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Natural Wonders | Places
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Thai
Samui's natural environment is its biggest attraction. The lushness of the greenery, the blue of the sea, the fantastic beaches, the hidden waterfalls and elegant geography have been attracting both new and repeat visitors for years. Travellers, from temperate countries especially, can hardly fail to be impressed by the sheer diversity of Samui's natural wonders. Explore to your heart's content, but please respect the island environment. Don't spoil the experience for others by picking wild plants or leaving rubbish behind. Na Muang 1 Waterfall
Na Muang 2 Waterfall
Wang Saotong Waterfall
Hin-Ta and Hin-Yai
Hin Lad Waterfall Cool down after an enjoyable 2km walk along a jungle path by taking a dip in a beautiful swimming pool under this waterfall. Tough shoes and leg protection are recommended for the walk, but the swim makes it well worth it. Packing a picnic will allow you to spend a couple of hours here and really enjoy the solitude. At the foot of the falls is Hin Lad monastery, which is worth seeing as well. The tranquil feel of the grounds and the Buddhist maxims lining the path should encourage those in need of enlightenment. The falls are on the eastern end of route 4172, 2km south of Nathon. |
The other islands within Samui's gravitational pull also offer many natural wonders. Koh Taen, off the southern shore, has excellent hiking trails for an easy stroll or a serious all-day trek through the jungle. The island is largely uninhabited but has several nature study points maintained by the Koh Taen Conservation Club. Legend has it that dogs cannot survive a night on the island. This is probably due to the high frequency calls emitted by the thousands of bats that call Koh Taen home and can be seen clouding the sky (and heading for Samui) at dusk. You can arrange longtail boat transport to Koh Taen from Thong Krut Bay on Samui's southern shore. Ang Thong National Marine Park is a compact archipelago of mostly uninhabited islands west of Samui that provided the setting for Alex Garland's The Beach. There is good snorkelling, diving, hiking and even camping on some of the islands. Many people regard sea kayaking as the best way to explore the area. You can arrange to have a speedboat take you to the park or book a tour with one of the many operators that offer regular services. Koh Nangyuan is a spectacular little place. Three small islets are connected by an incredible beach. There are no roads and no motors on this island, so it is very quiet. But there are bungalows and dive tour operators so you can take a couple of days to check out the island's sea life. Since there is almost no infrastructure, bungalow owners request that you do not bring plastic bottles or other items to the island that will be difficult to dispose of. |
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Important: Wherever you wander, please dispose of your litter carefully and do everyone a favour by picking up rubbish others may have left before you.
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