Ko Tao for non-divers guide

Updated on 18th July, 2012. First published 25th July, 2006

Long gone are the days when Ko Tao was just for divers. The past few years has seen a flurry of new ventures offering all sorts of land, sea and even air based activities for visitors without the time or the inclination to take a diving course. Here's just a few...

Underwater aficionados with lungs of steel can get a different take on the deep at Apnea Total, Thailand's first "freediving" school. This Sairee Beach operation teaches people breathing exercises and how to hold one's breath long enough to dive down 30m and deeper, without the aid of Scuba equipment.

Other water-based activities on offer include windsurfing, sea kayaking and of course, snorkeling. For the best snorkeling you have to venture away from the main centres of Mae Haad and Sairee Beach and head to the island's rocky backside. Sites such as Laem Thian, Mango Bay and Ao Leuk each have a cornucopia of underwater attractions to explore, all accessible by a quick wade out from the shore.

A popular method for exploring Ko Tao is to rent a motorcycle. Motocross bikes and lower-powered mopeds can be rented from almost anywhere there is a bungalow. Take care, though, in the built up areas pedestrians have to share the road with these two-wheeled beasts, and the more isolated areas are often filled with steep hill climbs and rocky paths.

Visitors in need of serious relaxation could spend an afternoon at a health spa. These can be found in Sairee beach, Mae Haad and Thian Ok, and pamper with treatments such as aromatic baths, lymphatic drainage massages and body scrubs.

Take the road up the hill past the bustle of Sairee Beach to reach a mysterious cluster of caves hidden amongst the slopes of the island's highest peak. Some locals claim the pools in these caves contain diamonds, glittering away in a series of fresh water pools. While its far more likely that these minerals are just diamond-like, you may want to take the trek up there yourself just to check.

Further up, Here & Now bungalows is home to the island's only Taijiquan centre. A Chinese art-form based on yoga-like stretching, Taijiquan - Qigong is intended to create a balance between harmony, breath and mind. No longer on Ko Tao

One of the more adventurous pastimes on offer is the Flying Boat. Recently started in Mae Haad by an ultralight plane pilot, this is a specially-designed dingy which attaches to a wing and small engine and does flights around the island. The operator is still developing the business, and is building a school for visitors to Ko Tao to become ultralight pilots.

A jungle-based activity that appeals more to the boys is Ko Tao's paintball circuit, where you and a few friends can dress up in camo-gear and run around the bush shooting each other with tiny coloured balls. It's based in Mae Haad. Closed

Straight out of the textbook for a fun night out comes the Ko Tao Bowling and MiniGolf centre, on the way to Chalok Baan Kao from Mae Haad. Another new venture, the centre offers 10-pin bowling, minigolf and petanque.

The new Ya Ku Zen Japanese bath centre in Mae Haad offers a decidedly Oriental, soothing way to chill out. Built onto the side of a hill, you too can follow the Japanese tradition of taking a daily bath amid a well-designed Zen rock garden, looking out to sea. Just next door is the island's only rock climbing centre which opens for the high season.

So, you see, there's much more to do on the "turtle island" than strapping an air tank to your back and jumping off a boat.

Story by Alexander Santillanes