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Local Attractions |
The island of Koh Samui and its sister islands off the Gulf of Thailand offer many attractions for the visitor. Local guides will create a custom day itinerary so that you can make the most of your time in the region.
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Na Tian Butterfly Farm For an enchanting experience, visit the Na Tian Butterfly Farm at Laem Set, in southern Samui. Thousands of multicoloured butterflies live in a natural garden protected by a large net cage. In the grounds of the park you can also visit traditional Thai beehives and an insect museum. | | |
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Snake Farm The island boasts a Snake Farm, near Nathon, housing indigenous snakes and a selection of deadly Asian species. The snake shows are particularly entertaining, where the scarier species are enticed into action by professional snake handlers. The farm also hosts Thai Cock Fighting demonsrations daily, almost as much fun but not nearly so frightening. | | |
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Crocodile Farm If snakes aren't enough, then try the Crocodile Farm near Samui airport. Two shows every afternoon provide the visitor with an entertaining and slightly scary insight into the three native freshwater and saltwater crocodiles of the region, along with a number of snakes and lizards. Crocodiles are almost extinct in the Gulf of Thailand in the wild, and this farm cares for the few remaining in captivity. | | |
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Zoo and Aquarium As well as the permanent Samui Zoo and Aquarium, home to a selection of all native species, including tigers and sharks, there is a monkey theatre, where the monkeys, once employed to collect the islands vast coconut harvest, entertain passersby near Bhoput village. | | |
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Waterfalls The rocky nature of Koh Samui lends itself to breathtaking waterfalls. Na Muang is actually two sister falls, the first accessible by road and a short walk up a natural rock staircase, and the second further upstream is accessible only by foot, or on elephant, up rocks and through jungle. The first falls, known simply as Na Muang one, is an 18 metre drop but the elder sister is a staggering 80 metre drop, cascading over ledges into a deep pool. If you hike a little further still to the top of the mountain there's a crystal clear lagoon to dip into and cool off after your uphill walk, creating a natural horizon pool it offers an unspoilt vista of the whole island.
The other waterfall on the island, Hin Lad, is a two mile trek from Nathon. Though not particularly exciting in the hot dry months of February to April, in the wet season this is a very pretty fall, with a pool popular for swimming. | | |
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Secret Buddha Garden The ancient Buddhist religion is well represented on the island, with numerous intriguing sites worthy of interest. This is one such site. The Secret Buddha Garden is hidden, nestled amid dense tropical vegetation high up in the hills of Koh Samui. Built by a fruit farmer, native of the island, it is replete with statues, temples and waterfalls, all dedicated to the Buddha.
Also known as the Magic Garden, it is barely accessible by motor vehicle. Even an experienced off-road driver would find it challenging to say the least. The best approach is to join a jungle safari and trek up the hills to the location on elephant back. | | |
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