Healthy Cool Water Swimming Beach - Where?

[buzzer]

Hi,

I live in Bang Rak, and would prefer not to drive daily to Lipa Noi, for what is becoming a daily 1 hour swim.

I used to live in Hawaii, on Oahu, where there were an abundance of clean (by law) beaches and offshore waters. They were also cool and refreshing.

I'm never going to ask Koh Samui to come up to Hawaii standards, but there are some things that may be available here.

Cool might be difficult, but if I get out of the bays, and into the deeper waters, I've noticed it getting cooler too, just nowhere I've been yet, in my very limited experience.

If anyone knows how to get into clean, deep water somewhere in the north of the island I'd be appreciative.

I may resort (if necessary) to finding a rowing dingy or surfboard to get out past the bays to the deeper, cooler, waters and begin my swims there.

But I'm asking for the experienced opinion of the actual waterman - as we call them in Hawaii, to give me the benefit of their actual experience.

Please don't suggest anything in Lamai, or South of Menam, I just won't drive there - I'll put up with warmer waters.

Thanks - Buzzer

PADI instructor #16152

[Mole]

Well, the waters of west side of Maenam beach tends to go almost imediately deep. I don't know if the water is cooler, but the beach goes down very rapidly. One of few places on Samui where the beach do go deep rapidly. The other place that I can think of right now is southern part of Lamai beach near the grandfather's rock. But personally I don't like the crowds of people on Lamai beach.

You should definately check out that spot on Maenam beach because there are stretches with halted construction and there's no people at all for a hundred or so meters and sandy beach and goes deep almost imediately.

It's in between the main Maenam traffic light road and the Lomprayah catamaran pier. Should be closer if you start walking from the catamaran pier just a few hundred meters.

[Mole]

Also, perhaps you could check out just south of Choeng-Mon. But there are no beaches here, only rocks. It's the strech of coast which goes from Choeng-Mon southwards towards Chaweng.

I think the waters shoudl be deep there too, but there's not much beaches to speak of.

That part of the island is kind of deserted and the waters may be cleaner.

There is a small road which heads from the main road towards a small beach on that east side.

The road should be opposite where that Korean restaurant is.

[Tropicalevo]

Also, perhaps you could check out just south of Choeng-Mon. But there are no beaches here, only rocks. It's the strech of coast which goes from Choeng-Mon southwards towards Chaweng.

I think the waters shoudl be deep there too, but there's not much beaches to speak of.

That part of the island is kind of deserted and the waters may be cleaner.

There is a small road which heads from the main road towards a small beach on that east side.

The road should be opposite where that Korean restaurant is.

I think that you are correct Mole.

Buzzer you might also want to try Tongson Bay (Melati Resort) is a nice clean beach as well and it can get deep pretty quickly, but...........

..............watch out for rips.

I have seen a kayak or two in trouble there

Access is via Soi Tongsai and then down towards Melati. When you get to Melati - turn right at the entrance and around the back to Tongson Bungalows

[samuijimmy]

The problem right now is the tides are very low and water is very warm especially where not deep... which depending on tides will be the same until about October, if memory serves...

I would agree with Mole, that the areas west of Maenam, are a bit deeper than some areas... (tide variable) I'd even go to the (west) Nanthon side of Lomprayah Ferry terminal, towards the rocks at the end of the beach... I think the bungalows near by are called Hanalei Gardens... There were people swimming waste deep not that far out into the water.... yesterday.

But even if you where to to park at the Temple area near Lomprayah Ferry, it would not be much of a walk! and then you have a choice of walking either way.... and try!

Another way in to a beach near by, one that I like, is to turn right just after a shop call Zhulan (big green letters) and then turn right at 7-11 and just head down that road to the beach..(maybe 1 km) turn left and continue down...... at the end there a couple of resorts, where you can park... beach there usually fairly quiet...

Although when down there yesterday, there is a bit of construction & demolition going on... but you can get away from that...

I was also at Chong mon beach yesterday,( I do get around!) it's not what I remember and is a bit of a dump... boom boom music and jet skis!

I know you said you don't want Lamai, but the area around Grandfather /Grandmother Rocks, has a lot of people looking at the rocks, but rarely anyone swimming, a good location for snorkeling if the waters are calm... it's a very small beach, the one overlooking grand father's "thingy"

Hope that helps!

[buzzer]

Hi,

Thanks to Mole, Tropicalevo, and Samui Jimmy! I appreciate your responses.

Quite a wealth of info here, all this expertise is very much appreciated! Rest assured that I'll look into many of the areas mentioned. I just don't want to spend a lot of diesel, and time driving to a swim spot every day. When I lived on Oahu, things were a snap. Get in the car and go swimming, diving, whatever in a few minutes. When I moved to the Hilo side of the Big Island - What a change! So rocky, only a few entry points, few beaches. Kona side was wonderful, but 2 hours drive each way. I had to drive 1 hour round trip to go swimming daily, and soon gave up.

At 59, and overweight, I'm just getting back into the swim of things. I used to do 2 Km daily, and am getting close to that now.

Nobody ever mentions this fact - something I figured out as a young man. If you swim in cold water you burn more calories. Your body really, really wants to maintain its temperature, and will make the 'fires' a bit hotter in order to do so.

As a SCUBA instructor, I was always told to ask the local people about the local conditions, such as the currents. In Samui, I don't know how helpful the dive shops would be, as they don't do beach dives. So, I need to get access to accurate tide tables for Samui. A chart showing the current patterns in the open gulf would probably be hard to find, but perhaps they are available. Long shore currents that supply water to the Rip currents, which are the ones originating on the beach that take you out from the beach, have to be learned individually or from locals. Some are always there, but some shift position. In any case, if you're being whisked out to sea, don't swim against it, swim perpendicular to it and you'll soon be out of it, just FYI. To avoid most currents it's best to swim on the high or low tide. The greatest water movement would (theoretically) be right in the middle. Currents can kill. The ocean (gulf) must be treated respectfully. A lot of the really bad currents come close to the various points where the islands jut out farthest into the sea (gulf). They have one in Hawaii, off Diamond Head on Oahu called the Molokai express, which has carried many a person out to sea. Best to have a surf board and (again) go perpendicular to the direction of the current. These open ocean (or gulf) currents are the ones that got the kayakers in trouble. They can travel faster than you can row. So a little fore-knowledge would be beneficial.

Here I ask for info, and get into teaching mode - forgive me. I need to learn what you have to say, not the other way around.

Thanks tho'

Buzzer

Edited May 26, 2011 by buzzer

[samuijimmy]

If you want cool / cold water head up to the west coast of Vancouver Island British Columbia! Water temps there hardly vary from summer to winter... aprrox 54 F or 12 c.... year round.... , enough to freeze the you know whats off a brass monkey ..... and burn off that fat! A pain to have to put on dry suites though!

Last time I was in Hawaii, 2002 I think, the tides were so strong, that no one could swim or surf on many beaches... I used to make a daily trek on the bus, and go to the north end or south side, using the two week tickets for the bus to get out of Waki Waki! But many beaches roped off...

The bus was about the best "deal" in Hawaii.... you almost have to be a millionaire to stay & eat there now... unlike in the 70's when it was reasonable ! Sort of like Samui is now.... you can bet your booties that things won't get cheaper here!

I was snorkeling at Maehaad beach on KP last week end and the water temp is not much different there... in fact some areas of water was like sitting in a hot tub! Snorkeling adds a whole new dimension to swimming, in the right spots.... it's a whole different world, although sad to see how much coral is in decline...

Perhaps take up gardening, I have lost nearly 30 lbs since moving to Thailand in 2007!

[Tropicalevo]

Here you go - tide tables for 2011. You will need Excel

http://www.saltwater-dreaming.com/surfing-resources/thailand-tide-charts.htm

(With thanks to the OP who pointed me to this one a few years ago.)

[samuijimmy]

Had a thought yesterday, whilst sitting on the beach near Thaling Gnam, with it's warm water!

There are a number of Cool.... "swimming holes" albeit they are not large, so very small laps!

But if you go up Soi 5 in Meanam and go perhaps 3 k's until you see the signs for the Secret waterfalls / Canopy Adventure Tours.., just after a sharp turn to the right, you turn left.... (Sign there) there is a pool beyond the Canopy adventure tours, below the falls... Just ask the friendly staff at the shack... Road has been fixed, (steep in some parts) after last rains, but you still need to do a bit of walking... (exercise!!! ) then cool down in the pool.... below the falls.... you can if you are adventurous you can get to more pools above the falls, but would not do that alone! Climb up to the right side of the falls, there is a bit of a "beaten path"... Water levels vary according to rain !

Another swimming hole on that same road, (about 1/2 km in) off to the right, (where you turn in) there is a sort of parking area, then just walk in about 25 meters.... under a nice canopy of trees! but that again varies to amount of water /rain... but you won't get as much exercise walking in!

At some of the other water falls around the island, have larger swimming holes, they are usually very busy with people (locals) especially on week ends.... one at the falls near Samui immigration, turn opposite direction! and go to the end of the road.

Perhaps that helps if you want cool water!???

[buzzer]

Here you go - tide tables for 2011. You will need Excel

http://www.saltwater-dreaming.com/surfing-resources/thailand-tide-charts.htm

(With thanks to the OP who pointed me to this one a few years ago.)

Hi,

This, sorry to say, didn't work at all for me. I was so excited when you sent it! It would not open in any of my browsers. I'm on a Mac, but Opera can be set to emulate Internet Explorer. They all said the same thing - when the map loads, click on it. Then it finally timed out. I don't have Excel, but I do have Open Office Org. which has a free Excel type spreadsheet. I tried to get that program to go to the URL, but that didn't work either.

There are some expensive paid services for getting tide info. To my knowledge, there's nothing available about currents, except in the minds of the skippers.

My desire to get out past the filth zone, and hopefully into some clearer, cleaner, colder water are leading me to think about finding a rowboat. Don't even know if they make them here. Kayaks and 1 oared rowboats aren't what I'd want. Maybe a daysailer? Then you have to worry about too many things - but it would be nice.

Well thanks all! Appreciate the input!

Buzzer

[PoorSucker]

Here you go Buzzer.

Free Excel reader from Microsoft

[Mole]

He is using a mac....

[PoorSucker]

He is using a mac....

Ohhh, one of THEM

Here you go.

Tide Table for Samui

Edit: uploaded to my web site.

Edited May 31, 2011 by PoorSucker

[Tropicalevo]

He is using a mac....

Ohhh, one of THEM

Edit: uploaded to my web site.

nice

[buzzer]

He is using a mac....

Ohhh, one of THEM

Edit: uploaded to my web site.

nice

I guess that aforementioned site was down yesterday, I had no problem accessing it, and it immediately opened Open Office's spreadsheet - So, once again, Thanks - In spite of being 'one of them' you have provided me with a couple tide charts. Gee! Now I won't run out of ideas when I visit the Tattoo artist!

Thanks,

Buzzer

[PoorSucker]

I guess that aforementioned site was down yesterday, I had no problem accessing it, and it immediately opened Open Office's spreadsheet - So, once again, Thanks - In spite of being 'one of them' you have provided me with a couple tide charts. Gee! Now I won't run out of ideas when I visit the Tattoo artist!

Thanks,

Buzzer

Tidal charts are overrated as tattoos.

[buzzer]

I guess that aforementioned site was down yesterday, I had no problem accessing it, and it immediately opened Open Office's spreadsheet - So, once again, Thanks - In spite of being 'one of them' you have provided me with a couple tide charts. Gee! Now I won't run out of ideas when I visit the Tattoo artist!

Thanks,

Buzzer

Tidal charts are overrated as tattoos.

But, if you need it - accept no substitutes - and never move out of the area!

[PoorSucker]

I guess that aforementioned site was down yesterday, I had no problem accessing it, and it immediately opened Open Office's spreadsheet - So, once again, Thanks - In spite of being 'one of them' you have provided me with a couple tide charts. Gee! Now I won't run out of ideas when I visit the Tattoo artist!

Thanks,

Buzzer

Tidal charts are overrated as tattoos.

But, if you need it - accept no substitutes - and never move out of the area!

[samuijimmy]

He is using a mac....

Ohhh, one of THEM

Edit: uploaded to my web site.

nice

I guess that aforementioned site was down yesterday, I had no problem accessing it, and it immediately opened Open Office's spreadsheet - So, once again, Thanks - In spite of being 'one of them' you have provided me with a couple tide charts. Gee! Now I won't run out of ideas when I visit the Tattoo artist!

Thanks,

Buzzer

Hey!

I am having a "Mac attack" this evening, and page just opened fine using Open office.... off Safari.... so no Mac bashing please!

Quote " that aforementioned site was down yesterday" ........no it was fine on the PC.... But me can never understand them charts either .... to me either the tide is up or it's down! Through the summer months it's more down!