There are several free natural attractions located on or near the main ring road. These are included in most guided tour itineraries. You are likely to stop at most or all of them if you take one of the Island Tours offered by several companies. Or you may prefer to map out your own route, and follow it on rented scooters or in a jeep.

Public Attractions
It's easy to let the sun and sea lull you into the feeling that you never want to budge from the beach. But Samui is an island of great natural beauty and variety. Even those who don't get excited about sightseeing will find that the journeys to these popular attractions will provide their own delights.

The Big Buddha
The Big Buddha statue is one of Samui's most popular attractions. Known in Thai as Wat "Phra Yai", it is located on the Northeast part of the island on route 4171 close to the international airport.

Sitting 15 meters high, the statue was constructed in 1972 by locals to give visitors a place to pay respect to The Lord Buddha.
Within the temple grounds you can find a number of shops selling souvenirs, T-shirts, protective amulets and refreshments.

Hin Ta - Hin Yai
These rock formations are known as the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks. The site is a popular attraction for locals and tourist alike for their close resemblance to male and female genitals.

Their formation and shape has been personified by a local tale describing their existence on the island. The story goes that old couple whose ship was wrecked in the bay sank and their body's were washed ashore to create these remarkable rock formations.

:: Wat Talling Ngam	:: Wat Kunaram

The secret Buddha garden is hidden in the hills of Samui. You can see several statues, temples and waterfalls which were built by one man in the last 20 years.

The only access road to the temple is on a military road and getting there can be difficult if the access road is closed.  The only other way to get to the site is by four-wheel-drive where you traverse through jungle, rivers and mountains. Beginning in Lamai at the back of the main temple, the journey takes around 2 hours. If you are intent on exploring the temple, make sure you are experienced in cross country and off road driving otherwise carry a mobile phone if you get stuck.

Another and perhaps less stressful way of getting to the site, is by joining one of the many jungle tours offered by travel agencies and resorts.


Hin Lad Falls
"Hin Lad" Falls are located 2 km south of Nathon Town on the eastern side on route 4172. From the main road it is about 2-3 kilometers walk down a jungle path to get to the falls.

Its recommended that you have tough shoes and leg protection for the walk. The falls are situated in a lush tropical rainforest setting. There are several cascades which tumbling down into a large pool below. At the bottom the water is cold and indeed very refreshing. If you feel adventurous enough carry along your swimming togs and cool off after a balmy trek.

Namuang Falls
Situated off the islands main circular road are the "Na Muang" Falls, which are located 10 km south from Nathon. The falls are accessible from the village of Ban Thurian on an unsealed portion of road.

There are 2 waterfalls - Na Muang which is 18 meters high and can be reached by vehicle; and Na Muang two, which is about 80 meters high and can only be reached by a 5 minute walk. The waterfalls are the most scenic on the island, and are at their best during the raining season.

Butterfly Garden
Perched on a hillside on the south eastern corner of the Island, is "Na Tian" Butterfly Garden.

Here you can see some of the most spectacular butter fly species on earth.

There are also other interesting features in the garden including a bee house which allows the visitor to observe the activities of bees and an insect museum, where colorful and weird shaped insects from Thailand and other countries are on display.


Snake Farm
A definite must see for all those visiting the island. Follow the road signs for show times commencing at 11.00 and 14.00 everyday in "Talingngam" south of Nathon.

Shows feature snakes indigenous to Samui as well as some of the more poisonous scary species found throughout Asia. Included are displays of Centipedes and Scorpion and of course the famous Thai Cock Fighting show.

The programs are both informative and entertaining in typical Thai fashion - Great for the entire family! Just follow the signs to get there, as displayed throughout the island.

Naga Pearl Farm
Discover how pearls are cultured. A 30 minute boat ride from "Ban Thong Krut" landing will bring you to Koh Matsum and the Naga Pearl Farm.

After you learn about pearl culture, you will enjoy eating Thai food and spend the afternoon on the white sandy beach. Don't miss the Naga Pearl Shop, located at 81/1 Ban Thong Krut, where all varieties of pearl and pearl products are offered. Pearl shells and special handicrafts are very nice souvenirs to bring back home.

Samui Activities

Diving
Diving around Samui and the near island such as Koh Tao, Koh NangYuan, Koh Pa-ngan and Koh AunThong Nation Marine Park could be memorized as one of the world diving paradise.
These group of islands is rich of an exotic natural beautiful, vary wide in charactoer, from deep water pinnacles to shallow coral gardens, to rocky points complete with swim-throughs such as you find in the Similan Islands. The island like Koh Pha Ngan is perfect for both beginningand trained divers and you would get an unforgettable night dive in a miracle underwater world here. The best time for diving being from February to Mid-June and from September to November. >>More...


Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is the latest water sport to arrive at Koh Samui, after years of popularityin the bays near Phuket. Beach rentals, professional instruction, day excursions and coastal trips, and overnight excursions to Angthong National Marine Park, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Tao are available.


Monkey Theatre
Located on the mainroad behind Bophut is the Monkey Theatre, another famous destination for the whole family. It offers showsin which monkeys display their dexterity and not just at picking coconuts. Entertainment also includes performing elephants. Monkeys played an important role in the economy of Koh Samui. For centuries the people here have used them to do the hardest part of the work by climbing the trees to pick ripe nuts on their coconut plantations. Until the advent of tourism, oconuts represented the main industry on Koh Samui, so a well-trained monkey was greatly prized.


Buffalo Fighting
Unlike bull fighting in Spain, but it usually more aggressive buffalo, the greater the crowd's delight. The fight ends w hen one animal turns and runs. Buffaloes rarely suffer real injuries, so Buffalo Fighting is not really a blood sport. This sport, specific to southern Thailand, generates a great deal of excitement among the population; the fights draw thousands of spectators, and gambling (although strictly illegal), is widespread with hundreds of thousands of baht openly changing hands. For weeks or even months before a fight, the contestants are beefed up with extra food rations and pampered with constant showers and talcum-powder; they are decorated with jazzy ribbons and gold leaf on their horns.

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