Koh Tao island (Ko Tao), or Turtle Island, is a relaxing getaway located in the southern Province of Surat Thani. Known for its beautiful beaches and wide-variety of diving opportunities, the island has recently undergone development that has produced world-class Thai cuisine and cultural choices. To maintain its pristine environment, the Island works hard to conserve and follow best environmental practices.
Travel to Koh Tao
Koh Tao Beach
Direct travel to Ko Tao is possible only by boat or ferry, which you can reach from nearby airports at Surai Thani and Ko Samui; both airports offer major connections from Penang and Bangkok. A ferry from Surat Thani takes three hours to reach the Island, while Ko Samui is just under two hours away by boat. Ferries can vary widely in quality and amenities, so make sure to get details before buying a ticket - to make sure you get there quickly, we recommend a Seatran boat or a high speed catamaran. If you’re coming from Bangkok and don’t plan to fly, you can buy a combined bus and boat ticket to save money.
Once you arrive at the island, you can catch a taxi or longtail boat to your destination. Some of the roads are unpaved, so be cautious about renting motorcycles or ATVs, unless you are traveling only a short distance. Once you arrive at your destination, there are a number of bicycle rentals available to get around, and many of the areas are within walking distance if you stay at a centralized hotel.
Koh Tao Diving
Koh Tao Diving
Scuba is the top attraction on the island with its pristine beaches and wide array of ocean life from turtles to tropical fish. The popular Chumphon Pinnacle features harmless bull sharks as well a beautiful coral reefs. During most months you can see over twenty meters in the water with a forty foot view under the best dive conditions, and a wet suit is needed only for deep sea diving.
Make sure that the dive shop (or diving school) you choose will allow you to get PADI open water scuba certification. Some shops will help you to train in a pool before entering open water, so ask in advance about their training policy. Top diving coaches will have a private diving pier, while others use beach locations or public docks. Ideally, find an experienced teacher who is well versed in English, has PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructions) certification and keeps classes limited to a small number of students.
There are dozens of choices for diving instruction, and we present a few of the schools we recommend. Ban’s Diving Resort is a large, PADI-CAC-IDC accredited diving school on the island with highly experienced teachers located at Sairee Beach. Another 5-star PADI-IDC school is Behhva View Dive Resort at Chalok Ban Kao Beach. Easy Divers and Planet Scuba are also PADI five-star dive shops with multiple locations throughout the island. Sunshine Diver’s Resort at Chalok Bann Kao Beach is Gold Palm certified as well.
Depending on your interests, there is a great selection of dive sites on the island. The most well known site is Sail Rock, which is a public site with options for all levels of divers and features a diversity of aquatic life from batfish to jack fish. The Chumphon Pinnacles are top sites offering giant gropers, lionfish as well as harmless grey reef sharks. We also recommend the Southwest Pinnacles off the southwest coast, which feature sea fans, whip corals and anemones. For a change of pace, two wrecked ships, the Unicorn Wreck and Torpedo Wreck, offer a variable of fish in an interesting environment.
There are also a large number of other sports available, including rock climbing and rappelling, mountain biking, water skiing and wake boarding, Muy Thai kick boxing and short cruises at Good Time Adventures.
Koh Tao Restaurants
There are some great restaurants in Koh Tao, serving fresh seafood including local barbecue specialties. You can also find fresh juice, banana pancakes, pizza and pasta at most beaches. We recommend Thipwiwarn Restaurant in the north, which has a great view and reasonable prices. Those seeking a relaxed pub environment should check out British pubs Safety Stop and Choppers. If you’re in the mood for Indian, Noori India serves authentic cuisine and is known for its Tandoori. Zanzibar is a top local cafe serving breakfast, lunch and coffee all day.
Koh Tao Resorts
Koh Tao Resort
While you can book a hotel upon arrival, it is often best to have reservations, especially at the more upscale resorts. Sairee Beach resorts offer the most access to the Island, although Chalok Bay hotels are recommended for those seeking relaxation. Recommended Sairee accommodations include Sivler Sands Beach Resort, Narakaan Hotel and Blue Wind resort.
