Boat Day Cruise around Koh Samui and Islands

Hin Ta and Hin Yai are the highlights of some fascinating rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Beach on Koh Samui. They've been a source of giggles and wonder on the island since they were discovered by the locals many years ago. Set on the rocky coastline between Lamai and Hua Thanon, Hin Ta and Hin Yai raise indulgent chuckles or embarrassed titters from those who go to see them. This unusual and titillating sight has, naturally, given rise to a legend explaining how the rocks came into being.

Koh Madsum, also spelled Koh Matsum, is a small island in the Samui Archipelago. Koh Madsum and the larger neighboring island Koh Taen are located just a few-minutes boat ride from the south coast of Koh Samui. Koh Madsum and Koh Taen belong like Koh Phangan or Koh Tao to the Samui Archipelago (Mu Koh Samui), which consists of about 69 islands. On the contrary to the Ang Thong National Marine Park, which is almost advertised everywhere, there are not many visitors on Koh Madsum.

Ko Samui (or Koh Samui, also often locally shortened to Samui) is an island off the east coast of Thailand. Geographically in the Chumphon Archipelago, it is part of Surat Thani Province, though as of 2012, Ko Samui was granted municipal status and thus is now locally self-governing. Ko Samui is Thailand's second largest island after Phuket.

Ko Taen (or Koh Tan) is an island, approximately 15 kilometers off the mainland and 5 kilometers south of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. It is part of the Samui archipelago (Mu Koh Samu), which includes about 60 other islands. Just northwest of Koh Tan is the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park. The island is accessible only by boat. The island has several beaches suitable for snorkeling. The island is surrounded by coral reefs, which survived and partly recovered from the widespread dynamite fishing in the region until the 1980s. Many small bungalows have been built on Koh Tan, especially since in the late 1990s, of which some can still be rented by small groups, but many of these businesses have given up. There are paths that are interesting for mountain bikers. Koh Tan features a large mangrove forest on the southwest coast with abundant wildlife. Monitor lizards can be seen during a walk through Koh Tan quite often. There is still a small temple in Koh Tan with a freshwater spring right on the beach.

Pristine jungle shrouded beaches and stunning views of Anthong Marine National Park combine to make Taling Ngam one of the most picturesque parts on the island. The sunsets at Taling Ngam Beach are the best way to end a day on the island. Five kilometers of narrow beach, wuth rocks and stones, stretches from the promontory separating Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi to the shallow Pang Ka beach. Several expensive hotels and restaurants are built along the coast, overlooking the five islands, which are called the "Five Sisters" here, and the silhouette of mainland Thailand in the background. When locals are asked where in Koh Samui you can visit a real island with its atmosphere of isolation, they answer "Taling Ngam"

Big Buddha Temple sits on a small rocky island off Koh Samui’s northeastern corner. Known locally as Wat Phra Yai, its golden, 12-metre-tall seated Buddha statue was built in 1972 and remains one of the island’s most popular attractions. Set on Koh Faan, Big Buddha temple is reached by a causeway that connects it to the main island. The Big Buddha can be seen at a distance of several kilometres and is often the first landmark people see when arriving in Samui by air. The Big Buddha sits in the Mara posture, with the left hand’s palm up resting on the lap and the right hand facing down, the fingers hanging over the knee and grazing the ground. It depicts a time during Buddha’s journey to enlightenment where he successfully subdued the temptations and dangers thrust at him by the devil-figure Mara by meditating and remaining calm. The pose is a symbol of steadfastness, purity and enlightenment.