Koh Tao Travel Guide: Beaches, Diving, Viewpoints and How to Get There
Swim With Black Tip Reef Sharks at Shark Bay
One of the most memorable activities on Koh Tao is swimming in the shallow water at Shark Bay, at the southern tip of the island. You do not have to swim far from shore to see black tip reef sharks moving through the clear water.
These sharks are relatively small, often around one to one and a half metres long, and they generally avoid people. If you are lucky, you may also spot a green sea turtle known locally as George in the same area. Give all wildlife plenty of space and enjoy watching it without trying to touch or feed it.
Stay on Sairee Beach for Food and Nightlife
Sairee Beach is the longest and most popular beach on Koh Tao, stretching for almost two kilometres along the western side of the island. It is an easy base for swimming, sunset walks, beach bars and restaurants.
The area has a strong choice of international food, including Mexican dishes, burgers and sandwiches, although Thai food can take a little more searching. Sairee also has the island’s liveliest nightlife, with a regular pub crawl visiting bars and clubs on several evenings each week.
Learn to Scuba Dive Around Koh Tao
Koh Tao is one of the easiest places in Thailand to learn to scuba dive. The water is often calm, there are many dive schools and the island has a wide range of courses for complete beginners.
A PADI Open Water course normally takes three days and combines theory, pool or shallow water practice and supervised dives. After qualifying, divers can continue with an advanced course that allows deeper dives. Sail Rock is one of the region’s best known sites, and a lucky boat trip may even bring a sighting of a whale shark.
Explore Ao Leuk, Chalok Ban Kao and Freedom Beach
Koh Tao has more beaches to explore than Sairee, and travelling between the smaller coves is part of the island’s appeal. Ao Leuk on the eastern side is a peaceful place to swim, while Chalok Ban Kao Bay and Freedom Beach are close to the southern end.
These beaches are quieter than Sairee and work well when you want a few hours away from the busiest parts of the island. A short drive can take you between several coves, so it is easy to make a relaxed beach day of it.
Watch Koh Tao Sunsets from Island Viewpoints
Koh Tao is hilly for its size, which creates several excellent places to look over the sea. A visit to the wooden Tree House Cafe near Ao Leuk combines a drink with a wide view of the coastline.
John Suwan Viewpoint and Summit Viewpoint are other options for seeing the island from above. The climbs can be warm and uneven, so take water and wear shoes with a good grip, especially if you are going near sunset.
Visit Nang Yuan Island and Its Famous Sandbar
Koh Nang Yuan lies just off Koh Tao and is made up of three small islands joined by a narrow white sandbar. It is a distinctive sight and one of the most popular short boat trips from the island.
After walking across the sandbar, climb to the viewpoint for the classic view over the turquoise water and the three connected islands. Go early if you prefer a quieter experience, as the sandbar can become busy during the middle of the day.
Choose the Best Area to Stay on Koh Tao
Sairee Beach is the obvious choice if you want the biggest selection of bars, restaurants and evening activity. Hotels farther from the walking street can be quieter, but some visitors still find the nightlife noise noticeable.
The pier area is convenient for restaurants and boat arrivals, although its beach is less attractive and regular boat traffic makes swimming difficult. For a more peaceful base near several good beaches, the southern end of the island around Shark Bay is worth considering.
Reach Koh Tao by Lomprayah Ferry
The Lomprayah ferry is a practical way to reach Koh Tao because it combines well with buses from the mainland. Services commonly connect the island with Chumphon, and some routes operate through Donsak and Surat Thani.
Combined bus and ferry tickets are available from major destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi. Check the current timetable before travelling, allow extra time for transfers and keep valuables in a small day bag during the crossing.
For more help planning a Thailand trip, see our Thailand holiday planning guide.
