Fisherman’s Village Koh Samui
Thursday, July 06, 2017 by adminThailand has something for everyone. It’s always one of the top tourist destinations in the entire world. The country is known for its rich culture, diverse landscape, and beautiful scenery. You can discover these and a lot more from anywhere in Thailand.
One of the best parts about Thailand is its islands. Thailand has several large islands that attract countless visitors every year. Koh Samui is always a visitor favourite for those who come to Thailand. This island is located in the Gulf of Thailand and is one of the country’s premier islands. The interior of the island is covered with jungle while amazing beaches can be found all around Koh Samui. People enjoy Koh Samui because each one of its beaches has a unique offering. Bophut Beach is one of the top beaches on Koh Samui. It is home to the exciting Fisherman’s Village and much more.
Bophut Beach
Bophut Beach is a highly recognised beach on Koh Samui. Many people that come to the island come to Bophut Beach at some point during the trip. It is located on Koh Samui’s northern coast. Bophut Beach is situated between Maenam Beach and Bangrak Beach. It is also along the main road circling the island so Bophut Beach gets a lot of tourist traffic.
Bophut is the oldest place on the island. It has been preserved well to maintain its original charm. Bophut Beach consists of two parts: a long beach and Fisherman’s Village. In the past, this was an area for mainly fisherman. This was a major French outpost so lots of European influence can be found in the architecture and shops of the area. It was also where a lot of Chinese immigrants came to join the fishing industry. Their influence also remains and can be seen throughout Fisherman’s Village. There is a long pier at Bophut Beach that used to be where a lot of large boats that came to Koh Samui were docked. This is no longer in use.
Fisherman’s Village
Fisherman’s Village occupies the eastern half of Bophut Beach and extends all the way to the centre of the beach. The other side of the beach is more developed for tourists and is where you will find most of the resorts in Bophut.
The village was initially a haven for fishermen. Many of the original shops were to support the large fishing industry here. Fisherman’s Village has transformed completely into one of the most popular areas on Koh Samui. The original shops have been converted into tourist shops, galleries, and boutiques. Fisherman’s Village is a top attraction on Koh Samui because you can find everything here, from great restaurants, shopping, accommodations, and much more.
Fisherman’s Village is located along the main road that runs around Koh Samui. It’s easy to find transportation going to the village from anywhere on Koh Samui. Anything from bikes to jeeps can be rented around the island to come here. The Village is also a short distance away from the airport. Taxis are available for the short ride to Fisherman’s Village or shuttles typically can be arranged from the resorts to pick you up to bring you to the village.
Things to Do at Fisherman’s Village
The entire Bophut Beach area has plenty to do and keep you entertained for either just a day trip to the beach or if you are staying here. Fisherman’s Village is the centrepiece to Bophut so a lot of what you can do around here is in the village.
The beach, of course, is the obvious attraction. Tourists come from all over Koh Samui to enjoy the beach here. This certainly is not one of the largest compared to many of the other beaches on Koh Samui. The tide plays a huge role in the beach here. During high tide, the beach becomes very narrow. The water is still deep during low tide as well.
Since this used to be a major port for Koh Samui, the water has become less clear over the years. It’s not the best place for swimming but it can still be enjoyed. The beach is clean and covers a large portion of the coast. There is plenty of room for relaxing and enjoying the sun. This beach is known for its beautiful sunsets so it’s definitely something to take advantage of.
Although swimming is not very common here, people still enjoy the water. There are a few dive centres and other equipment rental shops located in Fisherman’s Village or can be arranged with the resorts here. These dive shops can take you to nearby dive attractions. Jet skis and kayaks are frequently used around Bophut Beach as well.
Fisherman’s Village has much more to offer than just exciting water activities. These can be found all around Koh Samui so Fisherman’s Village adds a unique touch to the beach. There are several outdoor activities that can be found here. This includes exploring the jungle, golfing, or being pampered by one of the Thai massage spas.
Shopping at Fisherman’s Village
One of the favourite things to do at Fisherman’s Village is shopping. Many of the original stores in the village that were for fisherman have evolved into a strip of tourist shops and boutiques.
The Walking Street Market is perhaps the most famous street market on Koh Samui. It is certainly the largest. This street is traffic-free and has tonnes of shops, boutiques, and cafes. This area comes alive on Friday nights. The main road of the village turns into a major market where you can find almost anything. Vendors line the streets selling everything from Thai food to souvenirs to clothing. There is also live music and entertainment. The entire area lights up the night with shop lights and street decorations to add to the festive atmosphere of the Walking Street Market. People come from all over Koh Samui specifically to explore what this market has to offer.
Fisherman’s Village also has another option in case large crowds of people don’t interest you. There is a smaller market that happens in the village every night called Elephant Walk Koh Samui. This is a traditional Thai market with several vendor stands but not as big as the Walking Street Market.
The Wharf Samui is Bophut’s newest addition to the great shopping opportunities in the area. The Wharf Samui is an open air shopping mall designed to match the architectural styles of Fisherman’s Village. This mall is different from typical commercial malls. They cater to more local stores instead of major brands. You will find a lot of local goods here such as clothing and souvenirs. The mall also has a mix of restaurants presenting visitors with international dining options from fast food to dining restaurants.
Accommodation in Bophut
If you are still undecided about where to stay on Koh Samui then Bophut should definitely be considered. The location of Bophut is perfect for having easy access to explore the rest of Koh Samui. Bophut is nearby to other popular Koh Samui beaches such as Maenam Beach, Cheong Mon Beach, and Bangrak Beach. People take advantage of the various accommodations around Bohput to be nearby tourist areas and attractions but to still have a quiet, calm beach experience. The amazing views are another reason why a lot of people decide to stay in Bophut. Many of the rooms and villas will have views looking out into the Gulf scenery.
Bophut has a range of accommodations. You can find almost every style accommodation here to fit every budget. The western side of Bophut is much more developed for tourism. This side of the beach is where you will find many of the larger resorts. These resorts are all along the beach. There’s a variety of private villas and boutique hotels along this side of the beach.
Fisherman’s Village is located on the opposite sideof Bophut. Fisherman’s Village also has accommodation options. These tend to be cheaper than the resorts since they are not located directly on the beach. Fisherman’s village also has a variety of places to stay from hotels to guesthouses. The village has some unique accommodations as well. Some of the original fishermen houses have been renovated and converted into villas for guests. These villas maintain their original wooden house style so you’ll get a feel for a traditional Koh Samui house.
Dining in Fisherman’s Village
The dining options alone are a good enough reason to take a trip to Fisherman’s Village. This village has enough dining options to have something for everyone.
The obvious choices of food to keep an eye out for is Thai food. You can find traditional Thai dishes anywhere around Bophut and Fisherman’s Village. This can range from street food to upscale restaurants. The Walking Street Market will have countless vendors with lots of cheap Thai food options. Some of the fancier restaurants around Fisherman’s Village let you enjoy your meal while looking out at great views of Bophut Beach.
Fisherman’s Village has also maintained it’s historic roots in its choice of dining establishments around the village. Since this area was home to a lot of immigrants to Koh Samui you will come across a lot of international food options.
Nightlife in Fisherman’s Village
Fisherman’s Village differs significantly from what you would typically consider the nightlife to be on Koh Samui. This area is much quieter compared to nearby beaches. A big reason for this is to maintain the old-town feel of Fisherman’s village. Many of the other beaches are developed greatly for tourists so there are a lot of nightclubs and bars that provide entertainment. You won’t see too much of this around Fisherman’s Village.
The nightlife in Fisherman’s Village is centred around the small pubs and restaurants. These are all small venues that let you enjoy a more intimate time with family or friends. One major characteristic for Fisherman’s Village is that you will not find any girl bars here. Fisherman’s Village is not an area for partying but for simply enjoying a relaxing night. Luckily, Fisherman’s Village is not far from the action. It’s only a short distance away from the livelier beaches on Koh Samui.
Fisherman’s Village Tours
Fisherman’s Village is definitely a top tourist attraction on Koh Samui. Locals and even visitors all around the island have heard of the village and often make plans to explore it. Day trips are popular going to Fisherman’s Village. The village is close to several other beaches so it’s a quick journey to spend time here.
Tours are offered at many of the top Koh Samui beaches to go around the island and see the top sights. Fisherman’s Village is a stop on these tours. These day tours have multiple stops around the island but allow enough time to walk around the village and shop. These same tours can be found around Fisherman’s Village that will give you the opportunity to see some of the nearby attractions to Fisherman’s Village for the day.
Who Should Visit Fisherman’s Village
Fisherman’s Village is a historic village to Koh Samui and still holds a lot of importance to the island. It’s a very distinct area that many people find interesting enough to want to visit. This village is where you will see a lot of families and older travellers. Fisherman’s Village is very child-friendly since there is not a major party scene with lots of girl bars. It’s not an ideal area for Koh Samui party-goers so the atmosphere is a lot quieter at night.
Fisherman’s Village is the best place to stay on Koh Samui if you want a relaxing island experience. It represents the historic Koh Samui. A lot of the village is in its original form before major developments came to the island. It’s a great place to visit for anyone visiting the island. There is plenty to see and do during the daytime around Fisherman’s Village. Fisherman’s Village has everything you need to have a great experience from shopping to dining to entertainment. It’s always an option in case you need a break from the beach.