Koh Tao

Koh Tao facts   Koh means: Island in Thai language. Tao means: Turtle   Island size: About 21 km²   Location: Gulf of Thailand, on the South-East coast of Thailand   Province: Changwat Suratthani   Distance from Bangkok: About 700 km   Population: About 1,500 (officially)   Koh Tao is a former political prison island!   Important numbers   Police emergency: 191   Tourist Police - Emergency: 1155

  Info about Koh Tao in Thai language is found here
  A printer friendly text version is found here
  Book your hotel or bungalow on Koh Tao from here

  Getting there

From Bangkok
476 kilometers by rail (See the Samui section) to Chumphon. And from there a speed boat, the Lomprayah catamaran or an express boat.

From Koh Samui
Also a speed boat, an express boat or a catamaran from Northern Samui. Tickets can be bought in any travel agency in Thailand. You'll arrive at Mae Haad, which nowadays has grown into a small, but still relaxed "town".

  What to do?

Dive, dive, snorkel and swim! (You can rent a canoe or a kayak) or go for a day or two to the beautiful island of Koh Nang Yuan. If you are not into swimming, diving or snorkeling or other water sports, we would probably suggest you to go to either Koh Samui or Koh Pha Ngan instead.

  Map

You will find a overview map of Koh Tao here including diving sites here



  Background and Tips

Koh Tao is a very beautiful island. The first travelers came here in the early 80's, and soon the divers found the island as well. The prices for diving are still ok or even low on Koh Tao, but shopping here is not such a great idea, as prices are rather high. Buy clothes, bags, sunscreen, tobacco, sunglasses etc. in advance on the mainland before your trip to here. If you are going to dive on Tao, you will find a couple of certified PADI schools in the Diving section. It can be economically wise to compare prices before you join a course and we also recommend you to compare the services and skills of the schools and the instructors. Make sure that your instructor is certified by PADI, BSAC, NAUI, PDIC, SSI, SDI etc.

  When to go?

Sometimes it can be rather windy (and some rain) in October, November and December so the visibility is not always as good for diving then. The best time to go is February until August if you prefer the sun to shine too. If you are not fastidious, you can normally have a great time on Koh Tao all year around.

  Koh Tao photos

  Please, send us your best Koh Tao photos here
  Take a look at various photos sent to us here

  Beaches

Sairee Beach
The longest beach on Koh Tao and one of the most popular. About 3 kilometers in length and located on the west coast of the island.

Chalok Beach
A shallow popular beach in a bay of the island. You will find it in the Southern part of Koh Tao.

Tanote Bay
Located the Eastern part of the island. It is a little hard to get there but it is a very beautiful bay and it is great for your snorkeling.

Other beaches and bays are: Aow Leuk, Sai Tong, Hin Wong, and Rocky bay. I recommend you to buy the book "Thailand's islands and beaches" by Lonely Planet. Great reading and info. You'll find it here

  Protecting nature

Please keep Koh Tao clean as well as the other islands in the area. Throw bottles etc. in a garbage can so not the animals get killed by them. Corals grows very slow, so please leave them. The tourist industry is growing fast here. Be gentle with nature so many generations will be able to experience the true beauty of Koh Tao.

Please keep Koh Tao clean! Let the island live and be a home for the future generations of people and animals.

  Further diving information is found here
  Koh Tao accommodation is found here
  Koh Nang Yuan information is found here



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