One of the most beautiful tropical islands to visit in the world is Thailand’s Koh Samui. Potential tourists often wonder if luxury travel as a vegetarian or vegan to this paradise is possible without the hassle of doing meticulous planning. The good news is that several vegan-friendly restaurants are available on the island to cater for your specific travel needs. And you have a wide selection of luxurious Koh Samui rentals to choose from to make that dream trip perfect.
Photo Credits: Wikimedia
Where is Koh Samui?
This tropical and exotic paradise is in the Gulf of Thailand about an hour’s flight from Bangkok. It’s easy to get direct flights from Malaysia and Singapore as well as domestically in Thailand. Visitors from around the world visit this magnificent island every year to experience the luxury Thai spa treatments and endless beaches.
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Accommodation in Koh Samui:
Luxurious beach resorts and spas are everywhere. You can rent a private villa with your own maid and chef services to can clean and prepare meals around the clock. This is an excellent addition if you have specific dietary requirements.
Food and Drink:
The high-class restaurants in Koh Samui are known for serving both international and Thai cuisine. Most beach resorts have their own five-star restaurant have fresh seafood. While this isn’t an option for vegans, it’s not impossible to find the ones that cater specifically for your diet.
Several of Koh Samui’s restaurants are vegetarian and vegan-friendly. The majority of five-star resorts are well-equipped to serve vegans, but you’ll probably need to contact them in advance to make sure they can prepare your meals. However, if you do want to venture out to the restaurants along the beach and main streets, there are a few places that come highly recommended by other travellers.
Photo Credits : Vikasa Life Cafe
Vikasa Life Cafe:
This luxurious cafe serves vegetarian and vegan food, which is located between Chaweng and Lamai Beach. The splendid views from the restaurant cafe are one of the main highlights for visitors. Your food will be prepared by award-winning chefs, from Paris and Berlin, using only organic products such as coconut oil, coconut milk, and their homegrown vegetables.
Greenlight Cafe and Bar at Elysia Boutique Resort:
Greenlight Cafe is a part of a boutique resort in Bo Phut. This is an excellent place to enjoy food and drinks made from locally sourced organic products. Greenlight Cafe opens daily from 8.00am until 10.00pm.
The Larder Restaurant:
Located close to Chaweng Beach, this restaurant is ideal if you’re staying close to the central parts of Koh Samui. While this isn’t primarily a vegan restaurant, they do have a large selection of vegetarian options. Several high-class chefs prepare food in this highly rated restaurant.
Supattra Thai Dining:
Well-known for being vegetarian-friendly, this is the number one restaurant you need to visit while on a trip to Koh Samui. Supattra opens in the evening and is a great place to enjoy your dinner with a view. Contact the restaurant in advance as there isn’t a fixed menu and they only prepare fresh meals by request.
Juice Queen:
While this isn’t a five-star restaurant, the Juice Queen is still worth mentioning as they only serve organic and healthy snacks. You can find the bar on Chaweng Road, opening from Monday to Saturday at 8.00am until 4.00pm. This makes an excellent place to stop for a quick, healthy snack or juice.
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What to Do in Koh Samui:
For water sports lovers, you can go jet skiing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, diving and snorkelling in Koh Samui. For a more luxurious treat, boats and yacht rentals are available with all-inclusive or a customised package suitable for your needs. You can even arrange events such as birthdays, stag and hen parties, weddings, honeymoons and even corporate events on a private catamaran. Contact the rental company well in advance for bookings.
The Full Moon Party:
Photo Credits : Thomas Sauzedde (Flickr)
Koh Phangan is the famous neighbouring island that hosts the Full Moon Party. Large numbers of tourists flock to this island during this event, and it’s widely considered to be the biggest party of its kind in Thailand if not the world.
Getting from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan by ferry is relatively easy. The journey takes between 20 minutes to one hour depending on the port of departure, though you should expect overcrowding during the Full Moon Party. Ticket prices vary, and it may be a good idea to ask your hotel or resort to arrange a custom-made party tour for the convenience.
READ: FULL MOON PARTY SCHEDULES
What to Expect During the Full Moon Party:
It’s best to book tours and accommodation well in advance. Places are probably going to be fully booked as this is the most significant party event in the country and attended by visitors from around the world. Expect lots of party-goers, loud music on the beach until the sun rises, and of course copious amounts of alcohol.
Drug use and extreme intoxication are rampant at the Full Moon Party. You should always be careful and vigilant of your possessions, drinks to avoid spiking and personal safety. This is especially for the case if you’re a solo female traveller. That said, it is one of the best place to party if you’re an active reveller and especially if you’re in the region on the day.
Indulge in the Luxurious Getaway to Koh Samui:
Koh Samui can offer you an incredible trip with plenty of activities to have the ultimate vegetarian and luxurious vegan experience. From the beachfront spa treatments to a couple of days at a rave party and enjoying the best top vegan restaurants on the island, Koh Samui is sure to fulfil any requirements for an excellent trip.