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.