Into The Deep Blue: The Best Snorkeling in Koh Samui
Snorkeling in Koh Samui is about as synonymous as Bodega and pub crawls. The two go hand in hand and you haven’t really experienced one without the other. When it comes to snorkeling in Koh Samui, the island’s most famous beaches aren’t exactly renowned for their exquisite sites. They are incredibly beautiful for swimming, sun bathing and generally living the tropical dream but there isn’t much of a reputation for snorkeling. Instead, you’ll need to explore a little bit further, get off the beaten track and find the more secluded coves and reefs.
Coral Cove
This picturesque cove is defined by the pleasingly large boulders both out and under the water. These create a coral rich environment, and with coral, come myriad species of fish. You’ll be able to see hundreds of fish, darting around in schools as well as additional marine creatures. Thanks to the environmentally conscious Coral Cove Resort and Coral Cove Chalet, the beaches are kept beautifully clean and void of rubbish.
Choeng Mon
Head towards the quieter, North Eastern side of the island and you’ll find the bays of Choeng Mon. Only a short distance from the airport, you’ll be able to enjoy the calm and clear waters. The area has been developed rapidly in the last few years, so it’s not as quiet as it once was, but taking a trip to Koh Fan Yai and Noi (the mini islands just a couple of hundred metres from the shore) allows for excellent snorkeling.
Plus when you’ve had enough of snorkeling Choeng Mon provides great opportunity to rent sea kayaks, go on scuba expeditions and more.
Silver Beach
For a somewhat more exclusive option head to Silver Beach. Nestled between the Lamai and Chaweng, the beach is only accessible through one of the 4 resorts and is bookended by rocky boulders which provide shelter to many fish and coral. There’s not as much to see here, but it’s still a delightful way to spend the day snorkeling.
Taling Ngam
Located around a 20 minute journey south of Nathon Town on the western coast of Koh Samui, Taling Ngam offers a far less developed option for snorkeling in Koh Samui. It’s somewhat more remote and getting to the beach itself requires a bit of navigation skills through the labyrinth of roads and tracks, hiring you own scooter for the day is highly recommended. There are pockets of rocks and coral all along the coast and snorkeling is great right along the stretch.
Transportation in Samui
As we mentioned in the last suggestion, hiring a scooter and exploring multiple sites in one or two days is highly recommended. Scooter hire is cheap and will work out to be more affordable than taking cabs or public transport. Sitting at the low, low price of just 150 baht a day – renting a scooter in Samui is cheaper than almost anywhere else in Thailand!
