‘Koh’ means island in Thai, and ‘Tao’ means turtle. An endearing name for a small territory that has captivated travellers from all over the world. It is true that turtles, among many other species, can be seen there. But that is not the reason for its name. Quite simply, the first settlers saw that the silhouette of the island resembled this friendly animal when viewed from the nearby island of Koh Phangan.
The simplicity and beauty of its name go hand in hand with the lifestyle of this small island belonging to the province of Surat Thani, as does the Khao Sok National Park. And although one of its main attractions is diving, tourists of all kinds already enjoy its coastline. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about Ko Tao. By the time you finish reading, you’ll be a little closer to visiting this dream destination.
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Why is Koh Tao a paradise for divers and backpackers?
If you’ve ever heard the name Koh Tao, it’s probably been accompanied by some reference to diving. That’s because it’s one of the best destinations in the world for diving. To give you an idea, Koh Tao is second only to the city of Cairns (in Australia) in terms of the number of PADI certifications issued (internationally recognised diving credentials). It is one of the world’s leading diving training locations.
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The reason for Ko Tao’s great popularity among divers (especially beginners) is due to a combination of factors: crystal clear water, abundant marine life and shallow waters.
As for its popularity among backpackers, apart from the fact that prices in Thailand are generally very affordable for Western tourists, Koh Tao specifically offers a relaxed atmosphere and an island with spectacular landscapes and nature that ends up captivating them. We could say that they feel something similar to travellers who go to visit Pai, one of the most charming villages in Thailand.
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How to get to Koh Tao from Bangkok, Koh Samui and other islands
Ko Tao is one of the islands located in the Gulf of Thailand, specifically in the South China Sea, southeast of the country. It is very close to two other islands that are also very touristy and well-known: Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Therefore, it is very common for people to visit all three when planning what to see on a trip to Thailand. Specifically, Koh Tao is a very popular destination for travellers looking to relax after enjoying the famous Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.
As you can imagine, the only way to get to Koh Tao is by sea, as there is no airport. There are regular boat services from:
- Chumphon. This is a city in southern Thailand, capital of the province of the same name. It is the part of the mainland closest to Koh Tao, and boats depart from the pier. From Chumphon, you can reach Ko Tao in less than two hours. There are also night ferries, but the journey can take up to six hours.
- Surat Thani. Ferries to Ko Tao depart from this city, also the capital of the province of the same name, but the journey takes longer than from Chumphon, about three hours extra. There are also night boats.
- Koh Samui or Koh Phangan. There are two ferry companies operating between the three islands.
If you want to visit Ko Tao straight after Bangkok, there are different options for getting to the island from the capital. You can fly to Surat Thani or Chumphon and then take the ferry. Another option is to take the bus or train to Chumphon. In this case, there are options that allow to book your trip with combined tickets (train/bus + ferry) which are more economical. However, the fastest way to get to Ko Tao from Bangkok is to fly to the island of Koh Samui and then take the ferry.
Best time to travel to Koh Tao and how many days to stay
Any time of year is a good time to visit Ko Tao. However, you may encounter different conditions depending on the time of year you visit. From November to March, the tide is higher and the beaches and bays are filled with water. This makes snorkelling and swimming more comfortable and easier.
On the other hand, from April to October, the tide is low during the day, so the beaches are wider and you can enjoy sunbathing and playing sports on the sand more.
However, we cannot forget about the monsoon season in Southeast Asia. Specifically, in Koh Tao, this usually arrives between mid-November and late December, lasting a few weeks. While the monsoon is over the island, there is heavy rainfall, high waves and strong winds. In addition, even though it is not monsoon season in Ko Tao, between July and October there can also be rainfall.
Therefore, if you are interested in snorkelling and enjoying the island to the fullest, the best season would be between January and March. This way, you can ensure that your trip does not coincide with the monsoon season.
How long to stay in Ko Tao. Some travellers fall so in love with the island that they decide to live there, while others divide their time between their home and this paradise. But if we are talking solely about tourism, the answer is more complicated, as it is very subjective and depends on the activities you want to do on the island.
Most travellers spend between three and four days there, which is enough time to enjoy its main attractions, relax on the beach and go diving. But if you want to take a diving course, as well as exploring the island, consider staying for around a week. For example, to obtain the Open Water Diver certificate (the first level of diving certification) you need 4 to 7 days.
What to see and do in Koh Tao: beaches and viewpoints
Sairee Beach and the liveliest atmosphere in Ko Tao
Located on the west coast of the island, Sairee Beach is one of the most famous beaches on Ko Tao. The reason? It is the longest and liveliest beach. But best of all, just 30 metres from the shore is a beautiful coral reef, which you can visit by snorkelling, as the water is shallow.
Apart from this beach, other beautiful beaches that we recommend visiting from Passporter, your travel organiser, are: Koh Nang Yuan, Freedom Beach, June Juea Bay, Sai Nuan Beach and Sai Daeng Beach.
Then there are also more secluded beaches, but equally recommended, such as: Cape Je Ta Kang, Saan Jao Beach, Jansom Bay, Laem Thian and Lighthouse Bay.
Quiet bays in Koh Tao: Shark Bay, Tanote Bay and Aow Leuk
If you are looking for a peaceful atmosphere, these are your best options. On the one hand, Shark Bay is a private bay with spectacular fine white sand. There are plenty of shaded areas thanks to the coconut trees that surround it, so you can lie down without being in the sun all the time. The beach is called Pemphis Acidula or Thian (as the locals say).
What makes Shark Bay even more special is the presence of friendly green turtles, some of which are over a metre long. You can encounter them while snorkelling or swimming along the coast, as they are not afraid of humans. However, it is recommended not to touch them to avoid passing on any bacteria. Shark Bay is the only place on Koh Tao where you can see this type of turtle every day.
Tanote Bay is known for the jumps you can make into the sea from the rock in the centre of the bay. Although there is little shade, the beach offers privacy, as the buildings are somewhat distant. It is also an ideal place to watch the sunrise and snorkel among the corals and large fish. And if you like adventure, kayaks are available in Tanote Bay for you to paddle around at your leisure.
But that’s not all. From Tanote Bay, you can access some incredible spots on the island: the isolated and unspoilt bay of Laem Thian and three impressive viewpoints (Orchid Peak, West Coast Viewpoint and Tanote Peak).
Finally, Aow Leuk is a concave, deep-water bay ideal for snorkelling, even at low tide. But apart from that, the setting is spectacular. The sand is white and the water is a beautiful shade of blue.
Ko Tao viewpoints: John-Suwan and Fraggle Rock
Did you know that Ko Tao has more than ten viewpoints? Not bad for a small island. You can reach them either by motorbike or by following a route. The John-Suwan viewpoint is the most famous because it offers a complete view of both Shark Bay and Chalok Baan Kao Bay at the same time. It also offers magnificent views of the mountains of Koh Tao and its crystal-clear waters.
Fraggle Rock is one of the favourite viewpoints for both travellers and locals. The views of Sairee Beach are incredible, as are those of Mae Haad Bay; you can even see Koh Nang Yuan Island (which we will tell you about later). What makes it special is that it is made up of several interconnected rocks and is located within a jungle area.
Besides these iconic viewpoints, others we recommend you visit are: Grape Viewpoint, Tanote Peak, Mango Viewpoint, Deisha View, Summit View, Sunset Viewpoint, Moondance Magic View and Koh Hang Yuan Viewpoint.
Diving and snorkeling in Koh Tao
Ko Tao for beginners: introductory dives and Open Water courses
Divers of all kinds go to Koh Tao, from the most experienced (who even come to teach) to beginners who have never even used a tank. The reason? Its waters are deep, clear, and calm.
There are more than 80 dive centers on the island accredited by one of the two largest diving certification organizations in the world (PADI and SSI), so you won’t have any trouble finding a place to learn.
Of all the courses offered, if you have no prior diving experience, it’s best to start with a Introductory Dive, an introductory experience that will help you learn all the basics of diving in a safe and guided way. They only last one day and will give you an idea of ??what diving is like, allowing you to reach a maximum depth of 12 meters. It usually includes two dives at different points around the island.
The Open Water Diver course, on the other hand, is the most popular and requested course, as it allows you to obtain your first international diving certification. It usually lasts around three and a half or four days, reaching depths of up to 18 meters. Generally, a total of four open water dives are performed.
Oh! And did you know that there are also diving classes for children from 8 years old? Both introductory and more advanced classes are offered. And, of course, you’ll find many schools that offer their courses in Spanish, so you won’t miss a thing.
Best snorkeling spots in Koh Tao
- Shark Bay.
- Hin Wong Bay.
- Mango Bay.
- Shark Island.
- Lang Khai Bay.
Marine life in Koh Tao: turtles, reef sharks and corals
Koh Tao lives up to its name, being the most important breeding ground for Green turtles and hawksbill turtles. In fact, great efforts have been and continue to be made to reintroduce hundreds of turtles into the island’s ecosystem, as is happening with the coral reefs.
While snorkeling, in addition to turtles and corals, you can discover countless fish: reef rays, triggerfish, angelfish, parrotfish… In some places, you can even see blacktip reef sharks, which are not aggressive but are curious, and may occasionally approach humans.
Excursions and activities in Koh Tao beyond diving
Besides diving and snorkeling, hiking and walks to viewpoints are the most common activities among visitors to the island. However, in Koh Tao it is also common to find yoga and meditation activities due to the tranquility that pervades the area, as well as mass centers.
For the more adventurous, there are also water sports to enjoy, such as paddle surfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and tubing.
Boat excursion around Koh Tao and visit to Koh Nang Yuan
One of the most popular activities on Ko Tao, besides diving and snorkeling, is sailing around the island on a longtail boat, a type of watercraft originating in Southeast Asia. These small boats are powered by common car engines, which are easy to maintain and readily available.On a longtail boat, you can reach different beaches on the island and explore its beautiful bays. Some boat tours even offer a “snorkeling tour around the island,” taking you to key spots to discover the underwater world.
Several of these boat tours also go to Koh Nang Yuan, an island located right next to Ko Tao that has one of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
What are the best areas of Koh Tao to stay?
Staying in Sairee Beach: the livelier area
The area around Sairee Beach has everything (which is why it is also a very popular choice of accommodation for families): hotels, restaurants, diving schools, shops, cafés, bars… Everything is within easy reach at Sairee Beach.
A little further down is Mae Haad Bay, the port town where all of Koh Tao’s piers are located and where the most local lifestyle is still maintained. For this reason, and because it offers many services, it is also a popular place to stay in the western part of the island.
Quiet Accommodation in the South and East of Koh Tao
If you absolutely want to stay in a beach area, but with a relaxed atmosphere, you’ll find the best options in the south and east of Koh Tao. Specifically, the Chalok Baan Kao Bay and Tanote Bay areas are the best. The former is where you’ll find the largest beach on the island, as well as several hotels, restaurants, bars, and various diving companies. In the second case, you’ll be surrounded by green hills and large rocks.
Practical Tips for Traveling to Koh Tao: Money, Clothing, and Transportation
- Rent a motorbike. Although Ko Tao is a small island, walking from one beach to another takes time. Public transportation isn’t very common, although you can opt for pickup trucks (but that might increase your budget).
- Don’t use fins or kick gently. When snorkeling in shallow areas, we can damage the seabed if we use fins by bumping into corals or seagrass. Therefore, if possible, don’t use fins, and if you do, use them carefully. Similarly, if you want to stand up while practicing this water sport, do so on the sand, not on a rock where there might be lush vegetation.
- Do not feed the marine animals. Besides the fact that the food we give them might not agree with them, it’s best not to make them dependent on us for food.
- Get an eSIM. Find out which is the best eSIM for traveling to Thailand, unlike physical options, you can easily have internet access as soon as you land at your destination.
- Discover things to do and see in Phuket Thailand. If you love island trips and still have some free time during your trip to Thailand, this enormous white-sand island will become one of your favorite destinations in the country.
- If you want to visit more places in Thailand check on Things to do and see in Kanchanaburi Thailand and Things to do on your trip to Sukhothai Thailand or discover What are the best islands in Thailand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Tao
There’s something for everyone, from hostels and bungalows to hotel chains.
Yes, there are a wide variety of internationally certified companies with trained instructors. But, as with any trip, it is recommended to purchase international medical insurance that covers marine accidents of this type, as a precaution.
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