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Ko Tao




























 
 

Ko Tao

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Cashew shaped Ko Tao, or Turtle Island, is one of Thailand's top diving locations, with plenty of amazing dive sites within easy reach of the Gulf of Thailand destination. Whale sharks are seasonal visitors and this is probably one of the few places in the world where you can see these gentle giants while scuba diving. But Ko Tao also has plenty to offer non-divers, with an array of non-water based activities such as hiking, yoga, paintball, bowling, mini golf and opening in 2009, a cinema and trapeze school. Those willing to escape from the congested diver hotspots are rewarded with gorgeous beaches, great viewpoints and hospitable locals.

But it hasn't always been snorkels and sunscreen here. In the past, Ko Tao has been a pirate's hideout, a layover for fishermen, a prison and a badly-kept hardcore backpacker secret. While some say the island took its name from its turtle shape, others say it was named for the turtles that used to breed plentifully in its waters. Today, the turtles largely go elsewhere and instead thousands of recreational divers and other tourists flock here annually. The island is ranked number two worldwide for the issuing of PADI certificates. (Top spot is held by Cairns, Australia.)

Western travellers first stumbled on Ko Tao in the 1980s, leading to the first rickety bamboo bungalows being thrown up. Within a decade, the island became a well-established alternative to Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Samui, thanks to its fine snorkelling and the cheap huts. In more recent years, development has exploded, with more than 100 resorts, around 40 diving schools and many other related businesses now operating on the island.

The rapid development has transformed Mae Haad and Sairee from traditional wooden villages with dirt roads to bustling tourist centres. Despite this, Ko Tao does retain a certain rustic charm versus Samui, Pha Ngan and Phuket, and visitors can still find picture book Thailand tucked away on this small island.

The busiest times of year are Christmas-New Year and July-August, when booking ahead is strongly recommended as it can be next to impossible to find a budget bed otherwise. Whale shark sightings occur outside the peak times, typically between March and May and a few in September and October too. Budget accommodation also books up quickly directly after adjacent Ko Pha Ngan's Full Moon Party, when partiers arrive here after their break there.


 
















The ongoing violence in Thailand's deep south and political uncertainties in the capital have contributed to a drop off in arrivals to the island, though neither of these issues have much to do with Ko Tao. The island is generally very safe and with its great variety of activities and places to stay, there's never been a better time to visit.

Text and/or map last updated on 24th August, 2009.

More information

Other spots near here
 » Ao Mae Haad
 » Ao Thian Ok
 » Chalok Ban Kao
 » Haad Sai Nual and Surrounds
 » Haad Sairee
 » Ko Nang Yuan
 » Ko Tao East Coast
 » Mango Bay

Maps
  Ko Tao
  Ko Tao: West coast

Further reading
 » Ko Tao for non-divers guide
 » Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao Diving Guide
 » How do I get from Bangkok to Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao?
 » Do I need reservations for my holiday?
 » What is the best island in Thailand?

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    Get orientated with our interactive map of Ko Tao, Thailand


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   Vision: Photos of Ko Tao

Click on any image below to be taken to see a larger version of the photo and to browse our Ko Tao photo gallery.

Happy Daze Treehouse Bar, Koh Tao Koh Nang Yuan resort, Koh Tao Happy Daze Treehouse Bar, Koh Tao Happy Daze Treehouse Bar, Koh Tao Happy Daze Treehouse Bar, Koh Tao Chalok Baan Kao, Koh Tao Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Tao Chalok Baan Kao, Koh Tao Happy Daze Treehouse Bar, Koh Tao Koh Nang Yuan resort, Koh Tao
Happy Daze Treehouse Bar, Koh Tao Happy Daze Treehouse Bar, Koh Tao Ao Leuk Beach from up on the ridge Rocky stretch on Ao Leuk Ao Leuk Beach on a windy day, Ko Tao Shark island, Ko Tao Landscape shot of Ao Leuk beach, Ko Tao Shark island in the distance off Ko Tao Mango Bay, Ko Tao, Thailand. Mango Bay, Ko Tao, Thailand.

You can add your own photos to this by joining the Travelfish Group on Flickr. Please click here more information.

 

Book online


Picture of Laem Thian Resort, Koh Tao, Laem ThianLaem Thian Resort
Koh Tao, Laem Thian
From: US$9.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Coral View Resort, Koh Tao, Sai DaengCoral View Resort
Koh Tao, Sai Daeng
From: US$12.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Black Tip Dive Resort, Koh Tao, Ao TanoteBlack Tip Dive Resort
Koh Tao, Ao Tanote
From: US$12.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Khun Ying House, Koh Tao, Sairee VillageKhun Ying House
Koh Tao, Sairee Village
From: US$13.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Save Bungalows, Koh Tao, Mae HaadSave Bungalows
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
From: US$15.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Utopia Suites, Koh Tao, Mae HaadUtopia Suites
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
From: US$18.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Lotus Resort, Koh Tao, Sairee BeachLotus Resort
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
From: US$18.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Koh Tao Royal Resort, Koh Tao, Mae HaadKoh Tao Royal Resort
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
From: US$26.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Sairee Hut Resort, Koh Tao, Sairee BeachSairee Hut Resort
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
From: US$29.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Mango Bay Grand Resort, Koh Tao, Mango BayMango Bay Grand Resort
Koh Tao, Mango Bay
From: US$29.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Anantra Villa, Koh Tao, Mae HaadAnantra Villa
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
From: US$29.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Sea Lodge, Koh Tao, Mae HaadSea Lodge
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
From: US$38.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of New Heaven Bungalow, Koh Tao, Ao Tien OhNew Heaven Bungalow
Koh Tao, Ao Tien Oh
From: US$38.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Simple Life Resort, Koh Tao, Sairee BeachSimple Life Resort
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
From: US$41.00 with Sawasdee


Picture of Nang Yuan Island Dive Resort, Nang Yuan IslandNang Yuan Island Dive Resort
Nang Yuan Island
From: US$44.00 with Sawasdee


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Fresh off our Asia travel forum

Here are some discussions off the Travelfish forum, perhaps related to Ko Tao. You can find the full forum here.

Topic Replies  Views 
Bangkok to Ko Tao 
In Thailand: by tbrown801, last reply by stevejames00
2 243
Dive courses - Ko Tao (I need some help) 
In Thailand: by Dubraatz, last reply by Dubraatz
3 682
Ko Tao - Chumphon - Krabi - Ao Nang - Railay - Tonsai with Fame Tours 
In Thailand: by danandhan
0 518
Ko Tao in February 
In Thailand: by alexrlynn, last reply by pspoulin
1 819
Climbing/Bouldering partner for Ko Tao 
In Thailand: by pspoulin, last reply by crimptacular
2 284
Where to go between Ko Tao and Bangkok? 
In Thailand: by Monula, last reply by Maximilian01
4 903
contact information for hin wong bungalows ko tao...Thanks!. 
In Thailand: by elizacass, last reply by elizacass
2 491
Getting Around Ko Tao 
In Thailand: by alexrlynn, last reply by tezza
3 684
Ko Tao Bungalows? 
In Thailand: by biophlame, last reply by tezza
1 1391
Ko Samui Ferry terminal for Ko tao? 
In Thailand: by gally45, last reply by gally45
3 685
Ko Tao Accomodation with WIFI 
In Thailand: by indu76
0 610
Ang Thong marine park from Ko Tao or Phangan 
In Thailand: by bay68
0 494
Bangkok Late Arrival - Transfer to Ko Tao 
In Thailand: by tristan99, last reply by tristan99
2 819
Ko Tao to Chieow Laan Lake and Khao Sok? 
In Thailand: by Nerel3000
0 569
Ko Tao 
In Thailand: by itchyfeet, last reply by itchyfeet
2 888

Ko Tao reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

I'll always stop by
By chaos23 (dabbler - 6 reviews)
Written on 13th June, 2009 after a visit to Ko Tao in November, 2007

I fell in love with Ko Tao and diving in 2007 and I made the promise to stop by on every trip to Southeast Asia. The island is beautiful for divers -- and for divers only. If you want to party, you can, but it's not like full moon on Ko Pha Ngan ;-)

There are not many things to do besides hiking, diving, snorkelling, sun bathing, taking a muay thai class or eating all day. All in all it's a very relaxed place. Though note the beaches are not that classy sandy white because on some parts there are big boulders. You can get everything on the island -- from backpacker options through to high class spas. And, there are always new hotels appearing, old ones being renovated and so on.

Also, don't forget to visit Ko Nang Yuan, which lies just offshore from Ko Tao. It is beautiful.
  Sights & activities
  History & culture
  Scenery & environment
  Eat & drink
  Traveller's scene
  Romance
  Value for money
  I'll be back (or not)
Also reviewed by chaos23: Champasak, Don Dhet, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Vientiane,

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