Are you in search of a chilled-out holiday or a an activity-filled adventure? Some of the islands offer little in the way of activities other than sunbathing, swimming and yoga. If you’re after a relaxed atmosphere and a relaxing stay opt for Koh Lanta or Koh Lipe. However if you want an adrenalin-fuelled week, Koh Samui offers everything from parasailing to paddle boarding to jet skiing.

Solo travellers should head to young and trendy Koh Phangan or Koh Phi Phi which are teaming with hostels, parties and plenty of opportunities to meet likeminded travellers. Families and friends should opt for grown-up Koh Samui which offers plenty of private resorts so you can enjoy the company of loved ones without any intruders.

Always dreamed of scuba diving? If so, Koh Tao is the island for you. With hundreds of dive schools on the island, prices are among the most competitive in the world. For as little as £200 you can get your PADI qualification and four nights accommodation included. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, head to jungle-clad Koh Chang which offers everything from elephant trekking to mountain hiking.

Thailand receives over 30 million tourists every year, so over time the Thais have learned to cater for these growing numbers. If you want all of the luxuries of home, you’ll easily find an island which panders to your every need. As a rule the largest islands tend to be the most commercialised. Koh Samui, Phuket and Koh Chang are particularly convenient with luxury hotels, supermarkets, ATMs and a variety of dining options. If you want to get completely off the grid then head to the smaller and lesser known islands such as Koh Mak or Koh Kut. Chances are if you haven’t heard of the island, then no one else will have either.

If a week of cold-pressed juices, colon cleanses and yoga sounds like your kind of heaven, then there are plenty of detox programmes dotted around the Thai islands. However if you’ve come away to overindulge, then Phuket is your answer to food heaven. Offering everything from high-end fine dining at Michelin-starred Iniala Beach House to some of Thailand’s best street food in Phuket Old Town.

If you want to visit more than one island during your trip, then let geography decide. Looking at a map, the islands don’t look far from each other, but it takes a surprising amount of time to travel between some of them. For example, I naively thought you could catch a boat directly from Koh Chang to Koh Tao, however the journey actually took 24 hours and encompassed boat-bus-night bus-boat passing via Bangkok. That being said, the islands which are clustered together are very close to each other and easy to travel between. If you want to island hop, it would make sense to consider the following clusters:-
1. Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
2. Koh Yao Noi, Phi Phi Islands and Koh Lanta.
3. Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kut.

Koh Phangan has become synonymous with the Full Moon party which attracts thousands of party-goers who keep on dancing late into the next day. Even if your dates don’t coincide with Full Moon, there’s still a party every night of the week. If you’ve come for some peace and quiet then head to the sleepier island Koh Yao Noi where you’re guaranteed the best sleep of your life at Six Senses Yao Noi. This luxury hotel boasts a Yogic Sleep programme combining meditation sessions, head massages and yoga to help you achieve a permanent state of zen.