Koh Tan
Koh Madsum's larger neighbour, ringed by the healthiest reef within reach of Samui and home to a handful of families.
Open≈ 20 km
On the mainland coast opposite Samui, where a small resident population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins — pink with age — feeds close to shore.
On the mainland coast opposite Samui, a small resident population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins feeds close to shore. They turn pink with age — the pigment fades and the blood shows through — and Khanom is one of the few places they can be seen from a small boat.
The day involves the car ferry or a speedboat crossing, then a local longtail out at first light. Khanom itself is a quiet stretch of empty beaches and limestone hills, with a couple of caves and waterfalls inland worth the detour.
Early morning, calm sea, and no guarantee: they are wild animals.
They are wild animals: no sighting is guaranteed, and any operator promising one is not telling you the truth. Early morning and calm sea give the best odds.
On the map…
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The closest places on the map, straight-line distance.
Koh Madsum's larger neighbour, ringed by the healthiest reef within reach of Samui and home to a handful of families.
Open≈ 20 km
Twenty minutes off the south coast: a white sandbar, clear shallow water and a small herd of pigs that come down to the beach.
Open≈ 22 km
The far south coast, and the least visited good temple on Samui: a chedi covered in golden-yellow tiles standing on the sand, with the sea behind it.
Open≈ 25 km
Half of these places are easier with a driver who knows which hill road is paved. Tell us which ones you care about and we will build the day around them.