Koh Samui holidays

The soft white sands of Koh Samui grab plenty of attention, and that’s before you’ve even considered the island’s iconic turquoise sea. Coconut palms are the main accompaniment to the shoreline, and the Gulf of Thailand waters are seriously inviting. Plus, there’s no real secluded spot vs party beach rivalry – there are plenty of both to be had. On the sleepy side, Choeng Mon Beach is virtually deserted, and the kayaking is first rate.

Koh Samui’s most popular beach is Chaweng – it’s loaded with beachfront bars and restaurants, plus watersports vendors and street food stalls. You’ll even find massage parlours on the sand. It’s all set on a five-kilometre stretch of powdery, white sand, with picturesque craggy headlands for a scenic backdrop. The scenery beneath the waves is just as impressive, and offshore reef snorkelling lets you see things close up – there’s a reef to explore just off the seafront.

Koh Matsum is just a 30-minute longtail boat ride from the fishing port of Thong Krut, in the Samui archipelago. Despite being so close, it’s an island the world has all but forgotten. Its castaway beaches are pretty secluded, and the hourglass-fine sand is backed by green forests. There are colourful coral reefs to snorkel over, too.

Head down Maenam Walking Street market from 5pm on Thursday evenings and you’ll see it come alive with stalls and live music. Street food vendors do a roaring trade, and you’ll generally get a sniff of something tasty before you’ve even clapped eyes on the stall. Sip on fresh fruit cocktails between stalls while bartering for wooden keepsakes, clothing and jewellery. Then, grab a plate heaped high with grilled octopus and sticky rice.

Chaweng Beach Road is the place to go if markets aren’t really for you. The little shops which line the street tick off the likes of souvenirs, beach essentials, and sportswear boutiques. Unique bikini designs and bargain snorkelling equipment are up for grabs, too. The Central Festival Samui Mall, meanwhile, houses lots of familiar brands under one roof.

At the edge of the fisherman’s village in Bophut, there’s the Wharf Samui. Compared to the markets and the walking streets elsewhere on the island, it’s a different world when it comes to shopping. Mediterranean-style boutiques and local designer shops join forces with traditional teahouses and seafront coffee lounges, while the luxury spas are perfect for some pampering. There’s a strong selection of restaurants, too.

The tropical sunsets hit different in Koh Samui. And when you’re looking for a spot to see the sky change between hues of purple, pink and orange, there are plenty of places to choose from. Grab yourself a beanbag at one of the beach bars and sip on a cocktail, or find a quiet spot on the sands and kick back with a beer. Then, when the sun goes down, look forward to the likes of fire shows on the sand.

The liveliest nights take place at Chaweng Beach. It’s been likened to Phuket’s Patong Beach for its similar collection of bars, thumping nightclubs, beach parties, and food stalls lining the streets. Hop on a speedboat, meanwhile, and you can zip over to the Koh Phangan Full Moon Party.

Thailand grows over 800 million coconuts a year, so it’s no surprise to see them feature so heavily in the recipes of many Thai dishes. For a sweet treat, try coconut ice-cream from the street vendors, who often serve it straight from a coconut shell. It’s made from a mix of coconut milk and palm sugar. If you fancy something a little less chilled, there’s also kalamae – a sticky coconut dessert.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, grab a plate of crispy dough sticks, dipped into delicious pandan custard. This unique, leaf-coloured sauce is made by adding pandan leaves to a coconut custard, and although it might not look the most appealing, it’s delicious. The locals are all about using pandan leaves in their cooking, as it gives the food a unique colour and a sweet, earthy fragrance. It features in a few traditional Thai breakfast snacks, too.

Street foods are big business in Thailand, and one of the most popular is khao man gai. A mound of jasmine rice is served with steamed chicken, a spicy side sauce (usually ginger chilli), and a traditional chicken broth. You’ll find it on street-side stalls all over the islands.

Curries are another Thai staple, and Gaeng moo is a Koh Samui favourite. This pork curry comes with a rich and creamy sauce, and you’ll often find chunks of banana mixed in with the meat for some extra sweetness.

Bplaa likun is like the Thai version of British pork scratchings – an ideal beer snack. This small, anchovy-like fish is fried until crispy and dished up with a lime, ginger and chilli sauce. For something less fishy and more meaty, you can also try moo grob, which is the Thai version of crispy pork belly.