Things to do 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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Chopper's Bar & Grill
So popular that it's become a local landmark, Chopper's is a two-storey hang-out where divers and travellers can widen their beer belly. There's live music, sports on the big-screen TVs, billiards and a cinema room. Friday nights are particularly popular; the drinks are 'two for one', and dishes are half-priced as well. Cheers for scored goals are interspersed with exaggerated chatter about creatures seen on the day's dive.
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Samui Shamrock
More classic than chic, Samui Shamrock is a good-times pub where house bands belt out dated cover tunes that inspire the tipsy crowd to sing along. At some point in the night you’ll hear ‘Hotel California’, the ultimate foreigner tribute song.
reviewed
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Dining On The Rocks
Samui's ultimate dining experience takes place on nine cantilevered verandahs of weathered teak and bamboo that yawn over the gulf. After sunset (and a glass of wine), guests feel like they're dining on a wooden barge set adrift on a starlit sea. Each dish on the six-course prix-fixe menu is the brainchild of the experimental cooks who regularly experiment with taste, texture and temperature. If you're celebrating a special occasion, you'll have to book well in advance if you want to sit at 'table 99' – the honeymooners' table – positioned on a private terrace. Dining On The Rocks is located at the isolated Six Senses Samui.
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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Café Corner
Prime real estate, mod furnishings, and tasty iced coffees have made Café Corner a Sairee staple over the last few years. Swing by at 5pm to stock up for tomorrow morning's breakfast; the scrumptious baked breads are buy-one-get-one-free before being tossed at sunset.
reviewed
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Bar Solo
A sign of things to come, Bar Solo has future-fitted Chaweng's outdoor beer halls into an urban setting with sleek cubist decor and a cocktail list that doesn't scream holiday hayseed. The evening drink specials lure in the front-loaders preparing for a late, late night at the dance clubs on Soi Solo and Soi Green Mango.
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Papa's Tapas
Another member of Ko Tao's new designer diner army, this swish set-up takes a stab at nouveau cuisine with sample-sized platters. Those with a big wallet (and a little foresight) can order the Chef's Special - a menu of unique dishes that requires 24 hours to procure and prepare. Reservation recommended.
reviewed
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Maew Hot Pan BBQ
The island’s best do-it-yourself dinner joint, Maew is an all-you-can-eat affair where diners cook their meats, veggies and quail eggs (a local fave) over a gurgling hot pot. Maew can be easy to miss; it is located on the ocean side of Ban Tai’s main road near the 7-Eleven.
reviewed
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Tropical Murphy's
A popular fa·ràng (foreigner) joint, Tropical Murphy's dishes out steak-and-kidney pie, fish and chips, lamb chops and Irish stew (mains 50B to 300B). Come night-time, the live music kicks on and this place turns into the most popular Irish bar on Samui (yes, there are a few).
reviewed
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Twins Restaurant
Don’t let the frump factor deter you from this eager-to-please Thai restaurant. The food-phobic Europeans get plenty of hand-holding, but the food-flexible can get fresh and fabulous Thai meals in an oh-so pretty setting.
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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.
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Mellow Mountain
Also called 'Mushy Mountain' (you'll know why when you get there), this trippy hang-out sits at the northern edge of Hat Rin Nok delivering stellar views of the shenanigans below.
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.
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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.
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Ang Thong National Marine Park
Popularised by its role as home to a utopian beach society in the movie version of Alex Garland's novel The Beach, Ang Thong National Marine Park is made up of an archipelago of about 40 small islands combining sheer limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, white-sand beaches and dense vegetation providing a postcard-perfect vista almost anywhere you look.
The numerous caves and crevices are home to nesting swallows and there's a narrow coral reef in the southwest of the park.
From Ko Samui, a couple of tour operators run day trips to the Ang Thong archipelago from Na Thon or Mae Nam.
There are bungalows available at the park headquarters on Ko Wat Ta Lap, but you may not be abl…
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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Hin Lat Falls
Hin Lat Falls is worth visiting if you're waiting in town for a boat back to the mainland. Catch a sǎwngthǎew south 2km and get off after the 7-Eleven, then walk 2km or so south of town on the main road and turn left at the first major intersection. Go straight along for another 2km to the waterfall (you'll see the vendors). From here you'll need to hike for one hour, cross streams and climb over rocks to get to the uppermost of the numerous levels - but it's not too strenuous. Sturdy shoes are recommended. At the top you will be rewarded with a cool pool that's great for a dip. Look out for the temple with moral guidance inscribed on the tree trunks at the base of the fa…
reviewed
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Five Islands
Five Islands defines the term 'destination dining' and offers the most unique eating experience on the island. Before your meal, a traditional longtail boat will take you out into the turquoise sea to visit the haunting Five Sister Islands where you'll learn about the ancient and little-known art of harvesting bird nests to make bird's-nest soup, a Chinese delicacy. This perilous task is rewarded with large sums of cash – a kilo of nests is usually sold for 100,000B to restaurants in Hong Kong (yup, that's five zeros). The lunch tour departs around 10am, and the dinner program leaves around 3pm. Customers are also welcome to dine without going on the tour and vice versa.…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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