Koh Samui Waterfalls, Rock Formations

Delightfully refreshing forest forays, if you plan to do more than admire the view - that is plunge into one of the island's natural waterfalls, then take along a sturdy and non-slip pair of old shoes and tread carefully.

Those who have difficulty walking mountain paths are advised to visit Na Muang 1, and content themselves with enjoying the view.

The volume of water at the falls will vary, depending on the time of year and recent rainfall. The last few months of the year are the wettest, while the months of March through September are fairly dry.

In the southwest corner of the island, this is the most easily accessible of Samui's three waterfalls. Choose this one if you tire easily walking in the heat, as you can drive almost all the way to the spot. At the base of the falls, there is a large natural pool where you can take a dip.

Accessible by way of a concrete road south of Na Muang 1 (on rte. 4169) this is considered by most, to be the island's most beautiful waterfall. You reach it by ascending a rocky path. The walk takes about 10 minutes.

Hikers will relish the two kilometer walk through the forest to reach this spot, where the falls with their lovely natural bathing pool awaits them. Located two kilometers south of Nathorn, on the eastern end of route 4172.

Rock Formations

These formations are perhaps the islands' most visited attraction after the Big Buddha temple. Named Grandfather and Grandmother Rock in English, and situated a few kilometres south west of lamai, these two ancient stones have been slowly chiselled by sea, wind and rain into surprisingly accurate reproductions of male and female genitalia. It's certainly a sight well worth recording on film, and a postcard is also a good idea in case the photos don't come out clearly. There are some nice little shops selling coconut handicrafts on the road down to the stones, and the sea provides a lovely deep blue view. Please remember to keep Samui clean when visiting the island's attractions.

The Overlap Stone is a giant boulder that hangs what seems quite perilously over a steep cliff edge above lamai beach. The track that leads to it is on the non beach side of the road about a kilometre from Hin Da and Hin Yai, and this is also on a sharp incline so it's best attempted either on a proper dirt bike for those with experience riding, or on foot. Walking up is quite a trek, so take plenty of water and you will be rewarded with a scary balancing act as well as some fine views of the southern part of the island in all its tropical glory.