Koh Samui
With an area of approximately 230 km² (three times the size of the island of Ré), Koh Samui is the third largest island in the kingdom.
Sovereign of more than 80 islands and islets (the two largest after Koh Samui are Koh Phangan and Koh Tao), it lies in the Gulf of Thailand, in the South China Sea. The splendid Angthong National Park (the local Halong Bay...with its 42 islets) is a must-see during a stay on Koh Samui.
Located just over 700 km south of Bangkok (a little over an hour's flight), Koh Samui measures 21 km at its widest point and 25 km at its longest. The "Main Road" or "Ring Road," a 51 km ring road, largely coastal, encircles the island, which is renowned for its beautiful beaches and bays.
As for beaches, there's something for everyone! Sandy beaches, small secret coves, beaches with magnificent rock formations, beaches for water sports... The largest (and also the busiest) are those of Chaweng and Lamai. Those further north (Bophut, Maenam, Choeng Mon) also have their fans.
Chaweng Noi Beach, 500m from the Resort, is renowned for being one of the most beautiful on the island. The magnificent beaches (coves surrounded by rocks) of Coral Cove and Crystal Bay/Silver Beach are nearby (less than 5 minutes by public transport) and will delight even the most discerning hikers. The southern and western beaches are also very charming (for kitesurfing and sunset lovers, for example) and are more unspoiled.
Aside from the beaches, the island's other attractions are numerous:
- waterfalls (Hin Lat, Namuang, etc.),
- stunning rock formations at the southern tip of Lamai (Hin Ta Hin Yai / Grandfather, Grandmother),
- more than twenty temples,
- and numerous tourist attractions: Buddha Secret Garden, the Butterfly Garden, Paradise Park Farm (a paradise for birds and animals that you can feed while enjoying a fabulous panoramic view), the crocodile farm, the snake farm, 4x4 or quad safaris, diving (snorkeling/scuba), water activities to the surrounding islands (Koh Phangan, Koh Tan, Koh Tao, etc.), elephant-riding, sea fishing, dizzying zip lines, a water park, and many more to discover.
CLIMATE :
From December to February (high season), temperatures can reach 30°C (86°F). Brief tropical rains may occur in December. This is the best season for people coming from Europe who are leaving the harsh European winter for the mild Asian summer. From March to June, it is the time of year when temperatures are very high, over 40°C (114°F), with rain rarely falling. From June to September, the weather is hot with occasional rain and thunderstorms. October and November are the wettest months, although it does not rain every day. In contrast to other parts of Thailand, Samui does not seem to have a well-defined rainy season. In November, for example, periods of 2 or 3 days without sun may be followed by periods of very sunny weather.
