Hua Thanon/Bang Kao

Hua Thanon And Bang Kao are amongst the least developed parts of Samui and there are only a few resorts spread at leisurely intervals along the two beaches on the island's south west tip.

Bang Kao is home to Central Samui Village which offers upscale accommodation that stretches down a steep hillside to the beach below.  There are also a couple of older mid-range bungalow operations and a few independent restaurants but little else in the area apart from the Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo, which is fine as long as you don't mind your baby tigers drugged and compliant for photo ops. A much kinder option is the nearby Butterfly Garden, which showcases indigenous varieties in a well-managed environment.

Hua Thanon, which starts just beyond Hin Tin & Hin Yai, is similarly quiet and is home to a few long-stay backpacker resorts as well as one of Samui's last remaining traditional fishing fleets. The Muslim village has a charming atmosphere and is well worth a visit for a glimpse into island life before mass tourism. The fishermen's elegantly painted kor lae boats are very photogenic, as is the village's fish market. There are a few decent seafood restaurants by the side of the sea, which give you a taste of true Samui cuisine at bargain basement prices.