Koh Tao also referred to as Turtle Island is located 65 kilometers northwest of Koh Samui within the depths of the Gulf of Thailand. It is regularly known as the "Pearl of the Gulf of Thailand" due to its excellent vicinity, which guarantees that the water temperature at its dive sites remains above 28° year-round. This makes it a world-class diving sanctuary for fans keen to include the ocean and explore the underwater world each day of the year.
Though Koh Tao is tremendously small, it's miles the most critical "diving workforce manufacturing unit" in Asia. Surrounding this 21-square-kilometer island are 28 dive websites, consisting of an 8-kilometer-length coral reef. Annually, over 100,000 diving fanatics go to this place. The waters are crystal clear, imparting visibility of items placed numerous tens of meters underwater. The underwater surroundings, teeming with colorful fish and coral reefs, are nothing quick or magnificent as vividly colored tropical fish swim gracefully.
Map of Koh Tao Island
| Name | Koh Tao (Thai: เกาะเต่า) |
| Country | Thailand |
| Province | Surat Thani |
| Coordinates | 10°5′24″N 99°50′17″E |
| Area | 21 km2 (8 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+7 |
| Population | 1,382 |
| Airport | N/A |
The closest airports to Koh Tao are Koh Samui International Airport and Chumphon International Airport. From the ports on those islands, you can take ordinary catamarans and ferries to Koh Tao, with travel times starting from 1.5 to 3 hours. The best way to attain Koh Tao is usually to fly to Bangkok, then take a connecting flight to Koh Samui, observe by a bus to Chumphon, and finally, an everyday catamaran or excessive-speed ferry to the island.
By road: There are ordinary bus offerings between Bangkok and Chumphon, making it smooth to cover the maximum of the journey by street. However, as Koh Tao is a far-flung island, the best way to reach it is by water from nearby islands or the mainland.
By sea: Since water delivery is the best way to attain Koh Tao, you have numerous alternatives. Boats and ferries leave from Paralan Pier in Mae Nam, Koh Samui, and attain Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao in 1.5-2 hours. Similarly, Songserm ferry services run daily from Chumphon to Koh Tao, taking approximately 2.5 hours. You can also take catamarans or ferries from nearby islands, inclusive Koh Phangan and Surat Thani, to Koh Tao.
Best Things to Do on Koh Tao Island
If we wish to go to diverse bays and seashores on the island, we will hire a bike to go around, as Koh Tao covers a place of the best 21 rectangular kilometers. Beaches like Sairee Beach and Mae Haad Bay have numerous bike rental shops. Prices vary depending on the type of car, starting from one hundred fifty to 300 Baht.
Excellent! The car is ready, so let's embark on our adventure! The have-to-see attractions interest in Koh Tao will sincerely captivate us…
1. Sairee Beach (หาดทรายรี)
Sairee Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Koh Tao. Stretching almost 2 kilometers, it's far covered with numerous restaurants, resorts, and diverse hotels, making it a favorite spot for tourists to walk, loosen up, and unwind. You can also witness the stunning sunsets of Koh Tao right here. Sairee Beach is not some distance from Mae Haad Bay, just a 10-minute stroll away.
2. Ao Laem Thian (อ่าวเทียนออก)
Ao Laem Thian is another big tourist enchantment on Koh Tao, in particular, liked by using divers. This location offers fantastic diving possibilities to discover the underwater environment of Koh Tao, with the chance to come across sharks. However, there's no want for the subject because the sharks determined right here are blacktip sharks, a non-aggressive species. As the area around Ao Thian is non-public, maximum traffic needs to take a ship tour to discover it. Although the coral reefs at Ao Laem Thian Beach aren't as lovely as the ones at different beaches because of the coral die-off resulting from the 1998 El Niño phenomenon, it remains a diving paradise with top-notch possibilities to peer turtles and sharks. It definitely is a notable revel in.
3. Mae Haad Bay (อ่าวแม่หาด)
Another famous snorkeling spot is Mae Haad Bay. In this region lies the wreckage of a coconut transport delivery that sank in 1962. Over the long term, the spoil has become a habitat for various marine species, including banana fish and minnow fish. Blue-spotted stingrays and plenty of different fish are watching for us to encounter them! Like Sairee Beach, Mae Haad Bay is called one of the fundamental bays of Koh Tao, making the tour there relatively easy. Force your trusty condominium bike to reach it!
4. Freedom Beach (หาดตาโต๊ะกลาง)
Freedom Beach is every other famous seashore on Koh Tao that visitors often discover. This renowned image spot offers perspectives of Hin Taaton in the center. It's a small and relatively quiet seaside, perfect for unwinding. At the tip of the peninsula, you may see Hin Ta Toh. Snorkeling here is truly exciting and enjoyable, with the possibility to stumble upon the faculties of fish.
5. Snorkeling on Koh Tao
Koh Tao is renowned as a paradise for divers, offering crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life for everyone who visits. Here are a few key snorkeling spots:
Nang Yuan Island (เกาะนางยวน): Enjoy the most lovely open sea perspectives within the Gulf of Thailand. Three islands are linked via white sandbars, supplying an appropriate setting for popular sports. Snorkeling inside the clean, emerald waters reveals beautiful coral reefs and vibrant fish. You can examine small fish, shells, and corals with a view to go away in awe of the underwater world. Alternatively, you may take a stroll alongside the seashore, playing with the very personal surroundings.
Ao Muang (อ่าวม่วง): One of the most lovely snorkeling spots on Koh Tao. Ao Muang is a massive bay with a small beach and the best coral reefs. The whole fringing coral reef gives several factors of interest to explore.
Ao Hin Wong (อ่าวหินวง): A famous vicinity for viewing corals and different sights. The clear waters make it best for snorkeling and spotting massive clams. You can see many yellow-edged fish right here.
Ao Leuk (อ่าวลึก): A broad white sandy beach results in fantastically gradient blue waters. The backdrop functions as a crimson sand pond, making it one of Koh Tao’s most picturesque bays. Coral reefs line both sides of the bay. From the shallow waters near the shore, you can already see the coral, which means you don't need to swim far to discover wealthy underwater existence. The center of the bay has a sandy backside with steadily deepening waters, giving the bay a deep, massive herbal swimming pool look.
Shark Bay (อ่าวฉลาม): Visit the volcanic rock formations of Shark Island. Home to blacktip sharks and many giant turtles, this bay gives the exhilaration of finding colorful coral reefs, algae, and numerous marine lifestyles, including lovely underwater stalactites.
Consider taking a full-day snorkeling tour on a huge wooden boat around Koh Tao and Nang Yuan Island for an unforgettable experience.
A complete-day snorkeling excursion around Koh Tao. Enjoy the sea perspectives at Koh Nang Yuan and journey on a vast timber boat with a slide that lets you flow into the blue sea, experiencing one of the most stunning and vibrant underwater worlds. Depart inside the morning and return inside the night.
- Top five Snorkeling Spots on Koh Tao.
- Traveling with the aid of a large timber boat ensures a smoother journey against the waves, making your day experience extra exciting.
- Best rate guarantee.
- Carefully selected operators prepared with publications and a satisfactory system.
- This itinerary includes lunch and resort transfers.
6. Scuba Diving on Koh Tao
Want to emerge as an expert diver? Koh Tao is the ultimate destination, supplying a range of scuba diving publications for all degrees, from beginners to experienced divers.
Koh Tao not only boasts high-quality white sandy beaches but also features a peaceful and lovely underwater globe. The crystal-clear waters permit the viewing of vibrant corals and colorful fish. One of the highlights is swimming with a faculty of bass at The Bass Dive Web, referred to as White Rock, made from two massive rocks. Diving between these rocks exhibits beautiful corals and various marine lifestyles consisting of turtles, welcoming white-eyed moray eels, butterflyfish, angelfish, longfin batfish, pufferfish, golden stingrays, and numerous nudibranchs. You may even stumble upon barracudas and whale sharks.
Top Five Dive Sites Around Koh Tao:
Chumphon Pinnacle: A famous dive site with a number of marine animals, including colossal fish, whale sharks, and fields of purple anemones.
Sail Rock: Known for its strong currents flowing around the rock, making it a hotspot for fish. It features enjoyable swims and exciting adventures.
Shark Island: Suitable for intermediate and superior divers, this site is home to stunning corals and numerous fish species.
White Rock: The biggest dive website online near the island, presenting sightings of stingrays, turtles, and moray eels. It is likewise best for night dives.
Green Rock: Perfect for deep divers, this site has a cave swim-via with various fish species and a risk of seeing turtles.
7. Taking Photos at the Sea Viewpoint on Koh Nang Yuan
Koh Nang Yuan is a small island close to Koh Tao, only a 15-20 minute boat trip away. If you visit Koh Tao, you must also visit Koh Nang Yuan. The island’s well-known spotlight is the climb to the point of view, which offers breathtaking and unique sea perspectives. The stroll alongside the direction to the perspective takes the first 15-20 mins.
For those wishing to stay for a single day in Koh Nang Yuan, the handiest lodge available is the Nang Yuan Island Dive Resort. A critical rule for traffic is to refrain from bringing any plastic gadgets onto the island. So, besides walking to look at the beautiful sea views, recall to convey a small water bottle. Snorkeling from the seaside is also viable, as you can respect each gentle and hard coral alongside a variety of fish species that are certain to affect it.
8. Learning Thai Cooking and Practicing Yoga
Learn to prepare dinner Thai cuisine and practice yoga in the serene coastal atmosphere. This pastime is ideal for households or the ones touring with children, seeking a short but enticing revel in that combines relaxation with a hint of pleasure. Both sports are immensely famous amongst foreign site visitors. Thai food is renowned for its delicious flavors, making it a favorite amongst foreigners who often want to attempt their hand at cooking it themselves. If you are interested in trying something new, you can locate more excellent information below:
9. Enjoy the Thrill of Extreme Water and Land Activities
Koh Tao caters to those who love challenging and sweaty sports. You can try lounging on a board, knee boarding for an exciting water skiing experience, and diving into the ocean with the particular Subfly, an interest in having the handiest in Thailand.
Let’s embark on the most exciting adventure routes. But now, allow’s flip to land-based activities! One ought to be interested in Koh Tao's conquering the island. Hiking across the island gives both a bodily assignment and exercise, with opportunities to conquer the island’s cliffhangers. Koh Tao has several granite cliffs ready to be climbed, supplying each project with adrenaline. There are diverse stages and routes to pick out from, depending on all people’s talents and enjoyment, with 20 routes starting from boulder climbs within the woodland to climbs alongside the beach paths. Those who have never attempted rock climbing want not to worry, as skilled teachers will always be there to assist you.
10. Paddleboarding
Watching the sunset from the middle of the sea is an activity that is particularly popular amongst photograph-loving women. Striking cool poses on a paddleboard while viewing the sunset over the ocean is evident from many Instagram posts. When visiting diverse islands, many ladies always take stunning pix posing on paddleboards. This gives a unique way to enjoy yourself beyond the conventional sundown view. I can guarantee you that posting photos from a paddleboard will really garner a number of likes on social media.
Koh Tao Resorts & Hotels
Beach Club by Haadtien
Set amidst the enchanting nature of wind, sunshine, and the sound of waves, Beach Club by Haadtien features an exquisite design that seamlessly blends with the sea. It combines modern style with comfort, primarily using wood materials to create a relaxed atmosphere. The hotel offers 74 rooms, divided into four types: Ocean Balcony, Sea Balcony, Beach Balcony, and, of course, the highly recommended Penthouse. The rooms are exceptionally comfortable, ensuring a restful stay.
Cape Shark Villas
Stay at the luxurious Shark Point Villa, one of the must-not-miss accommodations on Koh Tao. Situated at Sai Daeng Beach, it boasts a prime location surrounded by nature. This seaside lodging, encircled by trees and the indescribable beauty of the bright ocean waters, delivers contemporary Thai design that perfectly blends local culture with modern aesthetics. The ambiance is pleasant and relaxed, exuding a sense of relaxation. It offers privacy and is filled with comfort, ideal for true relaxation. Convenient for travel, it is also close to Mae Haad Pier, just a few minutes away. There are a total of 31 villas, each featuring a private swimming pool. They are beautifully decorated and well-ventilated and have balconies where you can enjoy the gentle breeze.
The Fisherman's Villas
The Fisherman's Villa on Koh Tao offers a million-dollar ambiance amidst nature, complete with a private beach. Enjoy restful stays at this seaside accommodation, relaxing on Sai Daeng Beach. Its prime location provides tranquility and enhances your relaxation. Conveniently close to numerous tourist attractions, such as Shark Bay, Nang Yuan Island, and Khao John Viewpoint, travel is effortless. The lodging is highly private, featuring three types of rooms: Beachside View Rooms, Superior Air-conditioned Twin/Double Rooms, Superior Double Rooms with Balcony, and only six modern white-style designed and decorated bungalows.
Jamahkiri Dive Resort & Spa
Jamahkiri Resort is a true haven of relaxation. This seaside accommodation on Koh Tao boasts an excellent atmosphere. Surrounded by abundant natural scenery, including various trees, a private beach, and clear waters, it is situated in a tranquil tourist bay, perfect for escaping chaos and unwinding. The design of the accommodation seamlessly integrates with the local lifestyle, blending modernity with unique decor. The available spaces are well-arranged, enhancing your rest.
Blue Tao Beach Hotel
If you enjoy sitting back and admiring the sea view, Blue Tao Beach Hotel which is located on the waterfront of Koh Tao is your best choice. You will experience true relaxation, immersing yourself in the cool ambiance and enjoying the vibrant sea view at Tian Lie Beach. This charming beach invites you to walk barefoot, take strolls, and capture stunning photographs. It is also close to other tourist attractions. Jansom Bay and Tanot Bay offer activities you cannot miss. The island features Thai boxing, diving centers, and exciting adventures, with nearby shops and restaurants ensuring a comfortable stay.
Travel Tips About Koh Tao
- Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: Koh Tao accommodates two key islands, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, separated by 480 meters and covering about 21 square kilometers. The islands are formed like beans.
- Koh Nang Yuan: Located northwest of Koh Tao, the entrance fee is 30 THB for Thais and 100 THB for foreigners. It takes approximately 15 minutes to use a longtail boat from Mae Haad Bay.
- Name Origin: The call "Koh Tao" originates from the abundance of turtles that, after populating the seashores, came ashore to feed and lay eggs.
- Diving Hub: 90% of visitors to Koh Tao come for diving, attracted by way of its rich coral reefs, making it one of the world’s maximum famend diving spots.
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal length of time to visit Koh Tao is from February to April.
- Viewpoints: The island's high viewpoints have particularly steep paths. Visitors must exercise caution and wear proper shoes for safety.
- Mae Haad Bay: The bustling middle of Koh Tao, with all roads main to this location. Essential offerings, just like the medical institution and police station, are placed here.
- Sairee Beach: Aside from strolls alongside Sairee Beach, close by is the Giant Clam Park, a breeding middle for massive clams and numerous marine animals. Koh Nang Yuan is definitely visible from Sairee Beach, which is also a prime spot for viewing beautiful sunsets.
- Diving Schools: Koh Tao boasts numerous diving colleges and guides, many of which are certified by using international diving agencies.
- Accommodation: The island offers plenty of hotels, including lodges, villas, and bungalows, to be had on both Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.
- Shark Viewing: To see sharks, head to Thian Ok Beach, known for common shark sightings. Snorkeling equipment may be rented from beachfront shops. Swim out approximately 10 meters to see sharks starting from 1 foot to at least one meter in size. For blacktip sharks, go to Koh Kong Sai Daeng or Shark Island, wherein sharks swim up close without harming traffic.
