Ko Tao

Travel guide

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nang 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.

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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