Exploring what the island has to offer is essential at every destination in Thailand, so hire a scooter and navigate Samui’s nooks and crannies. Scooters will allow you to go anywhere and park anywhere, just remember to keep your wits about you, as traffic can be a bit unpredictable. Convenience meets exploration, definitely worth doing while on your holiday if you’re comfortable on two wheels.

If material goods are what you’re after, look no further than Chaweng. The beachfront area is buzzing with vendors and shopping centres waiting to make you a great deal on anything you could possibly ask for, so go ahead and splash a bit of cash while on holiday. Travel tip: Almost nowhere in Thailand will have a fixed price on any item, so feel free to barter the price as low as the vendor is willing to go. Walking away after naming your “highest” price usually, does the trick.

The Big Buddha stands a mighty 12 metres tall and towers above the Samui coast. This magnificent golden sculpture is available for all to view and offers a spiritual aesthetic unlike any other on the island for its sheer size and significance.

One of the most fascinating things about travelling through Thailand is embracing its foreign culture, and the Buddhist temples in Samui allow a glimpse of exactly that. Wat Phra Yai and Wat Plai are the most revered of all on the island, with holidaymakers flocking to stroll inside the temples and their grounds, experiencing the vast cultural significance and aesthetic beauty. Travel tip: You will likely have to remove your shoes upon entering a temple, so wear ones you can easily slip on and off. Women will also be required to cover up their chests and shoulders when entering the temple, but there are usually light scarves provided for coverage.

You won’t be at a loss for natural beauty when leaving the gorgeous coastline with the Samui mountains having many easily accessible waterfalls. These magnificent cascading waters offer a cool reprieve from the humidity of the jungle and are more than easy on the eye. Na Muang is among Hello Island’s favourites, with a pool at the bottom for your enjoyment. Hikes are done at a leisurely pace so don’t be intimidated, and the reward is worth the effort. Travel tip: Take your own water to stay hydrated, you lose a lot of fluid through sweating in the jungle.

Overflowing with jaw-dropping natural beauty, the 250-metre expanse of Silver Beach ( or Crystal Bay) offers a more relaxed atmosphere than beaches in Chaweng, and more lively than the romantic slow motion of Lamai. This golden mean is on the northeastern coast and offers snorkelling and kayaking among others if you’re not content with simply absorbing the sun’s rays while on holiday in Thailand.

Grab a sundowner with your travel companions and enjoy a delicious meal at this easy-going mountain resort. Situated high in the hills between Chaweng and Lamai, the Jungle Club allows you to marvel at the spectacular views of Chaweng Bay and the Gulf of Thailand from their wooden deck, or in a more intimate bamboo sala Thai. Being intertwined with the beauty of the surrounding landscape, it will provide a remarkably relaxing and pleasant time there, a lovely way to spend your holiday.

This former French outpost on Bohphut Beach offers a variety of boutique shops, bars and restaurants, which close down the main street on Friday nights to create a buzzing street market atmosphere. Fisherman’s Village harks back to its Mediterranean past and offers wears and food aplenty. The atmosphere is unique on the island and certainly worth experiencing while you holiday in Samui.

What would a holiday to Thailand be without perpetuating a national stereotype? The extravagance and pageantry that is on show will have you absolutely awe-struck. The ladyboy shows in Samui are extremely well put together, with everything from lighting, choreography, and musical selection, with all aspects executed to perfection. This one-of-a-kind evening out will make you ask some intimate questions, of that there is no doubt, but it is tremendous fun and the performers are incredible professionals. A must-see in the opinion of Hello Islands.

Choosing the best spas in Koh Samui is a true challenge we endured for your benefit. Koh Samui offers some of the best spas in Thailand but luckily we have two clear favourites so you don’t have to do any guesswork. On Samui’s Northern tip you will find Six Senses Samui, a luxury spa that overlooks the picturesque Northern coastline. It has an impressive variety of treatments, with each treatment room being a luxury jungle hut. The showstopper, however, is Tamarind Spring Spa. With the staff required to study yoga and meditation daily, their presence is meant to soothe guests, adding to the overall experience. The outdoor massage rooms add to a unified feeling with your natural surrounds, with the Spa also offering springs and saunas built into a large rock. This section of Spa heaven is found off the ring road between Chaweng and Lamai. So go ahead and spoil yourself while on holiday in Samui.

Get your pulse racing while enjoying the jungled mountains of Koh Samui. Zip-lining is one of the more adventurous options while on holiday on this lovely island, and we’re all about adventure. The thick jungle allows for incredible tree top travel. Travel tip: There are numerous options available to you so shop around before making a final decision.

One of Koh Samui’s highlights is the range of beachside dining that is available to you. Between Chaweng and Lamai you are spoiled for choice with restaurants lining the coast, so pick somewhere, take in the views of the ocean, and enjoy sumptuous Thai cuisine with the sand between your toes.This is what beach holiday dreams are made of. Travel tip: Be careful of menus that do not contain a price list. Some tend to charge tourists more so make sure you come to a happy price before ordering your meal.