Sports

With such clear waters and an abundance of marine life, water sports are very popular on Samui, and the hottest one is diving. Around a dozen dive companies based on the island offer a chance for experienced divers to join them and for beginners to learn how to dive, which can be arranged through the hotels and bungalows. If diving sounds too challenging, then snorkelling is your second choice. Join a trip to one of the nearby coral reefs, put on a mask, a snorkel and fins, then go floating above the reefs and discover colourful fish. For those who would rather keep their head above water, then maybe sea kayaking is the sport for them. Once they have mastered how to propel this small light craft, they can explore the shoreline in perfect peace. For more thrills, try windsurfing, jet-skiing or paragliding, and feel the tropical breeze. For those who are watershy, just hang around the beach in the evening and join in one of the spontaneous games of beach volleyball, or even Takro, a traditional Thai take on the game, using feet, elbows and shoulders. If exploring the island’s interior sounds like fun, hire a 4WD vehicle and try off-road driving on the bumpy trails leading to the highlands.