Koh Samui Activities and Sports
A choice of craft from windsurfers to Hobie cats are offered for watersport fans while the Quadtours and Jungle Safari folks will have you exploring the Samui highlands. Rock climbing is the most recent addition to the island activity options and you'll catch sight of a rope-laden cliff face when you travel between Lamai and Chaweng - just look inland to the big rock, now there's a challenge strictly not for the faint-hearted.
If you prefer to take things a bit easier, check out some of Samui's charming attractions. |
Not for the fainthearted! Samui bungy jump is located next to the reggae pub, which is handy for those needing some dutch courage before hand! The 50 metre jump is held over a large specially designed plunge pool. The brave (or insane!) among you can choose between individual jumps, tandem jumps, and even submersion jumps where you get dunked in the pool! Samui Bungy offers a free pick up service from your hotel. Soi Reggae, Chaweng Beach. Telephone: 07 741-425-2
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To explore Koh Samui's jungle from a different perspective go to Koh Samui Canopy Adventures. Swinging through the trees on over 500 metres of cable is definitely a different way to see the island! Featuring 6 different tree houses, beautiful waterfalls and even a hammock bar for a refreshing drink. They also provide a free shuttle from anywhere on the island. Samui Canopy Adventures is located in the jungle inland from Bophut beach and is well signposted. Moo 2, Bophut. Telephone: 077 414-150-1
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Koh Samui now proudly boasts its own three screen cinema in the Tesco lotus complex. Showing both Western and Thai movies, the cinema is modern and is proving a big hit with the locals. Reasonably priced and with comfortable and spacious seating, the cinema is the same as any in the west. The only notable difference is everyone standing during the national anthem which plays before each feature. As with all Asian cinemas the air conditioning is set at freezing so remember to bring a jumper! Tesco Lotus Complex, Route 4169, Chaweng beach. Telephone: 07 742-729-9
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Thai cooking courses are an increasingly popular activity on the island. Thai cuisine's increasingly high profile worldwide and the easygoing environment of Samui's cookery schools no doubt encourage many visitors to take a course. The best known independent school on the island, SITCA (Samui Institute of Culinary Arts, South Chaweng, Tel. 077 413 172) has two courses a day, a separate food carving course, a well stocked shop and an excellent restaurant, The Dining Room, attached. Central Samui Beach Resort and Santiburi Resort both let guests loose in the kitchen for a variety of half and one day courses. The affable Toy Suwan at the Blue Banana (Big Buddha Beach, Tel. 077 245 080) has a lunchtime and evening class and also sells a wide range of ingredients and utensils.
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Several companies around the island run elephant ride operations and many can be booked through travel agents, often in combination with all day tours of the interior. Over fifty elephants call Samui home and all work in the tourist industry. A typical 'trek' lasts between 15 minutes and half an hour and is an excellent way to see the island's jungle clad interior. Some companies take visitors up into the hills for magnificent views over the island, others go through waterfalls, where riders run the risk of receiving a cooling shower. Chaweng Elephant Trekking (Tel. 077 231 210), Living Thailand (Tel. 077 418 680) and Island Safari Co (Tel. 077 230 567) are all recommended. NB: Some companies keep gibbons and other endangered species as pets to entertain visitors - as well as being cruel, this is illegal in Thailand and should not be encouraged.
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For a fun day out have a game of Football Golf in Choeng Mon beach. The first of its kind in Asia the course is well designed and well shaded. After a relaxing stroll around the 18 hole course enjoy a free drink supplied by the owner. Open every day from 9.30am till 6.30pm. Choeng Mon, Next to the Imperial Boathouse Hotel. Telephone: 09 771-749-8
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Koh Samui's only freshwater fishing spot, TopCats has more than 4000 fish from 20 different species in their 2 man made lakes. Don't worry if you've never fished before, expert guidance is on hand! All equipment and bait is provided. TopCats has a sports bar and restaurant and a large swimming pool. They also offer a free shuttle service. Telephone: 07 741-538-7. Route 4170, Ban Taling Ngam.
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If your competitive spirit rears its head while you're on Koh Samui then why not go Go-karting for the day? Suitable for both beginners and more experienced riders the course is fun and fast. Samui Go-Kart provides everything from instructions to helmets, all you have to do is jump in and go. The course is open from 9am to 9pm every day and located just west of Bophut of the main ring road. Route 4169, Bophut beach. Telephone: 07 742-509-7
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Why not explore Samui's beautiful scenery from a different angle? Instead of watching the Samui scenery whiz by from the back of a motorbike, slow down and really enjoy the view on horseback. Ride on Ranch offers several different guided tours around Samui's beaches and jungles. The European standard horses are calm and well trained and all equipment is provided. For package deals and more information, telephone: 09 972-424-1. Route 4169, near Tesco Lotus, Chaweng.
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Samui's own karate kid, Geoff Pickup has been learning the martial art for the past 14 years and teaching full time for the last three since becoming a black belt. Geoff arrived on Samui a couple of years ago to establish his own Dojo. The school is located in the hills behind Lamai and has become a popular spot for local expats to develop their chi and learn the basics of Goju Ryu Karate. One-hour Self Defence classes are available three mornings a week and are an ideal introduction to Goju Ryu. Everyone from 16 years old upwards is welcome to join. Classes cost around 500 baht per hour. Bungalows for full karate retreats are scheduled to open in 2005. Behind Lamai. Tel. 01 968 0359 for more info.
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The worlds latest aquatic craze has arrived on Samui in style - located at the Samui Orchid Resort in Laem Set, the Koh Samui Kite Centre uses the latest Airrush equipment and offers a full range of kiteboarding courses for all ability levels. The location also benefits from a shallow sandy bay, which is perfect for beginners. November to March when the north easterly to easterly wind blows between 8 to 20 knots is probably the best time to go. Tel. 077 424 017-501.
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One alternative way to explore Koh Samui is by bicycle. Red Bicycle in Lamai offers guided tours around the island, bike rentals and sales. They stock quality bicycle brands such as Cannondale and provide all equipment from helmets to kneepads. All trips are led by experienced guides fully trained in first aid response. Red Bicycle also insures all rides and riders, which is reassuring as Samui's roads are renown for being some of the most dangerous in Thailand. Route 4169, Lamai beach. Telephone 07 723-213-6
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Thailand's beloved national sport Muay Thai, is taken very seriously throughout the country and Koh Samui is no exception! Although Thai boxing is regarded as the worlds most dangerous martial art it is surprisingly graceful to watch. Chaweng stadium near the Reggae Pub is the biggest on Samui and hosts all the major fights on the island. Fights are usually held twice a week on Monday and Friday nights but during peak season an additional Sunday night fight is often held. Fights start at 9pm and the evening normally lasts around three hours, with as many as ten smaller bouts before the main fight. If you only want to catch the main event then drop in for an hour around 10/10.30pm. The atmosphere in Chaweng Stadium is excellent with a live commentator and traditional Thai music - although some find the noise a bit overpowering! Both Thai and foreign fighters compete in the ring, most are professionals, all are pretty entertaining. Chaweng Stadium charges an entry fee and you can chose between a ringside table or a seat in the surrounding stands. Soi Reggae, Chaweng Beach. For more information telephone: 07 741-350-
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From mini-golf to the real thing. The island's first and currently only, professional standard golf course, opened in 2003 offering great golf and a gorgeous location in the hills above Maenam . If you prefer something less challenging, there's always mini-golf...
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Ko Samui offers high-quality diving most of the year, though it's probably best avoided during the monsoon in November and December. It is still possible to take shore-based courses during this time however. The four-day PADI Open Water Course is very competitively priced compared to elsewhere in the world and there's a wide range of schools to choose from. The most famous dive site in the area is Sail Rock, North of Ko Pha Ngan, which has an 18m natural rock chimney swimthrough and is a good place to see whale sharks. Other sites can be found in the North of Anthong Marine National Park and close to the Gulf's diving mecca Ko Tao, which has 21 sites off its shores. A day's diving from Samui should get to two to three sites.
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Following the success of the Samui Regatta, currently in its second year, the island's sailing scene has come on in leaps and bounds. The surrounding islands in the Ang Thong National Park make an ideal sailing playground and good all-year-round breezes and challenging westerly winds between May and November make great sailing conditions. Several boat companies operate charters...
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| Samui Quad Bikes and 3D Paintball |
Children of all ages can play war at 3D Paintball's huge, sculpted terrain in the hills above Maenam. The same location is also used for bouncing around on quad bikes, though they are strictly for adults only. Alternatively, for a full day out, the management will organise a variety of adventure games deep in the jungle. So if you like the sound of 'transferring the president', 'capturing the flag', 'village attack' or 'smugglers vs. police' this could be an ideal day out. Standard paintball guns are free - customers only pay for pellets, which are 3 Baht each. There's also a selection of BB Guns for hire, which are moulded to look menacingly like M16s and Kalashnikovs. Free hotel transfer. Maenam, Tel. 01 371 0744
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While not everyones cup of tea, if your idea of holiday heaven is letting a few rounds fly then Koh Samui has the place for you! The shooting range has fully trained instructors and a wide range of guns to choose from. They also provide live ammunition. The range is open from 9am to 6pm every day. Reasonably priced too - doesn't Samui just blow you away? Route 4169, Chaweng Beach
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| There are many tattooists on Samui offering work of varying quality. Although most tend to offer reasonable standards of health and hygiene, its worthwhile making a thorough (sober) assessment of the studio before going under the needle. Thailand's infamous monks tattoos, which supposedly give the recipient magical powers, are available occasionally at Big Buddha temple - though recent reports suggest that they are a number of health risks associated with this practice, so extreme caution should be exercised.
For anyone seeking a Western tattooist, Tattoo Mania in Bophut Fisherman's Village can be recommended. Run by French ex-pat Esther, who completed a four-year apprenticeship with Khun Nong, one of the island's best Thai tattoo artists, Tattoo Mania offers a full range of traditional, tribal and modern designs, all individually tailored to personal specifications after a consultation with Esther. Bophut Fisherman's Village, Tel. 09 868 2558.
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