Thanks to its tropical atmosphere and endless beaches, Koh Samui has always been one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations and is the largest island of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
Many other islands nearby are just as beautiful and well worth visiting during your stay in a Koh Samui villa and the good news is that many of these islands are just a short boat trip away.
If you’re planning a trip to Koh Samui, Thailand this year keep reading below to find out all about the islands worth visiting by boat from Koh Samui and contact us for further information and recommended tour companies
A boat tour to the Angthong National Marine Park is the most popular of the day trips and highly recommended as a must do when visiting Koh Samui. It is a full day trip and you can choose to travel by private charter speedboat with a customised tour (recommended) for as a group or have fun with other on the larger public boats. A sailing option is also available. Here you will take in the amazing scenery of a cluster of over 42 limestone islands - 41 of them of which are uninhabited. You will see some amazing scenic and natural wonders.
The tour usually includes optional snorkeling and kayaking as well a stop for lunch on one of the islands. All tours will take in the Emerald Lake famous for the novel "The Beach" and featuring in the Leonardo Di Caprio film of the same name (sometimes it is known as Leo's lake). The climb up to the lake is of course optional which might be a struggle for some children so there is always the beach below for relaxing instead.
These islands are usually combined in one day trip and are renownd for their scuba diving. These much smaller but still beautiful islands have stunning coral reefs, clear water, an abundance of marine life and pristine white boulder strewn beaches. The islands have many visitors from all over the world looking for adventure and watersports especially the diving which is a thriving industry in Koh Tao and boasts one of the leading diving education centres in the world.
The speedboat journey to the islands (private charter or public) is around 90 minutes each way and the whole trip would be 6-8 hours. Tours will pick you up at your villa and provide all equipment needed. A picnic lunch is usually served on the boat being that the beaches here get very crowded. There is also a public high speed catamaran ferry that takes about the same time but less cost.
Koh Phangan is one of the nearest islands to Koh Samui and considered far more laid back than Koh Samui even though it is world renowned for it's full moon parties that take place in the south east of the island once a month. There are various ferries departing from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan and regularly depart from piers in the north east of the island taking 30 mins to the pier in the main town of Thong Sala on the west coast. For visitors wishing to visit the south east of the island the Rim Haad Queen ferry operates daily and if around the date of the full moon party tickets would best be booked in advance.
There is plenty to see and do in Koh Phangan with the main attraction being the "out of a brochure" beaches you will find in all parts of the island. Tropical waterfalls, picturesque temples, breathtaking viewpoints and deep jungle for trekking, zip lining and various adventure activities are all there to experience and enjoy.
Photo by Claudio Cerquetti, FantasyAtWork)
Increasing in popularity is the shorter 30 minute boat tour to the islands of Koh Mudsam and Koh Taen located to the south west of Koh Samui and depart from the small fishing village of Thong Krut in the south of the island. Most visitors like to experience the journey with local fishermen by longtail boat however motor boats are available for the trip if preferred.
Koh Mudsam (also known as Koh Mudsam and other similar names) is largely unspoiled by humans with just one small resort in the middle of the island for those who wish an overnight stay in this beautiful tropical environment. This picturesque island is usually visited first on the tour and here you will find beautiful white sand beaches, clear water, sun loungers and a beach bar nestled under the trees. Kayaks can be rented from the beach bar which offers snacks and drinks although many of the visitors bring their own picnic.
The island is also known as “Pig Island” due to families of pigs that roam under the trees and mingle among the sun loungers causing great amusement and a great photo opportunity for some visitors.
After picking up from Koh Mudsam the tour takes you to the island of Koh Taen which has very little inhabitants and features and abundance of forest and nature with the offshore waters full of marine life and coral. Boats will moor of the coast where visitors can enjoy some time snorkelling or relaxing with drinks provided before returning back to Thong Krut. To explore the island of Koh Taen itself especially for nature lovers the island boasts 4 routes of nature study trails covering different natural landscapes and an exclusive Koh Taen tour can be booked separately.