Koh Samui Activities

Diving is a favourite recreational activity for travellers to Koh Samui, with access to plentiful diving supply shops and diving schools. They can be found along the roads lining the shores, near piers and jetties, or can be accessed through travel agents. 'PADI' and 'NAUI' courses are internationally recognised, and the training is by reputable divemasters. Samui's world beneath the waves is a must-encounter for those wanting to don a pair of goggles and do more than paddle around in the shallows, at snorkel depth. Get up and get close with the corals and the stunning variety of colourful, iridescent tropical fish.

if you like to be your own master you have the option to paddle yourself around the Samui seas, such as at the highly recommended Ang Thong National Marine Park. Here you can to explore the lifestyle of marine animals in their natural habitat, and take in the flourishing birdlife, land animals, and amphibians found on the waters or the mangrove seashores. You are recommended to paddle as quietly as you can, as noise tends to scare away the abundant animal life that you will certainly see if you keep as silent as you can.

The success of the Annual Samui Regatta has led to the increasing popularity of sailing in Samui. With the excellent weather conditions that prevail, that gives good year-round breezes in Samui, sailing is one of the real-treat activities to take part in when visiting Samui or her neighbours. The lighter winds blow mostly from the northeast from December to April, which are excellent for either novices or those more expert. The winds become stronger and more challenging, coming mainly from the west, with occasional strong to very strong gusts between May and November, and are better for more experienced sailors. Crafts available for a day's hire include yachts, catamarans, and more modest windsurf boards.

A Mini-Golf course can be found right at the heart of Chaweng Beach, offering an 18-hole adventure lane, and is a great day out for friends and families. You will find it another memorable experience when playing a round within the green seaside landscape, embraced by the Samui seas and their cooling breezes. And if you'd rather play a real game of golf on a full-size course, there is a brand new 18-holes course which recently opened in Maenam, in January 2004, which is said to be one of the best in the South of Asia. A driving range and a putting green are both located near to the airport.

Race with your friends on fun and challenging Go-Kart courses on Samui. This is real action for all ages, with Go-Kart engines ranging from top speeds of 40 km/h, 75 km/h, and for the real hardcore drivers, there are Go-Karts that can reach up to 100 km/h. Be warned, though, Go-Kart racing is extremely addictive, and you might find yourself spending more time there than on the beautiful beaches.

Whether you travel alone, or with friends or family to Koh Samui, elephant riding and eephant trekking is an ideal choice to enjoy an afternoon's relaxation while riding on the back of an elephant. Along the way through the forests and trails, you just relax, while discovering another side of Samui, listening to the silence of the island, punctuated by the screeches of monkeys and other wildlife, while gently swaying along on the back of the world's largest animal. Enjoy the silent ride. Standard treks last for 30 minutes, but longer trips can be requested.

Just about an hour away by ferry from Koh Samui, you will reach Koh Pha Ngan and join Full Moon Party on the full moon nights of every month. Some years ago now, a group of tourists arranged a party along the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin to celebrate the Full Moon night. Soon after that, a full moon party took place every month on the full moon night, and it has become an international tourist draw, especially for the young, or the young at heart. People from all over the world come to join the celebrations, and now there are 7,000-10,000 people at the party each month. Beginning at dusk, when the moon makes its appearance, as the evening progresses the beach explodes into a dancing frenzy. Music varies from trance, techno, drum and bass, to commercial dance and reggae.

Massage has a long history of therapeutic healing in Thailand. It has been practiced for centuries and nowadays thai massage is recognised internationally, and it has made its way around the world. The roots of Thai Massage can be traced back centuries to India, from where the thai Buddhist faith originated. Therapeutic massages for treatment of specific conditions and diseases is practiced by a growing number of very skilled people. It takes several years of study. You are recommended to try out (at least once) a Thai massage, as it is a real- treat, and will leave you feeling completely relaxed and at ease with yourself, and the world. It is perfect after a day's busy sightseeing. On Koh Samui, Thai massage can be found everywhere, and the activity can even be taken part in while on the beach, by the travelling massage practitioners, complete with all their perfumed oils!

Thai boxing is Thailand's national sport and is very popular all around the country, and is becoming increasingly popular to martial artists in other countries. Many say that it is the ultimate martial art. Your holiday in Samui wouldn't be complete without seeing it. The training of a Thai boxer, particularly the relationship between the boxer and his teacher, is highly ritualised. A boxer has to pay respect to his teacher, who is also regarded as his mentor. Before a contest starts, a ritual dance will be performed by both boxers on the ring, along with the music unique to Muay Thai. This is the most stylised part of the fight you should never miss before seeing a fight, and is designed to limber them up, and focus their minds and bodies. During the match, the excitement of the crowds swells or falls as their favourite either makes a good connection on his opponent, or takes one himself. In some places on Samui, it is possible for foreign visitors to take a special training package, with a fight at the end of the session.