Bophut

Learn to dive, sunbathe on a sandy beach or indulge in inexpensive spa services (including amazing Thai massages) in Bophut, a beach village that recently has become home to many new hotels and villas. Try the main street for trendy shops and restaurants, or visit the Fisherman’s Village for more traditional shops.   Bophut is really two places: Bophut beach, which sweeps down several kilometres between Big Buddha and Maenam beaches and perhaps one of the oldest places on the island, the charming Fisherman’s Village, which takes up the middle section of the beach. Fisherman’s Village is fast gaining a reputation that stretches way beyond Samui for being the most elegant and well-preserved place on the island. Lined by old wooden Chinese shop-houses, interspaced with a few modern buildings that match the tone, it retains a distinctly Mediterranean feel. This has probably got a lot to do with the fact that it was the main French outpost on the island for many years. Mixed in among the shops are several boutiques, selling high quality clothing and jewellery. There are also some dive shops in the area, offering scuba lessons or day dives to sites in the famous Ang Thong Marine Park, Sail Rock or Koh Tao Island. La Sirene also offers some selected tours to secret spots in the surrounding islands or some Jeep rides to places difficult to access for visitors not familiar with the island, mainly the Secret Buddha Garden. Try an elephant ride in the tropical forest or go for a fishing trip on a local fishing boat (with local fisherman) around the island of Koh Phangan.