Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

The second hike is the real reason for the trip. It's often mentioned that while the first climb is easy and offers a beautiful view, the steeper ascent above the lagoon is what people talk about for a long time afterward. Anyone who's reasonably fit should definitely do it. Even if you're not, the viewpoint below and the lagoon are well worth the trip – and no one will rush you.

This is an archipelago of 42 islands, all limestone pinnacles, jungle, and protected waters. Almost all visitors arrive as part of an organized day trip from Koh Samui. A typical day includes a snorkeling stop, the lagoon, a kayak tour around a small island, and a Thai lunch on board. The schedule is designed so that you don't feel rushed. The snorkeling is good, but not world-class; there are plenty of small, colorful fish in the clear water. What you're really paying for, however, is the scenery: layer upon layer of green and blue, especially from the hill above the so-called Monkey Island.