Koh Tao, Thailand

1. Diving

Koh Tao is one of the worlds best (and cheapest) places to get your PADI certificate, so what are you waiting for?!

2. Koh Nang Yuan

These three small islands are all connected by a strip of pearly white sand. Hike your way to the viewpoint and take a dip among the many tropical fish.

3. Mango Viewpoint

The trip up is only for true daredevils, since the dirt road is full of holes and gets really slippery when it rains. But the view is superb!

4. John Suwan Viewpoint

Koh Tao’s southern most point offers a spectacular view over Baan Chalok Bay and Shark Bay. The 30-minute climb is more than worth it!

5. Ang Thong Marine Park

A stunningly beautiful group of uninhabited islands southwest of Koh Tao, where trips to go snorkeling and kayaking await you, as well as insanely beautiful viewpoints.

6. Snorkeling trip

Jump on a long tail boat and go snorkeling at one of Koh Tao’s snorkeling hotspots: Mango Bay, Japanese Garden, Ao Leuk, Shark Bay and more.

7. Rent a motorbike

Exploring Koh Tao by motorbike is one of the most adventurous things you can do, but please be aware: only rent a motorbike if you’re an experienced driver!

8. Muay Thai

Want to go for an intense workout on a tropical island? At Island Muay Thai you can follow the best Thai Boxing lessons in Koh Tao.

9. Sunset on Sairee Beach

Treat yourself to a magical sunset every evening, drink in hand, on the island’s most popular beach: Sairee Beach.

10. Koh Tao Pub Crawl

Koh Tao has lots of fun and hip (beach) bars. Register for the Pub Crawl at your hostel and meet backpackers from all over the world.

11. Paddle boarding

Rent a paddle board on Sairee Beach and end your day on the water with an amazing sunset. The Maya Beach Club is one of the places you can rent from.

12. Go hiking

Explore Koh Tao on foot and discover the hidden bays and little beaches while walking on small jungle paths among palm plantations.

1. Mae Haad Bay

This is the king’s former residence. The palace is very beautiful, with roofs decorated in gold, large elephant statues and a perfectly manicured lawn. These days the Grand Palace is only in use on holidays and during ceremonies.

2. Sairee Beach

Koh Tao’s longest beach has managed to preserve the real backpackers’ vibe and Located centrally, within walking distance from the pier. The best place to stay!

3. Mango Bay (Ao Muang)

A large bay with a small strip of sand, complete with large coral reefs, which make this one the island’s best snorkeling hotspots.

4. Tanote Bay

Among Koh Tao’s eastern hills you’ll find Tanote Bay. A beautiful strip of sand partitioned by large rock formations from which you can jump into the water.

5. Shark Bay (Thian Og Bay)

Shark Bay owes its name to the blacktip sharks that are still regularly spotted there. If you’re lucky you can spot sea turtles here.

6. Ao Leuk Bay

One the island’s nicest spots. A beautiful beach with rock formations, ideal for snorkelers.

7. Sai Daeng Beach

Sai Daeng Beach is a small strip of sand with crystal clear water. It looks out over Shark Island, which you can visit by kayak during periods of calm sea conditions.

8. Sai Nuan Beach

Sai Nuan Beach is less than ten minutes away from the pier and an oasis of restfulness. Despite the fact there are tourists, the atmosphere is really friendly.

9. Freedom Beach

One of the best beaches of the island, located way down south, southeast of Baan Chalok Bay. The John Suwan Viewpoint is very easy to reach from here.

10. Baan Chalok Bay

Ideal beach for families with children. The sea water shelves very gently, it’s quiet, but it still offers conveniences such as a 7-Eleven and restaurants.

1. Coconut Monkey

25/92 Moo 2 Mae Haad
Enjoy a breakfast on the beach with homemade yogurt, muesli, and fresh fruit. The fruit shakes are amazing.

2. FIZZ Beachlounge

Sairee Beach
Chill out on one of the green seat cushions while enjoying the sunset with a snack and a drink. This is Koh Tao: FIZZ Bar!

3. Seafood by Pawn (Laem Klong)

25/92 Moo 2 Mae Haad
Freshly caught fish off the grill and classic Thai dishes prepared by granny. Thai food doesn’t get much better than this!

4. Sairee Sairee Restaurant

30/10 Moo 1
Ideal for when you’ve had enough of rice for a while. Here you can eat great pastas, pizzas and fresh sandwiches. Oh, and the desserts are lovely as well.

5. SU Chili

Sairee Beach
Popular SU Chili is the place to have a Thai meal. We highly recommend the Pad Thai, Chicken Cashew Nut and the Massaman Curry. Try and arrive early, because it will be busy.

6. Taste of Home

East Sairee
Expect a friendly welcome by the hostess and some food that you probably haven’t tasted for quite some time. Taste of Home!

7. Thaita Italian Restaurant

Sairee Moo Baan 12/7
The best Italian dishes of the entire island, which is not very surprising, considering the owner is Italian. Does not serve pizza, by the way.

8. The Blue Chair

Sairee Village
Here, the best Thai meals are served with lightning speed. Everything’s fresh, tasty and on top of that, cheap.

9. Through The Looking Glass

Sairee Beach
Treat yourself to freshly baked cakes, muffins and brownies, still warm from the oven. Add to that a nice cup of coffee. Lovely!

Domestic flight + ferry

• Travel time: 3-4 hours
• Cost: ฿ 2,000-3,000 pp

From Bangkok (Don Muang Airport) a Nok Air flight will take you to Chumphon in one hour. Pick a morning flight and buy your ferry tickets at Chumphon’s airport, from where you’ll also be taken to the pier. The last high-speed ferry to Koh Tao leaves at around 1:00 PM. If you arrive in the late afternoon, you might want to consider taking the night ferry, which leaves around 10:00-11:00 PM and arrives at Koh Tao around 5:00-6:00 AM.

Sleeper train + ferry

• Travel time: 13 hours
• Cost: ฿ 1,400-1,750 pp

The sleeper train is one the most adventurous ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao. You’ll depart from Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok at 7:30 PM. You’ll arrive in Chumphon at around 5:00 AM, after which you’ll be brought to the pier from where you’ll take the 7:30 AM ferry to Koh Tao. That means you’ll be able to feel the sand in between your toes that same morning!

Overnight bus + ferry

• Travel time: 10 hours
• Cost: ฿ 1,200-1,500 pp

Another good option for traveling to Koh Tao is the overnight bus, as it will take you from Khao San Road directly to Koh Tao. The buses are surprisingly comfortable with good reclining chairs, air conditioning, toilets and free wifi. You’ll travel effortlessly from A to B and arrive in Koh Tao in the early morning.

Surat Thani

• Travel time: 5 hours
• Cost: ฿ 800 pp

At the bus station, the train station and the airport of Surat Thani, you can buy combined tickets (bus + boat). Travel time is ± 5 hours and the costs are ± ฿ 800 per person. The last bus from Surat Thani to the pier leaves at 2:30 PM.

Koh Phangan

• Travel time: 1,5 hours
• Cost: ฿ 400-500 pp

Koh Tao is also easy to reach from Koh Phangan. Between 8:30 AM and 5:45 PM, about one ferry an hour leaves from Thong Sala Pier. The trip will take ± 1.5 hours and will cost you between ฿ 400-500 per person.

Koh Samui

• Travel time: 2 hours
• Cost: ฿ 600 pp

Koh Tao is easy to get to from Koh Samui. Ferries leave for the island during the whole day. The last ferry leaves from Nathon Pier at 5:00 PM. It takes ± 2 hours to get there and ferry tickets are ± ฿ 600 per person.

Khao Sok National Park

• Travel time: 5+ hours
• Cost: ฿ 450-650 pp

Still want to visit Koh Tao after the jungle tour? No problem. Most tours finish around 11:00 AM. Make sure you take a (shared) taxi to Surat Thani at noon. The last bus leaves at 2:30 PM from Surat Thani to the pier.

Taxi

When you arrive, several taxi jeeps will be available to take you on their tailgates to your hotel. They operate on fixed prices which are effectively non-negotiable. The roads are steep and wobbly, so hold on tight! A ride will cost you about 200-500 Thai Baht.

Long tail boat

Instead of a taxi, you can just take a long tail boat taxi to your hotel. You’ll find one next to Mae Haad Pier. The hotel can also arrange a long tail boat for you. A boat ride will cost between 200-600 Thai Baht.

Motorbike

Only rent a motorbike if you have experience riding one and never hand over your passport. Give them a copy with a ± 2,000 Thai Baht deposit, no more. Take photos of any damaged parts before taking off. Rent for 24 hours is 200-300 Thai Baht.

Taxi

If you want to visit a landmark outside of Chiang Mai’s city limits (more than 50 kilometers away), you should take a taxi. You will have to haggle over the price. Ask at least three different taxi drivers for prices.

Rental Car

More and more tourists rent a car at Chiang Mai’s airport and hit the road themselves. Always rent a car with an international company such as Hertz, Avis or Sixt. Rent is 800 – 2,000 baht for 24 hrs.

November – February

Normally the cool season is the best season to travel to Thailand, but that’s not quite the case for Koh Tao. November, December, and January are dominated by heavy rains.

March – May

The hot season on Koh Tao means sun, sun and still more sun. Expect little to no rain during these months. It’s incredibly hot, but luckily the wind and the sea are there for some cooling down.

June – October

Surprisingly, the rainy season is the ideal time to visit Koh Tao. Every day there’s a chance of small and refreshing showers, while the rest of the day is sunny and dry. The sea is calm and clear.