When people talk about Koh Tao, Thailand the first thing you’ll hear is how amazing the scuba diving around here is – but it has plenty to offer above the water too!
This little island in the Gulf of Thailand has become famous as one of the cheapest and most popular places in the world to learn scuba diving, and thousands of travellers add this tiny island to their Thailand itinerary every year just for that.
But Koh Tao is so much more than a dive school. Even if you never strap on a tank, the island’s mix of beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, secluded bays, jungle viewpoints, lively nightlife and blissful island lifestyle makes it a place you’ll want to linger longer. Koh Tao truly feels magical and quickly became one of my favourite Thai islands.
In this Koh Tao travel guide, I’ll share everything you need to plan your trip: the best things to do (for both scuba divers and non-divers), where to stay, when to visit, how to get there, food and nightlife recommendations, hidden gems, and practical travel tips.
I visited Koh Tao in October as part of an island hopping trip after spending a month in both Koh Samui and Koh Phangan and wish I’d had visited earlier for better weather and had more time to spend here because it has so much to offer.
I have to admit that even though I love snorkelling, I was kinda scared of scuba diving at first, but Koh Tao offers something for everyone and easily became one of my favourite islands in Thailand!
I hope this guide to Koh Tao will help you make the most of your time on the island – whether you’re coming to complete your PADI course, snorkel with reef sharks, or just soak up a slice of island life – I’m sure Koh Tao will become one of the highlights of your Thailand trip too!
My Koh Tao Travel Guide
Where is Koh Tao?
Koh Tao is located on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand, about 70 kilometres off the coast of Chumphon. It’s the smallest of the three main islands in the Gulf of Thailand, sitting north of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in the Chumphon archipelago.
The name, Koh Tao, means “Turtle Island,” because of it’s shape when viewed from above and because of the hawksbill and green turtles that still nest on its beaches and swim in the surrounding waters.
It takes around 90 minutes to reach Koh Tao by ferry from Koh Phangan, and all the boats arrive at Mae Haad Pier. There’s no airport here, which keeps it quieter and less developed than Samui or Phangan.
The small size and the little bit of extra effort to get here is part of what gives Koh Tao it’s charm – it’s much more hilly and much less developed than the popular neighbouring islands so you really feel like you’ve escaped to a paradise island, even though it’s one of Thailand’s most popular islands.
Things To Do On Koh Tao
Koh Tao is famous for it’s underwater adventures, so no Koh Tao travel guide would be complete without this, but I’ll also mention the other things you can do on Koh Tao beyond diving and snorkelling so that you can see this is an island worth visiting – even if you’re not interested in this.
Here’s the best things to see and do on Koh Tao:
Go Snorkelling
Koh Tao’s main draw is it’s colourful underwater world and the best part is that you don’t need a scuba license to explore beneath the waves. On Koh Tao you can simply hire a mask and fins and you can snorkel straight off the beach into coral gardens teeming with fish, turtles and even reef sharks.
Some of the best places to go snorkeling off the beach in Koh Tao include Shark Bay, Ao Leuk, Tanote Bay and Hin Wong. There’s numerous other options if you join a snorkeling boat trip as well.
Shark Bay on the south coast is one of the most famous snorkelling spots, where you have a good chance of seeing blacktip reef sharks cruising the shallows and green turtles grazing on sea grass.
The easiest way to access Shark Bay is through the beautiful HaadTien Beach Resort (which charges a small fee). You can also access it for free from this spot by climbing down over the rocks to a small beach bar.
My favourite spot was Aow Leuk / Ao Leuk a small picturesque bay on the east coast. The turquoise water is crystal clear and we saw many blacktip baby reef sharks and colourful fish around the rocks.
There’s no entrance free if you buy a drink or snack and chill at Chabalay Resort or Aow Leuk Grand Hill Resort. These are also great places to stay if you want something more chill than popular Sairee beach.
Another good spot on the east coast is Tanote Bay you can snorkel here and jump from the big boulder in the water – there’s a couple of small low key places to eat and drink too.
Then there’s Hin Wong is a tiny cove with a pebble beach, cool beach bar (Freedom Bar) made from driftwood and big boulders hiding schools of fish so close to the shore you hardly have to enter the water to see them!
Top Tip: As Koh Tao is a very hilly island, the roads up and down to these smaller bays are very steep and can be pretty dangerous. If you’re not experienced with driving a motorbike then it’s much safer to hire a taxi/pick up truck or take a boat tour instead.
The full day snorkeling boat tours usually stop at four or five bays and also include Mango Bay and Lighthouse Bay which are only really reachable by boat.
Another great thing about the tour is that they usually also visit Koh Nang Yuan, the postcard-perfect trio of islets linked by a sandbar with an epic view point.
Just remember there’s a separate entry fee for Koh Nang Yuan and no plastic bottles are allowed, so bring a reusable flask. (I’ll go into more detail about Koh Nang Yuan later)
Best Snorkeling Tours
There’s no shortage of Koh Tao snorkeling tours so choose the one that best suits you.
If you’re up for a bit of a party boat experience this popular snorkeling boat tour offers alot of fun and great value for money. It stops at multiple sites all around the island and even has a slide, diving board and climbing wall.
So even if you can’t swim or don’t want to snorkel – this boat trip is still very scenic and a lot of fun and still well worth joining.
If you’d prefer a more serene snorkeling adventure then opt for a small group cruise on a traditional boat – you’ll get picked up, visit Koh Nang Yuan, go snorkelling at 5 sites, enjoy a Thai lunch on board and also get photos to remember the day by too.
For something different you can also do fishing trip or a romantic sunset cruise with a BBQ dinner. These boat trips are more relaxed than the snorkel tours with cold beers, calm seas, and watching the sky turn pink as the sun dips behind Koh Nang Yuan.
Go Scuba Diving on Koh Tao
If you want to explore deeper, (pun intended!) Koh Tao offers some of the best scuba diving in Thailand with year round warm waters, colourful coral reefs, rich marine life and dozens of dive centers boasting some of the cheapest courses in the world!
So, if you’ve ever been curious about the underwater world, Koh Tao is one of the best places in the world to try scuba diving! But it’s not just for beginners – there are plenty of advanced sites and a community of experienced instructors and professional divers who make the island one of the world’s top scuba destinations.
Dive Courses on Koh Tao
There are A LOT of options for scuba diving on Koh Tao, from discovery dives, which allow complete beginners to test the waters with an instructor for a shallow underwater experience, to Rescue Diver and Divemaster programs if you’re looking to make a career as a professional scuba diver.
Discover Scuba Diving – Trying Scuba for the First Time
If you’re curious about scuba diving but not ready to commit to the full course, a Discover Scuba Diving experience is the easiest way to give it a go.
You’ll spend a short time in the pool learning the basics, then head out on a supervised dive to around 12 metres. It’s designed to be safe and accessible, so even if you’ve never put on a mask before, you can still enjoy Koh Tao’s reefs and marine life in just a day.
This top rated Discover Scuba Diving Experience includes two dives and only takes half a day – ideal if you want to try out diving but don’t have enough time for the full PADI course.
PADI Courses on Koh Tao
The most popular scuba diving course on Koh Tao is the PADI Open Water Course. Koh Tao is famous for its affordable and high-quality PADI Courses, which usually takes three to four days.
After you complete the PADI open water course, you’ll be certified to dive anywhere in the world up to 18 metres. Prices for PADI courses on Koh Tao are some of the lowest you’ll find globally, which is why Koh Tao is often called “the dive school of the world.”
This top rated PADI course will get you certified to dive in only 3 days. To ensure safety, the group size is limited to 4 so book well in advance.
If you’ve already got your Open Water, the PADI Advanced Open Water Course is a natural next step, letting you try deep dives (up to 30 meters,) wreck dives, and night dives. It usually takes 2-3 days depending on the conditions and includes 5 dives including a deep dive. This course gets rave reviews.
Dive Sites from Koh Tao
If you’re already certified, Koh Tao has some legendary dive sites and you can enjoy warm water all year round, visibility ranging from 10 to 30 metres (depending on the season), and encounters with turtles, reef sharks, and, if you’re lucky, whale sharks, which are most often spotted around March–May and September–October.
The best dive sites near Koh Tao include the Chumphon Pinnacle – the crown jewel, a submerged granite spire where whale sharks sometimes appear in season. The Southwest Pinnacle is another highlight, with schools of barracuda and snapper swirling around the rocks.
There’s also the HTMS Sattakut wreck, a former navy ship sunk deliberately in 2011, is now an artificial reef covered in corals and home to lionfish and groupers. And if you’re up for a day trip, Sail Rock between Koh Tao and Phangan is famous for its chimney swim-through and the chance to see big pelagics.
For certified divers, these fun dive packages offer a safe and fun way to tick off multiple dive sites in one day and include use of scuba equipment and lunch.
Some travellers also stick around to complete their Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver or even the Divemaster program – a more intensive course that takes several weeks and is the first step into a professional scuba career.
Relax on the Beaches
Koh Tao has plenty of beautiful beaches so you can simply spent a day relaxing on the beach, swimming and soaking up the sun. Here’s some more of the best beaches in Koh Tao not to miss:
The biggest, best, and most popular beach is Sairee Beach, a long white sand beach lapped by turquoise waters. It’s great for swimming, sunbathing, paddleboarding, and watching the sun dip into the Gulf with a cocktail in hand from one of the many beach bars.
Chalok Baan Kao, just south of Sariee Beach, is easy to get to and is a more relaxed beach with just a handful of beach cafés and a family-friendly vibe.
And if you’re looking for secluded bays, Koh Tao has plenty of these too. Tucked away on the island’s southern tip is Freedom Beach a little slice of calm where you can spend a lazy afternoon.
On the east coast, you’ll find more rugged beauty at Aow Leuk, Tanote Bay, and Hin Wong and one the west coast you’ll find pretty little Aow June Juea.
These smaller beaches feel more remote, perfect if you want to avoid the beach bars and have a peaceful day snorkelling and relaxing. If you fancy getting off the beaten track Sai Nuan Beach is another great spot to watch the sunset.
Exploring Koh Tao’s beaches is a great way to spend the day but not that the roads to these smaller bay are steep and windy so some of the smaller bays can be difficult to drive to for inexperienced drivers.
Luckily there are pick up trucks that act as taxis and can take you around the island, or you can join a tour.
Visit Koh Nang Yuan
Just a 15–20 minute longtail boat ride from Sairee beach, this tiny cluster of three islets connected by a sandbar is the island’s most photographed spot and home to one of Thailand’s most epic viewpoints.
There is a short viewpoint trail that climbs through the jungle to reveal that classic postcard view of turquoise water and the twin beaches curving around the sandbar.
It’s a popular photo spot so be aware that you might have to wait in line for 10 minutes or so to get that classic photo. Swimming and snorkelling here is fantastic too, with coral gardens and schools of fish close to shore.
Koh Nang Yuan is a private island resort so there’s an entrance fee for 250 baht and rules include no plastic bottles (bring a reusable flask) and no drones. You can visit from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. (Be aware that prices and timings can change.) Check their website for more info.
Most people visit as part of a snorkelling tour or a day trip from Koh Tao, but you can also hire a boat to take you over and spend the day there. If you want to experience the island without the day trippers then you can spend the night at Koh Nangyuan Resort in one of the beautiful rooms at and enjoy sunrise and sunset without the crowds.
Hike to a Jungle Viewpoint
For an island barely 21 square kilometres, Koh Tao packs in some epic views and one of the best things to do in Koh Tao is to visit a viewpoint. There’s several to choose from, depending on how much effort you want to put in to get there.
One of the best viewpoints in Koh Tao is John-Suwan Viewpoint, above Chalok Baan Kao. It’s a short but sweaty climb that rewards you with sweeping views of the twin bays below.
Mango Viewpoint, high above Sairee, is the best place to see the whole west coast laid out in front of you, especially at sunset. And then there’s Fraggle Rock, a rocky outcrop that’s less visited but gives you a real sense of how wild the island still feels away from the beach.
As these viewpoints are often situated on private land most charge a small entrance fee (usually 50–100 baht), to help with cleaning and maintenance, so bring cash, good shoes, and mosquito repellent (especially if you go for sunset).
Other Experiences and Activities
Koh Tao might be small, but there’s more to do here than snorkelling, diving and beaches so make sure you explore the island inland, visit the local temple and market and get a glimpse of everyday Thai island living.
The island also has a creative, slightly bohemian side that comes alive in its cafes, yoga schools, beach bars, and community events. If you want to mix a bit of wellness, work, and nightlife into your trip, you’ll find plenty of options.
Yoga and Wellness
Yoga is a big part of island life, and there are some excellent studios if you want to stretch out after a day in the water. Shambhala Yoga near Sairee beach offers an intimate jungly setting with a focus on meditation and holistic practices and Ocean Sound Dive and Yoga, down in Chalok Baan Kao, runs relaxed drop-in classes overlooking the sea, perfect for beginners or travellers who just want a good flow.
If you’re looking for something more immersive, New Heaven combines yoga with freediving and marine conservation projects, offering a very “Koh Tao” kind of balance between body and environment.
Coworking and Digital Nomad Life
For such a small island, Koh Tao has surprisingly solid infrastructure for digital nomads. TAO HUB, near Mae Haad, is the go-to coworking space, with fibre internet that’s fast enough for video calls and a laid-back community of freelancers and travellers. There’s also Black Tip Coworking which also has a small sauna, ice bath and gym.
If you prefer to work from cafés, places like Coconut Monkey, right on the water near Mae Haad, give you fresh smoothies, good coffee, and a breezy setting where you can actually get things done. You won’t find anything on the scale of Chiang Mai or Bali here, but if you want to balance work with beach life, Koh Tao has options.
Community and Conservation
One of the nicest things about Koh Tao is its strong community feel. Local dive schools and NGOs often organise beach clean-ups or coral planting sessions, and travellers are always welcome to join in. It’s a chance to meet people while giving back to the island.
Where to Stay on Koh Tao
Koh Tao may be small, but each corner of the island has its own character. Where you stay can completely shape your trip, so it’s worth thinking about whether you want to stay near lively beach bars, family-friendly coves, or remote snorkel bays.
Sairee Beach
The most popular place to stay on Koh Tao is Sairee beach, the island’s social hub. The beach is long, sandy, and west-facing, which means it’s the best place to catch a sunset cocktail.
Restaurants, bars, dive schools, and shops line the main strip, so you’ll never run out of things to do. This is where you’ll find the busiest nightlife, so if you want quiet nights, it might not be the best spot for you, but it’s ideal if you want to meet people and have everything at your doorstep.
Here’s the best hotels in Sairee Beach:
If you’re visiting Koh Tao mainly for the diving then another popular option on Sairee Beach is Ban’s Diving Resort, a long-established resort with simple, comfortable rooms and its own dive centre — perfect if you want to make the most of Koh Tao’s underwater world
While Sairee is where most things are and where most travellers stay, there are also other options for accommodation on the island. If you’re only on Koh Tao for a few nights and want convenience, Mae Haad makes things easy.
Mae Haad is where the ferries arrive, so you can walk straight to your hotel, and while there are dive schools, cafés and shops around, it’s noticeably quieter in the evenings than Sairee. A solid choice here is Sensi Paradise Beach Resort, a well-rated resort just steps from Mae Haad Beach with comfy rooms, pool and easy access to the pier and local eateries.
Further south, Chalok Baan Kao has a more laid-back, almost village-like feel. It’s peaceful, with a handful of cafés and yoga spots, and you’re close to Freedom Beach and the John-Suwan Viewpoint. If you want something a bit more special without being in the party zone, Assava Diving Koh Tao offers spacious rooms, a great pool and resort facilities in a relaxed setting.
For total seclusion, look to the east coast bays like Tanote and Aow Leuk. They’re surrounded by jungle-covered hills and have some of the best snorkelling on the island. The roads are steep and rough, so it’s better suited to slowing down rather than heading out every night, but for peace and underwater adventures it’s ideal. Tanote Villa Hill is perched above Tanote Bay with sweeping views and infinity pools that make it hard to leave.
Where to Eat and Drink on Koh Tao
For a small island, Koh Tao punches well above its weight when it comes to eating and drinking. There are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants in Koh Tao so you’ll find everything from cheap Thai street food to cute cafés, fresh seafood grills, and many beach bars.
If you want to eat like a local, head to Mae Haad Night Market where stalls serve cheap local Thai food like pad Thai, curries, skewers, and fruit shakes for just a few baht.
The biggest choice of eateries is on Sairee beach, you’ll find endless options: beachfront restaurants offering barbecue buffets, casual Thai places, and plenty of international kitchens serving everything from pizza and Mexican to Middle Eastern and Indian. Seafood is another highlight, with restaurants grilling up the day’s catch right on the beach.
Some of the best places to eat in Koh Tao include:
995 Roasted Duck is a cult favourite for budget-friendly duck noodles, while Su Chilli is the go-to for casual Thai curries and stir-fries.
For something a bit special, The Gallery Restaurant is one of the island’s most highly rated dining experiences serving beautifully presented Thai and fusion dishes in a stylish setting.
Harmony Koh Tao is another great choice if you’re after elevated cuisine beyond the usual Thai fare with it’s creative dishes, premium ingredients and excellent service.
You can even do a cooking class on Koh Tao where you’ll learn to cook all your favourite Thai dishes with an epic view.
Cafés and Healthy Eats
Koh Tao has developed a café culture that caters to both health-conscious travellers and those who just want a good caffeine fix.
Café del Sol in Mae Haad has been around forever, serving hearty breakfasts and reliable Western fare. The Factory Cafe is another favourite with it’s fresh breakfasts, colourful garden bowls, homemade pastries and specialty coffee.
There’s also Blue Heaven Resort and Café which pairs its cappuccinos with panoramic views, and for vegan and veggie travellers, Vegetabowl is a long-time favourite, serving colourful plant-based bowls.
I also loved KoPPee Espresso Bar & Restaurant, it has a pool, deck chairs, and healthy salads, smoothie bowls and coffee with a stunning location right on Chalok Bay.
Beach Bars and Nightlife
The nightlife here is not as wild as Koh Phangan’s famous Full Moon Parties, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had once the sun goes down, especially around Sairee Beach.
On Sairee you’ll find a line of bars right on the sand where you can sip cocktails with your toes in the water. Many of them start off chill at sunset and the party goes on late into the night.
Fishbowl Beach Bar is probably the most popular for its fire shows, live DJs, and backpacker energy, while Fizz Beach Lounge is a more chilled-out spot for sunset drinks and beanbags.
The biggest party on Koh Tao is held at Escobar Koh Tao. It’s more of a jungle-style rave experience rather than the usual beach bars in Sairee, with multiple stages pumping out music until the early hours. It’s located up in the hills between Sairee and Hin Wong but there are shuttles from Sairee that ferry party goers up and down.
For something more low key, you might stumble upon live music nights or movie screenings at more chilled bars and cafés, especially around Sairee and Chalok.
Be ware that the tap water on Koh Tao is not safe to drink so pack a reusable water bottle to avoid buying plastic water bottles.
How Long to Spend on Koh Tao
Koh Tao is small, but don’t make the mistake of thinking you can tick it off in a day or two. Even if you’re not diving, I recommend allowing at least three days in Koh Tao to explore properly. This gives you time to snorkel the main bays, climb up to a couple of viewpoints, and enjoy a few sunset evenings on Sairee without feeling rushed.
If you’re planning to do a PADI Open Water course, give yourself four to five days in Koh Tao. The course usually takes three and a half to four days, and it’s worth having a buffer day at the end so you’re not diving right up until your ferry leaves.
Many people stay a week in Koh Tao or longer, progressing straight into the Advanced course or adding in fun dives at sites like Chumphon Pinnacle or Sail Rock or just relaxing and exploring the island after the diving.
For digital nomads or slow travellers, Koh Tao is also the kind of place where time slips away easily. With coworking, yoga classes, and quiet snorkel beaches to retreat to, it’s common to meet people who planned to stay a few days and ended up staying for weeks or months.
So, the sweet spot? Three days minimum if you just want a taste, five days if you’re diving, and a week or more if you want to really explore everything and settle into the island’s rhythm.
When to Visit Koh Tao
Koh Tao is warm all year round, but the seasons can make a big difference to weather conditions and to your experience, especially if you’re coming for diving.
The driest months are January to April, when you’ll get lots of sunshine, calm seas, and clear skies. This is a great time to visit Koh Tao if you want perfect beach days and predictable weather. However, it is the peak season so crowds and prices are at their highest.
For scuba divers the May to September period is the best time to explore underwater – visibility improves, the water is calm, and this is when whale sharks are most often spotted.
The island’s wettest spell usually hits in October and November, when the monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas. Ferries sometimes get cancelled during this time, so it’s not ideal if your schedule is tight. December can be mixed, with some lingering showers but also plenty of sunny days.
If diving is your priority, aim for March–May or September–October for the best chance of whale sharks. If you’d rather just enjoy the island above water, January–April gives you the best odds of perfect beach weather.
Getting There and Around
How to Get to Koh Tao
There’s no airport on Koh Tao, so everyone arrives by ferry at Mae Haad Pier. You can connect from the mainland or from the other Gulf islands:
- From Bangkok, the most common route is an overnight train or bus to Chumphon, followed by a high-speed ferry (about two hours).
- From Surat Thani, ferries run from Donsak Pier and connect through to Koh Tao via Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
- If you’re already in the islands, ferries from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan make it easy to get to Koh Tao. The ferry ride takes about 90 minutes if you take fast catamarans like Lomprayah.
Ferries can get fully booked in peak season so I recommend booking in advance online on 12Go Asia to secure your seat to the island.
On arrival, you’ll be asked to pay a small 20 baht island fee that goes toward pier maintenance, waste management and reef conservation.
Getting Around the Island
Koh Tao is small, but its roads are steep, winding, and can get slippery after rain. Renting a scooter is the most common way to get around, but only do this if you’re confident as accidents are unfortunately very common here. If you do ride, wear a helmet, take it slow on the hills, and make sure your insurance covers you.
If scooters aren’t your thing, you can get around by songthaews (pickup taxis) that run between main areas. Prices are fixed by zone and can be higher than you’d expect for the short distances, but they’re a safe option, especially if you’re heading to the east coast.
In Sairee and Mae Haad, you can also walk between beaches, shops, and restaurants easily. Some of the island’s best viewpoints and snorkelling bays are easier to reach on foot or by longtail boat than by road.
Hiring a longtail boat for a few hours is a fun way to beach-hop without tackling the steep hills, and many drivers are happy to wait while you snorkel before moving on to the next spot.
If you want to explore the whole island you can join this Koh Tao Island Tour which visits 8 spots including viewpoints to hidden bays that you wouldn’t be able to get to on your own, unless your very confident riding a motorbike.
Conclusion: Is Koh Tao Worth Visiting?
Koh Tao may be small, but it’s one of those islands that gets under your skin. Whether you’re here to do your PADI course, snorkel with reef sharks, climb up to viewpoints, or just sip a cold beer as the sun sets over Sairee Beach, the island has a way of slowing you down and drawing you in.
Yes, the roads are steep and the infrastructure can feel stretched at times, but Koh Tao must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world with it’s turquoise seas, jungly hills and underwater life. If you slow down and lean into the island’s rhythm, it’s a place you’ll remember for its magic both above and below the water.
If you’re planning to explore more of the Gulf of Thailand, don’t stop here. I’ve also written a complete Thailand island hopping guide as well as many posts on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, so you can decide which island (or combination of islands) suits your trip best. Each has its own personality, and together they make for a perfect island-hopping adventure.
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