Singapore: Avalon

The beats are sick, the scene is hot, and the parties are simply out of control. Up for a phenomenal night out? Then step inside Avalon—one of Hollywood’s hottest spots to arrive on the Singapore party scene.

Housed in the floating South Crystal Pavilion of the iconic Marina Bay Sands, Avalon looks out towards a mesmerising view of the city skyline. Beyond the velvet rope, the double-storey 17,000 square feet club boasts a visual spectacle of state-of-the-art full-colour lasers, 3D mapping and high-fashion interiors.  Styled by renowned interior design firm Roman and Williams, Avalon glitters with crystals and psychedelic light displays.

If your party philosophy is to “go big or go home”, you’ll be glad to know that Avalon brings in the best names in the business for world-class nightlife experiences.

As Avalon co-founder and club guru Steven Adelman has said, “Avalon has hosted virtually every celebrity – The Black Eyed Peas, Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Pink, to name a few. Parties at our club in L.A have included the annual Grammy’s after-party hosted by Justin Timberlake. Here in Singapore, we are building the most ambitious and state-of-the-art visual, sound and light system we're aware of anywhere. The combination of Avalon’s star power and Marina Bay Sands’ iconic structure will set the stage for the biggest parties in Asia.”

With the Louis Vuitton Island Maison and various Michelin star restaurants just steps away from the club, Avalon completes the ultimate high life experience at the Marina Bay Sands.

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Singapore: Gardens by the Bay

Spanning 101 hectares, and just a five-minute walk from the downtown Marina Bay area, this superpark is home to over a quarter of a million rare plants. The entire park comprises three gardens; Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central. From the waterfront promenade, one can enjoy an amazing view of the Marina Bay financial district skyline.  

You’ve visited gardens and parks before, but have you ever stepped into a superpark spanning over 100 hectares, featuring more than a quarter of a million rare plants in huge domed conservatories – and in the heart of the city?


Less than a five-minute walk away from Marina Bay, the Gardens by the Bay is spread over three waterfront gardens: Bay South and Bay East, with Bay Central connecting the two.

Bay South — the largest waterfront garden — is where you’ll find the futuristic-looking Supertrees, vertical gardens measuring up to 16 storeys that add a surprising and surreal feel to the landscape. Take a walk on the suspended walkway between the supertrees or hitch a ride to the bar on top of the tallest supertree for a bird’s eye view of the entire gardens.  The Supertrees are not just aesthetic features; they also collect rainwater, generate solar power and act as venting ducts for the park’s conservatory.

The Conservatories, featuring the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, are another key feature, offering reprieve from the tropical heat.  The Flower Dome replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean and semi-arid subtropical regions like South Africa and parts of Europe like Spain and Italy. The Cloud Forest replicates a cool-moist climate found in Tropical Montane regions between 1,000 to 3,500 metres above sea level, such as Mt Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, and high elevation areas in South America.


Bay East is a unique mix of pretty pavilions, lush lawns, tropical palm trees and natural blossoms of all kinds, perfect for an evening stroll or a picnic with family and friends. It also offers an amazing view of the Marina Bay financial district skyline along its two-kilometre waterfront promenade.

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Singapore: Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium

You may already know that Singapore is oneof the world’s busiest ports, but did you know that the recently opened Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium (MEMA) is the first and only museum to showcase the maritime history of Asia? Featuring over 400 rare objects, the “Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa^TM“ takes you on a journey of epic voyages.

Be awed by the life-sized replica of Admiral Zheng He’s Treasure Ship (Bao Chuan) and his massive fleet – a sight to behold! The Treasure Ships were believed to sail along with 30 to 40 medium-sized ones such as horse ships, supply ships, combatships, water tankers and patrol ships - which provided all supplies requiredfor their voyages.

Visit the 8 ports of call at the SOUK where visitors will be fascinated by the sight, smell andsounds of the people and cultures and the interesting stories about these ports along the maritime trade routes. Have fun and learn more about the maritime trade, the people and cultures at the various exciting interactives which are located along the SOUK and basement of the museum.

One of the key highlights of MEMA is the “Jewel of Muscat”, a full-sized replica of a 9th-century dhow which is a gift from the Omani Government. Be awed and fascinated by how the people reconstructed the dhow and their voyage on the historic maritime route between Oman to Singapore mainly by wind power and celestial navigation. Try your hand to navigate through the seas using the “kamal”, an ancient Arab navigation tool!

Experience the wrath of the sea in the Typhoon Theatre, a 360-degree multimedia theatre that takes visitors on a perilous voyage on board a 9th-century Chinese junk. Laden with cargo, the ship runs into a storm. The sea roars, the skies darken and the ship rolls, pitches, turns and finally sinks. At the end, the ship’s passengers find themselves in the depths of the ocean, up close with the shipwreck.

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The Causeway Woodlands - Johor Bahru

The Causeway is a very popular and thus terminally congested entry point connecting Woodlands in the north of Singapore directly into the heart of Johor Bahru. While congestion isn't as bad as it once was, the Causeway is still jam-packed on Friday evenings (towards Malaysia) and Sunday evenings (towards Singapore). The Causeway can be crossed by bus, train, taxi or car, but it is no longer feasible to cross on foot after Malaysia shifted their customs and immigration complex 2 km inland.

A second crossing between Malaysia and Singapore, known as the Second Link, has been built between Tuas in western Singapore and Tanjung Kupang in the western part of Johor state. Much faster and less congested than the Causeway, it is used by some of the luxury bus services to Kuala Lumpur and is strongly recommended if you have your own car. There is only one infrequent bus across the Second Link, and only Malaysian "limousine" taxis are allowed to cross it (and charge RM150 and up for the privilege). Walking across is also not allowed, not that there would be any practical means to continue the journey from either end if you did.

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Singapore Airshow 2014

Singapore Airshow is all about creating opportunities for aerospace industry representatives across the world to connect, do business, find out about the latest innovations and exchange ideas to spearhead developments across the industry. The show has continued to attract influential government and military delegations as well as senior corporate executives. It has won recognition as a global marketplace, networking powerhouse and the platform of choice for the world’s aerospace community to forge partnerships and do business in the thriving Asia Pacific region, making it a must-attend event in the international aviation industry calendar.

Singapore Airshow also continued to demonstrate its thought leadership through its successful high-level conferences – the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit and the Asia Pacific Security Conference.

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Phuket, Thailand

Thailand' s largest island is a wonderland of wildlife and rainforest fringed by white sand beaches with some of the world' s premier resorts.

Wild Interior
Visitors to Phuket Province generally head for the sea, but the interior is worth exploring for its vivid patchwork of plantations and rice paddies, crowned by the island's last rainforest in Khao Phra Thaw Royal Wildlife Reserve. Here, rainy season hikes provide the best views of Ton Sai and Bang Pae waterfalls, with possible sightings of resident wildlife such as flying foxes and slow loris: visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center near Bang Pae falls and see how they reintroduce captive gibbons to the jungle. 

Trading History
Phuket Town was once a trading point for ships from China, India, Arabia, Malaya and Portugal. 19th century Sino-Portuguese shop houses on Phang-Nga, Yaowarat, and Ranong Roads stand testimony to those days, with fine restorations on Deebuk and Thalang Roads. Also on Phang-Nga Road, the mystical Shrine of the Serene Light is a 150-year-old Chinese temple with notable art and a tranquil garden. See the surrounding area from nearby Phuket Hill (Khao Rang). 

Vegetarian Festival
A cultural legacy, the Vegetarian Festival ushers in Taoist Lent in September / October, when religious Chinese avoid eating meat. The festivities involve colorful, noisy street parades, with devotees doing penance through pain. Among other things, they pierce their cheeks and tongues with swords. 

Sea, Sand & Sailing
Of course, Phuket's limestone cliffs and palm-fringed tropical beaches are its biggest attractions. Sunseekers flock to its blue waters, with many enjoying the shopping and nightlife of vibrant Patong. A few quieter beaches to investigate are Karon, Kata, Rawai and Surin. Situated in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is a world-class dive destination with countless pristine sites and just as many operators, mostly around Patong. Experienced yachtsmen looking for all-inclusive charters will find fair-to-excellent craft with great facilities at the Phuket Boat Lagoon (Ao Sapam) and the Yacht Haven Phuket (Laem Phrao). 

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Koh Nang Yuan Island Koh Tao Island, Thailand

The most famous southern province in the Gulf of Thailand, Surat Thani has several world famous islands under its territory; namely Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Ang Thong archipelagos, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. The last two are best known among intrepid travellers as the best dive site in the gulf of Thailand.

Located around 120 kilometres from the Surat Thani coast, Koh Tao and neighbouring Koh Nang Yuan, occupy an area of almost 18 square kilometers. With mountains and rocky cliffs accounting for 70% of its land area, the island has eight kilometers of coral reefs around its coast. The island's half-moon-shaped western coast is where most of the beaches are found.

Dotted in and around Koh Tao's 11 bays and 10 rocky headlands are many, picturesque beaches: some long and sandy like Had Sai Ree, Had Mai Had, Chaloke Ban Kao Bay; others with smaller, rockier beaches.

Acclaimed to be the best dive location in the Gulf of Thailand, tourists tend to make diving their first priority as soon as they arrive on Koh Tao. It's not surprising therefore that each year Koh Tao's dive school turns out a number of proficient divers from around the world.

If you are looking for an alternative to diving, you might enjoy exploring the island, and swimming from its many beaches, or kayaking, or climbing hills to check out the vistas from numerous viewpoints. Alternatively, you can take a tour to its nearby islands of Nang Yuan, which is only 15 minute away by local boats.

Getting to Koh Tao
Despite being part of Surat Thani Province, it's more convenient and faster to go to Koh Tao from Chumphon Province. The island is only one hour ride on a high-speed catamaran from Ao Makham Noi Pier in Chumphon - a speed boat from Koh Samui takes you around 3 hours to get to Koh Tao. Nowadays, more travelers choose Chumphon as their starting-off point.

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Thian Og Bay Koh Tao Island, Thailand

Ao Thian Og leaves most of the other beaches on Koh Tao back at the starting post in terms of sheer beauty. The perfect arc of white, fluffy sand and azure waters will leave you breathless. Almost always quiet and serene, this is the perfect place to chill out for an afternoon.

The beach has shade from shrubs rather than trees and is empty much of the time despite its proximity to Chalok Baan Kao. While people stay away, sharks flock here, however: it's a popular bay with divers.

One of the newest and flashest resorts on Koh Tao, Jamahkiri, has a monkey enclosure, ensuring the peculiar calls of primates now ring out regularly across the bay.

Ao Thian Og is separated from Chalok Baan Kao by a peninsula, and on the eastern flank of this peninsula, facing Ao Thian Og, you'll find Ao Taa Chaa which has good snorkelling and a couple of very well-appointed resorts perched on its edge.

If you walk out to the end of the peninsula you'll reach the John Suwan Viewpoint, a spectacular vantage point overlooking Ao Chalok Baan Kao to the left and Ao Thian Og to the right. Unfortunately the trail hasn't been well looked after, so it's quite a bush-bash to get there nowadays.

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Tanote Bay Koh Tao Island. Thailand

To get to Tanote Bay is a thrilling experience. The road there will take you over 'Mount Koh Tao' and offers a breathtaking view of the island's eastern hilly slopes. The bay itself offers nice bathing and snorkelling and variety of bungalows and restaurants. From Tanote Bay you can see Koh Samui and Koh Phangnan on a clear day. There is a growing number of resorts offering accommodation in this beautiful bay.

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Sairee Beach Koh Tao Island, Thailand

The longest and most popular beach on the island stretches from the statue of Rama IV in the south to the headland at the far north, almost opposite Koh Nang Yuan. It boasts both busy entertainment areas at the southern end and quieter, less-trafficked areas toward the headland. The water is very shallow - in places you can walk for ages and get no deeper than your waist. Snorkellers are better served staying on other beaches.

Sairee beach is home to some of the most upmarket resorts on the island along with backpacker favourites through to mid-range places ideal for families. In the evenings entertainment can be very loud, so light sleepers are better off staying toward the northern end.

A couple of small bays and beaches with a handful of resorts are dotted beyond the north end, with most places having either good views over the beach or offshore to Koh Nang Yuan. It's a sleepy spot but close enough to the main strip for a night out.

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Sai Nuan Beach Koh Tao Island, Thailand

This series of very attractive turquoise bays and palm-fringed beaches can be reached on foot from either Mae Haad or Chalok Ban Kao.

These bays have both advantages and disadvantages - what you gain in tranquility you lose in ease of access. If you're a bit of a night owl, this part of Koh Tao may not be the best choice as stumbling home down the goat-track of a trail in the early hours will be a recipe for disaster.

On the other hand, if you're after a bit of serenity, a lot of hammock swinging and a fare dose of gazing out to sea, then you're in the right place.

In a few spots the beaches around this part of Koh Tao are beginning to lose their sand - luckily a problem that so far hasn't really spread to elsewhere on the island.

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Sai Daeng Beach Koh Tao Island, Thailand

Really part of Rocky Bay, Haad Sai Daeng is a beautiful little cove on the southern tip of Koh Tao. Haad Sai Daeng is very nice spot to relax in solitude with a book on the beach or going for a swim to Shark Island.

With only two resorts nestled into an idyllic landscape & a sandy beach, it's not only famous for its beauty similar to Ao Leuk.

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Mango Bay Koh Tao Island., Thailand

Mango Bay (Ao Mamuang) is a very isolated bay at the very northern tip of Koh Tao and is the most recently developed area on the island. The landscape consists of high rocky cliffs and lush green hillsides rising up from the water's edge and offering breathtaking views of the gulf. The clear blue-green waters of Mango Bay are great for swimming and snorkelling, and one of the island's most beautiful dive locations sits at the centre of the bay.

The resorts here are decidedly upscale and more expensive than elsewhere on Koh Tao, and given the particular isolation of this spot, they lean towards self-contained affairs. You'll get a good deal of comfort and tranquility for your money.

That said Mango Bay does get a lot of day-tripping diving and snorkelling trips - this is a secluded spot, but unfortunately not a silent secluded spot.

The focus is on water activities: snorkelling, diving and kayaking. If that's all a bit too energetic, tanning, reading and generally lazing around are also prime activities.

The road access is via a poorly maintained road, so most opt for a longtail.

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Mae Haad Beach Koh Tao Island, Thailand

This beach runs to the north and south of Koh Tao's main town, Mae Haad, where the ferry piers are also located. The town is typical of those on heavily touristed Thai islands, with a cluster of dive shops, exchange kiosks, travel agents, Internet cafes, bakeries, restaurants and bars. It's dusty during the day, chaotic when the ferries come and go, and otherwise sleepy and largely deserted.

Around the piers the beach is grubby and littered but both the northern and southern extremes are quite pleasant. To the south, there is some good snorkelling and comfortable resorts. If you're looking for something secluded however, this is not your best choice.

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Laem Thian Koh Tao Island, Thailand

Laem Thian is known as Swimthrough City among local scuba divers. The reason for that is the many caverns, tunnels and swim throughs you'll find just beneath the waters surface.

It's a great place to snorkel and one of the only places on the island you'll find the strange looking Unicorn Fish.

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Jansom Bay Koh Tao Island, Thailand

Jansom Bay is a tiny beach on the south-west side of Koh Tao. When you come with the boat from Samui or Pha Ngan you will pass it on your destination at Koh Tao pier. I just visited the beach just for one afternoon on a cloudy/windy/rainy day, so there were quite a lot of boats from the diving schools, which looked for shelter. But you find a friendly relaxed athmosphere. The only bar/restaurant is run by settled Chao Leh , a type of people quite different to the original Tao population, which came from China in the mid of the last century. huge rocks, sandy beach, cold beers, food - what else do you need more ?

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Chalok Baan Kao Beach Koh Tao Island, Thailand

The second most popular beach on Koh Tao, Chalok Baan Kao is overrun with the usual plethora of dive shops, guesthouses, restaurants, travel agents and bars, all of which line the main road running just off the back of the beach.

The beach here is pretty and at low tide passable for sunbathing, but really there are far better spots elsewhere on Koh Tao for laying around in the sun - just by hiking over the headland to Ao Thian Og will deliver you to a lovely strip of sand all to yourself.

Due to Chalok Baan Kao being one of the largest dive centres on Koh Tao, a lot of boat traffic heads in and out throughout the day. Be it divers coming and going, snorkelling trips, round-the-island boat trips, fishing trips or just longtails off on taxi runs from here, Chalok is not one of Koh Tao's quieter strips of sand.

The large number of boats also contributes to the water being a bit murky, particularly towards the western end of the bay. Head to the eastern stretch of the beach if you plan to spend any time in the water, but if time allows, you're far better served to wander off to another nearby beach. Chalok Baan Kao is flanked by beaches and bays to both the east and west, so you need not head too far to find something pretty.

On its western lip, at the beginning of the trail around to Mae Haad, you'll find the very pleasant Haad Saal Chao. This spot remains a pleasant area to hang out, despite the sometimes cloudy waters.

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Koh Tao Island, Thailand

The most famous southern province in the Gulf of Thailand, Surat Thani has several world famous islands under its territory; namely Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Ang Thong archipelagos, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. The last two are best known among intrepid travellers as the best dive site in the gulf of Thailand.

Located around 120 kilometres from the Surat Thani coast, Koh Tao and neighbouring Koh Nang Yuan, occupy an area of almost 18 square kilometers. With mountains and rocky cliffs accounting for 70% of its land area, the island has eight kilometers of coral reefs around its coast. The island's half-moon-shaped western coast is where most of the beaches are found.

Dotted in and around Koh Tao's 11 bays and 10 rocky headlands are many, picturesque beaches: some long and sandy like Had Sai Ree, Had Mai Had, Chaloke Ban Kao Bay; others with smaller, rockier beaches.

Acclaimed to be the best dive location in the Gulf of Thailand, tourists tend to make diving their first priority as soon as they arrive on Koh Tao. It's not surprising therefore that each year Koh Tao's dive school turns out a number of proficient divers from around the world.

If you are looking for an alternative to diving, you might enjoy exploring the island, and swimming from its many beaches, or kayaking, or climbing hills to check out the vistas from numerous viewpoints. Alternatively, you can take a tour to its nearby islands of Nang Yuan, which is only 15 minute away by local boats.

Getting to Koh Tao
Despite being part of Surat Thani Province, it's more convenient and faster to go to Koh Tao from Chumphon Province. The island is only one hour ride on a high-speed catamaran from Ao Makham Noi Pier in Chumphon - a speed boat from Koh Samui takes you around 3 hours to get to Koh Tao. Nowadays, more travelers choose Chumphon as their starting-off point.

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Thong Tanote Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Thong Tanote Beach, a secluded beach on the south coast of Koh Samui, offering breathtaking scenery of the Gulf of Thailand. You have an amazing view of Koh Tan & Mutsum Islands. We encourage our guests to take advantage of the amazing and immediate snorkeling and diving exploration available on these islands. The south coast is very relaxing and there is no shopping or nightlife nearby though it is only a 20 min. drive to Lamai or 30min to Chaweng.

Although not really a spot for swimming, Thong Krut Bay still has the image of a small fishing village, with a nice view of islands to the south. On the beach, wooden restaurants built on stilts are nice places to have a drink. At the end of the beach, the road goes back to the mainland for a short while on its way to Bang Kao Beach. But before arriving at Bang Kao, take the small road to Laem Sor on your right-hand side and drive a kilometer to discover a surprising, yellow-tiled pagoda built right on the seaside. It's a great place to take some pictures!

Along the road are many typical, old Thai homes and some very small shops selling basic necessities for the local population. These shops are often run by smiling, friendly old people, so why not stop in and say hello! Some places in Thong Tanote seem not have changed in decades and are interesting to have a look at.

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Taling Ngam Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Taling Ngam Beach, located on the west coast of Koh Samui just south of Nathon town, is a beautiful and quiet area of Koh Samui.

Not as developed as many areas of the island, Taling Ngam offers extraordinary views and sunsets to the west with the sun setting behind the Angthong Marine National Park's many islands.

There are several resorts and hotels in Taling Ngam, as well as an assortment of both local the international restaurants.

Nearby Lipa Noi beach stretches several kilometres with unspoilt beaches, very few people and room to move and enjoy oneself.

This lovely, hidden away beach is dominated by the Le Meridien Baan Taling Ngam, which climbs from the beachfront all the way up the hillside. But you don't have to stay there to enjoy the beach - day-trippers are welcome, and Taling Ngam is a world away from much of the rest of the island.

Fine swimming and sunbathing are the two main pastimes here, though a small fishing village is within walking distance nearby and more restaurants are slowly appearing in the area.

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Baan Plai Laem Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Plai Laem is located in the top right hand corner of Samui. It is a quiet area offering many private villas and houses as well as all levels of hotels and resorts. This area is perfect for relaxing but within 10 minutes you can reach the bustling area of Chaweng for entertainment and shopping.

There are some local shops selling basic necessities within walking distance. A slightly longer walk will take you to a few bars and restaurants near the Big Buddha statue and Plai Laem temple. It is within walking distance from the beach and neighbouring Choeng Mon beach is about 5 minutes drive away.

In Plai Laem you will find a good selection of Thai restaurants along the road and a couple of restaurants and bars on the beach. For a real dining experience visit one of the dining venues at the hotels and resorts. One of Samui most famous and unique restaurant is located in a 5 star resort in Plai Laem area.

For a pampering experience, you can try one of the inexpensive Thai massage places on the road or on the beach or visit one of the high end spas and retreats.

Plai Laem is a popular spot in Koh Samui, due to its location and fantastic views. Certain spots in Plai Laem offers fantastic sunsets.

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Nathon Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Its closeness to the island's main car ferry pier makes Nathon a convenient choice for anyone driving to koh Samui from the mainland. The beach has fine white sand and there are no rocks or coral in the water, making it one of the best beaches for kids on the island. The water is also very shallow for up to 100 metres out.

There are a few well-spaced bungalow operations, of which Big John Seafood is the most popular. Their attached restaurant is also well worth a visit. There are also now a couple of beachside luxury villa properties for rent. Nathon is also home to the Samui Dhama Healing Centre one of Samui's more intense fasting spas. Apart from the beach, there's little else to do in the area - its very remoteness is what makes it most attractive to the regular visitors, who come in quite large numbers. It is certainly not the place to come for a party and this is reflected in the older demographic of tourists here.

There's not much in the way of entertainment in the area but driving through the coconut plantations will provide you with a pleasant and relaxing sense of being in tropical paradise.

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Maenam Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Maenam Beach has to be one of the most under-rated beaches on Koh Samui. A delightful stretch of yellow sand on the north coast of Samui, it has for years been neglected and talked down by the guidebooks, yet it has some excellent value accommodation and a stretch of sand that takes around two to three hours to walk the full length of.

For those who are after a sleepy old style beach holiday, Maenam is really difficult to fault. The waters are calm most of the year and in places are shallow a long way out making this an ideal location for families with small children. Thumping beach parties till the early hours are the exceptional rather than the norm - a fresh change from many other beaches in the area. Another fine advantage of Mae Nam is that the main road runs a long way back off the beach, so there is very little in the way of traffic noise for much of the length of the beach.

Along the beach's entirety great vistas of Koh Phangan are in abundant supply, and the sunsets from the eastern end of Maenam can be simply magnificent.

While the bulk of the guesthouses and resorts on Maenam are budget orientated, there are also some fine upper-end options to choose from - something for everyone indeed.

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Lipa Noi Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Lipa Noi are located at the west coast of Samui. Koh Small, uninhabited beaches with crystal clear waters, perfect for relaxing beach holidays and snorkeling. From here you have the best sunset views. Its closeness to the island's main car ferry pier makes Lipa Noi a convenient choice for anyone driving to Koh Samui from the mainland. The beach has fine white sand and there are no rocks or coral in the water, making it one of the best beaches for kids on the island. The water is also very shallow for up to 100 metres out.

The remoteness of the beach is what makes it most attractive to the visitors, who return here, year after year, in quite large numbers. The demographic of tourists here is older than you'll find elsewhere on the island, and mainly comprised of pensioners and families. Be prepared to be independent, and either rent a car or strike a deal with a taxi driver. Shopping is limited in the area, and so you'll need to go to port town Nathon, 5km away, on a regular basis.

At the sandy beach of Lipa Noi beach you will find only a few resorts, all owned by people, determined to keep this last undiscovered beach as natural, but also as convenient as possible to their guests, who are used to a high standard of accommodations, but don't want to miss out on island charm.

There are a few well-spaced bungalow operations, of which Big John Seafood ( change to The Lipa Lovely Resort ) is the most popular. Their attached restaurant is also well worth a visit. Lipa Noi is also home to the Samui Dhama Healing Centre one of Samui's more intense fasting spas.

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Lamai Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Lamai Beach, situated a couple of bays to the south of Koh Samui's most famous beach, Chaweng, has long been considered the latter's poor cousin. The beach isn't as long, the off-white sand isn't as fine and the restaurants and bars lack the range and quality of those on Chaweng. That being said, both the guesthouses and resorts are considerably cheaper and Lamai Beach seems never as busy. So for those looking for value for money and smaller crowds, it can be a good choice.

The beach has three distinct areas, the north running from the headland to Sand Sea Resort, then the central and southern stretches. The north is quieter, with less development but there's a reason for this - the beach is prone to mudflats at low tide and, due to storm water run off from a creek between Sand Sea and Laguna Resorts, after rain, the water along this stretch can become extremely dirty. The central and southern stretches on the other hand have far cleaner water but on the central stretch there's more development and both areas have a lot of jet ski action.

Off the beach, Lamai has a small range of restaurant and entertainment options when compared to Chaweng and overall has a pretty low-rent feel to it, in no small part due to the dozens upon dozens of girlie bars that line the road and anywhere else you can stick a shack with a few stools. You can escape most of this by heading back down to the beach where there's a smattering of typical beach-seafood type places - prices are considerably lower than Chaweng and the food can be very good.

Overall if you're content to just lay on the beach and have low-key nights - all without spending mega-bucks, then Lamai can be a fine choice, but if you're looking for a wide range of eateries and entertainment venues, then Bophut or Chaweng are better options.

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Laem Set Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Laem Set is found right down on the south coast of Koh Samui, the sea is too shallow for swimming. However, the huge smooth boulders on the beach and the coconut palms leaning over at impossible angles make it look spectacular. It's one of the more relaxing areas of Koh Samui with a void of nightlife and shops. You'll have to drive 20 minutes to Lamai or 40 minutes to Chaweng if you want the up scale amenities you may be used to.

There are a few attractions of quant charm that make this a special holiday destination for visitors of all ages. The Butterfly Garden is up on a hill, with its tropical greenery habituated by colourful insects. It's a pleasant and unusual day out.

The Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo are nearby. You'll see many fish and corals, turtles, sharks, catfishes and other creatures from the depths of the ocean floor. Visitors can feed giant turtles in their tanks and even have their photo taken with a tiger - don't make him angry!

There are two distinct swimming seasons at Laem Set. From October to April the tide is usually high pretty much all the time. We recommend the use of plastic shoes to protect against small pieces of coral which get washed in from the reef 100 metres offshore. These will be found in the "Dive Shop". Please help yourself to a pair and keep them at your accomodation for the duration of your stay. From April to October the sea is usually calm and the tide low for swimming. There is a clear sandy bottom around the rocks.

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Hua Thanon Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Hua Thanon is a village at the head of the road on the south coast. It is home to a busy Muslim community with a fishing village feeling. You can find a lively market and a couple of restaurants, but probably not more than that. In a sense, the village offers just local and authentic ways of life. Hua Thanon is the best place to buy superb fresh seafood at reasonable prices. You are pretty much guaranteed that seafood here is better than anywhere else on the island. One can take a songtaew from anywhere on the island as they run to almost every nook and corner of Samui at a price of about 150-200 baht, depending on the distance.

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.

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Coral Cove Bay Koh Samui Island, Thailand

On the east coast between Chaweng and Lamai, very popular with snorkelers, featuring some of the island's rockiest and most dramatic coastline. With stunning bay views from atop the cliffs.

Coral Cove is less well known, and yet more appealing to the visitor to Koh Samui who seeks a private piece of paradise with calm, quiet and seclusion. The beach is located off an inconspicuous turning along the hilly main road.

Coral Cove has small beaches. The water is clean and warmand is good for holiday swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. From there it is only a 5 minute ride to Chaweng or Lamai beaches. Hua Thanon has some upper class accommodation but the sea is shallow and not suitable for swimming.

The beach is about 200 meters in length, yet remarkable you'll find more space to yourself here than in the busy Chaweng. At either end are boulders and rock formations creating perfect frame and the ever present Samui coconut trees are in view.

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Choeng Mon Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Choeng Mon Beach is located in a very secluded part of Koh Samui, up on the northeast corner of the island, among a series of small bays, most of which have been given over to private residential developments. Of what remains in the area, Choeng Mon is the most popular and has the widest range of resorts and bungalows.

A very pretty beach, Choeng Mon is popular for watersport activities as well as just lazing around, and, while there's at least some shade on most of the beach, in the middle of the day it can be a bit anvil-under-the-sun like, so don't forget your sunscreen. Just offshore sits the islet of Ko Farn Noi - within reasonably easy kayaking distance of the main beach.

Accommodation is mostly mid- to upper range, though there are a couple of semi-budget choices catering mainly to flashpackers. As for eating, while many choose to eat where there stay, there is a smattering of restaurants just off the beach, near the Choengmon Buri Hotel. For a larger selection of restaurants and bars, you're better off heading into Bophut or Chaweng.

Despite its proximity to the other beaches as the crow flies, Choeng Mon isn't so handy when it comes to public transport - songtheaws do pass through here, but not as frequently as you'd expect, so unless you plan on dropping a load of cash on Samui's overpriced taxis, you may want to consider hiring a car or motorbike for the duration of your stay.

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Chaweng Noi Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Chaweng Noi Beach is the part of largest and most popular of Samui's beaches, Chaweng beach. Chaweng Noi (Little Chaweng) around a headland to the south. Chaweng Beach is longest beach located on Samui Island's east coast. The beach is beautiful here, and local developers are finally cleaning up some of the trashy area on the island. It attracts many young travelers and families alike, and remains good value for the money.

The beach is powdery white sand. It is bordered by emerald-blue waters and a coral reef where waves break, leaving the bay quite peaceful. Not far from the beach, there are two small islands near the reef. After swimming, you can explore the nearest one by walking through shallow water or go for snorkeling and kayaking at the second island which is further out and larger.

The central part of the beach is a bit more crowded than the quieter north. Many vendors pass by offering beverages, fruit, ice cream and local Thai food for the more daring. A variety of local crafts and Thai souvenirs are also available.

The beach itself is usually accessed through the hotels, as there are no beach roads to disturb the peacefulness of the area. It is very relaxing but noticeably more touristy during the high season. The water is clean, with usual temperatures between 25-28 degrees Celsius.

Parallel to the beach, clustered in the middle of the strip, lies Samui's greatest concentration of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and of course, fast food and convenience stores.

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Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Chaweng Beach remains the most beautiful on the island. Wandering down from your coconut palm-shaded hut to the white-dust sand to the crystal clear water is an unforgettable experience. It's just a shame that today you have such a short window of opportunity to enjoy it - between sunrise and 7am, at the most. After that the deckchairs, vendors, masseurs, jet-skis and other noisy stuff begin their parade and within a few hours, it's a mess. Of course, if you like all that hustle and bustle, you'll love Chaweng.

Chaweng has something for everyone, but the bulk of accommodation is aimed at package tours and mid-range travellers looking to spend around 1,500 to 4,000B a night. A few places are priced at under 500B but they are few and far between, and grotty. It's also easy to spend more than 4,000B.

Be aware that theft is on the rise, especially at the cheaper places. When going out for the day, make sure that all your windows and doors are closed and locked. At night, if your windows are not screened - rare now - keep your bags under your bed as crafty thieves have been known to use hooked poles to drag items out while you sleep. Also beware if you check into a room with an open-air bathroom, which have become the latest rage. Make sure that the bathroom door can be locked - and keep it locked - as it's easy for thieves to jump walls and get in. If at night you wake up while being robbed, stay where you are and do not make eye contact with the thief. Do not struggle, as robberies do turn violent.

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Bophut Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

The area referred as Bophut Beach has two distinct parts - Fisherman's Village which sits towards the eastern end of the bay and Bophut beach which runs from the village out to the west. The former has a rather quaint appeal with a bunch of mid-range to upmarket restaurants, boutiques, cafes and bars, while the Beach is a long, drawn out affair that is host to a row of rather flash resorts with a few budget orientated guesthouses still holding out.

Lined with attractive wooden shopfronts, Bophut's Fisherman's Village has a very pleasant feel to it and remains one of the favourites among Ko Samui's expat community. This popularity is reflected in the prices which can be a little higher than elsewhere on Koh Samui. On the up-side, there's less of the sleaze and company-for-sale that you'll find on most of Koh Samui's other beaches, and the whole bay retains a distinctly family-friendly atmosphere.

There's loads of watersports to indulge in and the beach - gently arcing along the water's edge - is lapped by calm waters most of the year. There's a range of guesthouses and hotels to choose from along with the already mentioned fine choice of eateries and bars - overall making Fisherman's Village a fine choice, though note that while it is known as Fisherman's Village, the only fish you're likely to see here are the ones on your plate.

The beach directly out from the village is not very nice at all and not recommended for swimming, but to the west the beach improves considerably. While there are some budget places hanging on, most of the accommodation further along Bophut is mid-range to up-market fare -- if you're after a budget bungalow, Mae Nam, just around the point to the west is a better option.

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Big Buddha Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Located on the north coast of the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand lies Big Buddha Beach.

Although the official name of the area is Bang Rak, the beach takes its name from the 12 meter tall statue of The Lord Buddha which sits atop a small hill on the island of Koh Farn at the western end of the beach.

The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is home to a large temple and school, restaurants, coffee shops, tattoo parlours, arts & crafts shops and holiday clothing stalls.

This temple is a major attraction to both tourists and pilgrims all over the world. The beach itself stretches approximately 3 Kilometres from The Big Buddha to the rocky point at the eastern end of the beach.

The main road for the beach and village alike runs parallel beside the beach. Big Buddha Beach is the closest beach to the Samui airport which is only a couple of kilometres back off the beach.

Being close but not too close to the abundant nightlife and noise of Chaweng beach, Big Buddha Beach is popular with people who don't want to be too close to the action but not too far either, or those who simply want a quiet vacation on a quiet beach.

The beach is long and the sand is fine, the water not too deep and safe for children, it is great for a day at the beach swimming, sun baking, reading your book, whatever you like to do at the beach for the day.

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Bang Po Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Bang Po Beach is located on the northwest corner of Koh Samui, between Nathon and Maenam. The beach is four kilometers long and faces to the north with views of Koh Phangan.The waters are calm in this area of Koh Samui and the beach is very clean, palm trees line the edge.

There are shallow coral reefs nearby which provide excellent snorkeling and not much development in this area. Very limited accommodation, no tourist shopping or nightlife. The price for land in this area is less than other areas of Koh Samui. The result is many housing developments with houses for sale and rent. The road in this part of Koh Samui is very close to the ocean and quite hilly.

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Bang Kao Beach Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Bang Kao is the first pier on Koh Samui. Although it is a short beach like Baan Thale, it has white powdered sand. Additionally, you can take a fishing boat to Tan and Mudsum Islands.

Ban Kao south is down in the south of the island, which is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Samui, and is a good spot if you’re after the quiet life in visually pleasing surrounding.

Bang Kao are amongst the least developed part of Koh Samui with only a few resorts spread at leisurely intervals along the beach on the island's south west tip. So if you want total peace and quiet...this is it.

The beach is about 2kilometers in length and fairly good for running. The sand is flat down by the water’s edge and soft and fine elsewhere, so it’s fine for rolling around with beach games and merriment at your leisure. You’ll have to stay close to the palms for shelter. It gets so hot in the afternoon. Some people prefer to deck themselves out on the sands after 5pm when it gets little cooler.

It’s an isolated area, so the sands and sea are free. The waters are warm pretty much all year round, and like everywhere on Koh Samui are clear and clean so it’s great for a swim, and unlike anything residents of Europe or the US will have experienced.

At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than relaxing on the beach and enjoying the sunset. The Ban Kao sunset is one of the highlights of the island. The merging of sultry colours and abundance of meteorological marvels are a sight to see every evening.

There are few 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. One of the rare and most curious sights on the Koh Samui is located on Ban Kao. Inside the vaults of Wat Khunaram temple, open to the public for a limited period of time, are the remains of a Mummified monk, miraculously deceased over 30 years ago and yet today, preserved by the powers that be.

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Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Despite its popularity, Koh Samui remains one of the country's more beautiful island destinations.
Popular Resort Areas
Originally settled by Hainanese from China in the mid-19th century, well-developed Koh Samui has a rather different culture to other parts of Thailand. The descendants of those pioneers now live mainly in the villages, as outsiders populate most tourist-oriented resorts. Known as Chao Samui (Samui folk), many of them still do the trade of their forebears - coconut farming. Indeed, the island is covered with palms, and coconut is a common ingredient of many local dishes.

Beaches & Nightlife
Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are Samui's most beautiful and most popular beaches. Both have a huge selection of places to stay, and prices rise from December to July. The nightlife of each is different: Chaweng is better for couples, women and families, while single men predominate amidst the beer bar culture of Lamai. These resorts, as well as Na Thon (Samui's main town), have communications, exchange and car/motorcycle hire facilities.

Temple Visits
Nice temples to visit are Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple) in the north, with its 12-meter Buddha statue, and Wat Laem Saw in the south, with its old and sacred stupa. Monks conduct meditation courses for foreigners at Wat Pang Ba, near Hat Chaweng.

Sports
Buffalo fighting is a famous spectator sport on Samui. Duels between bulls last just a few seconds: the first to run loses, and injuries are rare. Seven bullrings around the island take turn to host competitions. For keen fight fans, human combatants box in regular matches at Muay Thai rings in Chaweng and Na Thon. Divers will find no end of operators around Samui, but most of them are at Hat Chaweng.

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Wok Tum Bay Koh Phangan Island, Island

Although Wok Tum bay is a wide sweeping bay, most of the budget accommodations are clustered behind a breakwater at the southern end of the bay - a positioning choice which may do wonders for keeping the water calm, but isn't overly scenic.

Wok Tum bay is one of the quieter and least-developed areas of Koh Phangan feeling largely untouched by tourism compared to most of the island. The coral reef 300 metres offshore is really too far out to make it a popular snorkelling destination, and the beach, though long and sandy is good for little more than sunbathing and long, secluded strolls. Not a bad choice for these activities, but swimming in this shallow bay is mediocre at best.

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Thong Sala Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

The main town on Koh Phangan, most people will just pass through Thong Sala on the way to one of Koh Phangan's many beaches. It's packed with the standard port town stuff - travel agents, tourist shops, restaurants and bars suitable for an hour or so while you wait for a ferry, banks and exchange facilities, internet cafes and medical clinics.

If you're staying close by or need to kill a few hours while waiting for a boat there are a few things to keep you busy - including a newly opened cinema, a gym where you can get Thai boxing lessons, and a paintball battlefield.

With all of the reasons why you may find yourself in Thong Sala, there are very few (if any) reasons why you would choose to stay in Thong Sala. Accommodation options in the town's centre consist mainly of large impersonal hotels and a couple of laid back guest houses. Even if you have an early ferry departure, the resorts on the closest beaches are a better value than the places in town and are still within reach of the pier and Thong Sala's many services.

The town has everything visitors could possibly need. Several banks, ATMs and money exchange kiosks are located a short walk from the pier, as are a countless array of travel agents, markets, pharmacies, internet cafes and some decent shopping. Most places also offer motorbike and jeep rentals.

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Thong Nai Pan Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai are twin coves that form a scenic double bay and are the most popular beaches in the east and sunrise side of the island. Both beaches are the image of paradise with softly curved white sand bays surrounded by mountains covered in rich tropical rainforest. The surrounding mountains make these beaches fairly inaccessible with a steep and rutted dirt road the only overland option; though road works have commenced to make it a dual lane concrete road, another way to get to there is by boat from Had Rin or Chaloklum.

There is no coral reef on the east coast of the island, and it is possible to swim at both beaches all year round, though Thong Nai Pan Noi is the best as it's the deepest bay. There is little to see in the way of marine life, but there are some decent waves for body surfing. Thong Nai Pan Noi is the most popular of the two beaches with a bohemian vibe and has a small village with some cool bars and restaurants. People get up early for sunrise and long-termers patiently wait to graduate to the coolest of bungalows, beachfront space is premium.

Thong Nai Pan Yai is the longer of the two beaches, the resorts are more spaced out and it has no village, as a result it is quieter than its counterpart. There are numerous trails to walk and waterfalls to visit, and Thong Nai Pan Yai also has a decent set of rocks for experienced climbers. This side of the island is still pretty wild, and the surrounding jungle is haven for many exotic tropical creatures. Giant water monitor lizards, "Takuad" in Thai, can be seen feeding outside the Panviman Resort at sunset and small wildcats have even been spotted deep in the trails.

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Than Sadet Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Thansadet beach is well known for its river and waterfall which meander down the mountain side through the dense jungle. For more than a century many Thai Kings have visited this magical place and carved their names upon the immense rocks that grace this river.

Located in the territory of Phangan island, that is Phangan island forest of national forest reservation, there are waterfall, forest and the animal is quite, then can develop the place of travel in future. The Royal Forest Department has surveyed; Phangan island forest of national forest reservation, Namtok Than Sadet forest, Khao Lat Kaeo forest, Khao Khai forest, Khao Ta Luang forest, Khao Hin Nok forest, Laem Pho-Laem Kata Khwa forest and Khao Fai Mai forest. Nowadays, in the processing has proclaim it to be a national park and using call of the name "Than Sadet - Ko Phangan National Park" , covers a total area of approximately 65.93 sq. km.

The landscape is high mountains, highest peak of the hills is Ra hill of 627 meters higher from the average sea level. The mountain forest is quite consists many island such as Phangan island, Tae Nok island, Tae Nai island, Ma island, Tung Ku islans, Tung Ka island, Wao islands and Hin Bai island, about 30 kilometers to the north form the Phangan island. Generlly the overlapping mountains and the plain stand by the valley and any of the bay area around the island.

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Sri Thanu Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Sri Thanu beach offers a chance to see Koh Phangan as it once was. Being the hub for tin mining before the island turned to tourism there is interesting spots to visit including Laem Son Lake.

There is a also a number of small fishing vessels catching squid from the beach and the are lots of small eateries, food stalls and excellent restaurants in the area.
The village of Baan Sri Thanu is a quiet little town that maintains a more Thai feel than other more developed areas on Koh Phangan but offers a good selection of shops and restaurants and more services than many lower key spots.

Half of the beach here has been developed into a small anchorage for the local fishing fleet, which has had a detrimental effect on the beach and the water quality toward the middle and southern end of the beach. A good deal of noise can be expected as boats come and go, but this is luckily not an all day phenomenon. Despite this, the northern end still has reasonable swimming and sunbathing, and a nearby coral reef is a convenient spot to do some snorkelling. Much of this wide sandy beach is unshaded, so pack plenty of sunblock and a hat.

The northern end of the bay is more popular with a good mix of budget accommodations, some of which are divided by an often nasty river as you get further toward the middle of the beach. At the southern end of the bay there is a small cluster of places, some on the bay shore but mostly up on the headland. This southern area is quieter and more low key, and while the views are quite nice, the beach is not.

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Sarikantang Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Haad Sarikantang (spelling is open for debate), also known as Leela Beach, is a pristine white sandy beach lining the western end of the Haad Rin peninsula. This provides a peaceful alternative to the bustle of Haad Rin centre, with the party scene still being easily accessible just ten or fifteen minutes away by foot.

The lovely white sandy beach is lined by palm groves with high rising rocky headlands on either end for a picturesque tropical atmosphere. The clear turquoise water is fairly shallow, so swimming here isn't great, but splashing or floating around are popular alternatives, and soft corals and some fish can be seen not far from shore towards the western end of the beach.

The resorts here are among the finest in the area, providing comfortable lodgings and good atmospheres for budget to midrange travellers. This is a great place to escape the crowds and constant debauchery of Haad Rin in a beautiful and tranquil setting. With a primarily younger and lively clientele, parties have been known to break out here, but it remains mostly very peaceful.

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Mae Haad Beach Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

Located on the northwest corner of Koh Phangan, this is a very pretty beach with a spit running out to Koh Ma, a small islet that lies just offshore. Though crossing conditions are best at low tide, the crossing can be made through shallow water when the tide comes back in. The sandbar separates the beach into two distinct area, the eastern end is shorter and largely unused by tourists. It gets muddy at low tide and local fishermen claim this area with their crab pots and longtail boats. The beach to the west of the spit is much longer and more beautiful, and this is where everyone flocks to find the best sunbathing spot.

The snorkelling and swimming to the west of the islet are also outstanding. Mae Haad's beach consists mostly of soft white sand that extends out into the sea. The water is quite shallow and there is a good deal of coral just off the beach, so water activities are best done during high tide, but beyond the reef, a dropoff makes for some excellent swimming no matter what the tidal conditions. There is a clear channel however, that grants relatively coral-free access to greater depths toward the centre of the beach marked by a signpost. This is a very popular area attracting a loyal repeat crowd, particularly Europeans.

Occasional loud techno parties pump till dawn here, so head to another beach for the evening if this isn't your cup of tea or invest in earplugs if you want a good night's sleep. However, most of the time, Mae Haad remains a fairly quiet and peaceful stretch of beach. The accommodations here are primarily inexpensive and basic.

If you're after a break from the beach, the Wang Sai waterfall is a short walk away, and has a lovely little pool for swimming, though the water can be cloudy with silt in the rainier seasons, so don't dive right in if you can't see the rocky bottom.

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Hin Kong Bay Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

The northern end of Wok Tum blends into Ao Hin Kong. The north and south end of this beach are named differently because they are sometimes divided by a small canal emptying into the sea.

This stretch of coast, on the beach and across the road, is primarily occupied by locals and long-term renters, but a handful of cheap bungalow setups are widely spaced along the beach providing a good deal of solitude but mostly below-average quality bungalows.

The swimming here, like Wok Tum, is not great, but the views and isolation are quite relaxing.

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