticket or a join-in day trip package from Koh Phangan or Koh Samui. Most of these tours usually consist of sea kayaking and a visit to the Salt Water Lake (Talay Nai).

In Koh Wua Ta Lap Park You can stay in camping tents, and enjoy great food in the local diners and bars on the island.

Visit Koh Madsum and Koh Taen

Koh Madsum is another small island located south of Koh Taen. Many tourists visit this island for day trips, it’s also famous for its long sandy beaches and you can frequently find students camping, although we don’t recommend swimming in Koh Madsum due to the presence of dead reefs straight on the shore.

Koh Taen is in the South West coast of Koh Samui, just a few hundred meters away. It’s a small beautiful island that hasn’t been explored completely, mostly unspoiled and basically known for its marine and coral life. The giant golden clams and the colorful fan corals are the main attractions of the reefs protectorate.

The main trips to Koh Taen include walking along the wooden platform that lets you observe the mangrove forests, a visit to one of the finest beaches of the island, and snorkeling over the reef.

Visit Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is the 5th biggest island in Thailand and covers a distance of 167 sq. km, and it’s only a 12 km away from Koh Samui. Ferries are the only mean of transportation that commute between the mainland of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Koh Phangan is an astonishingly beautiful island where you can dive in and find more than 20 dive spots nearby the island.





On Haad Rin Beach you can party until dawn in its famous mesmerizing full moon party, which is visited mostly by backpackers and youngsters. This island has much to offer; a white sandy sanitary beach, crystal water and the virgin nature that has many tourists around the world under its spell. You can reach this island from Koh Samui by ferry services starting from 0:20 to 1:30 hours. Prices depend on the type of the boat and the pier you choose to travel from. Lately, this island has been attracting different types of visitors with its vast jungle relatively unexplored, and the stunning beaches and bays.

Visit Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a really good diving destination and is attracting a lot of divers worldwide with its clear and deep water where you can find a diversity of sea creatures. Visitors around the world find this island a magical, beautiful place. There you can find the perfect diving schools and peaceful spots so you can chill and forget all about stress.

The island is located 74 kilometers away from the coast of Chumphon province, and is 45 kilometers away from the famous island of Koh Phangan. Koh Tao is Koh Samui’s baby, it is a petite island yet, because of its amazing dive spots it has become popular over the years. Any time of the year is perfect for diving in Koh Tao because the clarity is more than 40m.

If you’re into diving, or want to witness these unbelievable colorful coral beds; Koh Tao is the perfect island for you. The beaches are restful and rarely crowded, yet, there is no shortage of dining places or valuable accommodation. People love to go there to get away from the city’s daily busy life.

Visit Koh Nang Yuan

This is an extremely beautiful small island near Koh Tao. It just takes you 90 minutes by speedboat to arrive there. You will be surprised by its captivating beauty, especially if you want to discover the marine life and enjoy snorkeling and diving in the clear water. There are no streets for cars or buses, thus, you can get around only on foot to enjoy the view of these beautiful areas and maybe discover your own magical place! Koh Nang Yuan is a unique lifetime experience.

Some outdoors activities near/in Koh Samui

Fishing Tour Koh Samui Full-Day

Fish for mackerel, snapper and other seafood that the Gulf of Thailand has to offer on this fishing tour. Enjoy the day snorkeling and fishing off the coast of Koh Samui. Let your expert captain guide you through the sea for a full day tour, figuring out the best islands and bays water for the perfect fish. After reeling in the mackerel and delicacies, end your day by cooking them up as part of an onboard barbecue and enjoy your meal with complimentary soft drinks, then go back by the hotel transportation.

The Challenge Phangan water park in Koh Phangan

Test and challenge your skills against rolling barrels, balance beams, climbing mountains, and a series of big red balls. Have fun with a floating obstacle course at The Challenge Phangan Water Park in Koh Phangan. Paddle a kayak around a course based on the Total Wipeout TV show. Present your voucher for admission and make your way to The Challenge Phangan in Koh Phangan, this park is open from 10 am to 6 pm, enough time to get through the floating obstacle course and check how much time it takes you to make it through; If you slip off the obstacles, you will have a comfortable landing because they are surrounded by warm water and If you beat the clock, you’ll earn a place on the Phangan Wipeout leaderboard wall of fame. The kayaks are included in admission and you can enjoy a restaurant and bar exclusively for guests.

From Koh Phangan to Ang Thong Marine Park Day Tour with Lunch

This daily tour begins with an 8 am pick up from your Koh Phangan hotel and a short transfer to the pier after checking in. You’ll have one hour to enjoy your breakfast before boarding the speedboat that departs at 9 am. Ang Thong Marine Park is one of the main attractions of the Gulf of Thailand’s coast. It embraces 42 islands, miles of coral reefs, and countless sandy beaches.

This tour gives you lots of things to do like hiking the famous Emerald Lake, go kayaking around the islands, and enjoy enough time for snorkeling and swimming. Visit the filming location of “The Beach” and enjoy a buffet lunch on Wua Ta Lap Island accompanied by a limited small-group of 15 people.

This is the day to swim, play in the waters, snorkel, and kayak among the colorful corals as well as marvel at the natural wonders and take photos, then arrive at Talay Nai island. Head ashore and follow your guide on a short hike to the Emerald Lake, and salt-water.

Be sure to visit the island’s viewpoint which gives you a panoramic view of the marine park. Arrive back in Koh Phangan around 4pm, where the transportation is waiting to take you back to your hotel.

Take a Half-Day Zip line outdoor Ride on Koh Samui

You should start with a short zip line; once you feel confident work your way to longer ones, while gazing at the amazing views of the island.

Feel like you are flying, covering a total distance of 2,788 feet (850 meters) in the air. This family-friendly activity is for adults and children over eight years old and there are restrictions for weight. This zip line adventure gives you aerial views of the island flying from tree to tree in the forest guided by experienced professional instructors to feel the Gulf of Thailand’s tropical atmosphere.

Commence the experience with a safety orientation of all high-standard quality equipment, which have been made and safety tested in France.

More about Koh Phangan?

It is the biggest and closest island to Koh Samui. If you are staying in Koh Samui and want to explore the island, we can recommend a visit to Koh Phangan with many places to stay for all budgets.

Visit the night market “Thong Sala”

Thong Sala is one of the most recommended night markets to visit on Koh Phangan. Why? Generally, the Thai night markets are something special, and this one; you will find plenty of local food markets and the mouthwatering seafood.

Also, there are many activities you can do like Thong Snorkel and Kayaking Tour from Koh Phangan.

Visit Herbal Sauna Baan Tai

If you are looking for atypical thing to do in Koh Phangan; a quite interesting place that you should also visit is Herbal Sauna Baan Tai. The credit goes to Wat Pho Temple monks who founded this place a while ago. It’s free of charge, and located near the biggest tree of the island. It’s open from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Isn’t it just perfect? Watch the sunset from Amsterdam bar

On Koh Phangan, there are plenty of great spots to watch the most beautiful sunsets and one of the best is in Amsterdam bar. Sip your drink swimming in the pool and watch an amazing sunset while listening to the uplifting music and socializing with the friendly fun people around.

Half-moon party, Why not?

Do you want to dance the stress away and party out loud in one of the most special places on the island? Koh Phangan is widely known for hosting the craziest full-moon party where people get awkwardly wild. Also, there is a half-moon party you can attend all the time on this island.

Aaaaaah! Mae Haad beach

Mae Haad is located on the North of the island, just be sure you will love it.

Mae Haad beach is so close to one of the best resorts around. This could be one of the most remarkable beaches located on the island, where two currents naturally meet, making it a phenomenal place.

Visit Chaloklum beach

This is a quite hidden beach and not very touristic, with a warm water and soft sand. This one is by far a favorite beach for some tourists because it is serene with emerald water, and not suitable for drunk tourists or loud music.

Take part in a cooking class

If you want to know how to prepare the famous and traditional Pad-Thai, try attending a cooking class in C&M Study Center. For many tourists this is an absolutely must do especially when you can learn how to prepare the favorites Thai cuisine’s dishes.

C&M Study Center is directed by two sisters and their professional chefs makes the students feel great while they are learning. You receive hand-outs of what you cooked, and you get to do the cooking in a kitchen placed in an open area located in a unique corner near the lake. And you will go back home ready to prepare those Thai dishes you will love forever!

Take a trip adventure

Go further and snorkel the coral reefs of Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan. Orion Boat Trips organize a day trip adventure. They pick you up at your hotel and they offer a delicious breakfast on a spacious boat. On this adventure day you can go hiking at the national park, snorkel in a few spots and try kayaking, even though some tourists get an aching muscles in the next morning; it is really worth it. Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen and your own snorkel mask as they are very important for your safety.

With Ferrysamui.com, you can find a variety of high-quality ferries and fast boats that cover all the gorgeous islands around Koh Samui.

From Koh Samui to the surrounding islands

Ferrysamui.com is a reliable way to go to Koh Samui or some other places around the Gulf of Thailand, which is an inlet in the western part of South China and Eastern Archipelagic Seas.

You can visit Koh Samui from different places and visit the closest islands all around. These islands are some of the most visited places for tourists in Southeast Asia. Many of these islands are famous around the world for their amazing beaches and party atmosphere. But the best islands in Thailand also offer numerous opportunities for spiritual exploration, recreation and relaxation.

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