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Nearby Islands of Ko Samui
Mu Ko Angthong National Marine Park
Situated about 35 km. west of Ko Samui, this archipelago of 42 islands fits everyone's image of a tropical paradise, with huge limestone rocks covered in virgin rainforest rising out of the aquamarine waters. Most people come here for a day trip tour from Ko Samui, which is easy to organise. There is a fantastic viewpoint on Ko Wua Talap, just above the park headquarters, looking out over the uninhabited, pristine islands. Trips around the park usually include a visit to a delightful concealed lagoon on Ko Mae Ko, as well as the opportunity to paddle a sea kayak around the strange limestone formations. For more information, contact the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department Tel. 0 2562 0760 or Mu Ko Angthong National Marine Park Tel. 0 7728 6025, 0 7728 6588, 0 7728 0222. Website: www.dnp.go.th
Ko Pha-ngan
Just 20 km. north of Ko Samui and a short boat trip away, Ko
Pha-ngan is a mountainous island ringed by secluded bays that
offer ideal getaways. Its only town of any size, Thong Sala,
has a bank, a post office, supermarket and shops selling beach
equipment and souvenirs. Many of its beautiful beaches are
accessible only by boat, though pick-up trucks and motorbikes
also ply the island's rough roads. Its most famous beach is Hat
Rin, in the southeast corner of the island, which is the location
for the world-famous full moon parties that attract thousands of
visitors each month to dance the night away on the beach. The
island's most picturesque beach is Thong Nai Pan, a double
bay in the northeast of the island, which has good swimming
and snorkelling, as well as the island's most comfortable accommodation.
A little south of Thong Nai Pan is Than Sadet,
the island's most impressive waterfall, which was once King
Chulalongkorn's favourite place.
Link >> Hotel in Ko Pha-ngan
Ko Tao
"Tao" means turtle, and the island is named for its shape when
seen from out in the waters of the Gulf. Smaller than Samui
and Pha-ngan, Ko Tao lies about 40 km. northwest of Ko
Pha-ngan, and is also easily accessible from Chumphon.
The island is particularly popular among divers, and has a reputation for some of the most exciting underwater excursions in the entire Gulf. Several dive companies based at Mae Hat, the island's only town, can arrange underwater excursions for beginners and experienced divers. There are many peaceful and idyllic beaches on the island such as Hat Sai Ri, the island's longest beach on its west coast, Hat Chalok Ban Kao and Hat Sai Daeng on the south coast. There is also a unique geological phenomenon at Ko Nang Yuan, a tiny cluster of islets just off the northwest coast of Ko Tao, where stunning causeways of sand join the islands, offering visitors the choice of two seas to swim in.
Link >> Hotel in Ko Tao
