Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Surat Thani ‣ Shared bus from Surat Thani airport to Donsak ‣ Ferry from Donsak to Koh Tao ‣ Evening at Sairee beach ‣ Overnight in Baan Thai guesthouse in Mae Haad
Check out from Baan Thai guesthouse ‣ Ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Phangan ‣ Sightseeing around Koh Phangan by motorcycle ‣ Haad Rin ‣ Ao Chaloklum ‣ Haad Salad ‣ Full moon party in Haad Rin ‣ Overnight in Amstardam Backpackers
Check out from Behind The Scene Hostel ‣ Ferry from Koh Samui to Donsak ‣ Shared bus from Donsak to Surat Thani airport ‣ Fly from Surat Thani back to Kuala Lumpur
12.30 pm - Arrival at Surat Thani international airport by flight (Air Asia) - RM 360 (return)
Immigration clearance
There are many tour counters in the airport that offer transfer from the airport to the islands, so choose wisely as there are only a few ferry operators worth of note. Lomprayah is the fastest, and the most expensive. Seatran is fast and slightly more reliable. Songserm is the cheapest among the three but also the slowest
Bought transfer package (bus + ferry) to Koh Tao at a tour counter (Phantip tour, nearest one to the arrival hall exit) - 900 baht
Note: Alternatively, you can also get to Koh Tao by night boat. To do this, simply take a tuk-tuk to Bandon pier in Surat Thani. The night boat departs daily at 11pm and arrives in Koh Tao the next morning. Tickets cost roughly 500 baht per person
Refreshments - Bottled water (15 baht)
1.45 pm - Ride bus (arranged by tour company) to Donsak pier
3.15 pm - Arrival at Donsak pier
Photo ops (30 minutes) around Donsak pier while waiting for the next ferry which departs at 4pm
4.30 pm - Depart for Koh Tao by ferry (Lomprayah)
Stopovers at Koh Samui (5.30pm) and Koh Phangan (6.30pm)
7.30 pm - Arrival at Koh Tao (Mae Haad pier)
Arriving at Surat Thani international airport
Waiting for my bus to Donsak
Donsak pier
Getting ready to board the Lomprayah ferry to Koh Tao
Getting seated inside the ferry
On the way to Koh Tao
Arrival at Mae Haad pier, Koh Tao
Hostel check-in and walking around Mae Haad
Walk around to look for accommodation, my first choice would be to stay at Koh Tao Loft Hostel, unfortunately it was fully booked for the night
Check-in to Baan Thai guesthouse - 350 baht per night
8.30 pm - Photo ops around Mae Haad walking street
Dinner - Banana pancake (40 baht)
Booked full day snorkeling trip (Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan) - 550 baht (bargained down from 600 baht) from a tour agent (recommend Guitar Travel, very friendly and helpful!)
Also bought a one-way ticket for the 9am ferry (Seatran) to Koh Phangan - 430 baht
Mae Haad walking street
Checking in to my dorm in Baan Thai guesthouse. It wasn't very clean but I guess it will have to do since my first option was already fully booked for the night
Trying out supposedly the 'best' pancake in Koh Tao. Verdict? It's passable I guess
Sairee Beach at night
10.00 pm - Walk to Sairee beach (under 45 minutes)
Wanted to take a taxi initially but you'd have to charter the whole vehicle (minimum 300 baht or 100 baht/person if you're willing to wait for other passengers to show up). Didn't spot any motorcycle taxis around
10.45 pm - Photo ops around Sairee beach and walking street
Interesting tip: The Koh Tao pubcrawl takes place around Sairee beach every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Supper - Kebab (40 baht) & Chang beer (49 baht)
2.00 am - Walk back to the guesthouse
Sairee walking street
The Koh Tao pubcrawl takes place here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so come on these days if you want to take part in the fun
The night scene in Sairee Beach is exciting and plenty enough to keep you entertained throughout the night
Watching a fire show at another part of Sairee beach
Extend stay at Baan Thai guesthouse (+1 night for 350 baht per night)
Breakfast at Far Out Cafe - English breakfast (150 baht)
Photo walk around Mae Haad (1 hour)
Morning in Mae Haad
Walking around Mae Haad in search of breakfast
Another part of Mae Haad closer to the pier
The beautiful turquoise waters of the shallows off Mae Haad
Strolling along Mae Haad beach
Snorkeling trip around Koh Tao
9.30 am - Pickup at guesthouse to the meeting point (at Mae Haad pier) for the full day snorkeling trip (arranged by tour company)
Some paper clearance and collection of snorkeling gear. Paid Koh Nang Yuan entrance fee in advance - 100 baht
10.00 am - Depart for snorkeling trip
Stopover at various dive sites around Koh Tao island for snorkeling:
Shark bay
Aow Leuk bay
Hin Wong bay
Mango bay
Among all the dive sites visited, my favorite has to be Hin Wong bay (plenty of soft corals and marine life), followed by Mango bay and Aow Leuk. Shark bay was interesting, but I wasn't able to spot any sharks unfortunately :(
Lunch - Mixed rice (included in tour package)
Getting ready to depart for our snorkeling trip around Koh Tao
On the way to the snorkeling sites
The first snorkeling site was Shark Bay. Was a bit excited at first, but didn't manage to spot any sharks unfortunately. A guy in our group claimed to have spotted three, I'm just unlucky I guess
The second snorkeling site, Aow Leuk bay
Third snorkeling site, Hin Wong bay. My favorite snorkeling site since it had the most variety when compared to the other sites
Mango Bay, the fourth and last snorkeling site before heading to Koh Nang Yuan
Underwater shot at Hin Wong bay
Koh Nang Yuan
2.30 pm - Stopover at Koh Nang Yuan. Did the climb up the viewpoint (under 15 minutes)
Photo ops at the top (40 minutes). It's generally a good idea to plan your climb during a time with less traffic
Refreshments - Coke (45 baht)
Photo walk around the island. Not too interested in snorkeling here as I noticed plenty of damaged corals
Walking along the sandbar connecting the islands of Koh Nang Yuan
During high tide, the sandbar partially disappears into the water
On the way to Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint
The world famous view from Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint
Back to Mae Haad
5.00 pm - Back to Mae Haad pier. Walk back to guesthouse for quick shower
6.00 pm - Walk to Sairee beach to view the beautiful sunset
Dinner at Su Chilli - Seafood fried rice & drink (130 baht)
Last minute shopping at Mae Haad walking street for souvenirs
9.15 am - Depart for Koh Phangan by ferry (Seatran)
Bon voyage Koh Tao!
Boarding the Seatran ferry bound for Koh Phangan
Arrival in Koh Phangan
10.30 am - Arrival at Koh Phangan (Thong Sala pier)
Walk to port authority building (under 5 minutes, left of causeway heading into Thong Sala town) to check for ferry tickets to Koh Samui the next day
Note: Remember to buy them as early as you can, it can be quite difficult to get same day tickets, especially during full moon
Bought one-way ticket for the 10.30am ferry (Seatran) to Koh Samui - 300 baht
This rugged landscape looms closer as we approach Koh Phangan
Thong Sala pier
The causeway leading from the pier to Thong Sala town
Inside the port authority building where you can buy your ferry tickets
Hostel check-in
11.00 am - Walk to Thong Sala town from port authority building (under 5 minutes)
Rent motorcycle from a shop (next to the 7-11) - 150 baht (renting for 1 day)
Refuel at nearby gas station - 120 baht
12.00 pm - Check-in to Amstardam Backpackers - 350 baht per night (staying for 1 night). Very nice hostel, well worth the price in my opinion. Only gripe I had was the poor customer service. The reception office was closed on both occasions when I wanted to check in and out, even when it was supposed to be open around that time
First thing you see in Thong Sala as you exit the causeway. The shop I rented my motorcycle from was next to the 7-11. Pretty reliable, I had no problems dealing with them
Settling in to my dorm in Amstardam Backpackers
The bar and relaxation area at Amstardam Backpackers, a great place to watch sunsets
Motorcycling around Koh Phangan
1.00 pm - Ride to Haad Rin beach. Certain parts of the road going there are very steep, so use a low gear and practice caution at all times
1.45 pm - Photo stop in Haad Rin beach (about 1 hour). Very nice beach with crystal clear waters
Walked to Mellow Mountain bar (located on the northern end of the beach) for some much needed refreshments after a rather hot day
Refreshments - Coke (40 baht)
On the way to Haad Rin beach
Haad Rin beach
Another view of Haad Rin beach. In the distance is Mellow Mountain bar
View of Haad Rin beach from Mellow Mountain bar
4.00 pm - Photo stop at Ao Chaloklum (30 minutes). A very quiet beach, there's almost no tourists here
5.00 pm - Photo stop at Haad Salad (30 minutes). There's a nice viewpoint overlooking the beach nearby where you can sit down, relax and have a drink
6.30 pm - Photo stop at Ban Nai Wok (30 minutes). Wanted to watch the sunset here but decided to return to the hostel to get a better view
7.00 pm - Return to hostel to see a magnificent sunset
Exploring Koh Phangan on motorcycle is one of the more memorable experiences I've had during my entire trip
The secluded Ao Chaloklum
View of Haad Salad from the viewpoint
Gorgeous sunset at Ban Nai Wok
Watching the sun go down at the hostel I stayed
Around Thong Sala
8.30 pm - Dinner at Pantip Market - Mixed rice (60 baht) & fruit juice (30 baht)
Walk around Thong Sala to shop for some souvenirs
Street food galore at Pantip Market
Had my dinner here before heading off for the full moon party
Getting to the Full Moon Party
10.00 pm - Ride to Haad Rin for the full moon party. No problems getting there at night as the road going there are well-lit. Spotted at least one roadblock along the way, so wear a helmet if you don't want to get fined
11.00 pm - Full moon party at Haad Rin beach. Didn't pay any entrance fees (went through the entrance near Cactus Bar)
Photo stop at HMS Phangan (30 minutes). Only did external viewing, didn't go inside. Don't think you can enter the ship anyways
Breakfast - Chicken burger (30 baht)
10.45 am - Depart for Koh Samui by ferry (Seatran)
View of the HMS Phangan
Queuing up at Thong Sala pier to get onto the ferry
Arrival at Koh Samui and getting to Chaweng Beach
11.45 am - Arrival at Koh Samui (Bangrak pier)
Ride motorcycle taxi to Chaweng beach - 100 baht (negotiated down from 250 baht)
12.15 pm - Check-in to Behind The Scene Hostel - 350 baht per night (staying for 1 night)
Quick shower and rest
Approaching Bangrak pier, Koh Samui
Checking in to Behind The Scene hostel, very conveniently located, only 5 minutes walk from Chaweng Beach
Loved how big and comfortable the beds are
Sightseeing around Chaweng Beach
4.00 pm - Photo walk along Chaweng beach (about 2 hours)
Refreshments - Ice lemon tea (40 baht)
Note: There's an aquapark you can pay to enter if you're not content on just lazing by the beach (costs 300 baht per hour, 500 baht for half day and 700 baht for full day)
6.00 pm - Return to hostel via Chaweng beach road
Stopover at Central Festival Samui for some sightseeing
Late lunch at a roadside stall - Spicy noodles (40 baht)
Bought transfer package (bus + ferry) to Surat Thani international airport the next day - 550 baht
Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui
Relaxing afternoon at the beach
Another part of Chaweng Beach further down south
Expect hours of fun with the aquapark, just off the beach
Chaweng Beach Road. On the way back to my hostel
Another part of Chaweng Beach Road
Central Festival Samui. The night market is just only setting up, guess I will come back later
Around Chaweng Beach one last time
Quick shower and rest
8.30 pm - Photo walk along Chaweng beach road. Points of interest visited include:
Chaweng Night Market
Chaweng Lake
Last minute shopping for souvenirs at a street market (in front of Central Festival Samui)
Foot massage - 150 baht (30 minutes)
Dinner - Seafood fried rice (150 baht)
11.30 pm - Return to hostel
The night market in front of Central Festival Samui in full swing
Last minute souvenir shopping, as I always do
Kathoeys
Chaweng Lake at night, a good place to sit back and relax
Chaweng Night Market, just across the road from where Chaweng Lake is
From Koh Samui to Surat Thani International Airport
5.30 am - Wake up and check-out from hostel
6.00 am - Pickup at hostel by van to Koh Samui bus terminal, switch to bus onroute to Nathon pier
7.40 am - Arrival at Nathon pier
8.10 am - Depart for Donsak by ferry (Seatran)
9.40 am - Arrival at Donsak, switch to bus onroute to Surat Thani
11.30 am - Stopover at Surat Thani. Was told to get down here and that's when it hit me. Some miscommunication (between the local tour companies) threaten to strand me here and make me miss my 1pm flight. Fortunately, after much coercion, they arranged a tuk-tuk for me to get to the airport (free of charge)
12.10 pm - Arrival at Surat Thani international airport
1.00 pm - Flight home
Departing Nathon pier, Koh Samui
The ferry's vehicle hold is so big, it could fit a few large vehicles at once
Approaching Donsak
At Donsak pier, waiting for our bus to exit the ferry
This post almost has all information for planning a 5 day trip to Thailand and I am sure this information does will help someone who planning for a trip to Thailand. I had a trip to koh samui with my husband and koh samui is really amazing place where we had so many good times. This place has all things for couples from beach to safari.
Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Surat Thani ‣
Shared bus from Surat Thani airport to Donsak ‣
Ferry from Donsak to Koh Tao ‣
Evening at Sairee beach ‣
Overnight in Baan Thai guesthouse in Mae Haad
Snorkeling tour around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan ‣
Sightseeing around Koh Phangan by motorcycle ‣
Haad Rin ‣
Walking tour of Chaweng beach ‣
Detailed and helpful information! Thanks a ton
ReplyDeleteThis post almost has all information for planning a 5 day trip to Thailand and I am sure this information does will help someone who planning for a trip to Thailand. I had a trip to koh samui with my husband and koh samui is really amazing place where we had so many good times. This place has all things for couples from beach to safari.
ReplyDelete