Koh Samui

We finished our honeymoon slowly, with five nights on Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, from 15 to 20 December 2023. Palm-lined beaches, waterfalls in the jungle, temples and a night market almost every night.

Getting there

From Khao Sok we took a van and then the ferry to Samui, booked as one ticket on 12go.asia.

Where to Sleep?

We stayed at The Privilege Hotel Ezra Beach Club.

Tip: Rent a scooter. The roads on Samui are easy, and traffic is light outside Chaweng.

The beaches

• Chaweng: the main beach, on the north-east coast near the airport, with snorkelling, sea kayaking and stand-up paddle.
• Lamai: the second largest, quieter and more laid-back than Chaweng. This is where you find the famous Grandfather and Grandmother rocks. Go up to Wat Khao Hua Jook for a view over the island.
• Maenam, Bophut and Big Buddha Beach on the north coast.
• Lipa Noi, Bang Por, Taling Ngam and Natien, quieter and wilder.
• Tongsai Bay, a little cove in the north-east.

What to see

1. The Big Buddha

A 12 metre golden Buddha at Wat Phra Yai, on a tiny island linked to the north-east coast by a causeway.

2. Wat Plai Laem

A colourful temple on a lake close to the Big Buddha, with an 18-armed statue of Guan Yin.

3. Na Muang waterfalls

Two waterfalls in the jungle in the middle of the island, where you can swim. Na Muang 1 is easy to reach by car or tuk-tuk, so it gets busy. Na Muang 2 is a 20 to 30 minute walk uphill from the car park and is open from 9am to 5.30pm.

Tip: Google Maps can send you the wrong way to Na Muang 2. Follow the signs from the main road to the big car park and walk from there.

4. Fisherman's Village, Bophut

A pretty street of old wooden houses, cafés and restaurants on the sea. On Friday nights it becomes a walking street market.

5. Ang Thong Marine Park

An archipelago of 42 islands with limestone mountains and postcard beaches, a short boat ride from Samui. Almost every tour operator on the island sells trips there.

6. Night markets

Each town has its night market on different days:

• Fisherman's Village Walking Street, Bophut: Fridays.
• Lamai Night Plaza: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
• Chaweng Night Market: Monday to Thursday and Saturday.

Where to eat

2 Fishes was the restaurant on our list.

If you have more time

• A cabaret show: Paris Follies has shows every night at 8pm, 9.30pm and 11pm. The early one is the most family-friendly.
• A Thai cooking class with Island Organics.

Going home

On 20 December we flew from Koh Samui to Bangkok and from there back home to Porto.