Koh Samui Map

Imagine Koh Samui as a rough square with the corners pulled off. Unlike other holiday destinations in Thailand, Samui is basically a low mountain with flat parts around the edges. As a result, all the building and development has happened near to the beach, with only the last few years seeing a move towards building inland and - expensively - upwards. One pleasing result of this is that there is no high-rise developments here, and structures rarely exceed three or four floors in height.

For most of Koh Samui the concrete Ring Road closely follows the contours of the beach, with a few local exceptions. However, on the lower part of the map, in the south, you'll see that this road cuts across the island, seeming to ignore the south west parts, which are still comparatively untouched and undeveloped.

The island is 247 square kilometres (95 miles square) and the ring road, is 54 kilometres around in one big circle, taking about an hour to arrive back where you started. 90% of the development here is of the 'ribbon' style, with buildings following the road on either side.

You'll notice that Nathon and the small area of Lipa Noi are on the west coast. Nathon is the original sea port of the island - facing the mainland, sheltered and with deep water. This is where the Samui's main 'village' emerged and where, today, you'll find the two ferry piers on Koh Samui.

Today Nathon is still the administrative centre of the island, with all the banks centred here, the buildings of the island's administration and government, the main police and customs houses - and all of this contained within three small streets!

Koh Samui has lots of interesting features and aspects that are not on the ring road - mountain hideaways, 'Buddha's footprint', a sculpture garden, mountain walks, waterfalls and so on.

It's hard to get 'lost' on Koh Samui. if you keep going you will soon come back to where you started, but the real problem is a) knowing where you are now and b) working out in which direction you're heading. It's hard to check your GPS or Google Maps when you're on a motor scooter up a mountain, so look here first then grab a free map. Most resorts and hotels have a stand where they display free publications and maps -  take one!