Thailand island life

Best for escaping the crowds
Further south is Ko Lanta, between Krabi province and Phuket. This laidback gem offers ultra-relaxing beachlife, gorgeous coves and craggy mountains. The main west coast beaches are Phra Ae (Long Beach) and Klong Dao where local laws protect the area from high-rise hotels. Ko Lanta is also home to a traditional community of Chao Ley (sea gypsies). If you're looking for mad nights and crazy parties, this island is way too low-key, but if you want to chill out, look no further. Activities range from diving and snorkelling to sea kayaking and elephant trekking.

Best for roughing it
Travel further south to the 51 islands that make up Ko Tarutao and the marine national park in Trang province (location for TV series 'Survivor'). Accommodation is simple, in tents, bungalows or bamboo longhouses, but the diving and wildlife is far from basic. Flying lemurs to monitor lizards happily reside in a wildlife community that contains about 100 different bird species. The Adang-Rawi islands possesses around 25% of the world's fish species from sharks to dolphins, making it a diving haven.

Best for party animals
Over on the east coast in the Gulf of Thailand is the famous island of Ko Samui, a mainstream international resort. If your perfect holiday entails cheap beer, raucous nightlife and international facilities, by all means head to the island's main hubs of Chaweng and Lamai beach. However, if prefer the feeling of being in Thailand rather than Costa del Samui, try Bophut, Maenam and Buddha beaches. Ko Phangan, to the north of Ko Samui, is another favourite isle whose full moon parties and hedonistic culture remain legendary. Hat Rin is the main beach but explore further afield to find gorgeous beaches and inexpensive accommodation.

Best for meeting the undersea locals
Divers tend to head to Ko Tao (Turtle Island), north of Phangan and 2 hours by boat from Samui, a tiny diver's paradise. The central hub is Mae Haad, where the majority of dive shops and facilities are. Stay at Sairee for its 2km beach and great nightlife or for peace and quiet, head to Chalok Baan Kao Bay in the south, close to Shark Point - no surprises what big fish you might spot here. For snorkelling, go east to Tanote Bay. Diving in Ko Tao is sublime and you'll see anything and everything from stingrays and sharks to groupers, triggerfish and pufferfish.

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