Koh Samui, once a small fishing and coconut plantation community, continues to charm with its natural beauty and warm Thai hospitality. Set amidst a paradise of azure blue water with miles of pure white sand beaches and beautiful Gulf islands to explore, this gem is one to have on your cruising itinerary.
Known as the ‘Crown Jewel of Thailand’, some of the world’s most luxurious five-star resorts nestle here at the base of lush verdant mountains with stunning views and direct access to the seas of the Gulf of Siam. Changing from a ‘backpacker’ island 35 years ago, the volcanic island of Koh Samui is now a high-end destination of superb dining, luxury hotels and spas, whilst the island’s natural beauty, street food and friendly locals continue to enchant visitors.
With Samui as a base, yachting enthusiasts and their guests can enjoy island cruising, exploration, and dive journeys through the archipelago of Ang Thong National Marine Park and world-famed dive mecca, Koh Tao, returning to this tropical gem located in the warm blue waters off Thailand’s south-eastern seaboard. The island is the largest in an archipelago of more than 80 islands in the National Marine Park. Cruising around Samui you’ll pass some of the island’s stunning beaches and coves, including Big Buddha Bay, Choengmon Bay, Bophut Bay, Chaweng Bay, Lamai Bay, Hua Thanon Bay, Koh Mudsum and Koh Tan.
Relatively unknown for years, this sun lover’s paradise has attained international standards of service for visiting superyachts and offers amazing yachting experiences with stunning attractions. Samui has earned a reputation for retaining its friendly image as well as its beautiful natural environment. Koh Samui has grown into a sophisticated retreat of private resorts equipped with mix of tantalizing amenities in the last few years.
The island itself is just 21 kilometres at its widest point and 25 at its longest. Its hinterland consists of forest hills of limestone and granite, and the shoreline comprises countless palm-fringed beaches and bays. The island is also known for the annual ‘Samui Regatta’, which is held in early June and is the season finale of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix.
Koh Samui’s prosperity and quality of life has risen steadily with the recent influx of international visitors. While Samui is small enough to be circumnavigated in just one or two hours by motorbike or car, the island features a variety of activities. While soaking up local culture, the beach village restaurants, friendly bars and gourmet restaurants are perfect spots to experience the sunset.
There are not many other places where you can bask in the humour of a cabaret show, witness the solemnity of a Buddhist temple, be pampered to the utmost in one of the world’s top spas and then dine on epicurean delight or delicious Thai street food.
Whether trekking along a meandering creek to a waterfall, visiting a fascinating temple like Wat Plai Laem or simply indulging in lazy sun-kissed days on the beach, the island continually surprises. Among the cultural attractions, the most notable religious landmark is Wat Phra Yai – Big Buddha Temple. The view to the north is splendid and features the northern coastline of Samui with neighbouring island, Koh Phangan, in the background. Right next to Big Buddha is ‘Wat Plai Laem’, a colourful and interesting Buddhist Temple featuring ornate décor, art and statues set on a lake.
The ‘Magic Garden’ is hidden away high in the hills of the interior, offering majestic views and an unusual collection of handcrafted statues amid lush jungle. Nearby are two ‘Na Muang Waterfalls’, the most picturesque of Samui’s waterfalls offering jungle treks and cooling lagoon swimming. For the more adventurous, there are the thrills and views while ‘zip lining’ through treetops!
During the evening, the Fisherman’s Village in Bophut, with its rustic sea-side buildings that house boutique stores and trendy restaurants, and streets bustling with market stalls, food and entertainment, is a must-do.
Then there is Chaweng Beach with its vibrant nightlife, its main drag throbbing with hundreds of restaurants, night clubs, live music, and entertaining cabarets.
At a slower pace, Sea Gypsy guards protect ‘Five Islands’, just off Samui’s serene southern coast. The rare bird’s nests found there are the key ingredient of the famous Chinese bird-nest soup and extremely valuable. The Five Island restaurant is great place to view the islands and watch the sunset (and climbers) while enjoying chilled drinks.
“Koh Samui is the hub of the Gulf and the best port of entry. There are no moorings in Samui though the island has many anchorages in Samui, at Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and surrounding areas,” reports Captain Charlie Dwyer, co-founder of Asia Pacific Superyachts, who have assisted superyachts visiting the Gulf for the past 25 years with logistics and itineraries.
“Returning to the island, I’m reminded each time of what brings owners, captains and crew to Thailand… the beauty of her islands, the culture, and the welcoming smiles and gracious nature of the people who live here. You won’t find this in many other destinations that superyachts visit.”
Samui is the Kingdom’s second largest island after Phuket and positioned at Latitude of 9° 30′ N and Longitude of 100° 00′ E. January to April is the preferred time for being on the water, a perfect climate with steady easterly winds provides the best conditions for an enjoyable cruise and great water conditions for snorkelling and diving.
These are just a few of the many attractions on Samui, but a personalised cruising itinerary around nearby islands offers even more. A few island cruising suggestions include:
Koh Taen (Koh Tan) is the closest island to Koh Samui across from the peaceful Taling Nam fishing village. It is a small, unspoiled island, known for its coral and marine life of giant clams, fan corals and a wide variety of fish species in and around the protected reefs. On the island is a small village and there are no cars or roads. Here you can leave your yacht and take a local long tail fishing boat at Thong Krut Fishing Village.
Koh Matsum is south of Koh Tan opposite the beach at the ‘Laem Sor Chedi’ and Pagoda cultural attractions. There is a long sandy beach for picnics and campfires.
Koh Phangan: North Coast
Another island within Samui’s gravitational pull is sister island, Koh Phangan, where you can anchor at Hat Rin Beach, famous for its “Full Moon” parties attended by many thousands of revellers.
Koh Chang: East Coast
Koh Chang is one of Thailand’s most beautiful. The island is home to a wide range of wildlife and the numerous small islands surrounding Koh Chang are great for snorkelling, diving, and sea kayaking expeditions around the archipelago.
Koh Samet: East Coast
Ko Samet is the largest and westernmost of a cluster of islands. Most of the island is in the Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park. Declared a National Park in 1981 and under the protection of the National Parks Division of the Thai government. This is a great nature study and trekking island.
Koh Tao
Reminiscent of Koh Samui several decades ago, sleepy golden-sand beaches with secluded bays are a scuba diving paradise. Koh Tao is one of Southern Thailand’s true tropical island escapes and among the top 10 dive spots in the world. Offering hard and soft coral reefs, pinnacles and large pelagics in 24-degree water, many divers report seeing whale sharks here.
Anthong National Marine Park
Mu Ko Ang Thong is a marine national park in the Gulf of Thailand, an archipelago covering 42 islands of 102km², almost all uninhabited with most of the islands consisting of limestone mountains ranging from 10 to 400 metres above sea level.
The islands have many strange-looking caves and cliffs, perfect for sea kayak expeditions. On Koh Mae Ko (Mother Island), there is a natural inland lake, Thale Nai, about seven metres deep with several beautiful viewing points.
