Ko Tao is dotted with beaches and bays and picking where to go snorkelling can be difficult; what you choose to do will depend a little on how much time you have and what you want to both see and experience. You can take the decision away by simply booking an around-the-island snorkelling trip. Your … read the full post

Personally I would say, “No way Jose!” to anyone contemplating the undeniably risky method of getting about by motorbike on Ko Tao. However it would then be fair to accuse me of a certain amount of hypocrisy as I do indeed own and drive one. Well, chances are that unlike me — I own my … read the full post

So you have run the gauntlet of choosing a dive centre on Ko Tao. You have decided whether you want to take the SSI or PADI course. What should you expect while you are studying how to dive? Firstly, you will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire. If you have any of the conditions … read the full post

If you look online, the only long-term accommodation options you’ll find on Thailand’s Ko Tao are very high-end villas at very high-end prices. This is not the case once you are here. Here’s our suggested plan of attack for finding somewhere to live once you do arrive. Most people who come here looking to stay … read the full post

Bam Bams in Ko Tao is one of those rickety looking, plastic chair, roadside Thai restaurants with garish wipe-clean table covers.  While that description probably does little to entice you in, those who have travelled through Thailand will know that these can often the best places to eat, especially when you’re on a tight budget. … read the full post

When asked to write about life on Ko Tao from a longterm stayers point of view, all I could think about were the three biggest lies told on the island. I’ll leave you to ponder the other two but the biggest, without a doubt is, “I’m leaving tomorrow.” This is not used to wheedle one … read the full post

As a going away gift for my first backpacking trip one of my comical mates gave me a travel tips book. This wasn’t your normal travel manual by any means. It included topics like how to stop a runaway camel and how to avoid dying in an airplane crash. The best way to avoid crashing … read the full post

Cappuccino Bistro is the only French-owned bakery on Ko Tao. It serves a variety of cakes, tarts and sandwiches along with arguably the best cup of coffee around and is well located up the hill on the main road in Sairee running from the pier. This spot is a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike.  … read the full post

While it has been said that Ko Tao is a drinking island with a diving problem, you can easily avoid the mayhem if you wish. However you probably wouldn’t be reading this blog unless you wanted to find out where the party’s at and there’s certainly a party to be had on Ko Tao on … read the full post

Ko Tao is almost a year-round destination but depending on what you are looking for during your visit there are considerations to take into account when deciding which month to come, such as weather, crowds, visibility for diving and which critters are around in the ocean. The busiest times are between July and early September, … read the full post