Bophut
One of our favourite parts of Koh Samui to explore. Hiring a car made it easy to spend time here and discover more of the island.
THE EXPERIENCE
Three islands,
one escape.
We managed to cover three islands on this trip — Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao — and each had its own personality.
We based ourselves in the north of Koh Samui, which made it easy to get over to Koh Phangan by boat. We hired a car and loved exploring Samui, including Bophut and the rest of the island.
From there, Koh Phangan gave us something completely different: boats, secret beaches and some of the best sunsets of the trip.
FROM OUR CAMERA
Three islands, three different rhythms.
KOH SAMUI
The easiest island to explore.
We stayed in the north of Koh Samui, which worked particularly well because it gave us easy access to Koh Phangan by boat while still giving us plenty of island to explore.
Hiring a car meant we could head off whenever we wanted and discover different parts of Samui at our own pace.
AROUND THE ISLAND
Bophut, Chaweng & the road in between.
We loved exploring Bophut and other parts of the island by car. It was nice having the freedom to stop whenever something caught our eye.
SAMUI NIGHTS
A few funny evenings in Chaweng.
Chaweng gave us a very different side of Samui. We had some funny evenings there, which became part of the personality of the trip rather than something we had planned.
KOH PHANGAN
Find the beaches by boat.
Koh Phangan was where the adventure really started. We explored by boat so that we could reach some of the island's more secret beaches and get away from the better-known parts of the coastline.
SUNSET
Amsterdam Bar.
Amsterdam Bar may have been the best sunset bar we've ever been to. The music was amazing, the atmosphere was relaxed and the view as the sun went down was unforgettable.
KOH TAO
Slow things down.
We travelled on to Koh Tao and found a completely different rhythm. The island felt laid-back and easy, with time for beach days, massages and good food.
We also climbed the hill for an incredible view back across the islands. It was the perfect way to finish the journey.
KOH SAMUI
Stay in the north
Staying in the north gave us an easy base for exploring Samui by car and made the boat over to Koh Phangan straightforward.
KOH PHANGAN
Explore by boat
A boat is the way to reach some of the quieter beaches and discover the coastline away from the main crowds.
KOH TAO
Slow island days
Koh Tao felt wonderfully laid-back. Give yourself time to relax, eat well and climb up for the views.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
The places & experiences we loved.
The Cliff
We had a lovely long lunch here with friends — exactly the sort of slow, social afternoon that makes island life so enjoyable.
Chaweng
We had some funny evenings in Chaweng and enjoyed seeing a more energetic side of Koh Samui.
Secret beaches
Take a boat around Koh Phangan and search out the quieter beaches. The effort is worth it when you find somewhere that feels almost completely removed from the rest of the island.
Amsterdam Bar
Possibly the best sunset bar we've ever experienced. Amazing music, a great atmosphere and one of those views you don't forget.
Koh Tao
Come here to slow down. We loved the laid-back atmosphere and climbing the hill for the fantastic views across the islands.
OUR EDIT
Don't just stay on one island.
What made this trip work so well was moving between the islands. Koh Samui gave us the freedom to explore by car, Koh Phangan gave us the adventure of reaching hidden beaches by boat, and Koh Tao slowed everything down again.
On Samui we loved exploring Bophut and other parts of the island, while Chaweng provided some of the more entertaining evenings. A long lunch with friends at The Cliff was another highlight.
Koh Phangan was all about getting on the water and finding beaches that felt far away from the main island. Then Amsterdam Bar delivered one of the great sunsets of the trip, with amazing music and a view that was difficult to leave.
Finally, Koh Tao brought the pace right down. We enjoyed relaxing by the beach, eating well and climbing the hill for a superb view across the islands.
MORE FROM OUR CAMERA
More from the islands.
OUR MAP
The Gulf Islands.
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao — three islands, hidden beaches, great food, memorable sunsets and some unforgettable moments along the way.
THE EXPERIENCE
Three islands,
one escape.
We managed to cover three islands on this trip — Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao — and each had its own personality.
We based ourselves in the north of Koh Samui, which made it easy to get over to Koh Phangan by boat. We hired a car and loved exploring Samui, including Bophut and the rest of the island.
From there, Koh Phangan gave us something completely different: boats, secret beaches and some of the best sunsets of the trip.
FROM OUR CAMERA
Three islands, three different rhythms.
KOH SAMUI
Stay in the north
Staying in the north gave us an easy base for exploring Samui by car and made the boat over to Koh Phangan straightforward.
KOH PHANGAN
Explore by boat
A boat is the way to reach some of the quieter beaches and discover the coastline away from the main crowds.
KOH TAO
Slow island days
Koh Tao felt wonderfully laid-back. Give yourself time to relax, eat well and climb up for the views.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
The places & experiences we loved.
01
Bophut
One of our favourite parts of Koh Samui to explore. Hiring a car made it easy to spend time here and discover more of the island.
02
The Cliff
We had a lovely long lunch here with friends — exactly the sort of slow, social afternoon that makes island life so enjoyable.
03
Chaweng
We had some funny evenings in Chaweng and enjoyed seeing a more energetic side of Koh Samui.
04
Secret beaches
Take a boat around Koh Phangan and search out the quieter beaches. The effort is worth it when you find somewhere that feels almost completely removed from the rest of the island.
05
Amsterdam Bar
Possibly the best sunset bar we've ever experienced. Amazing music, a great atmosphere and one of those views you don't forget.
06
Koh Tao
Come here to slow down. We loved the laid-back atmosphere and climbing the hill for the fantastic views across the islands.
OUR EDIT
Don't just stay on one island.
What made this trip work so well was moving between the islands. Koh Samui gave us the freedom to explore by car, Koh Phangan gave us the adventure of reaching hidden beaches by boat, and Koh Tao slowed everything down again.
On Samui we loved exploring Bophut and other parts of the island, while Chaweng provided some of the more entertaining evenings. A long lunch with friends at The Cliff was another highlight.
Koh Phangan was all about getting on the water and finding beaches that felt far away from the main island. Then Amsterdam Bar delivered one of the great sunsets of the trip, with amazing music and a view that was difficult to leave.
Finally, Koh Tao brought the pace right down. We enjoyed relaxing by the beach, eating well and climbing the hill for a superb view across the islands.
MORE FROM OUR CAMERA
More from the islands.
OUR MAP
The Gulf Islands.
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao — three islands, hidden beaches, great food, memorable sunsets and some unforgettable moments along the way.