One of our favourite paddle tours is across to Koh Som (literally translated that means “Orange Island”). Koh Som is the small island that’s overlooking the north-east corner of Koh Samui. There’s actually two islands over there, but it looks like one because there’s a small reef joining the two islands (Koh Som and Koh Lum Mu Noi). Both of these islands are uninhabited.
You’d normally cruise past these islands on the ferry across to Haad Rin, Koh Phangnan. And a quick Google search tells me could buy the island of Koh Som for a cool $3.8m. But the good news is we can give you a close up paddle tour around the islands for just 1200 Baht (around US$35).
November is officially rainy season in Samui but we had a glorious sunny day yesterday. We took advantage of the blue skies and light winds and paddled over to the islands. We’re having high tides at the moment, which makes it easier to access the the beach in Plai Laem, close to our SUP HQ. We paddled around 500m across the channel and then went around the north side of the island first. We found some swell and a little chop, but nothing big enough to make either of us fall in. Once we got around to the southern side of the islands – facing Koh Samui – it was lovely and flat. We cruised along the shore and stopped for a water break on the beach of Koh Som, and then kept paddling home.
TOUR NOTES:
- Koh Samui is just one hour away from Bangkok by plane
- Paddle Tours operated by iSUP Samui, the only mobile SUP school in Koh Samui
- Paddle Boards: Starboard Astro 12’6 Touring inflatable paddle boards
- Paddling distance: 5km
