Snorkeling here can be excellent when the visibility is good. You will find all the equipment at the diving schools, or if you looking for something basic, in a super market. We would definitely recommend you to pay a few baht extra for better quality and safer equipment. A mask made of silicon is often a little more expensive than one made of rubber or plastic, but it often last much longer. You can easily book a snorkeling trip in most diving schools and travel agencies. Why not try a snorkeling trip to Angthong National Marine Park or a weekend, or more, on the beautiful island of Koh Tao.

Samui's shoreline and nearby islands in the Angthong Marine Park have a wealth of marine, animal and plant life. For a close and leisurely look, spend some time in a sea kayak. Half-day, day and overnight guided trips are available from most tour agents. If you just fancy paddling around on your own, kayaks can also be rented at the more popular beaches.

Koh Samui Regatta
The Koh Samui Regatta held around April/May, is timed to cater to the racing community after the China Sea Race and Manila's President's Cup Regatta. It also gives southern competitors the Easter break to make the voyage north and the Pattaya/Gulf of Thailand-based yachts the Songkran holiday to travel south. Please check www.samuiregatta.com. for updates on entries and sponsors.

Several companies around the island run elephant ride operations and many can be booked through travel agents, often in combination with all day tours of the interior. Over fifty elephants call Samui home and all work in the tourist industry. A typical 'trek' lasts between 15 minutes and haslf an hour and is an excellent way to see the island's jungle clad interior. Some companies take visitors up into the hills for magnificent views over the island, others go through waterfalls, where riders run the risk of receiving a cooling shower. Chaweng Elephant Trekking (Tel. 077 231 210), Living Thailand (Tel. 077 418 680) and Island Safari Co (Tel. 077 230 567) are all recommended. NB: Some companies keep gibbons and other endangered species as pets to entertain visitors - as well as being cruel, this is illegal in Thailand and should not be encouraged.

Apart from coconuts, the hills of Samui also have some pretty waterfalls and trails for leisurely hiker to explore. Hin Lat Falls can be found south of Nathon. (Only a 30-minute hike from the entrance to the top of the falls.) Na Muang Falls further south is about a 2 kilometre walk from the marked turn-off. All are signposted.

Several areas of Samui are covered with dense tropical jungle which can be reached by jeep and/or a short hike. The beauty and natural diversity of these areas easily justifies tearing yourself away from the beach for a day. Most travel agents have information about the various tours available and will make a reservation for you. To get a birds eye view of the jungle, check out Canopy Tours, which allows you to travel between tree-houses in a harness attached to a high tensile cable.

Mountain bike are available for hire at numerous places around the island, just don't expect any recognizable brand names. That said, the local brand bikes are perfectly suitable for a day out tackling the terrain.

One of the best spots is the Mae Nam Valley area. Simply head down the road next to Angela's Bakery. You'll some challenging technical down-hill and up-hill through coconut groves and farmland.

For real suspension- testing action, the road leading up to Wanorn Waterfall, south of Na Thon, is heavy going and recommended only for the exceptionally fit. The road actually starts off in pretty good condition, but deteriorates at a rapid rate as you climb to the 205m high point. By the end, you're dodging boulders, negotiating slippery mud and cycling up a 1:4 gradient perilously close to the edge of a ravine. The views are spectacular from the top, and there's always a chance of a refreshing swim. You are guaranteed to break a sweat. so if this sounds too much like hard work, then it's probably best to stick to elephants.

The undisputed national sport of Thailand, a Muay Thai professional bout can be seen at the Chaweng Stadium every Monday and Friday, while the Lamai stadium stages fights every Saturday.

Located close to Chaweng this simple Go Kart track has two types of karts available, a slow kart and a fast kart. The slow kart will cost you a staggering 300 Baht for 10 minutes and the fast kart 400 Baht for 10 Minutes. If you want additional time then discounts are not given but extra time is offered as an incentive. For example pay for 20 minutes at full rate and get 24 minutes in return.

Opened with a lot of fanfare in 2003, the Santiburi Samui Country Club is Samui's first, and currently only, professional standard golf course. Owned by the nearby Santiburi Resort, the course in situated in the hills above Maenam and has spectacular views of Koh Phangan. At over 3000 Baht a round, the green fees are high by Thai standards and the course itself requires a reasonable degree of proficiency and is probably not recommended for beginners. We can arrange a package included the golf course as you wish – contact us.

Alternatively, The Samui Extra Golf Club at the Fair House Beach Resort has three professional standard holes ideal for practice sessions. Open 6am- 6pm daily.. The 18 hole Mini Golf International is Thailand's only mini golf course and can be found in the jungle above Choeng Mon Beach.

In recent years the number of Spas and Holistic Health Centres opening in Samui has rapidly increased giving Samui an alternative reputation as a kind of health and relaxation retreat. These facilities offer everything from Herbal Steam Baths and Aloe Body Wraps to various forms of massage. Some of the Spas are located in hotels with air-conditioned rooms and excellent facilities, while others prefer to offer treatments closer to nature under swaying palms. Whatever your preference, you can be sure you will leave cleansed, refreshed and revitalized. Below is a selection of spas to give you a flavor. Please click on the individual places for more details of treatments.