The Gallivanting Goldies go Island Hopping!
Last 2 weeks of January and beginning of February 2026, the Goldies, now very much Golden (67 and 70 respectively) joined the Millennials and the Zoomers on the magnificent islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
17 glorious days in Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
We spent 4 nights in Koh Samui, took the ferry to Koh Tao where we spent another 4 nights, then the ferry to Koh Phangan for 8 nights and back to Koh Samui for one last night.
This post is predominately about swimming, snorkeling, beaches and hotels.
Koh Samui
We flew in to Bangkok and then straight on to Koh Samui to land at the very scenic tropical island airport.
Spent 4 glorious nights at the Garrya Tongsai Bay Hotel. The Hotel is situated in a secluded bay with a beach that is actually private to the Hotel (although we later learnt that all the beaches belong to the King!). The Hotel is built into the hill which is part of the natural jungle and forests – so lots of steps to climb but what a magnificent setting.
Although we could have easily spent the entire time at the beach and at either or at both of the swimming pools we did venture out.
We spent a morning with a private driver going around most of the “iconic” sites – the temples, overlap stone, Chaweng Beach and some of the famous viewpoints.
The drive up to the Overlap Stone was challenging – you are taken by a 4×4 from the bottom on roads that are sandy, windy steep potholes. At the top the view is special but not special enough to make the trip up to it!
Stone – Koh Samui
Also spent some hours at the most magnificent day spa in the South – Tamarind Springs. Tamarind Springs is in the jungle with amazing lush vegetation. We didn’t have massages (you have to book these in advance) but enjoyed the two steam rooms ( similar to a Hamam) and the natural pools. The setting of Tamaring Springs is breathtaking.
From Tamaring Springs we went further south and had dinner at Sweet Sisters Cafe – excellent food and great adjacent gift shop.
Central Samui – the local Mall is worth a visit. It is huge and has most of the well known brands.
After being in Koh Tao and Koh Phangan we came back (this time by speedboat) to Koh Samui for one last night and stayed at the Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort – a fabulous beachfront resort right by Fisherman’s Village. The beach is a long stretch of soft sand and yet given the boat activity I wouldn’t think that it is great to swim here in the sea.
Fisherman Village Night Market is well worth visiting – it is colorful, noisy, full of clothes, bags and food stalls and yes very touristy but fun. Tasted the homemade Thai Roll Ice-Cream which is made in front of you!
We didn’t hire a car on Koh Samui and used taxis and the hotel transport instead.
Koh Tao
From Koh Samui we took the Lomprayah Ferry to Koh Tao and raised the average age of the passengers by about 40 years. Recommend for anyone who wants a more pleasant trip – pay the extra THB 200 and sit in the VIP lounge.
Koh Tao is the smallest of the three islands with more foreign residents than locals. Koh Tao (Tao in Thai meaning “turtle) is famous for the turtles that you are supposed to see while snorkeling or diving (snorkeled and didn’t see any turtles). The interior of the island is a lush thick jungle. The beaches and bays are beautiful and very picturesque. The sand is largely soft or very fine crushed coral. We did not get to really enjoy clear turquoise water here – if there are gusts of winds or heavy rains, which there were prior to our arrival, they wash up all kinds of garbage and seaweed which in return affects the clarity and cleanliness of both the sea water and the beach. Admirably it is not uncommon to see tourists collecting the garbage and cleaning the beaches.
We spent 4 nights at Phandara Luxury Pool Villas – a complex of 3 pool villas situated in the jungle hillside of Koh Tao boasting magnificent views. The villa we were in was a very spacious 2 bedroomed 2 bathroom (one outside) extremely well decorated and furnished villa equipped with excellent equipment and great infinity pool. The owners who are on site are extremely friendly and helpful. A perk here is that there is a shuttle service for guests – a driver takes you wherever you want to go and then picks you up again – so no issue with transport.
There is no breakfast offered at the Villas yet every morning delicious French Pastries are delivered to the Villa.
We spent 3 days on different beaches searching for the cleanest beach and sea and best snorkeling – Haad Sai Daeng; Tanote Bay & Haad Tien Beach (Shark Bay). The snorkeling on all three was good but not spectacular – saw lots of fish and coral but no turtles and no sharks. The clarity of the water due to all the backwash wasn’t perfect but still had great swims in gorgeous bays.
On all three beaches we ate at the restaurants on the beaches and all three were excellent.
Back in the main village, I recommend Thaita Italian Restaurant.
Lotus Beach Bar & Restaurant have fire shows but we opted to have a good Italian meal instead which was well worth it!
Wouldn’t recommend hiring a car here as the roads are extremely steep and
windy. Our resort, as do I believe a lot of the resorts, offer transport around the island.
Koh Phangan
Took the Lomprayah Ferry to Koh Phangan. Stayed 4 nights on the West Side of the Island and 4 nights on the East Side. Here we rented a car and recommend to do so.
We drove up and down the West Coast visiting Secret Beach; Haad Yao Beach, Mae Haad Beach and Ko Ma. Although Koh Tao is famous for its’ diving and snorkeling, here at Ko Ma I had the most amazing snorkeling. Snorkeled off the coast and close to the rocks at Ko Ma – the fish and coral were exceptional and far better than anything I saw on Koh Tao. The beaches and bays that we visited were picture postcard with soft clean sandy beaches.
On Secret Beach which isn’t so secret we sat on shaded loungers belonging to the beach restaurant where we also ate and it was definitely worth it.
The first 4 nights we spent on the West side of the Island at Zee Luxury Boutique Hotel. It is a small Hotel with a great 50m swimming pool that you basically walk into from your room. Like all the places we stayed at the staff were very friendly, helpful and hospitable. The Hotel is not on the beach front but a mere 5 minute walk from the Hin Kong Beach that boasts amazing sunsets, sandbank and excellent restaurants. The Hotel’s location was great for exploring the West side of the Island.
We ate twice at L’Alcove which was excellent – went back the second time as the first time was a great experience and also as there was a fire show which was very good. Saw the sunset and had dinner on the beach at Charlie’s – very worthwhile.
On the East Side of the Island is the stunning famous Thong Nai Pan Beach home to the magnificent Anantara Rasananda Hotel where we spent another 4 nights. Except for walking around the adjacent very touristy village we didn’t budge from the Hotel sapping up the beauty of the bay.
Eating on the Islands
The quality and presentation of all the food we ate (barring one occasion) was truly very surprising and so unexpected – the food was delicious (both for the vegetarian and for the other Goldie – a regular carnivore). The presentation of the food was exemplary and the freshness and quality excellent (and all this on islands!). Granted we did not eat street food but wherever we ate, be it in the hotels or restaurants, the quality and presentation were exceptional.
Tips
The only shoes/sandals you need are slip slops/fit flops – wherever you go it is customary to take off your shoes;
Cash is used in the markets and small shops;
American Express less accepted;
Book ferry tickets online and in advance;
Drink and brush teeth with bottled water only;
Use reef friendly suntan lotion.