5 Unique Experiences You’ll Get By Traveling To Koh Samui

Experienced travelers sometimes come face to face with what you might call the “traveler” doldrums. After years of travel destinations and endless hotels, your memory starts to blur a bit and one hotel and travel destination starts to run into another. Historic buildings? Check. Fine hotels? Check. Tours? Check.

Been there, done that.

Doldrums, indeed. It’s time to travel someplace where what you see and do stands out in your mind, no matter how much time passes. It’s time to find truly unique experiences that you can’t have anywhere else.

That’s exactly why a trip to Koh Samui, Thailand is in order, and for things to do in Koh Samui in particular, read on here.

1. SERIOUS WATER ADVENTURE

Koh Samui is an island, making it perfect for the adventurous sort who love to get more than their feet wet. There is more to do than mere swimming (though beautiful beaches make that memorable, too). Koh Samui is a hotbed of water sport activity.

Want to windsurf with world champions, and learn how to get good at this popular sport? Koh Samui is a popular windsurfing location, and you might find yourself out on a board, catching the wind and skimming over the ocean blue in no time. Koh Samui is known for fairly predictable (and ideal) wind conditions, which is why this sport has taken off in recent years. Throw in the warm water and the fact that you don’t need a wet suit, and it all makes sense.

Kite boarding is also growing in popularity, but if you’re not interested in hitting the waves on a board, you can revert to more traditional water activities. Thailand is fast becoming one of the premier destinations for snorkeling, scuba diving, and underwater adventure. If that’s your cup of tea, Koh Samui makes it possible. You can also hit the water in a kayak, sailboat, or catamaran.

Whatever water activity you choose, you’re going to be doing it in some of the most warmest and most beautiful blue, turquoise, and emerald green water in the world.

2. THAI BOXING

Thai boxing (Muay Thai) is perfect for fight fans who want something different than commercialized wrestling or traditional boxing. It is the national sport of Thailand, and is taken very seriously. Muay Thai is regarded as one of the most dangerous martial arts in the world, but don’t let that scare you away. It is exciting, fast-paced, and graceful to watch. Take in a Thai boxing match, even if only for the beautiful traditional Thai music, the live commentators, and pre-fight rituals.

A full evening at a Koh Samui stadium can last three hours, with up to ten small bouts before the main fight. Usually fights are held twice a week (Monday and Friday nights), and start at 9 pm, though during peak season you will also see a Sunday night fight offered.

Looking to fill a late night in Thailand? Take in a Muay Thai fight. Looking to take it even more seriously? You can actually take Muay Thai lessons from many excellent trainers on Koh Samui. Learn the basics, learn some new fitness moves, or improve your martial arts from some of the best fighters in the world.

3. FLYING WITHOUT AIRPLANES

No, we didn’t make that up. You can actually fly over the jungle of Koh Samui without an airplane. You’ll be attached to a zipline, of course, but the feeling of flying is still the same.

What’s it like?

Depending upon the zipline you choose, you’ll hike to the top of the zipline, attach your safety harness, and soar over the tree tops from one perch to the next, catching glimpses of the sparkling ocean and coast below.

Sure, the climb up might be sweaty and hot, but the rushing air as you zip along will cool you down. Plus, some zipline operators end at a waterfall complete with a swimming hole, perfect for a dip to help cool you off.

Sometimes you want a bird’s eye view of things, and a zipline over the unspoiled parts of jungle at the heart of Koh Samui is the perfect prescription for just that.

Sail boat
Conquer the water by boat.

4. SPA, SPA, SPA

Thailand is known far and wide for amazing spas, and Koh Samui is up there with the best of them. Each culture and country approach spa treatments with their own unique take on how to best treat the human body. In Thailand, it’s all about extreme soothing and pampering.

Massages and treatments of all types, using natural oils and plants like coconut, aloe vera, green tea, and spring water. Delectable fruit drinks to help purify your system, steam and hot rocks, body scrubs and wraps, facials, foot treatments, traditional Thai massage and energy treatments–you’ve never been so relaxed.

With reasonable pricing and excellent service, no visit to Koh Samui would be complete without at least one spa treatment. But be warned: you’ll be ruined for life and your own spa back home will just never seem as good.

5. MYSTICAL BUDDHISM

Koh Samui reflects the rich Buddhist heritage of the rest of Thailand with several unique sights you must see. It has Buddhist temples, but is also famous for its Secret Buddha Garden. High atop Pom Mountain, this garden seems to shed the heat and noise from far below, becoming a cool and silent place of peace and reflection. Statuary and waterfalls help make this a place of calm that you won’t want to leave.

The Big Buddha is a giant statue that you can’t miss as you arrive by air to Koh Samui, it being so large that it will be the first thing you see. This temple sits on a small rocky island off the northeast corner of Koh Samui. Photos and a visit are almost a must.

Whatever you choose to do when you arrive in Koh Samui, you’ll be confronted with an endless array of activities that are like no other. You won’t soon forget them.

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