Koh Samui Attractions
A mini tour of Lamai Beach
My daughter, Amber, recently did a mini tour of the south end of Lamai Beach. For the fitness freaks out there, it was 11242 steps and 7.78 km in length. She ended up sweaty but invigorated, so make of that what you will.
She was staying at some excellent new condos, The Terraza that are very central to Lamai and a perfect location for any long or short term stay, so she started with her favourite coconut shake at The Bamboo Restaurant” right on Lamai Beach and easily reached from a side road that is between the Bondi bar and Grill , and next to good old MacDonalds.
The Bamboo, as the name suggests, is made mostly of bamboo, and as I write it is undergoing some much-needed refurbishment. Its beach front location, very reasonably priced food, and friendly staff make it an ideal people-watching location. They even have sunbeds to relax on that are free as long as you buy something!
Heading south from there, there are a few other beach bars and restaurants that open later, offering beachside drinks and dining. The Red Elephant and, in particular, The Third Day are worth a mention for their chill, relaxing vibe
Just past the latter, you arrive at The Hive Hotel, which is a budget hotel that is very fairly priced. Many TopCats customers stay there when taking in a 2-centre holiday. On the beach outside the Hive, you will find Koh Samui Watersports run by James Jetstar. We highly recommend them. They offer tours with them on a jet-ski or longboat to the Pig and Coral Islands.
Keep walking and you will pass some other budget hotels, Marina Villas, Aloha, and eventually come to a halt as the beach is rocky. The French restaurant Baobab is there, which gives authentic beachside dining with the tropical ambience you come to expect right here on Koh Samui.
From there she headed up to the main road to take in the Lamai Viewpoint, where you get panoramic views of Lamai Bay ( and actually Makro Supermarket ) from a viewing platform and a bar located at the top which can be reached with a bit of a hike or if you are feeling less energetic by cable car.
At the base of the mountain, within the well-maintained gardens, you’ll find the “Valentine Stone,” a large, heart-shaped rock. Local belief says that couples who touch it will have eternal love.
Near the Valentine Stone is a small waterfall, Siva Tara Waterfall, which flows into a pond with a natural fish spa. You can put your feet in the water and let the fish nibble away dead skin.
For the more adventurous, there’s a thrilling zipline experience. It consists of two 450-meter-long rides, soaring 80 meters high over the forest and valley.
Back along the main road, you can turn left and access a very famous Koh Samui natural attraction, The Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks, known locally as Hin Ta Hin Yai.
The rocks are unique granite formations that, due to natural erosion by the sea, wind, and sun over centuries, bear a striking resemblance to male and female private parts. “Hin Ta” (Grandfather Rock) is the male version, while “Hin Yai” (Grandmother Rock) is the female equivalent. This provocative resemblance is the primary reason for their fame and draws many curious visitors.
Beyond the giggles and photo opportunities, there is folklore in these rocks, and they hold cultural significance for locals. They are often viewed with a mixture of reverence and respect and are believed to symbolize fertility and good luck, making them a popular spot for couples seeking blessings for their relationships or for fertility.
The path leading down to the rocks is lined with numerous stalls selling souvenirs. A must-try local specialty sold here is Kalamae, a sweet, soft caramel-like dessert made from glutinous rice flour, palm sugar, and coconut cream.