Located off the east coast of Thailand, Koh Tao is a tropical island in the Chumphon archipelago in the Surat Thani province. Although the island is situated over 500km from Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, it is one of the main spots on the tourist trail when visiting South East Asia, and it’s not new to travellers!
With stunning beaches, lively nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, there is something for everyone to enjoy on this little island.
Why go to Koh Tao
Known as Turtle Island in Thai, Koh Tao attracts scuba divers seeking to obtain their PADI certifications and experience the mesmerizing coral reefs and marine life along the coast. Whether you’re an experienced diver or a novice, the knowledgeable and welcoming instructors make it an ideal destination, and the prices are affordable. It’s a perfect place for those considering multiple diving courses.
Beyond scuba diving, Koh Tao offers a variety of activities. Rent a moped to explore the island, discovering hidden coves and beaches. Shark Bay, with its stunning beach and black tip reef sharks at dawn and dusk, is a popular spot. Alternatively, unwind at the bars and pools around the Sairee Beach resort, which buzzes with activity day and night.
When to go to Koh Tao
Koh Tao experiences both the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons, but fortunately, it enjoys fantastic weather for approximately ten months annually. The northeast monsoon affects the island mainly from the end of October to the beginning of December. The southwest monsoon season occurs from June to September, but due to Koh Tao’s sheltered location by the mainland, its impact on travel to the island during this time is minimal.
Typically, the island sees little rainfall and high temperatures reaching up to about 40 degrees Celsius. The busiest period on Koh Tao is each month during and after Full Moon Parties on Koh Phangan. During these times, numerous travellers flock to the islands for beach festivities and entertainment.
Where to stay in Koh Tao
There is huge range of accommodation across the island, but the majority of hotels, hostels and guesthouses are located around the Sairee Beach area.
For those interested in diving while staying on Koh Tao, it’s advisable to check if accommodation is part of your dive package. Many dive centers, including Davy John’s Locker and Simple Life Divers, provide excellent central accommodation, offering opportunities to connect with fellow divers and socialize after days spent at sea.
If you’re looking for something a little more luxury, Koh Tao offers some great 5 star resorts such as the Jamahkiri Resort with luxurious villas, massages on tap and huge swimming pools overlooking the sea.
How to get around in Koh Tao
The Sairee Beach area is home to the majority of shops, restaurants, dive centers, and accommodations, allowing convenient access to most attractions on foot.
If you want to venture further afield your best bet is hiring a mini bike or tuk tuk. This can be organised through most hotels and guesthouses and is a cheap way to get around.
How to get to and from Koh Tao
Given that Koh Tao is an island, the sole means of reaching it is by boat. The available options include ferries, speedboats, or catamarans, and the choice you make will significantly differ in terms of cost, speed, and safety.
It is important that you choose a reputable company when travelling to Koh Tao to ensure you have a safe and smooth crossing. One of the most popular operators is Lomprayah whose packages you can book both online and in many travel agents across the country.
The majority of travellers choose to book a package when in Bangkok which takes them down to the east coast of Thailand to Chumphon or Surat Thani, and then meet the boat to take them across to the islands (1,100THB one way).
Koh Tao sits closer to Chumphon, so if you decide to tailor-make your journey yourself, head to Chumphon first and then hop onto a boat to Koh Tao. From Chumphon, further up the east coast from Surat Thani, you can take a ferry or catamaran direct to Koh Tao. This journey takes between three and four hours (600THB one way).
If you decide to start from Surat Thani, then you will first call to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, before reaching Koh Tao. The journey from Surat Thani to Koh Tao generally takes around five hours (700THB one way).
If you are travelling to/from Koh Phangan (500THB one way) or Koh Samui (600THB one way) from Koh Tao, the journey will take around 1h10–1h30.
Tip : Be caution when considering companies that provide excessively inexpensive or unusually swift speed boat services to the islands, as these are frequently unlicensed entities that may not adhere to proper safety procedures.
If you are not planning to take an overnight bus and want a quicker journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao you can take internal flight from Bangkok Don Mueang airport down to Surat Thani or Koh Samui. From there you can catch a bus to the port and connect with the boat to Koh Tao.
Checking on beaches or island holiday vacation? Let us helps you on this.
Discover the Top 5 Summer Destinations in Asia
Bangkok, Thailand: Your Definitive Travel Companion
Chiang Mai Unveiled: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Northern Thailand’s Cultural Gem
Discover Krabi: A Traveler’s Guide to Thailand’s Coastal Gem
Discovering Koh Samui: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Tropical Bliss and Cultural Wonders
Exploring Phuket: From Vibrant Nights on Bangla Road to Scenic Day Trips
[…] 9. Koh Tao […]