Fisherman’s Village Bophut

Located north of Koh Samui is Fisherman’s Village Bophut. Situated between Mae Nam in the west and Bang Rak in the east in the Gulf of Thailand. Before tourists arrived in the 1970s fishing and farming were the only sources of income for the islander’s survival. The tourism industry is now predominately Bophut’s main source of income. Signs of the fishing industry are still evident on the beaches at Fisherman’s village. There are still signs of the old Bophut but they are fading with the increased tourism to the island.

Transport Fisherman’s Village

Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem Temples are accessible from Fisherman’s village by public transport. Songthaew public buses cruise the main road honking the horn to attract your attention. Wave the driver on if you don’t require a taxi. Hire a scooter or car from numerous shops in the Bophut area. Taxis wait at the main entrance to Fishermans Village for customers. Motorbikes are a cheaper option than songthaews or regular taxis.

Beach Life Fisherman’s Village Bophut

Bars and restaurants are plentiful at Fisherman’s Village Bophut. Happy hours and meal deals are promoted on boards outside the bars and restaurants. Quirky nautical themed beach bars serve International and Thai food. The beach bars are a great place to sip cocktails and watch the world go by. Beach vendors sell freshly cooked kebabs and corn-on-the-cob from portable barbeques. Salas on the beach offer traditional Thai massage starting from 200baht. Hotels in Bophut offer 5* spa days. The water is good for swimming along the three-kilometre coastline. Bophut beach becomes quite narrow in parts at high tide but still a good beach to spend the day.

Watersports Bophut

Adventurous tourists won’t be disappointed, an array of water sports is on offer at Bophut Beach. Paragliding, banana boats, flyboard, jet-pack, the list is endless of the adventures on offer. Diving is popular to the neighbouring islands across the water. Paddleboard and Kayaking are popular at sunset in Bophut. Watersport operators offer jet ski sunset tours and private island tours at reasonable prices. Charter boats are available for dinner and sunset cruises.

Evening on Bophut Beach

As the sun sets on Fisherman’s village the mood and vibe changes. Billabong Bar in the heart of the village plays live music. The Happy Elephant Restaurant overlooking the ocean serves Thai and international food. On the beachfront restaurants offer intimate candle light dinner experiences. Bars and restaurants transform the beaches with fairy lighting and soft seating. The nightlife in Bophut although lively in parts has a relaxed vibe compared to Chaweng on the east of Samui.

At sunset, the sky transforms into a medley of orange, red and yellows. The ocean and lights and shadows create an amazing backdrop for stunning pictures. For photographers, Bophut is a perfect place to capture stunning landscapes of the tropical island of Samui. The sun sets at approximately 6:30 pm and rises at 6:30 am in Koh Samui. Neighbouring islands include Koh Phangan home of the famous Full Moon Party.

Accommodation Fisherman’s Village Bophut

Bophut is a popular destination in Samui with backpackers and families for the varied activities and accommodation. Hotels and high-end spa resorts with infinity pools attract the affluent crowd looking for exclusive experiences on Koh Samui. The guesthouses offer a comfortable relaxed feel in a traditional Thai setting with a modern twist. Backpackers have great choices of accommodation at reasonable prices in Bophut.

Warning for Drivers

The road at the entrance to Fisherman Village has a blind bend. Traffic police stop and fine tourists not wearing their helmets. The fine is at the discretion of the police officer. Fines can range from 200 baht up to 3000 baht. Tourists always pay a higher fine than the local Thai people for the same offence. Traffic offences in Thailand do not have a set fine. Accept the fine be polite and don’t forget to smile. If you don’t have the money to pay the fine the police will escort you to the nearest ATM machine or your hotel.

Have you visited Fisherman’s Village Bophut? Can you recommend the best restaurant for a candle-lit dinner on the beach? Have you taken a sunset cruise tour? Do You like water sports and diving? Share your stories and experiences. Leave your comments and suggestions below.