Koh Samui is Thailand's third-largest island, famous for its gorgeous beaches, lush tropical forests, picturesque farmlands, and beautiful outlying islands with excellent snorkelling, diving, loads of outdoor activities and fantastic attractions.
Samui features a fantastic range of places to stay. Anything from budget-style accommodations, guest houses, eco-friendly digs, trendy hostels, swanky resorts and spas, and luxury villa rentals. Add to that colourful markets and excellent dining options, and it is easy to understand why people fall in love with this 'paradise on Earth'.
Here are four reasons to add Samui to your must-visit list this year.
Bountiful Beaches and Idyllic Islands
This beautiful island is home to lovely beaches with sparkling azure waters. The east coast is the most popular, especially Chaweng Beach, a long sandy strip with sun loungers, restaurants and bars. Neighbouring Lamai Beach is fantastic too. Choeng Mon Beach to the north offers a much quieter scene and is a favourite with expat families. Bophut Beach on the northern coastline is home to Fishermans Village, featuring boutiques, trendy restaurants and top hotels and resorts.
The archipelago that Samui sits within consists of 42 islands. This includes the spectacular Ang Thong Marine Park, popular for snorkelling, hiking to Emerald Lake, and kayaking. Scuba diving is highly sought after, with excellent dive sites like HTMS Sattakut, Chumphon Pinnacles, White Rock, Green Rock, Hin Wong, and nearby Koh Tao is the hotspot.
Captivating Attractions and Activities
Active travellers love Samui with its diverse range of recreational options. Water sports are prolific, with kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, snorkelling, fishing, and jet skis. Explore the interior by quad bike,4WD sightseeing safari tour, trekking, motorbike, and even zip lining on land.
However, it's not all blood-pumping activity. Play frisbee golf, or the actual game on a championship course, go-karting, splash at the water park, and explore coves and beaches. Visit the magnificent Big Buddha Temple on the northern tip and nearby Wat Plai Laem. Wat Khao Hua Jook overlooking Samui International Airport is excellent too. The Secret Buddha's Garden in the jungle landscape makes for fun to explore.
Central Festival Samui, the main shopping centre, has a supermarket, speciality shops, a cinema, a kid's playground, an entertainment zone and an excellent food court.
Food Food, Fabulous Food
Speaking of food, for an island that you can drive around within 1.5 hours, Samui offers an outstanding range of gastronomic delights. Feel the sand between your toes at low-key beachside restaurants, feasting on succulent seafood. Savour a diverse range of street food from market stalls and food carts, with Thai Banana Roti being a crowd-pleaser.
Interestingly, Samui's local cuisine is influenced by Chinese roots and all regions of Thailand. And there are some top-notch Thai restaurants, like Supattra in Bophut and Baan Ya Jai in Choengmon. Worldwide cuisines are represented, in award-winning restaurants, bistros and cafes in luxury resorts, to fine dining establishments perched cliff-side or dream-worthy beachside settings. You can spend as little or as much as you like.
Enthralling Entertainment - After Dark
Chaweng Beach offers a great choice of evening entertainment. Cabaret shows and cultural performances with music and dancing, lounge clubs, pool rooms, discos, and chilled bars make for a fun night out. Head to Soi Green Mango or Central Lamai beer bars.
Other resort towns like Lamai and Bophut kick on too. Coco Tams is famous for its evening fire shows, trendy beachside cocktails, and dining. Plus, there are markets, often with live music and cheap cocktails and beers. Beach Clubs have become increasingly popular with cool bands, great food and good times - Nikki at Lipa Noi and Chi at Bangrak are top choices.
A Word of Warning…..
Samui gets under your skin. Many local and international visitors cannot resist the allure and return year after year. Some become so enraptured, purchase holiday homes, pack up and move to Thailand and this island paradise full-time(retirees beware).
If this happens to you, here's what your hard-earned money can buy.
Phu Ngam Samui Villas. These two-bedroom, two-bathroom pool villas have 317 sqm of interior space and the option of a third bedroom. With six villas in the development, three different villa types are available; each is gob-smackingly beautiful. They make a perfect investment for those looking for additional rental income with 8% annual ROI projections.
These villas, located in a quiet, friendly neighbourhood near Bang Kao Beach in southern Samui, feature an infinity swimming pool, spacious open-plan living, floor-to-ceiling windows, and lush green coconut grove views.
Michaela Luxury Residence. This brand-new development offers two-bedroom, two-bathroom villas with a private pool, terrace, garden, and BBQ area, perfect for hosting gatherings. Breathtaking views of the sea and Koh Phangan add to the tranquillity and peacefulness.
Fully furnished and designed with high-end interiors and finishes, make them a cinch to move in and start enjoying the island life. Ideally located between Bophut Beach and Chaweng, they are within easy reach of shops and amenities.
Dror Luxury Villa. Located minutes from Chaweng Beach, these three-bedroom, four-bathroom villas will surely sell fast. They come furnished or unfurnished with a private swimming pool, outdoor shower and bathtub with a spectacular view, open plan living and dining area, and modern kitchen. 
In addition, the complex has a clubhouse, communal pool, restaurant and cafe for residents and their guests to enjoy. The proximity to the airport makes them an excellent Bangkok getaway.
At Lazudi Samui, we have over 600 properties for sale, ranging from as little as 74,000 USD to our featured properties at around 400,000 USD and beyond. Are you thinking of living in Thailand? Visit Samui and fall head over heels for this fantastic laidback tropical lifestyle.
