Koh Samui activities and sports
There’s much more than beaches to keep you busy and interested on Koh Samui. An assortment of water and other sports are on offer around Samui island, as well as animal shows, boat trips and jungle tours. With even the slightest sense of adventure you will find something active and challenging to fill your free time.
Apart from Diving and snorkelling in the waters around Samui, there are also several other water sports available for those who like to get wet. Swimming is an obvious choice, whether in the warm seas or up and down one of the many hotel pools. Jet skis can also be rented off Chaweng and Lamai beach, and there are speedboats available for charter at Petcharat marina (0 7742 5262) on Big Buddha beach, this company also offers snorkelling trips to the offshore islands of the national marine park. Further down the same beach at Shambala Beach Bungalow resort, Hammerhead Marine (0 9009 6961) offer thrill rides in super fast ‘Thundercats’ and also rent out motor boats and sailing craft to cruise around the island. One Hundred Degrees East Land and Sea Adventures (0 7724 5936) can also help you learn kite surfing, get your PADI diving certificate, ride through the forest canopy or go fishing with various companies based on the island.
If you prefer your adventures on dry land, there are several other options for on Koh Samui including Quad bikes through the jungle, a professional shooting range where you can actually fire off rounds from an AK 47, a bungy catapult set up on a huge crane near the famous Reggae Pub, and go-cart tracks in Chaweng and Mae Nam. All the above facilities are well managed to international standards, but make sure you remember to check safety procedures and equipment just as you would do in your own country.
Samui’s mountainous hinterland provides excellent hiking and biking opportunities, and there are now some companies offering guided trips to the island’s relatively untamed interior. Red Bicycle (0 7723 2136) offers half and full day trips on state of the art Cannondale and Santa Cruz bikes. The owners are a friendly San Francisco couple who enjoy plenty of repeat visitors. It’s also possible to head inland by yourself in a four-wheel drive jeep or on an off road motorbike, just look for one of the small inland roads from Lamai and Mae Nam. These are good starting points for these trips, but make sure you are dressed and equipped for the wild side. Carry enough water because you might not meet anyone for several hours, especially on foot.
Koh Samui is becoming a popular choice for families and one reason for this are the wildlife shows. You can see monkeys collecting coconuts, ride an elephant to a waterfall, wrap a snake around your shoulders, stare down the jaws of a crocodile, watch buffalo ploughing the fields or spot different types of butterfly in a tropical garden. These shows are not for everyone, but the animals are generally kept in good condition and the handlers appear to show concern for their wellbeing. A particular treat is a trip to meet the sea lions at the search and rescue centre in the south where they are training the animals for use in the seas around Samui. If you see animals being mistreated please report it immediately to a reputable wildlife charity such as WWF Thailand .
Sport and Fitness
The number of sporting options is continuously growing on Koh Samui thanks to the ever-improving facilities and services. Several of the larger hotels such as the Imperial Samui provide tennis courts, which can usually be hired by visitors and there are also beach volleyball nets on most beaches. There is a driving range next to the Bandon International hospital and a four-hole golf course in the grounds of the Fairhouse Beach resort in Chaweng. The Santiburi Country club is an impressive international standard eighteen-hole golf course in the foothills behind Mae Nam Beach, and attracts lovers of the sport from all over the world. For a different take on the game you can also play Frisbee Golf in Bophut and Football Golf in Choeng Mon, or visit one of two mini-golf courses.
Many of the top hotels have a gym with the latest training equipment and regular exercise and aerobics classes. Some of these, like the one at the Central Samui beach resort are also open to outside customers for a fee. There are also several public gyms with circuits and weights such as the World Gym on the main island road in Chaweng and a similar set up at the Lamai Gym. There is also a fully equipped fitness centre and gym right in the centre of Chaweng, overlooking the main shopping strip opposite the Captain Kirk restaurant. This gym has running and step machines, weights and all the usual accessories.
Football is also a national passion, and many local companies have teams who love to have foreigners join in their friendly games. These often take place on public pitches in the early evening when it’s cooler. Badminton and snooker are also options, and the 99 Sport Club in Bang Rak is a good choice for both. For those who like to combine sport and a drink, Living Bowl is a multi lane ten pin bowling alley in Chaweng above MacDonald’s, and while also in Chaweng, you’ll discover that Tropical Murphy’s Irish Pub and The Islander both have regular pool and darts competitions.
