Connecting in Ko Samui: Six Ways to Commune With Nature

There are many ways to discover the essence of a destination. For some it is through food, and for others it is through the rich history and unique culture. In addition, some ports of call are blessed with unparalleled natural beauty, such as Ko Samui, a fact reinforced as I was watching the third season of the streaming series “The White Lotus,” which was filmed primarily on this unique island in the Gulf of Thailand.

Overflowing with pristine beaches and abundant wildlife, Ko Samui is a nature lover’s paradise. While it’s impossible to see it all, there are six ways to experience this stunning port of call that I highly recommend.

1. Chill Out in A White Lotus Setting

   Some of the most memorable stars of “The White Lotus” are the beaches. Unspoiled, often secluded and cradled by coconut palms, Ko Samui’s beaches are exquisite.

   • The most well-known is Chaweng Beach, ringed by a variety of eclectic shops, casual restaurants, lively bars and intriguing attractions along Chaweng Beach Road.
   • For a beach more off the beaten path, I like Thongson Bay with its views of dramatic Ko Pha-Ngan, the island where the rowdy full-moon party featured in “The White Lotus” takes place every month.
   • Expansive Maenam Beach offers a glimpse into everyday Thai life with small beachside bakeries featuring specialties such as Thai crepes and banana pancakes.
   • For fans of the high-end beach lifestyle seen in “The White Lotus,” I’d suggest taking an Oceania Cruises shore excursion to the inviting sands of a waterfront resort on Bo Phut Beach. Choose from the resort’s swimming pool, which is just steps away, or an invigorating swim in the sapphire waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

2. I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying

   While I’ve seen elephants in zoo settings, I’d never felt like I truly understood them until visiting Ko Samui. Oceania Cruises offers a Go Green Tour to a sanctuary that is home to elephants rescued from the logging industry, where they were exploited and didn’t receive the care they deserved. Now living with dignity and respect, these gentle giants have unique personalities and interact with one another much as humans might do in a social setting. Elephants have quite an appetite, consuming hundreds of pounds of food daily, and I did my part by helping to prepare a meal consisting of bananas, sugar cane and watermelons. I came away with an innate understanding and appreciation for these majestic creatures that nearly moved me to tears.

3. Finding Nemo

   The crystalline waters surrounding Ko Samui and its adjacent islands are a haven for marine life. In the calm waters, you’ll likely see an abundance of bright orange clownfish reminiscent of the movie Finding Nemo. Silver Beach offers shallow and calm waters perfect for inexperienced snorkelers. I’ve heard good things about Coral Cove as well, a secluded spot with smaller crowds. However, my favorite is Koh Ma, a well-known snorkeling island reached by a thrilling speedboat ride courtesy of a popular Oceania Cruises Select Excursion.

4. Get Your Buddha On

   The reverence that the people of Ko Samui have for the natural beauty of the island is palpable. I trace it to Buddha, whose presence looms large throughout Thailand. Among its many lessons, Buddhism teaches harmony with nature, emphasizing that all living beings are one. To better understand this relationship, visit one of a multitude of temples. In my opinion, there are three that are not to be missed:

   • Although built in 1972, the Wat Phra Yai – also known as the Big Buddha Temple – is one of the island’s most popular attractions thanks to its nearly 40-foot namesake statue. If you’re feeling contemplative, a collection of meditation huts is open to visitors.
   • While the tranquil lakeside setting of colorful Wat Plai Laem evokes feelings of peace, its 100-foot laughing Buddha is sure to bring a joyful smile to your face. However, it’s the enormous statue of the 18-armed goddess Guanyin that steals the show, each intricate arm holding different items such as a lotus flower, a Dharma wheel and mala beads.
   • Wat Khunaram might look modest on the outside, but it draws a crowd thanks to the macabre display inside. Per his last wishes, a mummified Buddhist monk sits in a meditative pose and whimsically sports a pair of dark sunglasses. Who said Buddhists don’t have a sense of humor?

5. Climb Every Mountain

   Feel like getting above it all? Head into Ko Samui’s lush mountainous interior and explore the many not-to-be-missed sights. For me, the highlight is Na Muang Waterfalls, also known as the Purple Waterfalls for the violet hue of the cliff face over which they tumble into tranquil pools below. Serenity seekers love Pom Mountain, home to the Secret Buddha Garden featuring gentle hiking paths peppered with sculptures. For the more fit and adventurous, hike the 1.6-mile Hin Lad Waterfall Trail. My favorite option is a private car and driver, available through Oceania Cruises Executive Collection Tours, where you determine your own itinerary. I’d recommend scenic overlooks such as Overlap Stone or a drive past the many coconut plantations. If you prefer traveling as a group, Oceania Cruises can take you by 4x4 vehicle on a tour that visits many of the most popular mountainous sights.

6. Your World, Your Way to Inner Peace

   Thai appreciation for nature stems not just from the Buddhist teachings of oneness with the living world, but also the ability to develop inner peace to let those teachings manifest in our everyday lives. To that end, Ko Samui’s culture is intertwined with yoga, a practice dating back 5,000 years in pursuit of that goal. Thanks to an Oceania Cruises Wellness Discovery Tour by Aquamar, I visited a yoga studio and a meditation center, discovering a variety of poses designed to accommodate all levels of flexibility and strength that release tension from the body, burn calories and tone muscles. With my body basking in a relaxed glow, I was introduced to a meditation technique called Middle Way, which seeks to contribute to world peace by helping practitioners achieve equanimity in hopes that their enlightened state of mind will influence the collective thoughts of the planet.

Whether it’s through elephants, yoga, beaches or Buddha, I’ve found that the chance to connect with Mother Nature is transformative. After all, what’s the point in traveling if you come home the same as when you left?

If you’re ready to see your world from a new perspective and explore the many wonders of Ko Samui, I’d suggest choosing from one of the Oceania Cruises voyages below.

Oceania Riviera
Paper Lantern Luminaries: October 22 – November 6, 2025, 15 Days from Hong Kong to Bangkok

Malaysian Memories: November 6 – November 18, 2025, 12 Days from Bangkok to Singapore

Oceania Sirena
Glorious Southeast Asia: December 26, 2025 – January 5, 2026, 10 Days from Singapore to Bangkok - Holiday Cruise

Treasured Temples of Asia: January 19 – February 6, 2026, 18 Days from Bali to Hong Kong

Lands of Buddha: February 6 – February 21, 2026, 15 Days from Hong Kong to Bangkok

Enclaves of Indochina: February 21 – March 11, 2026, 18 Days from Bangkok to Mumbai

Oceania Nautica
Temples & Tropical Isles: November 13 – November 23, 2026, 10 Days from Bangkok to Singapore

Lanterns & Lotuses: December 7 – December 21, 2026, 14 Days from Bali to Hong Kong

Oceania Regatta
Indochina Revelations: January 25 – February 9, 2026, 15 Days from Singapore to Hong Kong

Sparkling Asian Seas: April 15 – May 1, 2026, 16 Days from Tokyo to Singapore

From gorgeous beaches to majestic wildlife, there are so many ways to enjoy Ko Samui’s incredible natural wonders. Which is top of your list? Tell us on Facebook.