Samui Top 10 Attractions And Activities

A 2-hour ferry ride from          boats to activities like           the coast of Sarat Thani        parasailing.                       will land you on the banks                                         of Samui, one of Thailand's most      Temple of the Big Buddha           popular resort islands which has                                         grown increasingly popular in the     The Temple of the Big Buddha, or   past few years. Well-known for        Wat Phra Yai, was built in 1972    its wild parties as well as for       and is one of Samui’s top          its luxurious resorts, stunning       attractions. In the past few       coral reef environments and           decades, it has become a beacon    natural landscape, Samui has          of prosperity for the island, a    rightfully earned its place as        sentiment embodied in the 12       one of Thailand's most-loved          metre Buddha statue that sits in   destinations.                         the grounds. There is also a                                             meditation centre on-site that's   Beaches                               open to visitors.                                                                                           Chaweng Beach is probably the         Full Moon Party                    most popular beach to visit on                                           Samui. Its clear waters and white     Full Moon parties have become      sand make it very inviting, and       synonymous with the hedonistic     the exciting night life and Muay      side of this region. These         Thai boxing matches are an added      high-octane celebrations take      bonus. Choeng Mon is more             place once a month on the nearby   secluded and offers five-star         Koh Pha Ngan. Thousands of         accommodation, while the bay of       foreign tourists flock to the      Ao Tong Takian is named after the     island for what compares to an     silver hue of its sand. Lamai         outdoor, coastal rave. Music       Beach is packed with water sports     blares, prices soar and            ranging from jet-skis and banana      controlled substances abound. As   the popularity of these parties       heart. Many establishments here    has risen, savvy locals have          are laid-back and lack the         added an interim Half Moon Party      pulsing music of the more heated   to add an extra weekend of            parties found elsewhere on the     debauchery and partying.              island. Lamai Beach has a                                                thriving red light district and    Eating out                            plenty of go-go bars, while                                              Chaweng Beach hosts a variety of   Eating out is one of the simplest     live bands that play a mix of      pleasures in Samui, with fresh        Thai and western covers.           seafood served up in every                                               fashion according to                  Daytrip down south                 international and local recipes.                                         Visitors will find authentic          For those seeking the less         street vendors selling delicious      touristy side of Samui, you may    treats at phenomenal prices,          consider heading to the south      along with more upscale               side of the island. There has      establishments that sell gourmet      been less development here, and a  Thai dishes as well as                daytrip provides insight into      international cuisine. One way to     what Samui once looked like, as    treat yourself is to take your        well as offering a glimpse of day  dinner on the beach in the            to day life for the locals who     comfortable surroundings of a         don't work directly with           beachside restaurant.                 tourists. You'll find several                                            enticing, secluded beaches         Partying and nightlife                connected by coconut groves and                                          predominately Muslim fishing       Big Buddha Beach is a good place      villages.                          to spend an evening for families                                         or perhaps for the faint of           Waterfalls                         It's worthwhile to journey out to                                        one of a few waterfalls on the        Adventure sports                   island. Hin Lat Fall is most                                             conductive to swimming, as there      Samui is an ideal place for those  aren't many boulders or sharp         who are full of energy as there    edges underwater. Trekkers and        are many adrenaline pumping        groups of elephant riders             activities and exciting water      regularly journey to the Na Muang     sports. You can also get up close  Falls system—specifically to the      and personal with Samui’s local    second waterfall, because it's        elephants. The less energetic      easily accessed by elephants. The     will be content with the lovely    first of the two falls cascades       beaches that offer perfect         magnificently down a steep cliff.     tropical swimming, or a day spent                                        shopping or at a spa.              Diving                                                                   Samui has a firm reputation among     Viewing wildlife                   snorkellers and divers. Beginners                                        can receive instruction from          Samui has every manner of          local gurus that work at one of       wildlife. Marine life teems at     multiple diving shops. More           the Samui Aquarium, while snakes   experienced divers have many          and scorpions are employed in      options, ranging from the nearby      death-defying shows at the Snake   Ang Thong National Marine Park or     Farm. The Crocodile Farm has more  Sail Rock, out to the farther but     than just reptiles, with a few     highly esteemed Koh Tao, where        monkeys and other animals in       divers from all over Thailand         addition to crocs and lizards.     gather. In any event, the clear       Violent Buffalo fights are held    waters and stunning coral reefs       at one of several buffalo          make diving a wonderful               stadiums, while delicate           experience.                           butterfly species can be observed  at the Butterfly Farm in the          island's southeast corner.         About the Author: Web travel writer Andy Burrows knows Samui inside out and suggest the following web resources for a thorough virtual tour; http://www.1stopsamui.com/ and http://www.1stopsamui.com/about_samui/seasons/ Published At: www.Isnare.com