The Ko Samui Archipelago
| Description |
Today Samui has everything for anyone’s taste and budget to spend some quality time with lots of activities to choose from. Enjoy international fine cuisine, fantastic scenery or just enjoy the relaxed island atmosphere.
Samui still has a very exciting coastline with its endless bays and rocky coves to discover. Joining in or chartering one of our yachts is definitely one of the most satisfying ways of seeing the beauty of this island.
We are looking forward to welcoming you on board one of our yachts to make your holiday an unforgettable experience.
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan lies 18km to the north of Koh Samui and is much less developed and even more quiet than Samui. Famous for it’s full moon party, koh Phangan is a favourite destination for backpackers.
Koh Phangan’s beaches remain largely undeveloped and some of the more remote beaches are only accessible by boat. The island is famous for it’s waterfalls, beautiful natural rock formations, lovely beaches with a young crowd chilling out in bamboo beach bars. There is plenty of accommodation and fantastic beach restaurants for real thai cusine and provisioning is widely available on most anchorages.
Koh Tao
45km north of Koh Phangan lies the third largest island in the Samui archipelago, the island of Koh Tao. Koh Tao means turtle island due to the once abundance of breeding turtles. The island is covered with thick tropical vegetation and white sand beaches.
Koh Tao is known locally as the diving destination in the gulf and whale sharks are often seen in these waters.
The best place in the gulf for snorkelling and scuba diving. Whilst offering beautiful anchorages with turquoise clear water, the island also offers a cosy little harbour town with various international cuisine and good provisioning possiblilites. A must see if you enjoy sailing along with a pristine underwater world.
Marine Park
The Ang Thong marine Park is made up of over 40 islands spread over 100 square kilometres in the gulf of Thailand. Declared a national marine park in 1980, it is made up of hundreds of limestone monoliths creating a group of strikingly beautiful and unihabited islands. It is full of exotic beaches, hidden bays, untouched wildlife and fantastic sailing – “Ang Thong” means golden basin, and gave Alex Garland the inspiration for the world famous book/movie “The Beach”.
Located to the north west of Koh Samui , the marine park is just a days sail away and rewards you with plenty of idyllic anchorages with just pure nature around.
Largely untouched, the marine park hosts endless secluded beaches, beautiful snorkelling and lots of wildlife. Sea otters, dolphins, monkeys and huge white eagles are commonly seen.
With only a Rangers station/camping ground on site, provisioning is very limited and is closed during the monsoon period of November to December.
| When to Go |
May-October the southwest-monsoon with its calm sea and clear sky comes complete with fair winds for sailing, though it can get pretty hot during these months.
October-December the northeast monsoon with its rainy season can create winds up to 25 knots or more and gives sailing more of an adventurous touch where you can test your skills in gusty winds and ten feet waves!
| Routes |
Itinerary
4 days
Day 1: Koh Samui – Koh Taen
Sail through Koh Samui. At sunset, arrive at Koh Taen Island
Day 2: Koh Taen - Archipelago
Ang Thong National Park
Sail to Ang Thong National. Arrived at Koh Paluai Island. Enjoy deserted beach,
swimming and kayaking.
Day 3: Ang Thong National
park
Start a tour of the Archipelago
of Ang Thong. Visit Koh Mae Ko that features a closed lagoon connected
to the sea by an underwater cave and kayak under the rocky arch at Koh
Sam Sao. Possibility of snorkeling and Kayaking.
Day 4: Koh Wua Ta Lap
Island – Koh Samui
Tour of Koh Wua Ta Lap Island. Visit the National Park Village, enjoy
the view point. Possibility of swimming and kayaking.
Sailing back to Koh Samui.
| Access |
Surat Thani can be most conveniently reached by car from Bangkok by taking Highway No. 4 to Chumphon Province via Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces and then taking Highway No. 41 and Highway No. 401 directly to Surat Thani City.
By Bus
Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Surat Thani Province everyday. Call the southern Bus Terminal tel: 0 2434 5557-8 or visit www.transport.co.th
By Train
Trains leave Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station 10 times daily from 12 p.m. until 10.50 p.m. The trip takes approximately 12-13 hours. Ask for the train from Bangkok to Phun Phin, the closest station to Surat Thani. For further details, please call 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th.
Surat Thani Railway Station is 12 kilometers from town. A bus service between the station and the town is available.
By Air
Thai Airways International has 2 daily flights connecting Bangkok with Surat Thani. The flight time is approximately 70 minutes. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or get your on-line e-ticket at www.thaiairways.com
By Boat
Seatran (077 275060, 136 Na Meuang Road) operates a bus/boat combination to Ko Samui. The fee is 150 baht. Phantip Travel (077 272230, 293/6-8 Talat Mai Road) offers tickets to Ko Tao (500 baht), Ko Pha-Nhan (250 baht), and Ko Samui (140 baht). The operator is Raja Ferry (07 314523, 077 371151 or 077 371206) who offers bus/boat combinations to the islands.
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