Koh Nang Yuan
Three islets joined by a sandbar off Koh Tao, with a short climb to the viewpoint that everyone has seen a photograph of.
Open≈ 3.8 km
Two hours north by catamaran, and the best snorkelling and diving water in the Gulf. Shark Bay, Mango Bay and a village that lives entirely off diving.
Two hours north of Samui by catamaran, Koh Tao has the clearest water and the healthiest coral within reach of the island — and it certifies more divers a year than almost anywhere on earth. As a day trip it is long, and it is worth it.
A day gives you two or three snorkelling or diving stops — Shark Bay, Mango Bay, the coral around Japanese Gardens — and time in the village. If you have never dived, this is where a first, supervised dive makes sense; if you never will, the snorkelling here beats anything off Samui.
Boats run Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. It is a long day — worth it.
It is a five-hour round trip on the water. If you are prone to seasickness, take something before boarding rather than on the way.
On the map…
Open the full island map · Driving directions · Google Maps · © OpenStreetMap
The closest places on the map, straight-line distance.
Three islets joined by a sandbar off Koh Tao, with a short climb to the viewpoint that everyone has seen a photograph of.
Open≈ 3.8 km
Thirty minutes north by boat: Haad Rin and the Full Moon Party at one end, and a wild, near-empty east coast at the other.
Open≈ 45 km
The north-west coast: shallow, glassy water and a row of seafood shacks built out over it. Very few hotels, very little noise.
Open≈ 58 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.