Banyan Tree Samui launches ‘White Lotus’-inspired speedboat tours

In a move that’s set to thrill fans of the hit HBO series The White Lotus, Banyan Tree Samui has launched an exclusive series of luxury speedboat tours inspired by the show’s unforgettable scenes set on the tropical Thai island of Koh Samui. The moment from the final episode of the third season, filmed in the lush surroundings of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, has now inspired a real-life experience courtesy of the five-star resort.

Perched in a secluded bay in the island’s serene southeast, Banyan Tree Samui has unveiled its private 12-metre speedboat, Sense of the Sea. This custom-built vessel, powered by twin 400 hp engines, now offers guests the chance to explore the same cinematic seascapes, with tailored day trips and excursions through the marine park’s emerald waters and dramatic limestone islands.

The new tours include an eight-hour private cruise through Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, a collection of 42 stunning islands with hidden lagoons, white-sand beaches, and dense tropical foliage—features that captivated viewers around the world. The speedboat comfortably accommodates up to 15 guests along with a professional three-member crew, providing ample space for picnics, celebrations, or serene sightseeing.

Travellers can also venture to Koh Phangan on a six-hour excursion, the island made famous by its raucous Full Moon Parties, a setting playfully depicted in the series. For those seeking a more tranquil experience, the Five Islands Sunset Cruise or a leisurely trip to the quiet shores of Koh Taen and Koh Matsum offer scenic alternatives. The latter, affectionately nicknamed “Thailand’s Bay of Pigs,” is home to a friendly population of wild beach-dwelling pigs.

All tours are highly customisable and can include swimming, snorkelling, wildlife spotting, or simply enjoying champagne under the sun. The Gulf of Thailand’s rich marine ecosystem features coral reefs, turtles, reef sharks, and even elusive dugongs.

To complement the tours, Banyan Tree Samui has embraced “The White Lotus Effect” with new in-house offerings that nod to the show’s allure. Guests are welcomed with locally inspired amenities, and the Wellbeing Sanctuary offers programmes in yoga, meditation, fitness, and wholesome cuisine. The resort’s spa has introduced a “Sense of Lotus” package, featuring a rejuvenating 120-minute treatment beginning with a White Lotus Polisher—using lotus seed powder for a gentle exfoliation ritual.

For sundowners, guests can enjoy the signature White Lotus cocktail: a refreshing blend of vodka, white rum, lychee juice, lime juice, coconut milk, and fresh lychee, garnished with dried Damask rose petals.

With 88 private pool villas set across 38 acres of lush hillside, three restaurants, including the MICHELIN-listed Saffron, and world-class facilities including a hydrotherapy spa and kids’ club, Banyan Tree Samui continues to offer immersive and luxurious experiences shaped by both local charm and global inspiration.