Cover picture: I-Talay (Taling Ngam Beach)
Welcome to I-Talay!
Entrance to a small paradise (& probably the most beautiful place on Koh Samui)
It goes through an idyllic park with unusual works of art
past a pond covered with pretty water lily pads
We discover a giant gorilla figure - made from recycled materials!
All the works in the park were made from garbage washed up from the sea
Rustic wooden bridges and pretty lanterns give the park a special charm
A real highlight: the I-Talay beach bar (right on the beach, of course!)
Far behind, a small group of rocks juts out of the sea
How beautiful can a place be?
Taling Ngam Beach really is a postcard motif ...
... with dozens of large coconut palms under a blue sky
There was hardly anything going on at the beach, it was like paradise!
We walked quite a distance because this place was just so surreal
We continued over a few rocks to the next section of beach
Here you can see some villas of the InterContinental Resort directly on the beach
The 5-star resort even has its own meter-long jetty
We hope we were able to enchant you with these pictures - just like we were!
Costs
Free of charge
Opening hours
BarDaily 10:00 - 20:30
Beach: Open access (all day)
I-Talay (Taling Ngam Beach)
The west coast of Koh Samui is home to an almost untouched stretch of beach and a real insider tip: I-Talay. We discovered this special place by chance on a scooter and have to admit that we think it's the most beautiful beach on the whole island so far!
Behind "I-Talay" is actually a beach bar with a lovingly decorated garden in which eye-catching, recycled works of art are displayed. The bar is located in the bay Ao Taling Ngama relatively unknown place on Koh Samui - so it's no wonder that there are hardly any people here (not even in the high season).
The entrance leads you through a wonderful garden with wooden bridges, ornate decorations and a pond full of pretty water lily pads.
The beach bar serves delicious cocktails, freshly squeezed fruit shakes and snacks, which you can enjoy to the sound of the sea and a fantastic view!
After a cool drink, it's worth taking a walk along the coast through the fine sand. This place really enchanted us with its nature & shows Thailand exactly as we always imagined it: A tropical palm paradise with untouched nature and very little tourism!
TipI-Talay not only has a bar and a park, but also accommodation: in the eponymous I-Talay Taling Ngamª you can stay relatively cheaply in a small beach cottage right on the beach. If you don't want to do without comfort, then the InterContinental Koh Samui Resort by IHGª a good choice.
Places of interest in the vicinity
- Lipa Noi Beach
- Elixir Beach Club & Restaurant
- Namuang Waterfall 1 and 2
Map
More Koh Samui highlights
Namuang Waterfall 2
Hidden in the jungle of Koh Samui is a real gem: Namuang Waterfall 2. It is located above its sister waterfall of the same name, Namuang 1. The path to the top is very adventurous and great fun! It goes over old wooden bridges, over natural stony terrain and up steep cliffs. In some places, you can shimmy up using ropes to cross larger rocks. At various stages you will see small natural pools and beautiful photo opportunities - and at the top: an incredible view over Koh Samui!
Koh Phaluai
Koh Phaluai is an untouristy island to the south of Ang Thong National Park and a real natural paradise! You won't find this place on a guided tour, and cab boats only operate very rarely. However, if you are on Koh Phangan, you can include this place in your plans. The passenger ferry Raja Ferry runs several times a week between Donsak Pier and Koh Phaluai. For around 400 THB per person, you can reach the island in around 1 1/2 hours. On site, you will find quiet beaches, great snorkeling spots and small fishing villages serving fresh seafood. Not far from mass tourism, you may even be lucky enough to spot hornbills up close in the untouched nature. There is also some accommodation on the island, which you should ideally book in advance.
Koh Madsum
Koh Madsum is a small island south of Koh Samui, which you can reach by cab boat or on a guided tour. This place is best known for its many island pigs. The pigs live right on the beach and are very open to people. You can watch them play and take some cool souvenir photos together. You should also pack snorkeling equipment, as you can spot parrotfish or even reef sharks in the colourful underwater world! We paid 1000 THB per person for the private cab boat and the entrance fee to the island was 50 THB per person. For two people, the cost was therefore around 55 euros for a day trip including a stop in neighboring Koh Taen. While you explore the islands, the skippers wait in their boat and bring you home safely later.
Namuang Waterfall 1
he mountains and forests of Koh Samui hide some interesting highlights, including the picturesque Namuang Waterfall 1. It has the number because there are two of them, but they are both quite different (you can find out more below). Namuang Waterfall 1 is located fairly centrally on the island and is easily accessible by scooter or car. Upon arrival at the site, there is a parking fee of 20 THB per scooter or 40 THB per car, but entry to the waterfall is free. On the way there you will pass a few souvenir stores and "dedicated" vendors, so don't let this put you off. The 18-metre-high waterfall is just a few meters from the parking lot and easily accessible.
Ang Thong National Park
Ang Thong National Park (Mu Ko Ang Thong) is located to the west of the two islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Due to its surreal rock formations, it is on almost every bucket list. The place consists of numerous limestone islands and lush green vegetation. There are several highlights such as the emerald green Emerald Lake, the famous Monkey Rock or the beautiful viewpoint Phu Jun Jaras. Other activities include snorkeling, kayaking and hiking. The place served as inspiration for Alex Garland's book & movie of the same name "The Beach". To visit, we recommend a guided day tour with GetYourGuideª. The entrance fee for the national park is 300 THB per person (= approx. 8 euros). The total cost including the booked tour is around 40 euros per person.
Koh Taen
On a boat trip to the popular Pig Island south of Koh Samui, you can also make a stop in Koh Taen on the way there or back. Especially with a private longtail boat, it's worth negotiating a daily price (usually around 1000 THB per person) and exploring as many islands as possible! You can also book tours in advance with GetYourGuide. Koh Taen is the largest island in the Samui archipelago - here you can relax on the beach, explore the beautiful Black Mangroves (mangrove forests) or visit the Buddha statue at the top of the mountain. If you set off early in the morning, you could also visit the southernmost island of Koh Rap. This island is a little more remote and offers beautiful untouched nature, as it is rarely visited by tourists.
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