What area should I live for a month?

[DrHoneydew]

Considering coming to Samui for a month. Any suggestions of the best areas to live? Ideally walking distance to good snorkeling & beach. Newer condo. Gym. Supermarkets etc. Does that exist?

 

Cheers

[MrJ2U]

Hua Hin. 

[khunPer]

13 hours ago, DrHoneydew said:

Ideally walking distance to good snorkeling & beach. Newer condo. Gym. Supermarkets etc. Does that exist?

The short answer is no.

A better location for snorkeling is Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, but newer condo – or condo at all – might not be available; however you could find some interesting snorkeling spot on the southern part of Samui, which are not close to what you asks for, but there might be a 7-Eleven shop within healthy walking distance.

 

A condo is not easily found as we mainly stay in bungalows by the beach or nearby a beach on Samui and her sister islands; however, nice bungalows are easily found within walking distance to a good beach, smaller supermarket like Mini BigC or Lotus's Go Fresh, and a gym. For snorkeling among corals and tropical fish you might need a trip by speed boat to an optimal location in a remote bay; "The Japanese Garden" by Koh Nangyuan is for example a perfect spot.

 

Beach suggestions: Crystal Bay in healthy walking distance from Lamai – some snorkeling might be of interest there – or Maenam Beach, where you shall not expect exciting snorkeling.

 

Perhaps some other forum-members that are local snorkeling-experts have more precise information about best spots around Samui...????

[Chongalulu]

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

The short answer is no.

A better location for snorkeling is Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, but newer condo – or condo at all – might not be available; however you could find some interesting snorkeling spot on the southern part of Samui, which are not close to what you asks for, but there might be a 7-Eleven shop within healthy walking distance.

 

A condo is not easily found as we mainly stay in bungalows by the beach or nearby a beach on Samui and her sister islands; however, nice bungalows are easily found within walking distance to a good beach, smaller supermarket like Mini BigC or Lotus's Go Fresh, and a gym. For snorkeling among corals and tropical fish you might need a trip by speed boat to an optimal location in a remote bay; "The Japanese Garden" by Koh Nangyuan is for example a perfect spot.

 

Beach suggestions: Crystal Bay in healthy walking distance from Lamai – some snorkeling might be of interest there – or Maenam Beach, where you shall not expect exciting snorkeling.

 

Perhaps some other forum-members that are local snorkeling-experts have more precise information about best spots around Samui...????

As a former diver and keen snorkeller there’s nothing really off the main islands now,and worst of all Samui and in the Gulf. The Andaman side is a better bet anyway (Phuket ,Ko Lanta) but even there… ????.
Now really for anything decentish you have to go on  the speedboat tours to the likes of the Similans (quite a long trip) or Phi phi. Then Ko Roc/Ko Ha (off Lanta) . In summary, poor off the main islands and obviously more expensive (1500 - 2000 baht +) for a speedboat day trip . 

[DrHoneydew]

On 12/26/2022 at 4:12 AM, nchuckle said:

As a former diver and keen snorkeller there’s nothing really off the main islands now,and worst of all Samui and in the Gulf. The Andaman side is a better bet anyway (Phuket ,Ko Lanta) but even there… ????.
Now really for anything decentish you have to go on  the speedboat tours to the likes of the Similans (quite a long trip) or Phi phi. Then Ko Roc/Ko Ha (off Lanta) . In summary, poor off the main islands and obviously more expensive (1500 - 2000 baht +) for a speedboat day trip . 

Phi Phi is near Krabi, correct? Would I be better off staying in Krabi and taking a boat for some RnR? How about snorkeling in Krabi itself?

[DrHoneydew]

On 12/26/2022 at 2:16 AM, khunPer said:

The short answer is no.

A better location for snorkeling is Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, but newer condo – or condo at all – might not be available; however you could find some interesting snorkeling spot on the southern part of Samui, which are not close to what you asks for, but there might be a 7-Eleven shop within healthy walking distance.

 

A condo is not easily found as we mainly stay in bungalows by the beach or nearby a beach on Samui and her sister islands; however, nice bungalows are easily found within walking distance to a good beach, smaller supermarket like Mini BigC or Lotus's Go Fresh, and a gym. For snorkeling among corals and tropical fish you might need a trip by speed boat to an optimal location in a remote bay; "The Japanese Garden" by Koh Nangyuan is for example a perfect spot.

 

Beach suggestions: Crystal Bay in healthy walking distance from Lamai – some snorkeling might be of interest there – or Maenam Beach, where you shall not expect exciting snorkeling.

 

Perhaps some other forum-members that are local snorkeling-experts have more precise information about best spots around Samui...????

How's the mobile internet speeds and reliability on Samui?

[Chongalulu]

10 hours ago, DrHoneydew said:

Phi Phi is near Krabi, correct? Would I be better off staying in Krabi and taking a boat for some RnR? How about snorkeling in Krabi itself?

Never tried snorkeling  off Krabi,although Ao Nang is the coastal resort area of it. Again, won’t be good snorkeling off the mainland but there are long tail boats to the nearby national park,but on top of the boat hire there’ll be (400 baht?) admission charge to the park . Ao Nang has more going on there but not really my scene,but yes you could get to phi phi. Again for decent snorkeling you need the speedboat to take you to various diving spots. Ko Lanta is a good base for those trips (I’d recommend Opal tours,I’ve used on several occasions) but whether there’s enough nightlife etc for your tastes ??

[Tropicalevo]

13 hours ago, DrHoneydew said:

How's the mobile internet speeds and reliability on Samui?

Very reliable.

During Covid we had lots of guests from Bangkok down here working from home. Some are still here.

Work from home - which would you choose?

1 a small apartment in Bangkok and you cannot use the communal pool or eat out during lock-down

2 Pool villa with sea views and places open

Fast reliable internet was a must for streaming and zoom calls etc.

[khunPer]

15 hours ago, DrHoneydew said:

How's the mobile internet speeds and reliability on Samui?

Good, I have the cheapest available for around 600 baht per month, which is 1Gbit/200Mbit fiber...

[gearbox]

Newer condo, gym, supermarket, good snorkeling from the beach...I haven't found such a place in Thailand, or any of the countries around. One or two of the requirements are always missing.

 

For a starter there is no decent snorkeling beach in Samui at all. The remaining 3 requirements can be satisfied depending what a "supermarket" is. If 7-11 and the likes, they are anywhere around the island. If major chain like Tesco or Big C the only 2 places are Lamai and Chaweng, with Chaweng's supermarkets around 5km from the beach.

 

If staying in Samui Lamai seems to be the place fitting the most, if snorkeling is high on the list I would head to Tong Sala, Koh Phangan, and go from time to time go to the northwest part of the island, the only reasonable snorkeling around is there, excluding Ko Tao.

[phetphet]

Very few condos in Samui. Even rarer, newer ones or apartments. will be even more difficult to find. any vacancies. Also will be expensive at this time of year.

 

It is high season and everything is booked up.

I know this because I have spent the last month trying to find a nice modern, apartment for a friend.

 

Everyone is  saying the  same thing. nothing until end of January.

 

Lots of pent up travel demand after the pandemic lockdowns,  many Russians and Ukrainians escaping the war, and a large influx of Indian tourists this year for some reason (exchange rates?) have all contributed to this being one of the  busiest high seasons for quite a while.

 

 

 

As far as accommodation goes, you might have to lower your sights.

 

If you are flexible, try searching on www.booking.com

 

Best area to live? You want nightlife?  Clubs?  Quiet? Really quiet?

 

Coral? All dead. So snorkelling a waste of time. You will need to go to the outer Phangan or better Tao.

 

Supermarkets? Three or four: Tops, Big C, Lotus.