เกาะเต่าTurtle Island: clear water, granite bays and Thailand's dive-training capital.
Koh Tao, "Turtle Island", is a small, hilly island in the Gulf of Thailand, about 70 km north of Koh Samui. Roughly 21 km² in size, with granite boulders, jungle-covered hills and a ring of bays, it's one of the world's busiest places to learn to dive. Dozens of dive schools turn out thousands of certified divers every year, in warm, calm water with good visibility from about March to September.
Even if you don't dive, there is plenty to do. Snorkelling is excellent in Ao Leuk, Tanote Bay and Shark Bay, and on the sandbar-linked islets of Nang Yuan. Viewpoints, bouldering, yoga and sunset beach bars fill the rest of the day. Sairee Beach is the main strip, Mae Haad is the ferry hub and the southern and eastern bays are quieter.
Since the island is small and mostly reached by catamaran, it feels like a village. Roads are steep, so be careful if you rent a scooter.
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿ · THB)
- Getting there
- Catamaran from Chumphon (about 1.5–2 hours) or Koh Samui and Koh Phangan (1–2 hours)
- Diving
- One of the busiest dive-training centres in the world
- Best season
- March to September for diving and visibility
- Wet season
- October to December: heavy rain and big waves
- Getting around
- Taxi trucks, longtail boats or scooters (steep roads)
Top things to do in Koh Tao.
21 places we chose and described by hand. Open any of them, with photos, hours and directions, in the catalogue below or in the app.
Places to visit
- Nang Yuan Island Nang Yuan
Three tiny islets joined by a white sandbar, with superb snorkelling.
- John-Suwan Viewpoint Chalok Baan Kao
A granite-boulder viewpoint over the twin bays of Chalok Baan Kao and Freedom Beach.
- Mango Bay & Shark Island Viewpoints South of the island
Clifftop viewpoints across the island's bays.
Beaches & islands
- Sairee Beach Sairee
Koh Tao's longest beach: pale sand, dive schools and beach bars at sunset.
- Chalok Baan Kao Bay Chalok Baan Kao
A calm southern bay with a relaxed village and easy snorkelling.
- Freedom Beach Chalok Baan Kao
A small, pretty beach backed by trees, reached by a short walk.
- Tanote Bay East coast
A quiet east-coast bay with some of Koh Tao's best snorkelling off the rocks.
- Shark Bay (Thian Og) South coast
A quiet southern bay where small blacktip reef sharks patrol the shallows.
Restaurants
- Sairee Beachfront Restaurants Sairee
Thai, Western and vegetarian restaurants along the sand, many with sunset tables.
- Mae Haad Street Food Mae Haad
Cheap noodles, rice dishes and snacks near the pier.
- Seafood in Chalok Baan Kao Chalok Baan Kao
Barbecued fish and prawns, with views over the calm bay.
Activities
- PADI Open Water Course Island-wide
Learn to dive in warm, calm water at one of the world's most popular dive-training spots.
- Sail Rock & Chumphon Pinnacle Dives Offshore
Famous dive sites, known for whale sharks, barracuda and schooling fish.
- Snorkelling Boat Tour Around the Island Mae Haad
A day of snorkelling in Shark Bay, Mango Bay and Nang Yuan by longtail or speedboat.
- Bouldering & Yoga Island-wide
Climb the island's granite boulders or unwind at a yoga studio.
Entertainment
- Sairee Beach Fire Shows Sairee
Fire-dancers, live music and sunset drinks on Koh Tao's main beach.
- Muay Thai Nights Sairee
Amateur Muay Thai bouts in open-air rings on Sairee.
Hotels & stays
- Dive Resorts Sairee
Bungalow resorts with on-site dive schools, pools and sea views.
- Hillside Pool Villas South coast
Private villas with infinity pools on the hills above the bays.
- Budget Bungalows & Hostels Sairee
Simple bamboo huts and cheap dorms near the main beaches.
Shopping
- Dive Shops & Beachwear Sairee
Masks, fins, dive computers and beachwear in Sairee and Mae Haad.
Explore all 474 places in Koh Tao.
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From the Thailand Guide app’s catalogue: OpenStreetMap places with traveller notes from Wikivoyage and photos from Wikimedia Commons. Photos marked “Representative” show the same kind of place, not this exact one. Neighbouring islands and day-trip areas may be included. “Open now” uses listed hours in Thailand time; confirm hours and access before travelling.
Best time to visit Koh Tao.
The best time to visit Koh Tao is February to April. Koh Tao is warm all year. Like Koh Samui, it's driest from February to April, with another good window from June to September. The northeast monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas from October to December, with November the wettest month. Visibility for diving is best from March to September.
Approximate long-term monthly averages in °C and millimetres of rain. These are planning notes, not a weather forecast.
Koh Tao travel tips.
Protect the reefs
Don't touch or stand on coral, don't feed fish and use reef-safe sunscreen on boat trips.
Turtles and sharks
Koh Tao is home to green and hawksbill turtles and blacktip reef sharks. Keep your distance, never touch or feed them.
Choose dive schools carefully
Pick a school with good safety records, small groups and well-maintained equipment. Cheapest isn't best.
Scooter caution
Koh Tao's roads are steep and sandy, and accidents are common. Ride only if you're experienced and wearing a helmet.
Keep your cool (jai yen)
Staying calm and smiling solves most problems in Thailand; raised voices lose face for everyone.
Plan Koh Tao on your phone.
Save places, see what is open now, check the weather and air quality, and browse all twenty guides in the free Thailand Guide app. Works offline.