Koh Som and Koh Lum Mu Noi

Sitting just across the water from Koh Samui's northeastern corner are the little islands of Koh Som and Koh Lum Mu Noi.

As for which is which, Koh Som is the larger island on the far right and Lum Mu Noi is slightly to the left. Often, though, the pair are collectively referred to as "Koh Som" as Koh Lum Mu Noi is mostly rocks and craggy cliffs – while Koh Som has everything you'd want in a desert island: starting with sandy shores and coconuts in the shallows.

Koh Som

Though uninhabited, Koh Som's big stretches of white sand beach are very tempting. Just 700m from shore to shore, it looks close enough to swim to. However, scary, strong undercurrents mean the journey is better made by boat.
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Tip: ‘Koh’ – as in ‘Koh Samui’, ‘Koh Phangan’ – means ‘island’. So Koh Som means “Orange Island” (or “Orange Tree Island”).

The island is just 1 square kilometre in total (compared to Koh Samui's 228.7) and is just a few minutes’ boat ride from Samui’s Plai Laem Pier. It’s a perfect destination if you want to explore another island but haven’t got much time – or get seasick.

Longboat rides can be arranged to make a visit to the small island and private sunset cruises often circle around it. The snorkelling is said to be fantastic and indeed it must be, as fishing boats are usually seen in Kom Som's shallows. For years, rumours have persisted that a resort development is planned – though it seems to remain just a rumour.

Koh Lum Mu Noi

This is the smaller of the two islands and both are often referred to, collectively, as Koh Som. While Som has (or had? Again with the rumours) a few basic beach bungalows and a small restaurant, Lum Mu Noi is uninhabited. Dense mangroves and rocky cliffs ring the island’s perimeter, home to many colourful birds of Thailand.‍

Tip: Use The Koh Samui Guide to plan dozens of day-trips from Koh Samui to all its best island neighbours and most beautiful beaches