Ok, its about that time of year when thoughts turn to summer travel. Well, maybe its a bit early but with Andy and Bob blazing the trail back to SEAsia in a few weeks time I figure someone has to show a good face for all us Farangs . . . .

We want to return to SEAsia this August. We are deciding between Bali and Koh Samui. We were in Bali about a years+ ago and loved it. Stayed in Seminyak and had a terrific time. Explored a bit of Ubud (liked it, but preferred the beach) and thought the food, culture and shopping in Seminyak was great. Watching the world go by on Seminyak beach is very special. Yet, we had been to Phuket the prior year and love Thailand. Thus, we turn to Koh Samui. For either destination we would add a few days in BKK. So, back to Bali, or try out Samui?

As for Samui: is there much to see and do or, it is really all about the beach? Is there very good food there? Some good shopping? Or, its really all about the beach? As for hotels, I've emailed a few and it seems price wise, they run a bit more expensive than Bali for equal quality. And, the busiest beach, with the most restaurants, etc., Chaweng, doesn't seem to have a good luxury option. Some of those I see and that look very nice also seem a bit isolated. We did that at the JW in Phuket and don't want to repeat that, we want restaurant options nearby. We love an idyllic beach but, as the kids get a bit older (pre teens more or less and they are tagging along), we need things to do other than just lay like a vegetable staring at aqua ocean, though that would fit me fine for awhile. Compared to Bali is Samui just geared to the tourist? Yet, it is so popular, and now has so many luxe resorts I figure it must be something special. And, is August actually good weather in Samui?

Perhaps we could add Lombok or Langkawi to our time in Bali? But, not sure how easy it is to get there from DPS. Some of this planning has been guided by Air Asia's route map, since it seems to be the best option for intra-SEAsia travel.
Thanks for your feedback.

First off, weather-wise, Samui is a bit iffy in August. I've been there, and it can be nice some days, but dark and stormy some. However, in Bali August is peak season, and I'm betting next year it will be pure madness, as tourism is coming back in a big way.

Samui does seem to be a lot more expensive - for what you get - than Bali. I stayed at Muang Kulaypan at the north end of Chaweng beach earlier this year, and it is quite nice. But frankly I don't like staying in Chaweng all that much. My preference would be the Anantara in Bophut. It's just a very short walk to fisherman's village, which has several very good restaurants, and is a lot more kid-friendly than Chaweng.

There isn't a lot to do/see in Samui away from the beach. Almost no cultural attractions to speak of. The day trip to Angthong Marine Park (comparable to Phang Nga bay in Phuket) is a "must" but that's about the only big day trip there is in Samui.

Langkawi seems a long way to go away from Bali. It would take all day to get there, connecting through KL on Air Asia (and I would check if it's even possible the same day.) If you wanted to get somewhere "different" from Bali, I would go to Singapore via Jet Star Asia.

Hi

I haven't been to Bali so I can't compare the two. But I have been to Samui a couple of times and it is a nice island and as it is easy to get there from Bangkok, it has been a good choice for us. There is not that much to do there but we did an island tour, went snorkling at Koh Tao, went out to eat at various restaurants etc. Here is a trip report with some photos and links: http://gardkarlsen.com/Samui_trip_report_2007.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

We had a really nice beach vacation in Samui. It was several years back (mid-90's) but I imagine the sand and sea are still nice. For culture, though, it really can't compare to Bali. Samui is really water based.

On the other hand the combination of Samui and Bangkok a is good balance.

I'm a die hard Seminyak fan but I'm fond of the Ubud area as well. When in Ubud I concentrate on wellness and serenity which may not appeal to kids. The Ubud area can be the jumping off point for outdoorsy activities like rafting, biking, hiking, mountain climbing if your family likes that sort of thing.

Bali and Koh Samui...Apples and Oranges to me. You could make yourselves a quiet holiday in either if you like. Both Samui and Bali have plenty of night life and tourists, but if you want to avoid them, you can. To me, that is where the similarity ends.

Sounds like you are looking for a beach holiday, and in that case, I would prefer Koh Samui. Overall, in terms of atmosphere, accessible culture, and overall experience Bali is my favorite...but it does not have the nice beaches that Koh Samui has. Koh Samui is big on the beach scene and has little in terms of cultural offerings. Bali's beaches are fine, but not anything I'd travel around the world for...Bali, though, it's well worth the trip, just be sure you get away from the beaches.

If you were to go to Bali, I would strongly recommend you go inland and stay in a place outside of Ubud...you can find quiet and culturally rich and beautful places anywhere in Bali, but the small villages surrounding Ubud are magical, at least to us they are.

Abandon reason. Both would be very relaxing. Just ask the kids if they want to go back to Bali or try something new. That way you can blame any troubles on them.

Having been to Bali twice and Samui once I would strongly recommend Bali unless you wanted to go somewhere else in Asia i.e. Maldives. Bali as you know is magical but Samui is a resort destination much like a small Hawaii to me. Snorkeling is not good in either though Bali has the edge but day trip from Samui to Ko Tao offerrs first rate snorkeling if you go on the small boat vs. the Big Boat. We found the locals much nicer in Bali not that Samui was a problem. You might want as suggested staying 4-5km outside Ubad or if you want beach consider Sanur area though we have not seen that area in 5 years so it may be over-developed.

You already know all that Bali has to offer, so I won't join the chorus. But if you do decide on Koh Samui, have you considered combining it with Siem Reap/Angkor wat? In addition to the temples, visiting a school with the Ponhery Ly foundation would be a great experience for the kids. Oh, and there are direct flights SR to KS.

Thank you for all that feedback.

Regarding Samui: are there some actual "towns" there that you can spend time wandering around? Or, mostly a few streets of shops selling similar items? While we love the beach, combining the beach with other things to do is what we most prefer. We figure if we return to Bali this time we would explore more. Maybe rent a car? From our last trip I got the feeling that while the roads are confusing, they seem to more or less intersect. We always seemed to be passing the same sign posts. I figure we could also drive to Sanur for the day, which was close. Are the beaches calmer there than in Seminyak?

On Samui, presumably we would also rent a car. Is driving fine there in the evening?

And, food wise, we found the food on Bali surprisingly good. A few terrific Italian spots around Seminyak that were packed with Italian tourists, serving good "authentic" pasta and pizza. Other food too was very good. Would we find similar in Samui you think?

For Samui, when you look at the Samui pages on various sites, they say August is "prime" weather, more or less. Is that the case? I'm wondering if that if more hype than reality and I take Michael's statement seriously, that August could be iffy.
Thanks

I thought the beach at Samui was barely so-so. I would pick Bali in a second.

You cannot beat the weather in Bali in August and I think 3 or 4 nights in Lombok would be interesting and different .Or what about seeing what Borneo / Sulawesi can offer ?

Tengo, I'm not enthusiastic about self-driving in Bali although the idea of getting around the island is a good one. The rules of the road (or lack thereof) in Indonesia are so arcane that it's simpler and not too expensive to "rent" a driver as well. The problem isn't with the roads, but with the drivers. The Balinese have a code that only they understand. The tourists on motorcycles are a menace to themselves and everyone else.

The East Coast beaches Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Sanur and all the way up the coast are good swimming beaches because of the off shore reef. Lombok also has some good swimming beaches.

I recently spent a few days in Pemuteran North Bali at the Puri Ganesha Villas. This was a really nice place. Not for the beach (which was dreadful) but for the sealife and countryside. Good snorkling at Menjangan Island. A spectactular scenery along the drive from South Bali or Ubud.

The largest town on Samui is Nathon, and it's not much of a city. It's just the main port, where people (used to) go for provisions. Not much of a place to walk around. More grimy than charming.

Lots of people do survive driving around Samui, but I always like to note that the island is the most dangerous place in Thailand to drive (highest per-capita accident rate).

I haven't been to Bali for years but friends who have been to Phuket, Samui and Bali in the last year all raved about Bali and are in no hurry to return to Thailand. They found Bali to have a better standard of service and be better value for money than Thailand.

I have been to both and much prefer Samui. There are heaps of things for the kids to do both indoors and out, so it caters for all types of weather. I wouldn't be concerned about too much rain in August,like anywhere tropical, you can expect some, but in August it is very unlikely to be heavy and long lasting.
Choengmon is a quieter beach with a heap of eating options but not so much nightlife. Lamai may suit if you want a bit more afterdark activity.
For the kids there are Elephant rides, ATV tours, Zipline adventures through the rainforest, bowling, movie theatres, golf, mini golf, soccer golf, tiger zoo/aquarium, go-karts,snake farm, kick boxing,bungy jumping etc.
There is some culture there as well, it is just a little less obvious. There are a few very nice temples and small rural communities, local buffolo fights and markets that you can visit and be the only foreigner there. If you combine a trip to Samui with a few days in Bangkok, you will have a much more well rounded experience.
I am a beach person and I can tell you categorically that there is no contest, Samui beaches win hands down. I also have never had an issue with self driving in Samui, the majority of accidents involve motor bikes. Drive slowly and defensively and you will be fine.

Thanks again.

It is all confusing, frankly. And, to add insult to injury, I stumbled upon the website for Quinci Villas in Lombok, and the thought of staying there a few days. Maybe similar to Seminyak, in terms of beach, but it looks great.

Ironically, in Samui, some of the best properties in terms of price and quality are off by themselves. On a cliff, or a beach far from town. I guess that would mean lots of taxis, or a rental car with the extra insurance.

What properties are you looking at? THere are many top-end properties on or near Choengmon that are still walking distance to mant restaurants.
We hired a Suzuki Jeep for 650 Baht per day inc Insurance and a taxi from Choengmon to Chaweng was only 250baht, so it really is no problem.

tengo, I have recommended Qunci Villas to many people. Those who have stayed there have loved it as much as we did. It very quiet. Lombok is not nearly as developed as Bali, and Lombok is culturally quite different as well.

cant go wrong with either one...but bali will be cheaper

Hi Tengo,

Just found this thread and am in the same predicament!

What did you decide to do in the end?