The best things to do to in Koh Tao: A complete Koh Tao Travel Guide to explore Thailand
Koh Tao is the smallest and in my experience the less touristy of the three popular islands on the eastern side, alongside Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. It is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere and exceptional marine life. Many divers visit Koh Tao to earn their PADI certification. However, even if diving isn’t your interest, Koh Tao is still a fantastic destination to explore. In this Koh Tao Travel Guide, I will cover everything you need to know about this charming island, including top activities and the best bars and restaurants. Lets dive right in.
The best time to visit Koh Tao
Although Thailand’s high and dry season runs from November to February, the ideal time to visit the eastern islands is a bit later. The best period to visit Koh Tao is between February and April, although the weather usually starts improving by mid-December.
I’ve been there in April and the weather was fantastic, although quite hot at times.
How to Get to Koh Tao
- Koh Samui to Koh Tao:
There is a direct ferry and speedboat service between Koh Samui and Koh Tao, taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on weather conditions. With an airport on Koh Samui, it makes a convenient starting point for your trip to Koh Tao. A one-way ticket costs 700 baht (about 19 USD). The ferry company, Lomprayah, also offers a van pick-up service from various locations around the island for 150 baht. You can book your ticket directly with Lomprayah or through 12go.asia. - Koh Phangan to Koh Tao:
The journey from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao is similar to the one from Koh Samui. You’ll take the same ferry, with the trip taking about 1 hour. - Surat Thani to Koh Tao:
You can also take a direct boat from Surat Thani to Koh Tao. When I traveled from Koh Tao to Khao Sok, I took this route. The speedboat takes around 3 hours; however, it can be a bumpy ride, so motion sickness tablets are recommended. There is also a night boat option, but the speedboat is generally preferred. - Bangkok to Koh Tao:
Traveling from Bangkok to Koh Tao involves a bus and ferry ride, taking around 9 hours in total. Alternatively, you can fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui and then take the 1.5-hour ferry. For budget travelers, the bus and ferry option costs around 40 USD and can be booked through 12go.asia.
My Experience and Suggestions
I traveled from Bangkok to Koh Tao by taking a sleeper bus (around 10 hours) to Surat Thani. Upon arrival in the early morning, a van driver was waiting to take me to the ferry port, which was about an hour away. The ferry ride to Koh Phangan took about 3 hours, followed by another 1.5-hour ferry to Koh Tao.
This was likely the cheapest way to get there, costing around 1500 baht (about 40 USD), arranged through my hotel in Bangkok. The advantage of booking through the hotel was that it included transportation from my hotel in Bangkok all the way to Koh Tao, eliminating the need to find buses or taxis.
For those not traveling on a budget, flying to Koh Samui and then taking the ferry is a much quicker option. However, flights typically cost around 80-100 USD, not including luggage fees.
Transportation in Koh Tao
Taxis on Koh Tao:
Taxis on Koh Tao are a convenient but relatively expensive mode of transportation. They are primarily pickup trucks with covered seating in the back, known locally as “songthaews.” These taxis do not have meters, so it’s important to agree on a fare before starting your journey (and feel free to haggle the price) Prices can vary significantly depending on the distance and time of day. While taxis are readily available at the pier and around popular areas, they are not as abundant in remote parts of the island. It’s a good idea to negotiate and confirm the fare beforehand to avoid any surprises. Additionally, some hotels and resorts offer shuttle services, which can be a more cost-effective option for getting around.
Renting a Scooter on Koh Tao:
Renting a scooter is a popular and economical way to explore Koh Tao, offering flexibility to visit various beaches and attractions at your own pace. Scooter rental shops are plentiful across the island, with daily rates typically ranging from 150 to 300 baht. It’s important to inspect the scooter thoroughly before renting and take photos of any existing damage to avoid disputes when returning it. Wearing a helmet is mandatory, and driving carefully is essential due to the island’s hilly terrain and sometimes rough roads. Additionally, securing a valid driver’s license is crucial, as police checkpoints occasionally monitor compliance with traffic regulations. Overall, renting a scooter provides an adventurous and convenient way to experience the island.
Safety while driving scooters
It is very common to see tourists with the “Thai Tattoo” usually a rather nasty injury that happens when you and the road meet at high speeds. The easiest way to avoid it is to drive slowly, wear proper clothes when driving and keep your helmets on. Scooter crashes are more common than I’d like to admit but with careful driving most crashes are avoidable. Pay attention to drunk drivers coming back from a party and guys trying to impress a girl on the back as these tend to be the most dangerous drivers.
Koh Tao Travel Guide Summary
THINGS TO DO
- Visit Koh Nang Yuan
- John Suwan Viewpoint
- Snorkelling tour
- Explore the beaches
- Hike the coastline
- Chasing sunsets
RESTAURANTS & BARS
- STUFFED North China Taste
- The Factory Cafe
- Nui Bakery & Sandwiches
- Cactus Cafe
- Blue Water Cafe
- Blue Light Wine Bar & Bistro
- Tikky Bowl Restaurant
- Honey and Milk
- YINYANG Restaurant Koh Tao
- Blue Shark Brunch Cafe
- Fizz Beach Lounge
WHERE TO STAY
- Savage Hostel
- Koh Tao Heritage
- Aiya Resort Koh Tao
- The Dearly Koh Tao Hostel
- The AVA Resort
- The Fisherman’s Villas
- Namhasin House
The best things to do in Koh Tao
Visit Koh Nang Yuan and the famous viewpoint
Interestingly, the main attraction in this Koh Tao travel guide is actually another island nearby: Koh Nang Yuan. Despite their small size, the beaches are stunning and feature a famous viewpoint, making them perfect for snorkeling. It’s an ideal destination for a day trip or a morning visit. If you’re planning a snorkeling tour, there’s no need to visit separately, as Koh Nang Yuan is included in most tours. However, if you wish to spend more time there, you can take a “taxi boat” from the northern part of Sairee Beach. Sharing the boat with other travelers is a good idea since the fare is around 600 baht round trip.
Additionally, there is a 250 baht entry fee for both locals and tourists, and the island is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Be sure not to miss the last boat back to Koh Tao. Note that plastic water bottles are prohibited on the island. There is only one restaurant, and its prices are quite high, so plan accordingly.
Hike to John Suwan Viewpoint
Another famous viewpoint on Koh Tao is the John Suwan Viewpoint. The viewpoint can be perfectly combined with a visit to Freedom Beach. The climb to the viewpoint takes approximately 20 minutes. When arriving at the car park for both Freedom Beach and the viewpoint, I had to pay 100 baht entrance fees/parking fees. Once you enter, you can turn left to climb to the viewpoint. Even though it is only a 20-minute climb, it is completely over rocks. If you want to be safe, it is best to wear sneakers over flip-flops.
Snorkelling tour / Diving
One of the best activities on Koh Tao is exploring its underwater life. I booked a full-day snorkeling tour with Oxygen Tours through my hostel for one of the days. The tour included a lunch package, a stop at Koh Nang Yuan, and four other snorkeling stops, such as Shark Bay. We even saw several turtles during the tour! The snorkeling trip, which departs in the morning, costs 550 baht (approximately 15 USD).
Explore the beaches of Koh Tao
Despite its small size, Koh Tao boasts plenty of fantastic beaches to discover and explore. No Koh Tao travel guide would be complete without an overview of the island’s best beaches. The main beach is Sairee Beach, which is also the ideal area to stay if you want a central location. However, beautiful beaches can be found all around the island. Renting a moped makes it easy to reach most of them, while hiking is another option for accessing some beaches (more on that later).
The Best Beaches in Koh Tao:
- Sairee Beach: The main and longest beach on the island, perfect for watching the sunset at one of the many beach bars.
- Freedom Beach: A popular beach in the south, located next to the John Suwan viewpoint.
- Sai Nuan Beach 1 & 2: Sai Nuan Beach 1 is one of the prettiest beaches on the island, just a 5-minute walk from Sai Nuan Beach 2, where you’ll find the Banana Rock bar.
- Jansom Bay: A small bay accessible by foot from the Sairee area, ideal for escaping the crowds.
- Chalok Baan Kao Bay: While not the prettiest beach, Chalok Baan Kao Bay offers good restaurants and bars. Less crowded than the Sairee area.
- Tanote Bay: Located on the east side of the island, this beach is quieter.
- Mango Bay: In the north of Koh Tao, Mango Bay is a small beach within a large bay, which can sometimes get crowded.
- Shark bay: a great place for snorkeling, do consider a 100 baht entrance fee.
Chasing sunsets
What better to do when on an idyllic island such as Koh Tao than chasing sunsets? Fortunately, there are plenty of good locations to see the sunset on Koh Tao. First of all, Sairee Beach is the best beach destination to play frisbee as the sun sets. Also, there are a couple of viewpoints suitable for the sunset, such as the Sai Nuan Beach. Lastly, there are some sunset bars, such as Horizon Bar.
