Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The organisation has played an integral role in keeping the island's dog population un-
der control through an active spaying and neutering program. The centre also vaccinates
dogs against rabies.
GULF ISLANDS IN…
One Week
First, shed a tear that you have but one week to explore these idyllic islands. Then start on one of
Ko Pha-
Ngan's
(
Click here
)
secluded beaches in the west or east to live out your ultimate castaway fantasies. For the
second half of the week choose between partying in
Hat Rin
(
Click here
), pampering on
Ko Samui
(
Click here
)
or diving on little
Ko Tao
(
Click here
).
Two Weeks
Start on
Ko Tao
(
Click here
) with a 3½-day Open Water certification course, or sign up for a few fun dives.
Slide over to
Ko Pha-Ngan
(
Click here
) and soak up the sociable vibe in party-prone Hat Rin. Then, grab a
long-tail and make your way to one of the island's hidden coves for a few days of detoxing and quiet contempla-
tion.
Ko Samui
is next. Try
Bo Phut
(
Click here
) for boutique sleeps or live it up like a rock star on Chaweng or
Choeng Mon beach. If you have time, do a day trip to
Ang Thong National Marine Park
(
Click here
).
One Month
Follow the two-week itinerary at a more relaxed pace, infusing many extra beach-book-and-blanket days on all
three islands. Be sure to plan your schedule around the Full Moon Party, which takes place at Hat Rin's Sunrise
Beach on
Ko Pha-Ngan
(
Click here
).
Diving
If you're serious about diving, head to Ko Tao and base yourself there for the duration of
your diving adventure. If you're short on time and don't want to leave Samui, there are
plenty of operators who will take you to the same dive sites (at a greater fee, of course).
Try to book with a company that has its own boat (or leases a boat) - it's slightly more
expensive, but you'll be glad you did it. Companies without boats often shuttle divers on
the passenger catamaran to Ko Tao, where you board a second boat to reach your dive
site. These trips are arduous, meal-less and rather impersonal.
Certification courses tend to be twice as expensive on Ko Samui as they are on Ko
Tao, due largely to use of extra petrol, since tiny Tao is significantly closer to the pre-
ferred diving locations. You'll spend between 14,000B and 22,000B on an Open Water
certification, and figure on between 4500B and 6200B for a diving day trip including two
dives, depending on the location of the site.
Ko Samui's hyperbaric chamber is at Big Buddha Beach (Hat Bang Rak).
