Ko Samui

Ko Samui is Thailand’s third largest island at 247 sq. km., and
during the last decade it has become one of Southeast Asia’s
premier tourist destinations.
Samui sits snugly in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by other
island gems like Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, and is located 84
km. east of Surat Thani, the provincial capital on the mainland.
With soft sandy beaches shaded by towering palms, delicious
fresh seafood and a vibrant nightlife, Samui has a magical
formula that seems to cast its spell on everyone. Many visitors
are content to laze their days away on the beach, soaking up the
sun and cooling off in the turquoise waters, but for action enthusiasts
there are plenty of choices like diving and snorkelling,
windsurfing and paragliding, beach volleyball, off-road driving,
and other similar activities.

Thai Agency Tour One of the island’s most appealing features is the loop road,
which makes a 50 km. circuit around the island, giving a
glimpse of superb beaches on the north, east and west coasts.
It runs past sleepy fishing villages and through seas of coconut
palms, passing Samui’s most impressive waterfall and tempting
turn-offs into the highlands along the way. Other attractions
on or near the road include a butterfly garden, a snake show, a
monkey training centre, and health spas dedicated to pampering
the body.

Ko Tao
“Tao” means turtle, and the island is named for its shape when
seen from out in the waters of the Gulf. Smaller than Samui
and Pha-ngan, Ko Tao lies about 40 km. northwest of Ko
Pha-ngan, and is also easily accessible from Chumphon. The
island is particularly popular among divers, and has a reputation
for some of the most exciting underwater excursions
in the entire Gulf. Several dive companies based at Mae Hat,Thai Agency Tour
the island’s only town, can arrange underwater excursions for
beginners and experienced divers. There are many peaceful and
idyllic beaches on the island such as Hat Sai Ri, the island’s
longest beach on its west coast, Hat Chalok Ban Kao and Hat
Sai Daeng on the south coast. There is also a unique geological
phenomenon at Ko Nang Yuan, a tiny cluster of islets just off
the northwest coast of Ko Tao, where stunning causeways of
sand join the islands,

Ko Pha-ngan
Just 20 km. north of Ko Samui and a short boat trip away, Ko
Pha-ngan is a mountainous island ringed by secluded bays that
offer ideal getaways. Its only town of any size, Thong Sala,
has a bank, a post office, supermarket and shops selling beach
equipment and souvenirs. Many of its beautiful beaches are
accessible only by boat, though pick-up trucks and motorbikes
also ply the island’s rough roads. Its most famous beach is Hat
Rin, in the southeast corner of the island, which is the location
for the world-famous full moon parties that attract thousands of
visitors each month to dance the night away on the beach. The
island’s most picturesque beach is Thong Nai Pan, a double
bay in the northeast of the island, which has good swimming
and snorkelling, as well as the island’s most comfortable accommodation.
A little south of Thong Nai Pan is Than Sadet,
the island’s most impressive waterfall, which was once King
Chulalongkorn’s favourite place.

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