Exploring Islands: from Koh Samui to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan

Koh Nang Yuan is a small cluster of three little islands connected by two white-sand strips and surrounded by gorgeous corals and lots of sea life. There you can snorkel, dive, hike, swim in its pristine waters, and relax while sunbathing or watching the sunset. While it looks like a paradisiac place secluded in the middle of nowhere, the truth is completely the opposite. Koh Nang Yuan is located just a 15 minutes long tail boat ride from Koh Tao.

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.

Koh Tao – meaning ‘Turtle Island’ – lives up to its name, being the scuba diving destination of choice in Thailand. The perfect white-sand beaches which ring the hilly 21 km² island are surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The vibrant coral reefs there are home to a wide range of exciting and colourful sea creatures, including turtles, naturally. The compact island is 55 km to the north of Koh Samui and was only really ‘discovered’ in the early 1980s, but now supports a varied selection of hotels, from budget guesthouses and beach bungalows all the way up to five-star luxury resorts. The choice of restaurants and nightlife establishments has also been constantly growing, to the point that there is now something for almost every taste. So far from civilisation while still being relatively easily reached, it is the idyllic tropical island paradise.