From the mainland

Boats from Surat Thani operate daily, dependant on weather conditions. They take about 2-3 hours. When the weather is calm, sitting on the deck with your legs hanging over the edge can be a great way to relax into island life.

On the way over from Surat Thani, staff will most likely approach you from various resorts trying to sell accommodation. If you haven’t booked ahead this can be an easy way to find somewhere to stay. As with any purchase, don’t take the first offer, you will have other choices; so don’t let the sales pitch convince you the first time round. After all, you have a couple of hours to make a decision, talk to other passengers and make your mind up before you arrive. The benefit of doing this is you will be picked up from the pier, and avoid the confusion of the crowds trying to sell you accommodation when you first step off the boat at Thong Sala.

The benefit of not booking ahead is also the opportunity to stay in places you may not have heard about and the flexibility to move around a bit. Don’t let people in Bangkok convince you to book ahead by telling you accommodation on the island will be sold out by the time you get there.

Ko Pha-Ngan has a name as a party island. The famous ‘full moon’ parties operate, obviously every full moon. However, the Thais are never ones to say enough is enough. They will create parties for any phase of the moon so that almost every weekend some kind of 'moon party' is occurring.

My tip if you want to have a relaxed stay – avoid Hat Rin (as this is the site of the biggest parties and therefore most of the backpackers) and plan your stay for times outside of the full-moon.

The difference between Ko Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan? - Samui caters for upmarket tourists whereas Pha-Ngan attracts backpackers and those looking for a low-key getaway.

Without suggesting names of places to stay, for a relaxed time I’d suggest the beach-side areas near Laem Son. This is not too far from the main arrival point on the island, has a choice of accommodation right on the beach, it’s close to a supermarket and restaurants and generally is a great place to lay in the hammock and watch the days just melt into one another.

All of Thailand’s major tourist sites are developing rapidly, but Ko Pha-Ngan still has a slow pace and gives you the opportunity of that beach shack literally metres from the water.

If I was to go back again and wanted a more remote island experience I’d visit the other side of the island and stay at some of the cliff-top accommodation near Hat Thong Nai Pan Noi.