Best Things to Do in Koh Tao
Koh Tao is just a skip from the mainland via a ferry from Chumphon. You can also reach this tiny divers’ paradise from the nearby islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, or even go from Krabi to Koh Tao. If you’re in the area, it’s well worthwhile to see all three of these islands. If you’re a scuba diver, then Koh Tao is a must-visit; but even if you couldn’t be fussed with the remarkable undersea scape, the beaches are equally lovely and relaxed.
In addition to being the main dive center in Thailand, the island definitely has a bohemian twist, and attracts young backpackers and gap-year students, especially just after the full moon party on Koh Phan Ngan. That means there’s plenty of inexpensive accommodation and food available. It does have its upmarket or comfortable dive resorts which are popular with European visitors.
Koh Tao’s main draw is scuba diving. It’s probably Thailand’s best overall venue for doing a dive course and offers a large variety of good dive spots nearby. However, there are also nice beaches and good resorts on this small island, even if it lacks a packed brochure of attractions. Mostly enjoyed by young, budget travelers, Koh Tao activities and attractions still offer plenty for the older set looking to escape the world.
Above the waters are an assortment of excellent seafood, Thai, and international restaurants, along with more than enough bars. More secluded resorts offer tranquillity, while many young people enjoy busy beaches like Sai Ree. During the day, most people are out scuba diving, so the island remains pretty quiet.
⛵ BEST KOH TAO TOURS
Koh Nang Yuan
You could practically swim to the nearby Koh Nang Yuan, which is known for its three connecting coral beaches. The pretty island boasts a beautiful resort perfect for a lunch break, or you could pack your own picnic and spend some time lying out on the sand. Long-tail boats will take you over for a small fee.
Sairee Beach
This is the most bustling touristy beach of Koh Tao and is where you will find the highest concentration of restaurants, bars, and shops. The beach here is still clean, and this is an ideal place to be if you like the company of others and lots of choices for dining and entertainment.
It’s the longest stretch of sand on Koh Tao and has the lion’s share of resorts and atmosphere. It’s also relatively close to the pier and the main center of the island. For more exclusive escapes perhaps choose one of the other small bays.
The atmosphere is lively but refreshingly relaxed – it’s home to many backpackers and dive shops. There are restaurants dotted across the beach where you can find freshly cooked Thai food as well as international cuisine. As the day turns into night, live music plays in some restaurants overlooking the sea; an evening at Sairee Beach can be so magical watching the moonlight shimmering over the calm waters. Although it gets busy sometimes with both tourists and locals visiting to enjoy the beach during their free time, there is still enough room to find a spot that’s peaceful.
Scuba Diving in Koh Tao
The number one attraction on Koh Tao is actually off the tiny island’s shores. There is an array of dive sites surrounding Koh Tao, and the many dive shops offer rock-bottom prices on dive packages and tuition. The ease of diving here makes it ideal for beginners. Try sites like Chumphon Pinnacle which is known for past sightings of whale sharks, Japanese gardens with its many varieties of coral, Green Rock, The Twins (Twin Peaks), and White Rock among others.
Koh Tao Viewpoints
There are lots of great viewpoints around Koh Tao where you can capture amazing photos or just watch the sunset. Two View is the second-tallest peak of Koh Tao at 313m with access via Sairee Beach and Tanote Bay. There’s also Chalok Baan Kao which provides amazing viewpoints in every direction. To the east is a panorama of Thian Og Bay, to the north is Chalok, and to the south is a glimpse of both bays together. Chalok Baan Kao viewpoint at the back of Koh Tao Cottage, on Chalok Ban Kao Bay, offers a wooden walkway and breezy sala where you can sometimes see Koh Pha Ngan or Samui.
John Suwan Viewpoint
It requires a 20-minute hike up to reach the peak and there is an entrance fee of 50 baht, however, it’s worth it – with its stunning panoramic views of two beaches, one on each side of the palm tree-covered ridge (Chalok Baan Kao Bay and the other Shark Bay Koh Tao). Furthermore, you have the perfect viewpoint for watching both sunrise and sunset so remember to bring your camera! Keep in mind good footwear though as there are some sections that require walking on robes. All in all, this is not something to miss out on during your visit to Koh Tao!
Visit Nang Yuan Island
Nang Yuan Island is a small island located just off the coast of Koh Tao. The island is home to a beautiful sandy beach, crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming, and some stunning coral reefs. Visitors can reach the island by taking a short boat ride from Koh Tao.
Activities in Koh Tao
Scuba diving and course: this is the number one activity on Koh Tao, and you’ll find a range of PADI dive courses. Many people come here and take a beginner course and stay until they become instructors.
The affordability of training and fun dives makes it worthwhile for practicing and improving your skills. Add to that the cheap accommodation and good food, and visitors end up staying for months at a time. There is also a hyperbaric recompression chamber situated on Koh Samui (Bophut) provided by the SSS network if the worst should occur.
Snorkeling: even if you are not able to scuba dive, you can still embrace the underwater world with some great snorkeling spots around Koh Tao. Mango Bay is one of the best, and the shallow bay provides an excellent diversity of fish and pretty corals. It goes to just 10m deep, so just snorkeling on the surface allows you to see all the marine life, and sometimes even turtles.
Long-tail boat rides: there are plenty of long-tail boats on standby in Mae Haad that can transport you to some of the deserted beaches around Koh Tao, or over to Koh Nang Yuan.
Hiking: although hiking routes are steep and rigorous, and can sometimes be too much during the hotter months, they do provide an excellent workout with fantastic views of the sea below. One good hike starts at June Juea Beach. The path here goes up a very steep hill and enters a thick jungle all the way to Cape Jeda Gang, where there is a restaurant and some huts. From there, you can continue on to Sai Nuan bay, and then carry on to Jansom bay. Then it’s just 10 minutes to Mae Haad.
Biking: it’s easy to hire a mountain bike and ride around the island. There are plenty of good trails and some quite treacherous ones as well. The dense foliage in the center of the island and steep hills provide challenges for experienced bikers while the paved walking trails along the more popular areas are ideal for a more relaxing ride.
Massage: there are numerous massage shops offering quality Thai massage that will soothe sore muscles after a day’s diving. Open-air pavilions are the best way to enjoy the sea breeze but air-con massage shops are ideal during the more scorching months.
Take a cooking class: Thai food is delicious and relatively easy to cook at home, so why not take a cooking class while on holiday? There are many cooking schools located around Koh Tao that offer half-day or full-day classes teaching visitors how to cook traditional Thai dishes such as pad thai, green curry, and tom yum soup.
