What can be more tranquilizing than the infinite blues of the ocean and the melodic sound of the crashing waves? The top of the ocean might look serene and peaceful but one cannot comprehend to imagine the diversity and chaos of millions of colorful and unique living species beneath the seemingly calm oceanic surface.
And the only way to explore the amazing oceanic life is by diving right in!
There are many water sports activities which help us with the above purpose. But the most famous one among them is Snorkeling. And Koh Samui is one beach destination that is highly favored for Snorkeling along with other water activities.
With about more than 30 beaches, Koh Samui has some of the most spectacular Snorkeling beaches in the whole world along with beautiful coral reefs adding more glamour to it.
Click here to know the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving.
PS: If you have your own snorkeling apparatus, you can just dive in. But if you don’t have and need to rent it, there are places on the shore that will rent it out to you for around 150 THB (per person per hour) with approximately 600 THB as a deposit.
Here are the 5 most famous spots for snorkeling in Koh Samui.
1. Coral Cove:
This calm and secluded beach is nothing but a wonder below its surface. The surface may just be a soothing blue till the horizon, but when we look beyond that surface, it’s just an explosion of colorful corals and schools of fishes. Hence the name The Coral Cove.
Located close to the infamous Chaweng Beach, this small beach of 500 meters is a very popular Koh Samui Snorkeling spot that provides some unforgettable snorkeling experiences. This beach is sprayed with boulders of all shapes and sizes giving it a rustic look as well.
There are many shacks on the shore from where you can rent snorkels and other equipment. They might cost anything from 150 INR to 1,000 INR depending on what all your rent.
Location: Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
How to reach: The distance from the Koh Samui Airport to the beach is just about 8.5km. The cheapest way is to take the Chaweng Noi Beach bus from the Airport which will take about an hour and will cost you about 300 INR or take a taxi which will cost you about 1,000 INR but you will reach within 30 min.
2. Silver Beach:
Another gem of a beach that is known for snorkeling in Koh Samui is The Silver Beach. Locally known as the Thong Ta Kian or Crystal Bay, it lies between Chaweng and Lamai beaches. A small beach bordered by granite rocks and swaying palm trees is an exceptional place for some romance as well.
The list of Koh Samui’s Snorkeling Spots is incomplete without this beach on it. The varieties of corals and the species of aquatic animals you get to see below the surface of the water are mindblowing. The white sand and bumping waves hide a lot more than that meets the eye.
Location: Maret, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
How to reach: Just 10km from the Koh Samui Airport, you can take a bus, which will cost you about 300 INR but will take a minimum of 50min, or take a cab which will cost you about 1,300 INR but you will be able to reach in 20 minutes
3. Ao Phang Ka:
One of the less crowded beaches of Koh Samui, Ao Phang Ka is one of those beauties which is hard to miss. Located at the southern tip of Taling Ngam Beach, one can compare this place to a treasure trove of amazing natural spots.
As it is present within the jungle limits, you will be able to find some exciting hidden gems here. This factor also contributes to making the snorkeling experience even more thrilling with its extensive range of Flora and Fauna.
To reach this best snorkeling spot of Koh Samui one must go through the jungle towards the southern tip of this beach.
Location: Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
How to reach: Koh Samui airport is 27km from Ao Phang Ka Beach and it takes about an hour and a half long travel by bus which will cost you approximately 1,000 INR or another option is to hire a cab which will cost you 2,700 INR and will take about 40 minutes to reach
4. Choeng Mon Beach:
A spectacular beach that is lined with smaller bays proves to be one among the best snorkeling spots in Koh Samui. In addition, these bays also have two beautiful islets – Koh Fan Yai and Noi which are known to provide some of the rarest sights during a snorkeling expedition.
Best suited for a relaxed holiday, Choeng Mon Beach also offers many other water sports activities such as scuba diving and kayaking. The best points for snorkeling here are at the end of the beach and near the islets.
Location: Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
How to reach: 5 km away from Koh Samui Airport, you have to go by cab, which will cost you about 600 INR and you will reach in just 10 minutes.
5. Taling Ngam:
Out of the dozens of beaches Koh Samui has, Taling Ngam is an unbeaten patch of heaven that is less travelled by tourists. Hence the crowd is less and the beach is very clean and so is the water. One can snorkel along the whole coastal line as there are many rock formations and coral reefs starting right from the borderline.
This is the only place that is said to have the old rustic charm of Koh Samui which was there before the tourism boom and the subsequent developments which had to take place to accommodate the surge in tourism.
As much as the landscape is mesmerizing outside the ocean, it is even more so beneath the surface. One should never miss this Koh Samui Snorkeling spot, especially if you are an adventure enthusiast.
Location: Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
How to reach: Being 27km from Koh Samui airport, you can choose to go economical by choosing a bus which will take you about 1,000 INR or Taxi which will cost you 2,700 INR. The bus will take 1hr and 20 minutes to reach whereas taxi will take about 45 minutes to reach.
Final Thoughts:
Just leave behind all your stress and tension and dive into a new and mesmerizing world of marine life. It’s one of the most beautiful experiences one should try at least one in his or her lifetime!
Happy Diving!