Coral In Samui

[Eli27]

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if any knows of any half decent places to snorkel on Samui. I have tried a few places like coral cove, Hin ta Hin Yai etc but the coral seems to be covered in a silty muddy substance. Has anyone tried any reefs offshore in the South of Samui? Are there any places worth a look.

I know Phangan still have some brilliant spots and also Marine Park. I'm more curious than anything to see if Samui has anything semi decent left.

One more question. Does anybody have an idea if it is possible to do a day trip to Koh Taen for snorkeling? What is the best place to go from and approximate costs?

Regards,

Eli

[Eli27]

I have been on google for a while and keep coming up with three spots 'Chaweng Reef, Lamai Reef, and Waikiki Reef'. Excuse my ignorance as I live near neither of these areas, but could anyone give me an accurate description of where these spots are located?

[perkie173]

I'm a scuba diver living on Samui and we often have snorkellers on the boats with us when we go. Typically Samui is not a good place for snorkelling and you would be better to go on a day trip (or stay over night on Koh Tao). I wouldn't even recommend the Marine Park as visibility is normally not more than 1 metre and so if you are going purely for snorkelling it would be a waste.

Koh Tao has some great snorkelling spots such as Ao Leuk and Mango Bay. It is also possible to get a boat to Koh Nangyuan which is my favourite place for snorkelling. The coral is about 10metres off the beach and the sea is shallow enough for you to still stand up in. There are lots of different fish to see.

The easiest and cheapest way would be to get the Sea Tran ferry to Koh Tao for a few days. Dive companies also do snorkelling trips to Koh Tao (take you there and bring you back same day) but tend to be more expensive - 2000bt per snorkeller. It depends on whether you fancy a few days away or just a good day of snorkelling.

[Eli27]

Thanks for your reply Perkie. I done a lot of diving and have visited some of the places you mentioned. I have once swam over to Koh Matlang from Chewang and it looked like it might have something... Do you know on which side of Matlang the snorkelling spot is? Im basically just trying to get out of the house for the day sometimes and not really planning on going on boat trips unless with friends.

[perkie173]

Hi I'm not sure at all where Koh Matlang is. Maybe ask in one of the tourist information centres if you are currently in Chaweng?

My boyfriend thinks Silver Beach near Lamai is good for snorkelling. It is quite rocky there and he says he has seen lots of fish just off the shore but I haven't been myself so not sure about the coral. If you are just after a day trip though it might be worth checking out?

[Eli27]

Thanks again. I will definitely check that out!!

[angiud]

The coral is about 10metres off the beach and the sea is shallow enough for you to still stand up in.

Better don't follow this advise. Standing up on corals can damage the fragile animals, and anyway is not allowed.

[perkie173]

I was not intending anyone to stand on the coral. I was just saying that the water is shallow and so perfect if you wanted to go snorkelling.

[longtom]

Waikiki reef is at Laem Sor, a few hundred meters left (south/east?) when you face the pagoda. The water is usually shallow and rough there, but maybe at the outer side of the reef?

Koh Taen has ok snorquelling sites, at least better than Samui (and Ang Thong as mentioned), maybe a bit crowded somedays. Many small fish and some decent soft- and hard corralls, and the occasional surprise. You can book a half-day tour or rent your own longtail, best from Thong Krut.

[happylarry]

What perkie forgot to add was that the fish off Koh NangYuang will swarm around you and eat out of your hand if you take some bread in with you. Its the best place that I have found for snorkelling.

www.lomprayah.com try looking at this ferry.... for a good day out.

HL

[samuijimmy]

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if any knows of any half decent places to snorkel on Samui. I have tried a few places like coral cove, Hin ta Hin Yai etc but the coral seems to be covered in a silty muddy substance. Has anyone tried any reefs offshore in the South of Samui? Are there any places worth a look.

I know Phangan still have some brilliant spots and also Marine Park. I'm more curious than anything to see if Samui has anything semi decent left.

One more question. Does anybody have an idea if it is possible to do a day trip to Koh Taen for snorkeling? What is the best place to go from and approximate costs?

Regards,

Eli

You must have hit a lousy day at Hin ta Hin Yai, (perhaps after rough seas, we've had a lot of them! I'd suggest trying them after two or three days of calm seas), as I have been there several times since April... only disapointed once... cloudy waters, merky bottom.... Head out around the rock out croppings from the new restaurant / bar.... there are some interesting "cavaties" for want of a better word... it's not the biggest area, but nice for an hour or two's outing.

On my last trip a couple of weeks ago, I saw fish that I had not previously seen... Like you, a close spot is nicer than travelling up to Koh Toa... I've been wanting to do that all "summer" ... but knowing some people who work for one of the tour boat companies, it needs to be calm there too.... someday I will do that... They say Light House Bay is better than Mango Bay.

Where is Silver Beach? Can someone answer that, please... It would be nice to try something different, close to home!

I tried finding the coral beach between Chawang and Chong Mon, one day but seemed to be no entry, because of a new Resort! ????

Just to add, one of Koh Phengnan's better spots is off Koh Ma, you swim out from Mae Haad... Island View Cabana has rentals for those who don't have there own...

I never use flipppers, I find the "Holey Sole" shoes work very well... helps protect the treasures below!...

[perkie173]

Where is Silver Beach? Can someone answer that, please... It would be nice to try something different, close to home!

Silver Beach is close to Lamai. I am not too good with directions so I hope this helps. Leave the Lamai Beach road, past the drunken sailor etc. and you will arrive on the ring road. Turn right and follow the ring road on the way to Chaweng. Now you will find that there is quite a big hill going downwards not far from leaving Lamai and there is a big sign advertising Coco's supermarket. If you keep looking to your right around here there are a few beach restaurants but also signs advertising Silver Beach. If my direction are rubbish maybe someone else will be able to help or I can ask my boyfriend to describe it better later...

[Birdman]

There is no Silver Beach on Samui, but a Silver Beach Resort and she probably means the beach in front of that resort, which is the same where Samui Yacht Club is located, Ao Tongtakian. First beach after Lamai on the way to Chaweng, appr. 100 m after IT Complex Business Center, the modern buildings to the right .

Snorkeling there so, so.

[perkie173]

Silver Beach / Tongtakien bay

This beautiful little bay is located just off the main road as you come down the hill into north Lamai from Chaweng. There are three resorts on the beach, so it can get crowded in high season, but it is well worth a visit for the stunning scenery. Crystal blue waters and white sand, bordered by craggy limestone rock formations and verdant hills: the archetypal Thai beach.

The water is shallow at low tide and there is only one area good for bathing, (to the left of the bay) but once you have waded out, the water is wonderful and there are some fish around the rocks and reef for snorkellers to follow.

http://www.kosamui.com/attractions/index.html

[Birdman]

Next time you are welcome to copy and paste my posting about your Silver Beach. Fist time I snorkeled there, you were not yet on this planet, perkie.

I have snorkeled next to the cliffs behind the Peninsula to the East of Choeng Mon, Matlang, Coral Cove, Hin Ta Hin Yai, Tongkruth... everywhere over the years and I can tell Samui is not a great place for snorkeling.

Much better in the NW of Koh Phnagan, some places at the Angthong Marine Park and best in the Samui archipelago at Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuang of course. (But even that can't beat Similan, Tarutao or places near Koh Kood)

Edited August 27, 2009 by Birdman

[perkie173]

Next time you are welcome to copy and paste my posting about your Silver Beach. Fist time I snorkeled there, you were not yet on this planet, perkie.

I have snorkeled next to the cliffs behind the Peninsula to the East of Choeng Mon, Matlang, Coral Cove, Hin Ta Hin Yai, Tongkruth... everywhere over the years and I can tell Samui is not a great place for snorkeling.

Much better in the NW of Koh Phnagan, some places at the Angthong Marine Park and best in the Samui archipelago at Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuang of course. (But even that can't beat Similan, Tarutao or places near Koh Kood)

Woah chillax!!! I'm a dive master and I also know the best places for diving and snorkelling around here. If you read my earlier posts you will see I suggested to the OP that Samui is not the best place for snorkelling but as she just wanted a day out I recommended 'Silver Beach'. My boyfriend has been there recently and is great for fish. The internet also seems to agree.

Angthong Marine Park is not a good place for snorkelling and we generally do not take people there unless they really want to go as the visibility is rubbish - about 1 metre! I have already mentioned about Koh Tao being the best place near to Samui for snorkelling.

Next time I'll keep my mouth shut instead of trying to help people. After all that is what I thought this forum was for. Stop living in the past and take a chill pill. Sounds to me like you need one!

[Birdman]

Listen, you say you are a dive master and you know the best places, but you have never been at your recomendation "Silver Beach" and said also, that you do not know Matlang.

And, by being a major business partner with major diving schools around the area since appr.20 years, maybe also with yours, I certainly know, that the diving schools bring their customers mainly to Koh Tao, where all the dive boats are and where it is best.

But I also know, that Angthong is not too bad too, compared with Samui. Have snorkeled there at least a dozen times in the past 20 years I live on Samui.

[perkie173]

Listen, you say you are a dive master and you know the best places, but you have never been at your recomendation "Silver Beach" and said also, that you do not know Matlang.

I have stated this and said my boyfriend has been whom I trust. The op said she was going to check it out for herself. I was just trying to help. You have a problem with that?

And, by being a major business partner with major diving schools around the area since appr.20 years, maybe also with yours, I certainly know, that the diving schools bring their customers mainly to Koh Tao, where all the dive boats are and where it is best.

I have also already said this if you read my above posts.

But I also know, that Angthong is not too bad too, compared with Samui. Have snorkeled there at least a dozen times in the past 20 years

Everytime I have been to Angthong it has been murky and shocking for snorkelliung. Im sick of defending myself and for what? my age as you stated previously. I am not instructing people what to do was just trying to help out. The op seemed quite happy with my suggestions.

I live on Samui.

Congratulations so do I. Wouldnt have responded if I didnt.

[Birdman]

ok perkie, 'nough said already,

see you at the corals

[sbk]

Lets drop the personal antagonism here, no one wants to read it, you can agree to disagree without having to call into question every detail of someone's life.

[Birdman]

No personal antagonism involved here at all from my part. That would be ridiculous indeed.

[perkie173]

Lets drop the personal antagonism here, no one wants to read it, you can agree to disagree without having to call into question every detail of someone's life.

No antagonism on my part either. Would be nice to just write a post and not have to defend everything I say. I have been helped a lot on this forum, was just trying to do the same in return.

[longtom]

Thank you both (and the others) for your valuable information, now I know about all the 'good' spots around Samui and will try out one or the other.

Maybe you can also tell how it was like ten years ago on Samui for snorkelling, much better than now? is that mainly from more and more wastewater being dumped (without treatment I suppose)? Same development ahead for Koh Tao/Phangan?

[dastott]

Thanks guys some useful info here. Does 'Silver Beach' have any soft corals or just hard? Cheers.