By Kylian Dev
Diving at Sail Rock & Chumphon Pinnacle
A legendary underwater pinnacle where barracuda schools and whale sharks roam.
Destination guide · Gulf of Thailand
Koh Tao: the 10 best things to do, where to stay and budget
The world's scuba diving capital, ringed by coral reefs teeming with hawksbill turtles and reef sharks. A young, laid-back, festive atmosphere.
- Best: February to September
- €28 - 50 / day
In short
Koh Tao (Gulf of Thailand) — The mecca of scuba diving and sea turtles. Best time to go: February to September; average temperatures 29°C. Budget: about €28 - 50 / day. Weather: 29°C • Exceptional underwater visibility (20-30 metres)
RegionGulf of Thailand
TypeIsland
Best seasonFebruary to September
Avg. temperature29°C
Budget / day€28 - 50 / day
Thai nameเกาะเต่า
Must-sees
Top 10 things to do in Koh Tao
The mecca of scuba diving and sea turtles
Koh Nang Yuan islet
Three tiny islands linked by a unique strip of white sand.
Shark Bay (Thian Og Bay)
Shore-entry snorkelling with green turtles and harmless baby sharks.
More things to do in Koh Tao
- 4
A PADI or SSI dive course
Sea & islandsFull dayKoh Tao certifies thousands of divers a year, with some of the lowest prices in the world. The Open Water course takes three to four days.
- 5
John-Suwan viewpoint
ViewpointAbout 1 hA short but steep climb above Chalok Baan Kao for a view of two bays on both sides of a headland. Wear shoes, not flip-flops.
- 6
Snorkelling at Aow Leuk and Tanote
Sea & islands2 to 3 hTwo bays in the east with coral close to the shore and clear water. Aow Leuk is the easiest; Tanote has a big rock to jump from.
- 7
Sairee Beach at sunset
Beach2 to 3 hThe island's longest beach, with fire shows and beach bars in the evening. Sunset is spectacular from the north end.
- 8
Freediving and night dives
ActivityHalf dayBesides classic diving, Koh Tao has freediving schools and night dives to see bioluminescent plankton.
- 9
The viewpoints of Mango Bay and Fraggle Rock
Viewpoint2 to 3 hThe north of the island has several viewpoints over coves only reachable by boat or trail. Combine with a boat trip around the island.
- 10
A boat trip around the island
Sea & islandsFull dayA day by longtail to snorkel in five or six coves, stopping at Koh Nang Yuan. The best way to see the whole coastline.
Great forDiving & ReefsBeaches & RelaxingNightlife
Weather
When to go to Koh Tao?
29°C • Exceptional underwater visibility (20-30 metres). Month-by-month outlook:
- JanFair
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayIdeal
- JunIdeal
- JulIdeal
- AugIdeal
- SepIdeal
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovRain / monsoon
- DecRain / monsoon
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Koh Tao: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €28 - 50 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Budget
28–50 € / day
Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)
Accommodation
~16 €
Food
~10 €
Activities
~8 €
Local transport
~6 €
Transport
How to get to Koh Tao
Transport tip
Ultra-fast Lomprayah catamaran from Chumphon or Koh Samui.
From Bangkok → Koh Tao
Road
~413 km · ~7.5 h by road
Nearest destinations
Koh Tao → Koh Phangan
Boat
1h15
Koh Tao → Koh Samui
Road
~68 km · ~1 h by road
Koh Tao → Khao Sok
Road
~194 km · ~3.5 h by road
Where is Koh Tao?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Koh Tao
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Sairee Beach
The long west-coast beach: dive schools, bars, sunsets.
Mae Haad
Around the pier: handy for ferries.
Chalok Baan Kao
Quieter bay in the south, a good diving base.
See hotels in Koh TaoPartner
Full guide: where to stay in Koh TaoFood
What to eat in Koh Tao
Giant grilled squid with chilli-lime sauce
Rich Panang curry with crushed peanuts
Grilled red snapper, feet in the sand, at Sairee
Can’t decide?
Koh Tao or…? Compare
Budget, weather, vibe and activities side by side.
Combine with
Similar destinations
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Koh Tao
What are the best things to do in Koh Tao?
The must-sees are Diving at Sail Rock & Chumphon Pinnacle, Koh Nang Yuan islet, Shark Bay (Thian Og Bay). Also worth your time: A PADI or SSI dive course, John-Suwan viewpoint, Snorkelling at Aow Leuk and Tanote, Sairee Beach at sunset.
How many days should I spend in Koh Tao?
Allow at least 2 to 3 days to see the highlights of Koh Tao, more if you combine it with nearby destinations.
Build an itinerary with Koh TaoWhat is the best time to visit Koh Tao?
The best season is February to September. 29°C • Exceptional underwater visibility (20-30 metres). Where possible, avoid the monsoon months shown in the calendar above.
Thailand weather month by monthWhat daily budget should I plan for Koh Tao?
Plan on roughly €28 - 50 / day per person (Budget), excluding international flights. Use the budget calculator to fine-tune it to your travel style.
Estimate my budget for Koh TaoHow do I get to Koh Tao?
Ultra-fast Lomprayah catamaran from Chumphon or Koh Samui. From Bangkok, Koh Tao is about 413 km away as the crow flies.
Bangkok to Koh TaoWhich area should I stay in, in Koh Tao?
The most popular areas are Sairee Beach, Mae Haad, Chalok Baan Kao. The choice mostly depends on the vibe you want: lively, family-friendly or quiet.
Full guide: where to stay in Koh TaoPlan your trip