Koh Tao
Undoubtedly my favourite of the Thai Islands, Koh Tao is sandy beaches, world-class diving and stunning viewpoints. It is best known as one of the best and most affordable diving locations in South East Asia. Despite it’s lesser known reputation as the mafia run ‘death island’ (something I first became aware of as I was leaving the island) and the crazy party scene of Sairee Beach, I found Koh Tao be a place of peace and wellbeing. Where I detoxed from the endless nights of partying on the other islands, got my avocado fix (before the entire island evidently ran out of them), where I became a certified scuba dive, took rejuvenating yoga classes and enjoyed the incredible food at Coconut Monkey. Here is my guide to my island, Koh Tao.
Top Things To Do In Koh Tao
Learn To Dive!
Koh Tao is a hot spot for diving in South East Asia. It boasts some of the nicest diving sites and is among the cheapest places to get PADI certified in the world. Koh Tao has 30 dive sites offering colorful reefs, exotic fish, shipwrecks and if you’re lucky there is a chance you may spot a whale shark! There are over 60 diving schools on the island making it difficult to know who to choose. Having grown up listening to my parents stories of their diving adventures it had always been a dream for me to get my diving certificate and choosing the right school was very important to me.
After receiving a recommendation and doing plenty of my own research, I decided to go with Ocean Sound Dive and Yoga and found them to be absolutely amazing! I am not surprised that they have been #1 on Tripadvisor since 2014. They also offered one of the lowest prices for getting your PADI Open Water Certificate for 11,000THB ($350USD) or $12,200THB ($387USD) including 3 nights accommodation at Tropicana Resort. They also recommend the Dearly Hostel for their budget students as it is only a 4 minute walk away. They pride themselves on their professional full time diving instructors. I was lucky enough to have the amazing Zuzana all to myself during my course and I don’t think any instructor will ever compare. Their maximum student group is four per instructor which ensures everyone gets the time and attention they need. They provide an air conditioned classroom, new and well maintained equipment, dive computers for each student and they offer GoPro rental for your final 2 dives for 500THB ($15.85USD). Their diving boat is a large with 2 stories and included free water refills, tea, coffee, fruit, biscuits and a meal in between dives. To book visit their website, check the schedule and pay your deposit of 1500THB ($47.60USD).
(Ocean Sound Dive and Yoga, Open 9-5 daily, E: www.oceansoundskohtao.com, PH: +66 9 4672 5575)
Do Yoga
One of my favourite things about Ocean Sound is that they also offer yoga lessons! Yoga focuses on breath and is a great way to remind divers to breathe deeply and slowly. Taking place twice daily, their instructors offer a range of classes including Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative & Yin. Classes go for 90 minutes and are 250THB ($7.90USD) per lesson, 2500THB ($79.25USD) for 10 lessons or 1000THB ($31.70USD) for one weeks unlimited lessons. It is the perfect way to finish your day after a dive!
Hike to John Suwan Viepoint
The John Suwan Viewpoint, located at the southern-most tip of the island, offers incredible views of both Freedom Beach and Shark Bay. The climb is an adventure in itself as you haul yourself up over giant rocks, using the tattered rope that’s been tied to trees. Some people will tell you it can be done in thongs (flip flops) and I am proof that it can be done, but I recommend wearing more suitable footwear. Be aware that on occasion locals will try to charge a small entry fee, however if no one is there go ahead and proceed on up. The climb is well worth the view!
Visit Sairee Beach
We rode our bikes up the island, through backstreets full of vendors selling overpriced Koh Tao souvenirs and made our way to Sairee Beach. Stretching almost 2km along the island’s west coast, it was a very different picture during the day compared to its nightlife party scene with well-known pub crawl and fire shows. While everyone else slept off their hangovers we appeared to have the beach to ourselves. Longtails floated in the low tide and beach bars slowly began preparing for another night ahead. As well as at the pier, this is another good spot to hire a taxi boat if you’re wanting to venture to one of the islands many hidden bays or visit Koh Nang Yuan, an island just off Koh Tao with yet another incredible viewpoint. At the south end of the beach you can find a large bolder where King Chulalongkorn inscribed his initials during his 1899 visit. While the beach itself if not overly impressive, as the most well-known beach on Koh Tao it’s worth at least a short visit.
Where To Eat on Koh Tao
Coconut Monkey
This is probably my favourite café ever. I’ll admit I truly loved Koh Tao and seemed to fall in love with everything on this island, but offering fresh, healthy and delicious homemade food made mostly from locally sourced and organic produce, it is hard not to love Coconut Monkey! Located on the beach, next to the pier in Mae Haad, you can enjoy the view with a freshly pressed juice in hand. Do not leave this island without trying one of their amazeballs.
(Coconut Monkey, Open 8am-5pm, www.facebook.com/coconutmonkeykohtao, Address: 25/92 Moo 2, Mae Haad, Ban Koh Tao, Thailand)
Tree House Café
After a day of diving, bike riding and climbing to John Surat viewpoint, I couldn’t have found a better place to relax than at Tree House Café. Take off your shoes, grab a cushion and enjoy authentic Thai food.
(Tree House Cafe, Open 4pm-11pm Wed-Mon, Address: 14/18 Moo 3 Chalok Baan Kao, Koh Tao, Thailand)
Big Bite Café
Located behind the 7/11 in Chalok Bay, Big Bite Café offers a range of breakfast and lunch options. These include fresh fruit and smoothie bowls, several egg dishes, wraps, rolls and burgers including vegan and gluten free options. This is where I finally got my avocado fix!
Where To Stay In Koh Tao
Koh Tao is only about 21km² so wherever you choose to stay you won’t be too far away from anything. If you are wanting to experience Koh Tao’s nightlife you will want to stay near Sairee Beach. The central and port town of Mae Haad is where the ferries arrive making it easy to get to and from. Here you will find shopping and cafes, however it certainly wasn’t my favourite part of the island.
I ended up staying in Chalok Bay purely because I wanted to stay nearby my diveschool, however I am so glad that I did as I ended up finding one of my favourite hostels of all time, The Dearly Hostel.
The Dearly Hostel
The owner of The Dearly, JJ, is phenomenal! Beyond her general kindness and helpful tips, she somehow managed to remember each guests name for the duration of their stay. Enter through the garden patio/Bar & Restaurant to the reception, find your room on one of the 4 stories and then relax out back by the pool. They offer transfers from the pier for 100THB ($3.20USD) each way (opposed to a taxi for 400THB ($12.80USD) and were very quick to respond to emails. You can choose from 4, 8 or 9 bed dorms equipped with comfortable bunks or opt for their 6 bed dorms offering more comfort and privacy furnished with 6 single beds and dividers between each bed. The rooms are modern with a balcony and air con between 4:30pm-11:30am and each bed comes with individual reading lights, power sockets and lockers. Room rates also include a free breakfast. What’s more there is a pool, bar/dining area complete with snooker table and the nicest common room I’ve come across. You can also book your onward ferries at no additional cost. I cannot recommend this place enough and can’t wait to stay here again the next time I’m in Koh Tao.
(The Dearly Hostel, www.thedearlykohtaohostel.com, Address: 14/55 Moo 3 Chalok Baan Kao, Koh Tao, Thailand)
Getting To Koh Tao
Koh Tao can only be reached by ferry. The closest airports being Koh Samui, Surat Thani or Chumphon. You can generally take a shuttle bus to the ferry terminal through ferry companies Lomprayah, Songserm or Seatran. From Koh Tao pier in Mae Haad you will find plenty of taxis waiting and several accommodations will offer transfer services.
Like most of the Thai islands the cheapest way to get around Koh Tao is by scooter or bike. The Dearly hostel offers scooter hire from 150THB ($4.75USD) with no insurance or 300THB ($9.50USD) with insurance and bicycle hire from 50THB ($1.60USD). With few major concrete roads Koh Tao doesn’t offer the best driving conditions. Most roads are dirt or sand, filled with potholes or steep hills. I was warned about driving in Koh Tao more so than anywhere else, due to the unsafe roads and high accident rate, and after having met yet another person who’d had an accident on these road I opted to hire a bicycle instead. Taxis and boat taxis are also readily available.
What To Budget For Koh Tao
The Basics:
Bus/Ferry from Krabi to Koh Tao – 800THB ($25.35USD)
Roundtrip transfers from Mae Haad Pier to The Dearly Hostel – 200THB ($6.35USD)
Accommodation at The Dearly Hostel – 550THB ($17.45USD) p/night
Onward Ferry to Koh Phangan – 500THB ($15.85USD)
Coconut Monkey – Fresh Juice 80THB ($2.55USD), Wrap $160THB ($5USD), Amazeball 30THB ($0.95USD)
Dinner – 80-200THB ($2.55-$6.35USD)
Approximate Total Daily Budget (based on 4 nights) – 1105THB ($35USD)
Optional Activities:
PADI Open Water Certification with Ocean Sound Dive & Yoga – 11,000THB ($350USD)
Yoga lesson with Ocean Sound Dive & Yoga – 250THB ($7.90USD)
One day bicycle hire – 50THB ($1.60USD)
Approximate Total Daily Budget (based on 4 nights) Including Activities– 3930THB ($124USD) per day
