By Kylian Dev
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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 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
Things to do in Koh Tao
The mecca of scuba diving and sea turtles
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Koh Nang Yuan islet
Three tiny islands linked by a unique strip of white sand.
3
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
Long haul: a domestic flight or night bus/train is usually easier
Flight
~537 km
Nearest destinations
Koh Tao → Koh Phangan
Boat
1h15
Koh Tao → Koh Samui
Road
~88 km · ~5 h by road
Koh Tao → Khao Sok
Road
~252 km · ~6 h by road
Times and tickets Bangkok → Koh TaoPartner link
Where is Koh Tao?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Koh Tao
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Sairee Beach
The island's longest beach, on the west coast: dive schools, bars and sunsets. Fan room: 400-800 THB a night; mid-range air-con: 1,000-3,000 THB. It's Koh Tao's liveliest and priciest area.
Mae Haad
Around the ferry pier, handy for early departures or finding a room without booking ahead: rates here are among the island's lowest.
Chalok Baan Kao
Quieter bay in the south, a good base for diving away from Sairee's bustle. Rooms from 800 THB, up to 3,000-9,000 THB at beachfront resorts.
Food
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
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Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Koh Tao
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Koh Tao International ClinicClinicDirections
Serious cases are transferred to Koh Samui, about 2 h by boat and road.
Dive destination: a recompression chamber is available on site or nearby. After a diving accident, alert your dive centre straight away.
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
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 do you get to Koh Tao?
From Chumphon, take the Lomprayah catamaran (600-700 THB, about 1h45-2h) or the Songserm speedboat (500-550 THB); a night ferry also serves the island. From Surat Thani, via Donsak pier, expect 800-950 THB for a 2.5-3-hour crossing. From Bangkok, combined bus + boat tickets run 1,000-1,500 THB.
When's the best time to dive at Koh Tao?
The sea is calmest and visibility best from March to September. Between October and December, Gulf of Thailand monsoon rain stirs up the sea, cuts visibility, and can cancel ferries.
How much is the PADI Open Water course?
9,900-12,950 THB depending on the dive shop, over 3-4 days for 4-5 open-water dives; gear, boat trips and diving insurance are usually included, accommodation is not.
How many days should I plan?
Three to four days are enough for a discovery dive or snorkelling; allow at least four days for the full Open Water course, plus a rest day before flying, at least 18h after your last dive.
Should I book accommodation in advance?
In high season, December to April and July-August, yes: Sairee fills up fast around certification periods. In low season, a room is easy to find on arrival in Mae Haad.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Koh Tao
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