Ko Samet is an island that is located in the Gulf of Thailand in the province of Rayong. It is roughly about 200 kilometers (130 m) southeast of Bangkok and is fairly close to Pattaya. The island is not very big but has been getting a bit touristy in recent years because its popularity is growing. What are the things to do on Ko Samet?
In Koh Samet, the big draw is the beautiful beaches around the island. You can either relax by the beach or enjoy a good range of water sports such as windsurfing or snorkeling. You can also visit the Big Buddha on the island as well you can go on an island tour.
In this post, we will go through things to do in Koh Samet Thailand. Let’s get started!
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Things To Do On Koh Samet
Koh Samet is roughly 120 km from Bangkok. It is a small island there is a limited amount of things to do there other than relaxing by the beach. There are fun things to do in Koh Samet that will keep you busy for a couple of days.
Here is our list of things to do in Koh Samet Thailand.
Go Scuba Diving Or Snorkelling
A lot of visitors to Koh Samet go there not only for the beach but to go scuba diving and snorkeling. If you are a newbie or beginner at scuba diving, you can take the open water certification.
Meanwhile, if you are an experienced diver, you can try the night dives to see what happens under the water at night.
Divers and snorkelers can enjoy seeing what happens underwater where they can see manta rays and porcupine pufferfish swimming around among brilliant multi-colored ferns and corals.
Other inhabitants that you will meet underwater are stingrays, black-tipped sharks, starfish, and barracudas.
Take A Island Tour
Koh Samet has some hidden coves and beaches that are worth exploring. By taking a boat, you can go on a trip exploring the island. The island hopping trip lets you discover and go sightseeing in almost every part of the island.
There are many speedboat operators around Sai Kaew Beach and Vong Duen offering island tours. The tours usually include snorkeling and a lunch barbecue.
Many of them offer additional tours to fish farms or other islands such as Kham, Kudi, and Plai Tin. The tours can take hours to a whole day depending on the number of places to explore.
Travelers can also choose slower-moving boats for a more relaxing experience. Prices vary and tourists can bargain for them. Before stepping on board, discuss the price with the operator to get the best deal.
Rent A Jet Ski
On popular beaches like Ao Phai and Sai Kaew, you can rent water sports equipment like parasailing, wakeboarding, or jet skiing. However, you have to be aware of scams perpetuated by jet-ski owners, my personal advice is not to rent a jet ski.
They might say that you have damaged the jet ski, as there are scratches on it and they will ask for some money to have it repaired.
To avoid this thing from happening, take a photograph of the jet ski before you do it.
Go Canoeing And Kayaking
Canoeing and kayaking can be great ideas for exploring the island’s scenic coastline. Of course, you have to be physically in good shape to do these types of activities because they rely on your paddle power.
You can go canoeing or kayaking at any time but it is recommended to do it in the late afternoon when the day is no longer as hot. It does give you an opportunity to catch a mesmerizing sunset.
But, at this time of day, the waves can be high. So, stay close to the shoreline for safe canoeing.
Go Sailing And Windsurfing
Sai Kaew Beach is a popular place for sailing and windsurfing because of its strong currents and offshore winds. Most resorts and guesthouses in Koh Samet offer a service to arrange the necessary equipment for sailing and windsurfing.
Enjoy The Sunset
Any visit to Koh Samet is not complete if you miss the opportunity to see the beautiful sunset. You can enjoy the gorgeous sunset from the beach or from your room balcony. You are lucky if you have a west-facing balcony.
Most hotels located on the West Coast allow you to do so. Or, you can take a sunset cruise for a greater sunset experience.
Try Fishing
If you are a fishing enthusiast, deep-sea fishing should be listed on your to-do list. Koh Samet is the home to a rich diversity of fish.
On the island, many fishermen rent their boats for tourists for fishing in the deep sea where you will have opportunities to catch exotic fish that you probably won’t find in your home countries, such as Dorado, grouper, trevally, and many more.
Go ATV Riding
The paved roads on Koh Samet serve as a perfect playground for ATV riders to enjoy a fun and thrilling experience. The combination of bumping dirt roads, swerving turns, and forking paths can lead to a challenging yet stress-relieved experience.
However, you need to be careful since the road is not specifically made for ATV riders, meaning you have to share with songtaew drivers, also.
Get A Beachside Massage
There is nothing better than having your body massaged after a tiring day. The best thing is you don’t need to go to the masseur. Instead, they will come to you. It is easy to find masseurs along the beaches.
They are easily recognized from the low stool and beach blankets that they bring. Simply call them and find a shady comfortable place on the beach.
However, most of them will only perform basic stretching and kneading as they are not certified, professionals.
See The Big Buddha
Thailand is very popular for its temples. Although Koh Samet is well-known for its beaches and water sports, there is also a place where you can see a big sitting Buddha statue.
It is located on one of the main roads in the village. The road is, however, rarely used by tourists. Therefore, it is often missed out. If you like temples, you should make a quick visit to this temple.
The Big Buddha does offer a unique photo spot. Here, you can also meet some friendly monks who may give you amulets and explain things about the temple.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, Koh Samet’s biggest draw is the beautiful beaches around the island. You can either relax by the beach or enjoy a good range of water sports such as windsurfing or snorkeling. You can also visit the Big Buddha on the island as well you can go on an island tour.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on things to do on Koh Samet Thailand has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.
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