Samui is a playground for active types that seek challenges, uninhibited fun, and entertainment. Nature lovers also find Samui to be an ideal location to view exotic animals and see a unique eco-system in an undisturbed state. Sporty individuals love the selection of fun activities, like football golf, kiteboarding, and scuba diving. Watch seemingly civilized monkeys perform as if they were little people in disguise, scale a towering pillar of granite or explor e pristine coral reefs, whatever your fancy, Samui is bound to deliver.

Full Moon Party

Though a Full Moon Party is now held on almost every beach and island in the country, it was first originated on the nearby Koh Phangan, which is still a popular destination for party lovers from around the world. The predominantly foreign crowd, with a few curious Thais, dance to psychedelic tunes of trance, house, techno and drum and bass until the break of dawn, with entertainers like fire-eaters and jugglers highlighting the excitement.

When it comes to partying, Samui sure tops the list as one of the most exciting and exotic beach party experiences. The party reflects an ancient belief that the full moon could evoke bizarre behavior in humans, it is still somewhat true, thanks to the crowd of fun-loving backpackers and locals who turn the island into a tropical dance-floor come every full moon.


For those who miss the festivities, there are also half moon and new moon parties to hold you over until the next full moon arrives.

Full moon party begins at dusk every month on the evening of the full moon. Admission is free. For more information, check out www.fullmoonparty-thailand.com

Paradise Park Farm

To fully appreciate the non-beach side of Samui, head to the greenish highlands of Khao Pom for a hidden animal haven, Paradise Park Farm.

The park, about 500 meters above ground, making it one of the coolest places you can experience on Koh Samui. From this vantage point, Limpa Noi and Taling Ngam beaches can be clearly seen, and is at its most picturesque during sunset. Visitors can hike up the hills for a scenic walk tour, which takes about 20 minutes to an hour depending on the ruggedness of the routes. At the park are friendly iguanas and talkative parrots, along with a number of horses, rabbits, gibbons, goats, peacocks, and deer, who call this vast 50-rai property home.

The park is open to the public from 9am to 6pm with shuttle service. Entrance fee is 300 baht for adults and 100 for children.

Paradise Park Farm
250/7 Moo 1, Taling Ngam Beach
Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 7791 8351
www.paradiseparkfarm.com

Crocodile Farm

Don’t forget to stop by at the famed Crocodi le Farm near Chaweng beach. Among the numerous animal shows in Samui, this one has to be the most spectacular. A team of monkeys greet visitors with their naughty tricks, like snatching sunglassesandhats. The real highl ights though have to be the primordial creatures roaming about in their pits. The show here is similar to the one found in Bangkok but more intimate thanks to its space, which dares you to hand feed the animals under the supervision of their trained staff.

There are six shows daily, alternating between crocodile and king cobra shows. The trainers perform their bravery by dragging these monsters by their tails and performing death defying stunts like sticking their hands (and heads!) between their powerful jaws.

Samui Crocodile Farm is open daily from 10am to 5:30pm with crocodile shows at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm, and king cobra shows at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Admission is 500 baht per person.

Samui Crocodile Farm
Tel: +66 (0) 7723 9002

Rock Climbing at Lamai Beach

Lamai Beach isn’t just about leisure and lounging away on that sunbed. Walk along the beach road and you will come across a gigantic wall of nubby concrete. This is a practice climbing cliff for adventurous visitors to take a few prep courses before heading to the real rocky cliff on Ang Thong Island for some adrenaline-soaked activity. Of course, for the less bold and daring, sticking to this mock cliff is already an enough of heart pumping experience.

Samui Rock Climbing
Between Chaweng and Lamai beaches
Tel: +66 (0) 8 3172 5287
Email: samuirockclimbing@yahoo.com

 

Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo

For those who want to venture into the blue without getting wet, there is Samui Aquarium, where you can do that and more. Here you can get to know some of the tropical creatures from fishes, sharks, sea turtles as well as wild corals and other rare aquatic animals. Tiger fans can also meet furry yet friendly stars such as Bengal tigers and leopards who are always ready to take beautiful pictures with plucky tourists. There are also shows of intelligent animals such as birds, tigers and otters.

You can f ind the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo at Samui Orchid Resort and Aquarium, near Lam Set Bay. It is open daily from 9am- 5pm with shows at 2pm. The entrance fee is 100 baht for Thais, 250 baht for foreigners and 150 baht for children.

Samui Orchid Resort and Aquarium
33/2 Moo 2, Maret, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 7742 4017-8
www.samuiorchid.com

Samui Monkey Theater

While elephants are the big entertainers in the North of Thailand, monkeys rule the show here in the South. Starting out as laborers in the coconut farming industry of Koh Samui, these naughty creatures have taken their coconut picking skills and many other talents to world wide fame. The Samui Monkey Theater lets these monkeys demonstrate their skillful tasks by climbing up the coconut trees and breaking off the fruits to collect them. Other shows and tricks also include basketball playing as well as mimicking human behaviors like eating with utensils and counting. Another highlight at the theater is Tony, a 4- meter long boa constrictor whose friendly nature makes him approachable to children and visitors with a fear of snakes. The monkey shows are daily, at 10:30am, 2pm and 4pm, with entrance fee of 150 Baht for adults and 80 Baht for children.

Samui Monkey Theater (South of Bo Phut Village on 4169 Road)
31/7 Moo 6, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 7724 5140

Canopy Adventures

Not for the faint of heart, the Secret Falls Canopy Tour offers adventurous travelers an adrenaline pumping experience. Just getting to the drop sites is already heartpounding, with trekking over steep mountain trails before reaching the 175 meter -above-sea-level site.

For B1750 baht (or 1200 baht for daring children), you are all set for the ride of your life. Descend f rom a wooden plat form, gl ide over the luscious groves and forests, taking in one of the most secretive spots on the island, before reaching the other end on a waiting platform. There are 7 platforms in total and it takes about an hour to finish the course. If you feel up for another go, it will only cost 750 baht. The tour runs from 9 am to 6 pm depending on weather. A pickup can be arranged from the hotel to Mae Nam Soi 5.

Secret Falls Canopy Tour
Tel: +66 (0) 8 6850 6464

Elephant Trekking
One popular activity that tourists who come to Samui Island have to do at least once in their trip is sight-seeing on the back of a pachyderm. This is a feeling and experience distinctive from any other form of traveling, where you feel up close to nature, getting the sight, sound, and smell of nature up high, like trekking on the back of a nice (and huge) friend who shows you the way thorough the beautiful nature of Koh Samui Island. A popular route takes you through the forest and past waterfalls, the most famous of which is Na Muang waterfall. Conveniently scattered throughout Koh Samui, there are many kinds of tour packets to select, from a short trip of 30 minutes to more comprehensive elephant trekking programs taking several hours.

Scuba Diving

One of the appeals of Samui is the attractive dive sites just off the main shores. A treat for enthusiasts as the clear waters and rich marine life make a trip under the sea worthwhile. For travelers interested in taking a dive, the best way to start out is by booking a course with PADI-certified instructors to help you get started. At Samui Diving School, there are courses available from beginner to advance classes. Before hitting the water, basic classes start with the use of scuba gear, how to achieve buoyancy, and how to communicate with your dive buddy under water.

The first scuba diving school to receive the prestigious PADI Career Development Center Rating in Samui, there are eight locations of Planet Scuba throughout the island.

Planet Scuba (main branch)
Malibu Resort, Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 7742 2386, 7741 3050
www.planet-scuba.net

Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts

Bored of just simply tasting the local delicacies? The SITCA cooking school lets visitors learn first hand how some of the favorite Thai dishes are prepared, making it a fun and interactive way for tourists to learn about Thai culture.

The institute is no tourist trap—it has serious state of the art facilities and is equipped with helpful staff and the right tools to help you get started on your Thai cooking experience. Classes offered range from simple soups and curries to seafood and royal dishes. For lighter classes, there’s also a crash course in fruit carving to help you master this delicate art. Classes are also taught in both Thai and English to better accommodate the diverse student body.

Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts
46/6 Moo 3, Chaweng Beach Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 7741 3172, (0)8 1970 7497
www.sitca.net

Kia Ora Boat Tours

For more than just sunbathing on beaches, rent a boat tour, courtesy of Kia Ora, a catamaran service in Samui. For more refined luxury on the waves of Samui, Kia Ora can give the best yachting experience on one of their state of the art boats. Great for honeymooners but suitable for all ages, Kia Ora offers day trips from the Big Buddha Beach, starting at 10am, where passengers are then whisked to the neighboring islands, including Pha-ngan, for some leisure and fun. For a shorter more romant ic t r ip, they also offer sunset cruise, and those planning a private party can select from a variety of catamarans, some of which can accommodate up to fifty persons.

 


Kia Ora (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
14/22 Moo 5, Ban Plai Laem, Bo Phut Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 7742 5264
www.kiaorathailand.com

Kayaking
Watersports are definitely one of the big attractions here on Koh Samui. Besides snorkeling and swimming in the deep blue, another favorite water activity among the visitors and locals alike is kayaking. With little effort you will be able to explore the island’s turquoise world at your own pace. These kayaks are also widely available for rent at various beaches on the island such as Chaweng, Mae Nam and Bophut where they are always crowded. There are also group excursions where you can kayak to nearby islands like Ang Thong and take a dip in the sea. Any resort will also offer some guidance as well as directions and where and how to book these tours.

Koh Samui Kiteboarding

Samui is an island full of adventure, and to experience the adrenaline-pumping side of this southern island, gear up for a kiteboarding session at Koh Samui Kiteboarding School. One of the most popular water sports on the island, kiteboarding requires stamina and courage to maneuver the gigantic sail around the deep blue sky and sea. Not a sport for amateurs, the school does offer classes for beginners to help you get started, ranging from short 3-hour course to intensive 13 hours. Upon finishing a course (and thereby hooked on the thrills), receive an International Kiteboarding Organization certification so you can practice this thrilling sport anywhere in the world.

Koh Samui Kiteboarding
26/4 Moo 4, Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0)8 6267 1169
www.kohsamuikiteboarding.com

Alternative Golf

Not up for braving the tropical sun and navigating 6,000 sq. meters of green? Koh Samui offers lazy golfers fun alternatives to traditional putting and swinging.

Football Golf sounds as fun as the name suggest. The combination of soccer and golf can make the fans of both sports go wild. The aim is simple, kick the soccer ball into a hole. The “green” has 18 holes just like the real thing but thanks to its location, which is mostly shaded by tall coconut trees, this golf course is much more relaxing and accessible.

Another neat alternative golf is Frisbee or Disc Golf. Instead of a ball, you throw frisbees into designated baskets instead of holes.

Football Golf
Between Chaweng and Choengmon Beach
Tel: +66 (0) 7724 8084, (0) 8 9771 7498

Frisbee Golf
One kilometer from Monkey Theater, Soi Monkey Theater
Moo 1, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 8 1894 2015

Bo Phut Hills Golf Club

The course boasts championship quality greens, a location in the heart Bo Phut, and all the accessories you need (including Taylor Made and Callaway clubs for rent). The brand new clubhouse is decked out with a full bar and a swanky private golf club feel along with a tasty restaurant and pro-shop. You won’t have to lug your clubs around or scrounge for errant shots as the course also offers skilled caddies. Book ahead for Tee-off times from 7 AM to 5:30 PM.

Bo Phut Hills Golf Club
C/O Canopy Adventures Co., Ltd.
P.O. Box 28. Maenam, Koh Samui, Suratthani
Tel: +66 (0) 8 7267 1042
Email: info@bophuthillsgolf.com
www.bophuthillsgolf.com

Santiburi Samui Country Club

Santiburi Samui Country Club is ideal for those looking to spend their hol iday on the l inks. Thanks to its location on a hillside of the northern coast of Samui, this golf club offers a scenic view of Mae Nam Beach and the neighboring island Koh Phangan. The green is highlighted with waterfalls and creeks, making it look as authentically natural as Samui’s own groves and forests. The use of painted coconuts instead of tee markers also makes for a nice touch to this nature -themed course. After a round, the club house makes a great chill out spot, offering pro-shops, elevated dining areas as well as a panoramic view of the manicured golf course.

Santiburi Samui Country Club
12/15 Moo 4, Baan Donsai, Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui
Tel: +66 (0) 7742 1700-8
www.santiburi.com