My first solo trip to Samesan, a 650 baht one-day trip, was an unforgettable experience. I still miss it.

This review is for solo travelers and people of all ages who enjoy exploring new places.
The roundtrip van fare to Km.6 Sattahip is 200 baht.
The roundtrip motorbike taxi fare is 100 baht.
The roundtrip boat fare is 300 baht.
The total travel cost is 600 baht.
Before you go, please read the review to understand the following:
Koh Samet is located in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. It is one of the 9 islands in the Plant Genetic Conservation Project initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and is under the care of the Royal Thai Navy. Koh Samet is open for learning and ecotourism in accordance with the royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Koh Samet limits the number of tourists to no more than 500 people per day to ensure proper care.
There is no advance booking (boat tickets).
Overnight stays on Koh Samet are not allowed.
Alcohol is not allowed on Koh Samet.
Koh Samet has food and drinks for sale. You can bring your own, but please dispose of your trash properly.
Bikinis are not allowed on the island.
It is forbidden to bring rocks, coral, marine animals, or anything from the sea onto the shore. Violators will be punished.
Expenses on the island
- Scuba diving 50 baht/person/round (1 hour)
- Kayaking 60 baht/hour.
- Glass-bottom boat ride to see coral 60 baht/person/round (15 minutes)
- Mat 20 baht
- Canvas bed 20 baht
This trip was a big decision for a 22-year-old turning 23. It was a life change from being a student to entering the workforce, a necessary step in life that had to change. The stress of failing job interviews made me want to get out and see the world. The monotony of waiting for a job, which I didn't think I would do alone, made me ask friend after friend to join me until I decided to try going alone. Getting past my mother's resistance to let me travel alone wasn't difficult for me. Let's go! I don't know what the future holds, but I've made up my mind. If I don't try, how will I know?
I woke up at 5 am today, took a shower, and got ready to catch the van. My destination was Koh Samet, Sattahip, Chonburi. It might be a bit difficult for a woman alone. I didn't know the way, where to get off, or how to change buses to get to the pier. I took the van with a little worry in my heart. Where is Km.6 Sattahip? So I decided to ask the van driver, and I finally arrived at Km.6. I told the motorbike taxi driver to take me to the pier to cross to Koh Samet. The driver was a little surprised and said, "You're brave to come alone." (I thought to myself, I'm a little scared too.)
The motorbike ride was quite long before reaching the museum, which is the ticket office. The driver asked if I was tired of sitting yet. Haha, until I finally arrived at the museum. Yay, I got the 10.00 am round. The ticket price is 300 baht.
The ticket officer, who seemed to be a staff member, was very nice. I was impressed from the moment I bought the ticket.
"The waves are strong today because of the storm. Please be careful. You can go and wait at the pier. You have to go to the pier 15 minutes before boarding the boat to get ready," she said.
On weekdays, there weren't many people. We waited to board the boat at the pier. The waves were really strong today, but we could still see schools of fish under the bridge. I wanted to take a picture with the fish. With excitement and no fear of danger, I walked down to take pictures of the fish under the bridge with a navy officer standing guard nearby. He told me to be careful and smiled. I was impressed again. He stood guard until I finished taking pictures.
It was time to board the boat. As we boarded, a soldier helped everyone and told them to put on their life jackets. They were so cute and cared about our safety so much. It took about 15 minutes to reach Koh Samet, which is very close. After disembarking, we listened to a briefing on the rules, regulations, and activities from the staff. Soon, we went our separate ways to sign up for diving. Who says being alone is lonely? Not at all. The soldiers talked to everyone, even teasing some of them. It was embarrassing. Before diving, we had to learn how to use the diving equipment from the soldiers. They would teach us how to float in the water and use the breathing tube. They taught us one by one because everyone had to be able to do it. Don't let your feet touch the bottom because the sea urchins will sting you, and your feet will damage the coral reefs. We were divided into two groups and took a rubber boat to dive on the Tien Beach side because the waves were strong today, and we couldn't dive on the Luk Lom Beach side. Since I didn't know how to wear the equipment, I had to tie my hair up. My hair is short and difficult to tie up. The soldier helped me put on the equipment and tie my hair. I felt so warm. Since I was alone, everyone talked to me and asked me questions all the time. We took a rubber boat to go diving with a large family. The mother had a foreign boyfriend. Everyone spoke English, but I could understand a little. One of the children could speak Thai, which was a lot of fun and a friendship I will never forget. In that family, there was an uncle who didn't go diving. He volunteered to take pictures for me using my camera. The uncle was so kind. We went diving and saw many coral reefs and schools of fish swimming around us. At that moment, I felt like I was one of them. I was so happy that I forgot all the worries and anxieties I had in the world. The images I saw were of the underwater world that I experienced with my own eyes.

We saw strange coral reefs, clownfish, sea anemones, and giant open pearl oysters. We didn't want to look up from the water. The soldiers told us to hold hands and they would take us to the shallow water where we could see the coral reefs and Nemo fish clearly. We barely had to swim because the soldiers pulled our hands. We also remember another person holding our hand and pulling us along. It was an unforgettable experience. There were sea urchins and jellyfish in the area, which were dangerous, but the soldiers knew how to remove them. They were amazing! After we finished diving, a car took us to Leam Luang Beach, which has beautiful white sand. You can paddle a kayak there. On the way back, we took the boat back around 3 pm. We got the phone number of a motorbike taxi driver so we could call him to pick us up at the pier. Or, you could hitch a ride with someone else who is also going back. Or, there will be a blue songthaew waiting to pick you up. The motorbike taxi driver dropped us off at the van waiting area and told us to have a safe trip. This solo trip gave us experiences we've never had before. We saw things we've never seen before. We dared to take risks and do things we didn't think we could do. We met new people and received smiles and friendship from them. We will definitely review it again. I promise.

#chonburi
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