[Samui] The North-West of Koh Samui

The northern area of ​​the West Coast of Koh Samui includes a small village of Lipa Noi and the administrative center of the island, Nathon. Less touristic than the East Coast, this part of the island has some surprises including the lovely little, beach Lipa Noi, which hosts some hotels. Nathon, meanwhile, remains the main city frequently for Thai residents on Koh Samui.

Lipa Noi

Lipa Noi Beach

Close to the main port for ferries, Lipa Noi made a wise choice for anyone who comes from Surat Thani, Samui. The white sand beach with no rock makes this place more than wonderful. The water is shallow and allows you to go to some places up to 100 meters from the shore. Surrounded by coconut trees, the beach is one of the best places to watch the nightly sunset. Some hotels have made their home in Lipa Noi, mostly mid-range or in the form of simple bungalows along the beach.

A hotel yet stands out in Lipa Noi: Nikki Beach. Present in other prestigious places on the planet (Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Tropez, Miami, etc.), hotels of the chain Nikki are reputed to be a must for trendy youth and for its Sunday brunch at the edge the pool, the music of DJs, and the taste of champagne. Every hotel of the group is unique– one in Samui is no exception to the rule. Despite the festive aspect of the complexity, peace remains in place around the luxurious bungalows in order to take advantage of the charm of the beach or pool.

Apart from enjoying the beach, wandering through thousands of coconut trees, and relaxing at one of the best places on the island to admire every evening’s sunset, there are also things to do in the East of Lipa Noi; like visiting other places of the island and the small town of Nathon nearby.

Nathon

Nkoh-Samui-Nathon-Mapathon is a small town with an office administrative center on the island. Located in the North of the West

Coast, tides are important for the beach. Most of the activities involve the sea and areas through the main port of the island that connects to the mainland. Other boats are available for visitors to travel to the island of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao or for a sightseeing in the Angthong National Park.

Like any city in Thailand, Nathon has its own market with fresh products found only in latitudes in the South of the country. In addition

Nathon

to daily market, there is a night market where you can find local and cheap dishes. Some night bars are found not only in Nathon, but also offer a festive atmosphere in Chaweng or Lamai. As a city, Nathon also has two main shopping streets. We can find all kinds of shops, including jewelry stores, gift shops, antiques, and even clothes stores with international brands. Banks and the main post office on the island are also located there. A public hospital is also one of the city’s infrastructures, mainly used by the Thai islanders.

In term of tourist interest, the city has little to offer compared to other parts of the island. However, some small temples that are located in or around the city will delight the curiosity. A beautiful waterfall called Hin Lad is also not far from Nathon. It is accessible by a path from the main road. Less impressive than the waterfalls of Namuang, it is also less crowded; offering the possibility to enjoy fresh water in peace right in the jungle.