Koh Tao
“Turtle island”
Koh Tao, “turtle island”, is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand North of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. With its clear, warm waters and variety of corals and fish it is popular with divers. Many visitors are attracted by the beautiful natural landscape of forested hills, sandy beaches and huge boulders.
Turtle Island
The island’s name in Thai is Koh Tao, which means turtle island. The name comes from the turtles that lay their eggs on Koh Tao beaches. Unfortunately, their numbers have decreased due to development.
Marine life
The marine life around the island is rich in diversity. The Gulf of Thailand houses many species of corals and tropical fish. Among them are groupers, rays, barracudas, clownfish, coralfish, several species of butterflyfish, angelfish, crown of thorns starfish and several turtle species. Sometimes whale sharks are spotted around the island.
Beaches
Koh Tao has a number of very nice beaches. The longest and most popular sandy beaches are on the West coast of the island. The island’s East coast is mainly rocky, although there are a few small sandy beaches.
Mae Haad
Koh Tao’s largest town is Mae Haad on the West coast of the island. This is where the ferry boats from Koh Phangan and the mainland arrive. In the town are shops, restaurants, bars and several resorts.
At the South end off Mae Haad beach is the wreck of a ship that sank in 1962. It’s a good spot for some snorkeling and easy to get to. Swim up there right from the beach.
Sairee Beach
Less than one kilometer North of Mae Haad is Sairee Beach, the island’s longest and busiest beach. The small town has a good choice of resorts, guest houses, beach bungalows, restaurants, bars and shops. Sairee Beach is the center of nightlife on Koh Tao. Snorkeling can be done right off the sandy beach, the water is shallow.
Koh Nang Yuan
At the Northwest tip of Koh Tao is a group of three tiny islands called Koh Nang Yuan. At low tide a narrow sandbar connects the islands to Koh Tao. Koh Nang Yuan is one of the most famous and most photographed islands in Thailand. It’s a bit of a climb to the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint, but the views of the turquoise sea and Koh Tao are worth the effort.
Ao Tanote Beach
Ao Tanote features a beautiful sandy beach secluded in a bay on the East coast of the island. Behind the beach are the forested hills of the island’s interior. There is good snorkeling right from the beach. A hundred meters away from the beach is a large boulder in the sea, a popular spot to jump off into the water. Right behind the beach are resorts, restaurants and beach bars.
It’s quite a hike from Tanote Beach to Tanote Peak and the West Coast viewpoint, but the great views of the island, beaches and Koh Nang Yuan are worth the effort.
Ao Leuk
Near the Southeast tip of Koh Tao is Ao Leuk, a beautiful place with a few resorts. Its small sandy beach is sheltered by Leuk Bay. The coral reef close to the beach is great for snorkeling.
To do & see on Koh Tao
Most tourists come to Koh Tao for the snorkeling, scuba diving, the relaxed atmosphere and the beautiful natural surroundings. Some of the other activities to do are hiking, abseiling and sailing.
Diving
There are about two dozen dive sites off Koh Tao. Contact one of the diving schools on the island to join a dive or take a diving course. One of the best schools is Coral Grand Divers, a PADI 5 star IDC school located at the Coral Grand Resort on Sairee Beach. The luxury Jamahkiri Resort & Spa on Thian Og Bay has an on site PADI diving club.
Koh Tao Leisure Park
If you’re looking for something to do away from the beach, go to Koh Tao Leisure Park. Adults and children alike can play games as pool, table tennis, mini-golf, pinball, foosball and darts. Another fun thing to try is footpool, a combination of football and pool where you kick footballs into the pockets of a huge pool table. There is a play area for smaller kids.
A sports bar shows sports on multiple TV’s and there is even a cinema. Food and drinks are available at the restaurant.
Koh Tao Leisure Park opens daily between 11:30 am and 11 pm. Ticket price is 180 Baht per person, which includes unlimited games and activities. The Park is located about 900 meters from the pier in Mae Haad.
Nightlife
Sairee Beach is the center of Koh Tao nightlife. Here you will find beach bars like the Maya Beach Club and the Leo Beach Bar as well as several clubs where young people party to house music. Often there are fire shows on the beach.
Dining
Restaurants on Koh Tao serve Thai, international and lots of fresh seafood. Both Sairee and Mae Haad have many restaurants along its beaches and in town.
If you’re in Sairee Beach, try the Barracuda Roof Top Restaurant & Bar, a place with good food and great sunset views. Start off with a cocktail or some wine, then have some BBQ ribs, fresh seafood, tapas or fish curry. For dessert, try mango and sticky rice.
John-Suwan Viewpoint
On the South tip of the island close to Freedom Beach is John-Suwan viewpoint. The viewpoint has gorgeous views of the forested hills of the island’s interior, two bays, beaches and the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It’s a quite a rocky climb, there is a rope to hold on to. The hike takes some twenty to thirty minutes. Wear closed shoes, no flip flops. Entrance fee is 100 Baht which includes a bottle of drinking water and access to Freedom Beach.
Getting around Koh Tao
To get around the island independently, rent a motorbike. The interior of the island is hilly, and the roads are often in poor condition with many potholes. Be careful, especially at night or during rain.
For a more comfortable ride, take a taxi. To get one, go to a travel agent or ask at your hotel. Taxis are relatively expensive on Koh Tao. Fares for a few kilometer trip start at about 300 Baht.
Where to stay
Koh Tao has accommodation from budget to luxury five-star.
Jamahkiri Resort & Spa
The Jamahkiri Resort & Spa is a luxury resort with a private beach. Built on a cliff, the five-star resort overlooks Thian Og Bay at the Southeast corner of Koh Tao. It offers deluxe rooms, suites and luxury villas. Facilities include a resort pool overlooking the sea, a fitness room, a full-service spa and a PADI diving club. The restaurant serves Thai and Western food. The shuttle bus service to Mae Haad village is free.
The Tarna Align Resort
The four-star Tarna Align Resort is a relaxing place with comfortable rooms, two pools and a restaurant serving Japanese, Thai and Western food. Its location on top of a hill guarantees great views of the sea and the forested interior of Koh Tao. Watch the sunset from the rooftop bar that faces the sea. It takes about twenty minutes to walk to Sairee Beach. A local area shuttle and beach shuttle are available at additional charge. Ferry terminal shuttle is free.
Naroua Villas
Naroua Villas is a small luxury resort in the mountains. Set in the tropical vegetation of Koh Tao, the four-star resort has well equipped, exclusive private villas. The resort pool overlooks the sea, Koh Nang Yuan Island can be seen in the distance. Take the shuttle bus to Sairee Beach or walk there in about twenty minutes. The resort provides relaxing in-room Thai massages.
Monkey Flower Villas
Set on a hill overlooking Sairee Beach is the three-to-four-star Monkey Flower Villas, a relaxing place in quiet surroundings. The luxury resort offers comfortable studio suites and private villas, surrounded by tropical jungle vegetation. It has a spa for a relaxing Thai massage and three outdoor pools. Monkey Flower Villas offers a complimentary car and driver service to anywhere on the island.
Getting to Koh Tao
Since there is no airport on the island, the only way to get to Koh Tao is by boat. Ferries arrive at Mae Haad Pier, on the West coast of the island.
Buy tickets online
Tickets for ferries can be bought online at the 12Go website.
From Koh Samui
Take the Lomprayah speedboat from Pralan Pier at Maenam on Koh Samui. The trip takes about 1½ hours. Ticket price is 700 Baht one way.
From Koh Phangan
The Lomprayah speedboat to Koh Tao departs from Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan. Travel time is one hour and 15 minutes. One way tickets cost 600 Baht.
From Chumphon
From mainland Chumphon, start the trip at the airport, the ferry pier, Railway station or city hotel.
From Chumphon airport
Fame Tour offers a combination ticket. Transfer from the airport to the ferry pier by van and ferry boat to Koh Tao. Total travel time is ten hours. Ticket price 750 Baht one way.
From Thung Makham Pier
The Lomprayah speedboat departs from Thung Makham Pier in Chumphon. The trip takes one hour and 30 minutes. Tickets are 750 Baht one way.
From Chumphon Railway Station
Buy a combined ticket for bus plus ferry. Transfer from Chumphon Railway Station to Thung Makham Pier by bus. Then by Lomprayah speedboat to Koh Tao. Total travel time is three hours. Ticket price 1,000 Baht per person one way.
From Chumphon city hotel
A combined taxi plus ferry ticket. Transfer from Chumphon city hotel to Thung Makham Pier by taxi. Then by Lomprayah speedboat to Koh Tao. The trip takes about three hours and costs 1,000 Baht one way.
