Located some 84 kilometres east of Surat Thani province, Koh Samui, the Coconut Island, is one of the most famous attractions of Thailand. With an area of 247 sq.km., Koh Samui is the third largest island of Thailand after Phuket and Koh Chang (off the eastern coast). It is the main island of a group of islets numbering 48 altogether.
The archipelago is a peaceful home for fishermen and a natural habitat for seagulls and other birds. Apart from its many lovely beaches and bays, Samui island is famous for its high quality coconuts growing densely everywhere. The best time to visit Samui is from February to April during which the sea is calm. Here are some fascinating attractions of Koh Samui
Chaweng Beach
This 7-km beach is the longest and the most popular and developed beach on the east coast of Koh Samui. The clean white sand and sparkling water make the place charming.
The underwater world is inviting. In addition to numerous accommodations, this pretty beach is packed with restaurants, souvenir shops, bars and discos catering for all types of visitors. There are a number of dive shops on the beach, some of which also organize night dives.
Lamai Beach
The second most popular beach on the island, Lamai Beach is situated to the south of Chaweng Beach. This 4-km beach offers various attractions like health and meditation centres, a cultural hall, a market and dive shops. Especially recommended for a visit is the twin rocks on shore -- Hin Ta and Hin Yai, both grotesquely shaped. All kinds of accommodation, restaurants and places of entertainment are available.
Na Thon Bay
This is the island's major settlement on the west coast, where express and night ferries from the piers in Surat Thani arrive and is a shopping centre of the island. A wide selection of souvenirs and handicrafts, silks and jewellery are available. It also provides visitors with all necessary facilities -- a post office, banks, a police station, telephone services, and a hospital.
Taling Ngam Beach
Located to the South of Na Thon, this quiet beach is the most beautiful one on the western coast of Koh Samui. It is also a good spot to view the sunset.
Phang Ka Bay
This little beach, close to Taling Ngam, is not good for swimming as the ground is muddy and the water is very shallow. However, the place offers the most beautiful view of sunset on the island, especially in the evening of a summer day when the sky is perfectly clear.
Thong Krud Bay
Located to the South of the island next to Taling Ngam Beach, this bay is not far away from Koh Taen, a good fishing ground of Samui. Though not suitable for swimming, the beach has boat services for Koh Taen.
Choeng Mon Beach
Located 4 km. to the North of Chaweng Beach, this lovely, clean and quiet beach is suitable for those who need a real relaxation.
Bang Rak Beach (Big Buddha Beach)
The beach has derived its name from the 12-metre high golden Buddha, which is the spectacular landmark of the island. It is also a quiet beach with a number of bungalows.
Bo Phut Beach
This beach next to Big Buddha Beach well retains its peacefulness due to the existence of a fishing village and a pier nearby. The waters around here are good for water sports such as water skiing and sailing.
Mae Nam Beach
Situated next to Bo Phut Beach, this 5-km white beach is one of the most popular spots for holiday-makers. Apart from numerous bungalows and restaurants, there are also dive shops and other water sports facilities on the beach.
Bang Po Beach
The calm sea and coral reefs in this area make it suitable for snorkeling.
Hin Lat Falls
This falls is located at the end of Route 4172, 3 km. south of Na Thon. Surrounded with palms, ferns and creeping plants, Hin Lat provides a few natural pools for bathing. To enjoy a more peaceful ambience, visitors need to walk for 2 km. to reach the top level.
Na Muang 1 Falls
This large scenic falls, about 11 km. to the south of Na Thon, flows from a steep cliff about 40 metres high and 20 metres wide. Its large pool below is inviting but visitors should be careful about the numerous boulders underwater.
Elephant back riding is provided by nearby tour agents.
Na Muang 2 Falls
Just 100 metres from Na Muang 1, this falls is comparable with its sister in beauty and size but less frequented. As it is surrounded with forest, the area is also ideal for trekking and elephant back riding.
Wat Pradoem
Built in the end of Ayutthaya era or about 250 years ago, Wat Pradoem is believed to be the first temple on Koh Samui. The temple boasts an ancient wooden hall for keeping Buddhist scriptures which is beautifully decorated.
(about 12 km. on Route 4169 or 1 km. from Na Muang Falls)
Wat Samret
This old temple features a marble Buddha image brought from Burma and many other old Buddha images.
(about 14 km. on Route 4169)
Wat Phra Yai or Temple of the Big Buddha
Erected in 1972, the temple boasts a 12-metre high golden Buddha, which has become a spectacular landmark of Koh Samui. The temple is also a meditation centre.
(Route 4171 on the northern tip of the island)
Kohh Pha-ngan
It has an area of about 168 sq.km. and is located about 20 km. to the north of Koh Samui. Here visitors can absorb the charm of nature. The island, with its several secluded beaches and lack of modern amenities, is a good choice for those who find Samui too crowded or too expensive. With rocky landscape and waterfalls, it is ideal for adventure-seeking visitors. Over a hundred inexpensive bungalows built in natural settings are scattered around.
Kohh Tao
This small lovely island is 45 km. to the north of Koh Pha-ngan. Here nature is unspoiled and the local people live harmoniously with it. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving. Due to the perfect visibility and the rich underwater resources, the island has gradually become the leading diving resort in the Gulf of Thailand. Accommodations and facilities are available. Besides walking, you can get around the island by songthaeos or by renting a motorcycle or a long-tail boat.
Ang Thong Islands National Marine Park
Located 20 km. northwest of Koh Samui, it is full of fascinating beaches, caves and coral formations. This about-40-island group is abundant with marine resources. It contains many oddly shaped islands, sheer limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons.
The largest island of the group is Wua Ta Lap, which is the site of the park office and a beautiful cave, Tham Bua Bok, with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. The top of a 400- metre mountain on the island overlooks all the picturesque Ang Thong islands. Another main island, Mae Koh, has a beautiful beach and an emerald saltwater lake.
The national park does not allow a night stay. It is also out of reach of individual tourists who will have to join a group organized by a tourist agency to visit the place.
This 7-km beach is the longest and the most popular and developed beach on the east coast of Koh Samui. The clean white sand and sparkling water make the place charming. 
The second most popular beach on the island, Lamai Beach is situated to the south of Chaweng Beach. This 4-km beach offers various attractions like health and meditation centres, a cultural hall, a market and dive shops. Especially recommended for a visit is the twin rocks on shore -- Hin Ta and Hin Yai, both grotesquely shaped. All kinds of accommodation, restaurants and places of entertainment are available. 
This is the island's major settlement on the west coast, where express and night ferries from the piers in Surat Thani arrive and is a shopping centre of the island. A wide selection of souvenirs and handicrafts, silks and jewellery are available. It also provides visitors with all necessary facilities -- a post office, banks, a police station, telephone services, and a hospital.
Located to the South of Na Thon, this quiet beach is the most beautiful one on the western coast of Koh Samui. It is also a good spot to view the sunset.
This little beach, close to Taling Ngam, is not good for swimming as the ground is muddy and the water is very shallow. However, the place offers the most beautiful view of sunset on the island, especially in the evening of a summer day when the sky is perfectly clear. 
Located to the South of the island next to Taling Ngam Beach, this bay is not far away from Koh Taen, a good fishing ground of Samui. Though not suitable for swimming, the beach has boat services for Koh Taen.
Located 4 km. to the North of Chaweng Beach, this lovely, clean and quiet beach is suitable for those who need a real relaxation.
The beach has derived its name from the 12-metre high golden Buddha, which is the spectacular landmark of the island. It is also a quiet beach with a number of bungalows.
This beach next to Big Buddha Beach well retains its peacefulness due to the existence of a fishing village and a pier nearby. The waters around here are good for water sports such as water skiing and sailing. 
Situated next to Bo Phut Beach, this 5-km white beach is one of the most popular spots for holiday-makers. Apart from numerous bungalows and restaurants, there are also dive shops and other water sports facilities on the beach. 
The calm sea and coral reefs in this area make it suitable for snorkeling.
This falls is located at the end of Route 4172, 3 km. south of Na Thon. Surrounded with palms, ferns and creeping plants, Hin Lat provides a few natural pools for bathing. To enjoy a more peaceful ambience, visitors need to walk for 2 km. to reach the top level.
This large scenic falls, about 11 km. to the south of Na Thon, flows from a steep cliff about 40 metres high and 20 metres wide. Its large pool below is inviting but visitors should be careful about the numerous boulders underwater. 
Just 100 metres from Na Muang 1, this falls is comparable with its sister in beauty and size but less frequented. As it is surrounded with forest, the area is also ideal for trekking and elephant back riding.
Built in the end of Ayutthaya era or about 250 years ago, Wat Pradoem is believed to be the first temple on Koh Samui. The temple boasts an ancient wooden hall for keeping Buddhist scriptures which is beautifully decorated.
This old temple features a marble Buddha image brought from Burma and many other old Buddha images.
Erected in 1972, the temple boasts a 12-metre high golden Buddha, which has become a spectacular landmark of Koh Samui. The temple is also a meditation centre.
It has an area of about 168 sq.km. and is located about 20 km. to the north of Koh Samui. Here visitors can absorb the charm of nature. The island, with its several secluded beaches and lack of modern amenities, is a good choice for those who find Samui too crowded or too expensive. With rocky landscape and waterfalls, it is ideal for adventure-seeking visitors. Over a hundred inexpensive bungalows built in natural settings are scattered around.
This small lovely island is 45 km. to the north of Koh Pha-ngan. Here nature is unspoiled and the local people live harmoniously with it. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving. Due to the perfect visibility and the rich underwater resources, the island has gradually become the leading diving resort in the Gulf of Thailand. Accommodations and facilities are available. Besides walking, you can get around the island by songthaeos or by renting a motorcycle or a long-tail boat. 
Located 20 km. northwest of Koh Samui, it is full of fascinating beaches, caves and coral formations. This about-40-island group is abundant with marine resources. It contains many oddly shaped islands, sheer limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons. 