These tours are a great way to pack quite a lot in to a short time and go something like this (note, the elephant trekking is optional):

1) Whole Day - Grandfather / Grandmother Rocks, Monkey works the coconut, Elephant trekking, Crocodile Show, Waterfall Swim, Mummified Monk, Buddha's Magic Garden, Viewpoint 650m above sea level, Tasting Thai fruit in Season, Lunch at Woodland Restaurant, Rubber plantation, Pass Maenam & Bophut villages, Big Buddha at Sunset

2) Half Day - Elephant trekking, Monkey Show, Baby elephant show, Crocodile Show, Swimming in the waterfall, 4x4 climb into the Jungle & view point, Tasting Thai fruit in Season, The Buddha's Magic Garden, Traditional Thai lunch

There are a few places offering ATV tours either through the jungle or the jungle and the beach. These are fun whatever the weather and especially in the rain as riding a quad through mud high up in the mountains with the wind and rain in your face is unforgettable. These machine go seriously off road and so you get to see the real jungle and some hidden places with fantastic views. Families with children are welcome as well as experienced riders for the more challenging circuits.

Topcats resort and fishery is close to the house and covers an area of some six acres with a 4.5 acre specimen lake stocked with freshwater fish. Topcats boasts an impressive stock of species including the awesome Arapaima Gigas, Redtail Catfish, Sorubim, Alligator Gar and native predatory species such as Chaophraya Catfish and Giant Snakehead. The fishery has produced several fish of world record size including the Niger ‘Ripsaw’ catfish with several fish at a record breaking 38lb/17.25kg. Topcats is the only fishery in the world stocked with the Amazonian Niger Catfish holding several specimens in excess of the current world record. Local Thai fishermen are on hand to bait and generally help you land them if you need.

There are many deep sea fishing excursions on Koh Samui ranging from traditional Thai Longtail boats to new Miami style tower boats. The itineraries and the distances traveled are varied. On the high powered boats you can have a full day fishing off Koh Phangan and even Koh Tao where the waters are crystal clear and there are big game fish like Stringray, Snapper, Groupa, Barracuda and African Pompret. There are some overnight excursions too and all trips can be tailored to your wishes and budgets.

Samui has three (well two and a half) golf courses, each with its own identity:

1) Santiburi Samui Country Club is a championship 18 hole, 6,930 yard, par-72 course. From steep slopes to winding fairways that cut into the coconut forest, to cliffs and mountain creeks, Santiburi Samui Country Club is a unique golf course built in perfect harmony with its settings (pictured right).

2) Royal Samui Golf and Country Club is a full service, 18-hole golf and recreation facility, built in the mountain side offering spectacular views. While not overly long, it offers a good test of golf with changes in elevation, small fast greens, narrow fairways as well as many strategically placed hazards.

3) Bophut Hills Country Club is the perfect pitch and put 9 hole, par 3 layout.

There are a number of zip wire bases which take full advantage of the mountains and jungle. You soar through the air at speeds up to 50 miles per hour suspended above the rain forest or you can chose to traverse the tree tops from station to station across a maze of slower wires. If you have wondered what it’s like to be a bird then this is about as close as you’ll ever get. The views are amazing and the adrenaline rush is not to be missed. I gather children from about 8 years old are welcome but infants can also travel harnessed to their parents.

There are a number of Kite Surfing Schools and equipment hire businesses on Samui and the best location depends on the time of year as the prevailing winds shift. One school has the business in the south east of the island for six months of the year and then moves to the north west for the rest. Beginners and experienced surfers are welcome and costs depend on length of time and equipment hired. They also have well stocked surf shops.

Two minutes from the house is the fishing village of Thong Krut where long tail boats do full and half day tours to the nearby islands of Koh Madsum and Koh Tan. The trip usually includes swimming and snorkeling on the reefs and then a trip to the small island of Madsum where there is a gorgeous beach and to Koh Tan where there is a restarant and bar. Both islands are a wonderful day out and the long tail trip is a must do for Thailand. A memorable and cheap day out. We have friends with boats who will be happy to give you a great price.

Koh Samui has a large number of Muay Thai training camps open to men and women of all abilities from all backgrounds. Some of these are fitness camps using Muay Thai techniques for strength and agility and some are full martial arts schools. They are open for casual drop ins or more comprehensive schedules and can tailor a program to suit your needs. A useful website for investigating Muay Thai schools is www.bookmartialarts.com. The link will take you to the Koh Samui offerings.

Koh Samui features a number of paintball venues set within the jungle. Enjoying a paintball game in an outdoor setting is much more fun than indoors because players get an opportunity to enjoy an actual war-like game within the Koh Samui’s lush rainforest. Undoubtedly, it will bring out an adventurous side to you. When participating in a paintball game, players need need to use a lot of tactics and skills in order to win the game. It is also about physical endurance. Don't forget it can be hot and humid so you need to be fit.

In Lamai (a 15 minute drive) there are all the water based activities you could wish for on a wonderful stretch of beach. The activities are available all year weather depending and are well run and insured. The beach is long with golden sand, wonderful swimming and is backed by a large number of bars and restaurants. There are beach chairs and loungers to be had for free if you have a drink and this is generally a lively place to be. There are a few beach traders offering massage, manicures and selling the odd sarong and bracelet but they are never intrusive and add to the colour.

As you would expect from an island in Thailand, Samui has a great deal of water based activity to offer. Boating trips range from small local Long Tail boats, modern speed boats, large fishing boats to huge sailing boats. Whether you are looking for water based sports, fishing, sight seeing or just relaxing, there is something for every budget. There are half day cruises, full day and live aboard experiences. Also sunset dining cruises! Talk to us and we can find something to interest you. It is not possible to write all of the offerings here. Mick is a keen sailor and knows all of the islands offerings well and can easily recommend something to meet your needs.