Activities in Surat Thani Province
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Lotus Diving
This dive centre has top-notch instructors, and owns not one, but two beautiful boats (that's two more vessels than most of the other operations on Ko Pha-Ngan). Trips can be booked at their office in Chalok Lam, or at the Backpackers Information Centre. Recommended.
reviewed
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Big Blue Diving
If Goldilocks were picking a dive school, she'd probably pick Big Blue – this midsize operation (not too big, not too small) gets props for fostering a sociable vibe while maintaining a high standard of service. Divers of every ilk can score dirt-cheap accommodation at their resort.
reviewed
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New Way Diving
This tiny school has built its reputation on offering small diving groups in a professional atmosphere. Their early-morning scuba excursions depart before the larger schools, which means less traffic in the water. It’s not too uncommon to go out for a postdive dinner with the entire school. The manager (a native Ko Tao-ist) can organise discounted accommodation nearby, and the free internet access on the dive shop’s ancient computer is an extra bonus.
reviewed
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Canopy Adventures
Be your own Tarzan on this zip-line course through the jungle. The 500m-long cable course is suspended 30m to 50m high between eight platforms. From your canopy eyrie, you can spy through the tree tops to the ocean.
reviewed
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Koh Samui Full-Day Fishing Tour
7 hours (Departs Koh Samui, Thailand)
by Viator
Try to catch a Snapper or Barracuda on this full-day fishing excursion from Koh Samui.
You'll be picked up from your Koh Samui hotel and board the fishing vesse…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$64.29 -
Scuba Junction
A groovy new storefront and a team of outgoing instructors lure travellers looking for a more intimate dive experience. Scuba Junction guarantees a maximum of four people per diving group.
reviewed
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Royal Thai Massage
In the heart of Mae Hat, Royal Thai Massage offers quality spa treatment at low prices.
reviewed
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Ban's Diving School
A well-oiled diving machine and relentlessly expanding conglomerate, Ban's certifies more divers per year than any other scuba school in the world and refurbishments in 2009 have given it a five-star feel. Classroom sessions tend to be conducted in large groups, but there's a reasonable amount of individual attention in the water. A breadth of international instructors means that students can learn to dive in their native tongue. The affiliated resort is quite popular with party-seekers.
reviewed
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ACE Marine Images
Make a stop at ACE Marine Images, one of Thailand’s leading underwater videography studios. Many scuba schools hire professional videographers to film Open Water certifications, and if this piques your interest, consider enrolling in their underwater video or photo course. The interactive eight-dive course (30,000B) includes an independent diver certification and one-on-one instruction in the editing room. Internships are also available for those who are truly serious about gaining field experience. The staff at ACE are starting a variety of other projects, such as whale shark tracking and tagging, and a unique photography-oriented gap-year program. Visit the website for …
reviewed
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Five Islands Tour
The pretty silhouettes of these offshore islands disguises the fact that they are a gold mine, or rather a gold nest. Amid the rocky outcroppings, swiftlets make their nests of twigs and spit, an ingredient that ranks among the world’s most expensive animal products. The nests are collected and sent to Chinese markets for the delicacy of bird’s-nest soup, renowned for its health benefits. The Five Islands restaurant conducts tours to the islands to learn about the harvesting methods and scramble around the rugged coves. Afterwards a Thai meal is served at the restaurant.
reviewed
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Dog Rescue Centre Samui
Donations of time and/or money are hugely appreciated at the aptly named Dog Rescue Centre Samui. The organisation has played an integral role in keeping the island’s dog population under control through an active spaying and neutering program. The centre also vaccinates dogs against rabies. Volunteers are always needed to take care of the pooches at either of the kennel/clinics (located in Chaweng and Taling Ngam). Call the centre for volunteering details or swing by the Wave Samui (opposite) for additional info.
reviewed
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B
Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts
If you're contemplating a Thai cooking course, SITCA is the place to do it. It has daily Thai-cooking classes and courses in the aristocratic Thai art of carving fruits and vegetables into intricate floral designs. Lunchtime classes begin at 11am, while dinner starts at 4pm (both cost 1950B for a three-hour course with three or more dishes). Included is an excellent tutorial about procuring ingredients in your home country. Of course you get to eat your projects, and even invite a friend along for the meal. Complimentary DVDs with Thai cooking instruction are also available so you can practise at home.
reviewed
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New Heaven
The owners of this small diving operation dedicate a lot of their time to preserving the natural beauty of Ko Tao's underwater sites by conducting regular reef checks and contributing to reef restoration efforts. A special CPAD research diver certification program is available in addition to the regular order of programs and fun dives.
reviewed
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Spa Samui Village
The second Spa Samui branch, Spa Samui Village (or Spa Village) camps out on the side of a forested mountain. Steep paths lead from reception to the yoga and massage salas (open pavilions) overlooking the bushy headdresses of the coconut trees. The setting is rustic and peaceful, perfect for steeping in the herbal steam cave or breathing deeply during a yoga session. A complimentary shuttle travels between this branch and Spa Samui Beach.
reviewed
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Wake Up
Jamie passes along his infinite wakeboarding wisdom to eager wannabes at his small water sports school in Chalok Lam. Fifteen minutes of 'air time' will set you back 1500B (2500B for 30 minutes), which is excellent value considering you get one-on-one instruction. Kite-boarding, wake-skating and waterskiing sessions are also available, as are round-the-island day trips (2000B per person; a six-person quorum needed).
reviewed
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Kamalaya Koh Samui
With a breathtaking setting, this wellness resort breathes new life into burnt-out professionals. Billed as a holistic spa, it offers a little of everything: yoga, detox, Chinese medicine, spa treatments and weight-loss programs. Open-air salas (pavilions) pose dutifully upon a sapphire ocean and forested pathways respectfully bypass ancient boulders. The spa and classes are open to nonguests with advance reservations.
reviewed
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Crystal Dive
Crystal is the Meryl Streep of diving operators, winning all the awards for best performance year after year. It's one of the largest schools on the island (and around the world), although high-quality instructors and intimate classes keep the school feeling quite personal. Multilingual staff members, air-conditioned classes and two on-site swimming pools sweeten the deal. Highly recommended.
reviewed
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Yoga Thailand
Secreted away along the southern shores, Yoga Thailand is ushering in a new era of therapeutic holidaying with its state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated team of trainers. Accommodation is located in a comfy apartment block up the street while yoga studios, wellness centres and a breezy cafe sit calmly along the shore.
reviewed
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Health Oasis Resort
If you're lookin' to get 'cleansed', whether it's your aura or your colon, then you've happened upon the right place. New Age is all the rage at the Health Oasis. Guests can choose from a variety of healing packages involving everything from meditation to fasting. Bungalows are modern and receive plenty of sunshine. There's also a vegetarian restaurant on site, of course.
reviewed
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Eco Nature Tour
This exceedingly popular oufit offers a 'best of' island trip, which includes elephant trekking, snorkelling and a visit to the Chinese temple, a stunning viewpoint and Phang waterfall. The day trip, which costs 1500B, departs at 9am and returns around 3pm. Bookings can be made at its office in Thong Sala or at the Backpackers Information Centre. Pha-Ngan Safarioffers a similar trip for 1900B.
reviewed
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Goodtime Adventures
Although most activities on Ko Tao revolve around the sea, the friendly crew at Goodtime Adventures offer a wide variety of land-based activities to get the adrenaline pumping. Hike through the island's jungly interior, swing from rock to rock during a climbing and abseiling session (from 2000B), or unleash your inner daredevil during an afternoon of cliff jumping. Goodtime also offers accredited boating certifications, and at the time of research they were setting up a groovy zipline course on neighbouring Ko Nang Yuan. The Goodtime office, along the Sairee sands, doubles as a friendly cafe serving an assortment of international nibbles (including dip coffee!)
reviewed
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Absolute Yoga
Sculpt those unsightly bulges with a daily dose of hot yoga at this friendly studio. Need to look better than good? Try the gentle fasting and cleansing program, which does a light house-cleaning. Yoga lovers make this a focus of their vacation and hang out after class at the downstairs café. The one-week introductory promotion costing 1000B is another hook.
reviewed
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Dharma Healing International
There’s a cleanse for every class and this Buddhist health retreat offers the island’s most intensive and spiritual program. Hillary Hitt, the centre’s director, leads fasters through the physical, mental and spiritual journey of cleansing the body and soul. Program treatments include inner-child work, Dharma talks and Vipassana meditation.
reviewed
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Ko Tao Bowling & Mini Golf
Located on the main road between Mae Hat and Chalok Ban Kao, Ko Tao Bowling & Mini Golf has several homemade bowling lanes where the employees reset the pins after every frame (300B per hour). The 18-hole minigolf course has a landmark theme – putt your ball through Stonehenge or across the Golden Gate Bridge.
reviewed
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Tamarind Springs
More like a spa journey than a day spa, Tamarind Springs incorporates an exploration of the natural world into its steam baths and spa treatments. Follow the path to the steam room carved into towering boulders, plunge into the pool dappled in sunlight and then pad softly to the massage pavilion serenaded by bird song.
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