Welcome to day four of my Thailand 20 day itinerary in Koh Samui. From Panvaree the Greenery, we returned to the Pier via long boat where our private driver picked us up and drove us to the Nathon Pier where we purchased a ticket for a high-speed ferry to Koh Samui. The ferry journey was about 2 hours. When we arrived, we called a Grab through our app and headed to our hotel, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui.

Day 1: Fisherman’s Village Night Market We spent a relaxing morning by the pool before taking a Grab to Fisherman’s Village for its famous night market. As evening set in, the narrow streets packed in shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists, street food stalls, and street performers. While it’s easily one of Koh Samui’s top attractions, the sheer crowd density can feel overwhelming if you are looking for a peaceful evening walk. We managed to find a spot for dinner, but getting a ride back proved to be a challenge. Local taxis dominate the area, and the Grab app kept misplacing our GPS signal, forcing us to wander around to pin down different drivers. After some effort, we finally met our driver and breathed a sigh of relief on the ride back to our resort.

Day 2: We booked an all-day tour through Viator to the Anthong National Marine Park. Here are the details for each speedboat stop:

Stop 1: Offshore Snorkeling at Koh Tao / Koh Tay Plei We kicked off the day anchoring in open water near the northern islands of the park. Jumping straight off the speedboat, we spent time snorkeling over lively reefs filled with tropical fish.

Stop 2: Kayaking along the Coastline at Koh Sam Sao Next, we pulled up to a secluded shore, strapped on life jackets, and hopped into sea kayaks. We paddled along towering limestone cliffs, through rock arches, and into hidden sea caves.

Stop 3: Emerald Lake (Talay Nai) on Koh Mae Ko Our third stop brought us to Koh Mae Ko. We made the steep climb up the cliffside stairs to reach the panoramic overlook of Emerald Lake—a bright saltwater lagoon hidden right inside the heart of the island.

Stop 4: Pha Jun Jaras Viewpoint on Koh Wua Ta Lap Our final stop was the main island, Koh Wua Ta Lap, home to the marine park headquarters. We took on the grueling 500-meter climb up a series of steep trails and ropes to reach the Pha Jun Jaras Viewpoint. The effort paid off with an unbelievable 360-degree view looking out across the entire chain of 42 emerald islands scattered across the blue Gulf.

Day 3: We booked an ATV tour through Viator

Looking for an adrenaline rush, we booked an ATV tour that promised a route suitable for “all skill levels.” However, it definitely leaned more intermediate! We each had our own individual ATVs and navigated a trail packed with steep, rocky climbs and intense downhill drop-offs. At one point, my heart was pounding as my ATV almost tipped over while scaling a steep, boulder-filled hill! Mid-tour, we took a welcome breather at a hidden mountain cafe that doubled as a ziplining hub before tackling the rest of the trail. It turned out to be far more rugged than advertised, but it was hands-down one of our most thrilling adventures on the island.

Head to our next stop on Thailand 20 day itinerary – Koh Tao

Are you asking why I booked all my tours through Viator???

Yes, you may get a better deal booking directly with the tour operators but for me, I book through my Capital One Venture or Rakuten portal so I can get 20 or 30X the points. When I book through the Capital One portal, I get 2X the points plus the 30X points bonus.

Don’t have a Venture or Venture X? I have a Capital One Venture credit card and really like it. You should check it out. If you apply using my referral link and are approved, I’ll get a referral bonus!)