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Koh Samui has been a beloved backpacker destination since the roaring 1970s. As for snorkelling, the seas around Koh Samui are scattered with effervescent sea creatures. Let’s talk about tips and tricks to enjoying a snorkelling holiday in Koh Samui.

Image via Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort

Find a Koh Samui family resort that caters specifically for snorkelling. Resorts like the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort offer snorkelling facilities to guests on a daily basis. You need to consider accessibility to snorkelling spots, gear and other amenities before you book your resort. Always book accommodation well in advance. You’ll avoid hefty fees and have more time to plan your snorkelling days.

A leaky mask spells disaster. If you can spare the luggage space, bring your own gear. But, since that is not always practical, ask the resort to rent high-quality gear. You can get a snorkelling guide at your resort to help you with the fitting. You should be able to keep the mask on by just inhaling through your nose. Make sure you don’t set the band too tight. If you fail to set the band properly, you run the risk of a painful squeeze from water pressure once you enter the water. Also, opt for a snorkel with a dry valve to protect your face against splashes. A purge valve after the mouthpiece helps you get rid of water that sometimes leaks inside.

Fins help you save energy as you dive in the salty depths. If you need to swim against the current, fins come in handy. Ideally, your fins should fit snugly along your feet without being too tight. Feet tend to shrink a little when your feet get cold and wet. A good rule of thumb is to walk backwards when you’ve got your fins on. This is how pros enter the water when they go snorkelling. And, you know what? They do look a little funny, but they don’t stumble.

Diving into seawater willy-nilly is not going to help you find the right spot to see marine life. You need to ask the resort or the locals (when diving elsewhere). You need to check if the diving site’s structure is right. A good snorkelling site should be either a reef or have rocks or outcroppings along with a sandy bottom to make a thriving space for sea life. Always, take a snorkelling partner and keep an eye out for change in currents.

There is a very low-tech trick to make sure your mask doesn’t fog up while diving. Before you jump in the water, spit on the lens, wipe off the saliva and then dip the mask in water for a rinse.The other pro trick is to avoid putting on your mask too soon before a dive. If water gets inside your mask while you snorkel, learn to tilt your head back a little, and blow a stream of air through your nose. This breaks the bottom seal, and gets rid of water. Always, wear your mask on your neck when treading water. If you put it on your forehead, a sudden wave may knock it out.

· Move slowly, and steer clear of splashing around. Stealthy is the best approach to catch glimpses of marine creatures.

· When you see something interesting, remain still and observe (Don’t pursue)

· Use your legs to propel forward

· If you can, interlock your fingers in front of you to restrict movement

· Most importantly, lather up with reef safe sunburn before you dive in. Koh Samui is blessed with sunshine, and the rays burn – even beneath the cool waters.

When compared with neighbouring islands in Thailand, reaching Koh Samui is relatively convenient with a slew of transportation facilities available. However, it is always good to select a mode that reflects your style of travel. Be it by air, land or water, the gleaming islet of Koh Samui will be well worth your time and investment and provided below is a guide on how to arrive here from popular parts of the country.

Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, From Koh Samui to Koh Tao (48107564893), CC BY 2.0

By far, the fastest way to access Koh Samui from the nation’s capital is by air but understand that a far heftier price tag comes attached to this form of commuting. With some 20 daily flights connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport to Koh Samui Airport between 6.00 am and 8.30 pm, travellers like yourself will be handed plenty of options to choose from. Also, the average flying time does not exceed 90 minutes and is no fewer than 75 minutes. A more scenic route is to opt for the bus and ferry services that operate out of Bangkok and for this purpose, one would be directed towards Sai Tai Mai Terminal from where the public bus can be boarded anywhere between 5.00 am to 8.00 pm. Further, the overnight tourist bus service can be availed which commences from Khao San Road every night at 8.00 pm. Split into 2 legs, the initial part of your journey will see you spending around 12 to 14 hours in a bus that will thereafter, have you dropped off at Surat Thani Pier? From here, it is a matter of hailing the public ferry that will arrive in Koh Samui after a 2 to 4-hour trip. In terms of cost, expect to pocket anything in the range of 850 to 1,400 Baht.

Given the appeal and charms associated with the island of Phuket, leaving it behind can be quite an ask but in the event, you do see a need to head out and across to Koh Samui, then herein is a guide on what you need to pay attention to. The direct flight from Phuket to Koh Samui can take as much as 55 minutes of your time but is always prudent to refer to daily flight schedules before making any plans as such. For example, Bangkok Airways flies out of Phuket 6 times a day with the earliest flight leaving at 9.45 am with the latest following suit at 4.35 pm. Should you not be in a position to accommodate air travel, then the next best option is the bus and ferry combination. In this regard, choosing a transportation facilitator that fits perfectly into your budget would be a step in the right direction. First up is Lomprayah whose fleets of buses leave daily at 7.00 am and 10.00 am respectively. Once you get off at Laem Thuat Pier, the ferry will then escort you to Koh Samui for a combined fee of 800 Baht per head and a duration that will extend up to 7 hours. For the budget-friendly vacationer, the services of Phantip 1970 are recommended. With tickets incurring a per head cost of 650 Baht, the journey will involve travelling by bus to Donsak Pier from where a boat will have to be boarded which takes between 7 to 9 hours to complete.

In the event, you place considerable importance on convenience and that too with respect to arriving in Koh Samui from Krabi, then know that taking the plane will be your best bet. Daily flights depart for Koh Samui sharp at 1.45 pm and on average, never go beyond 50 minutes which is why most visitors yearn for the brilliance of the island resort to fly in. Alternatively, local tour companies in Krabi can be consulted should you be more inclined to travel by land. For a fee amounting to about 700 Baht per person, one can look forward to riding a bus and feasting your eyes on jaw-dropping views on board the ferry en route to a holiday in Koh Samui. Family resort facilities the likes of Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort can be factored into your itinerary if you find yourself wanting to remain within this section of Thailand for a longer period of time.