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A Guide to Koh Tao
Koh Tao (เกาะเต่า), or Turtle Island, is a diver’s paradise. It is located between Surat Thani and Chumpon provinces and only a 2 hour boat ride north of Koh Samui. It has been dabbed the best dive site in the Gulf of Thailand. Abounding with beautiful bays, white sand beaches, beautiful coastal rocks and crystal clear water, Koh Tao is simply a heaven on earth. A plethora of seaborne activities are waiting to be discovered. There are many diving schools on the island if you don’t know how to dive and want to explore the underwater world which is said to best in the Gulf of Thailand. On land, you can enjoy fresh seafood at restaurant, sipping tropical cocktails in a bar by the beach or going shopping for some souvenirs. Relaxing body and mind at spa or some active sports are also available for those who would like to get the adrenaline running. Koh Tao offers a wide range of accommodations from budget to upscale to suit all types of needs.
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Most popular Koh Tao hotels of this month:

Koh Tao, Thian Og Bay
reviews
Traveler rating 8.8
91~203 $
recommend
dates
Koh Tao, Thian Og Bay
reviews
Traveler rating 8.8
87~101 $
recommend
dates
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
reviews
Traveler rating 8.6
67~79 $
recommend
dates
Koh Tao, Jansom Bay
reviews
Traveler rating 8.4
from 87 $
recommend
dates
Koh Tao, Tanote Bay
reviews
Traveler rating 8.3
27~46 $
recommend
dates
Koh Tao, Taa Sak
reviews
Traveler rating 7.8
22~87 $
recommend
dates
Koh Tao, Chalok Baan Kao
reviews
Traveler rating 7.6
50~68 $
recommend
dates
Nang Yuan Island
reviews
Traveler rating 6.8
from 40 $
recommend
dates
Koh Tao, Tanote Bay
reviews
Traveler rating 8.7
49~54 $
dates
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
reviews
Traveler rating 8.4
69~112 $
dates
Koh Tao, Mango Bay
reviews
Traveler rating 8.1
44~46 $
dates
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 7.7
46~52 $
dates
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 7.7
from 18 $
dates
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
reviews
Traveler rating 7.4
40~57 $
dates
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 7.2
33~41 $
dates
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
reviews
Traveler rating 7.1
16~18 $
dates
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 6.8
26~35 $
dates
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
reviews
Traveler rating 6.4
from 14 $
dates
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 6.4
63~93 $
dates
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
reviews
Traveler rating 4.9
14~16 $
dates
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hotels found:
Where you want to stay?
Maehaad Sairee Jansom Guljuea Capejedagang Chalokbaankao Thianog Saidaeng Aoleuk Tanote Capethian Hinwong Mango Nangyuan Koh Tao Map
Mae Haad Bay Mae Haad Bay (อ่าวแม่หาด)
All boats arrive here. Naturally highly developed, but still managed to keep some of its old fishing village charm. Money exchange, post office, government office & health center are in Mae Haad. Most dive centers have an office here, lots of travel agents, email services, supermarkets, bike rentals, good restaurants and party venues. A few up-market resorts are located on the southern end.
Sairee Beach Sairee Beach (หาดทรายรี)
Sairee's white sandy beach stretches about 1.7km over most of the west coast, interrupted only by a few huge boulders. Mae Haad is only a 10 min walk away. Being the most popular area on Tao, Sairee offers a huge range of aaccommodation, dive centers, restaurants, shops, beach bars, travel & email services, nurseries, etc.

You also find here the Fishery Museum, the Rama V rock and on the way to Mae Haad the police station, the public school and the temple.
Jan Som Bay Jan Som Bay (อ่าวจันทร์สม)
Private bay (visitors welcome for a nominal fee) with an exclusive, beautiful up-market resort and a budget bungalow. Only a 10 min walk fro Mae Haad.
Gul Juea Beach Gul Juea Beach (อ่าวกุลเจือ)
South-west coast, best reached by foot or long tail, two simple, small resorts, a real getaway.
Cape Jeda Gang Cape Jeda Gang (แหลมเจ๊ะดะกัง)
South-west coast, taxi boat recommended, one resort, simple huts & solid bungalows. Can't get it more private.
Chalok Baan Kao Chalok Baan Kao (อ่าวโฉลกบ้านเก่า)
Third largest beach, located on the southern coast facing Phangan and Samui. This bay is smaller than Sairee, but offers a similar range of accommodation, eateries and nightlife. It is beautifully framed by Taa Toh lagoon to the east and Saan Jao beach to the west.

It also connects with Thian Og bay and Sai Daeng beach. The rock formation at cape Taa Toh resembles a sitting Buddha, this is best to be seen from the viewpoint opposite.
Thian Og Bay Thian Og Bay (อ่าวเทียนนอก)
Next to Chalok Baan Kao. Huge private bay with one resort, a hillside spa, a dive school and a mountain top restaurant/bakery. Lots of Black Tip Reef Sharks.
Sai Daeng Beach Sai Daeng Beach (หาดทรายแดง)
With only two resorts nestled into an idyllic landscape & a sandy beach, it's not only famous for its beauty similar to Ao Leuk, but also for being closest to one of Tao's prime dive & snorkel sites: Shark Island.
Ao Leuk Bay Ao Leuk Bay (อ่าวลึก)
On the way to Tanote bay, you can experience real solitude and serenity. You can swim or just sit in crystal clear water surrounded by fish. Three small, simple resorts in a breathtaking surrounding. No luxury.
Tanote Bay Tanote Bay (อ่าวโตนด)
Well preserved bay away from the crowds with excellent snorkeling, 5 laidback resorts, a German dive school and a dive resort / water sport center with kayaks & water ski.
Cape Thian Cape Thian (Laem Thian) (แหลมเทียน)
Between Tanote & Hin Wong, a private cape with a small bay, excellent snorkeling and a lovely little resort. A remote refuge with free pick up service. Highly recommended.
Hin Wong Bay Hin Wong Bay (อ่าวหินวง)
North-east coast, abundant coral reefs in a natural pool, four small hillside resorts and one diving school.
Mango Bay Mango Bay (อ่าวม่วง)
The only bay in the North and only to be reached by boat. Little beach and excellent underwater sights. Only one new resort with free pickup service.
Nang Yuan Island Nang Yuan Island (เกาะนางยวน)
This unique island, with its triple-connecting beach, is just a short boat ride of Koh Tao and has only one dive resort catering for all budgets. A perfect place for a day of snorkeling or to chill out after the day tourists have left. Nangyuan has one of the most beautiful beaches where you can sit and enjoy quiet sunsets on the beach, no cars or hustle or bustle.

There is a restaurant, coffee shop and a small shop for the basic needs. Plastic bottles or cans are not welcome to protect the environment.
Recommended hotels in KOHTAO
677638
Ban's Diving Resort
from 48 $
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
Suratthani 84280
677624
Jamahkiri Resort & Spa
from 107 $
Koh Tao, Thian Og Bay
Koh Tao, Suratthani 84280
677630
Koh Tao Montra Resort & Spa
from 82 $
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
Koh Tao, Suratthani 84280
677603
Sensi Paradise Beach Resort
from 79 $
Koh Tao, Mae Haad
Suratthani 84280
677632
Simple Life Resort
from 54 $
Koh Tao, Sairee Beach
Suratthani 84360
677606
Thipwimarn Resort
from 26 $
Koh Tao, Taa Sak
Koh Tao, Suratthani 84280
kohtao.experience
2012 The Experience
When: 30. Dec 2011 - 2. Jan 2012
Where: Koh Tao
The fourth chapter of the Experience Festival on the breath-taking island of Koh Tao. An event specifically designed to awaken your senses and send you dancing into the new year with a smile on your face and peace in your heart. A line up of artists, dj's and vj's from around the planet will be delivering a treasure-chest of sights and sounds that have never been Experienced before and which will electrify your mind.  
Weather and Climate
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao enjoys the tropical climate. The temperature is quite steady throughout the year. Tourists are ensured to have the sunshine all year long. As the rest of Thailand, it has 3 seasons; summer, rainy season and dry season.

Plan ahead with information provided so you can enjoy the best what it has to offer. In this section, temperature, amount of the rainfall of each month and the best time to visit are shown to help you plan the best time to visit the island including actual time, temperature, sunrise and sunset time.
Getting There
Getting to Koh Tao can be reached from different points by boat and by air through the nearby airport in Koh Samui as well as by boat from the mainland and Koh Phangan. If you prefer travelling by train, there are train services from Bangkok’s Hualamphong to Surat Thani then the road and boat transfers are required.

Information on the bus services and timetables, day and night boat arrival and departure timetables from different destinations, different companies as well as transport on the island is provided in this section.
Attractions
With a wealth of pristine natural resources both underwater and on the land, Koh Tao becomes a popular destination amongst divers and nature lovers. It boasts an array of places of interest where you can pass your time amidst the exquisite nature. Apart from the clean white sand beaches that allure visitors to unwind on lazy days, Koh Tao residents nowadays earn from tourism industry but in the past, it was a fishing community. There is a still a trace which can be seen in local villages as well as in a museum located on the island. Around the island, there are as well places to explore such as Koh Nang Yuan and other small islands.

This section provides information on places of interest where you can appreciate its origin.
Activities
Once on Koh Tao, it is be a good opportunity to explore its clear blue sea. Diving is a top activity here. Snorkeling and scuba trips can be arranged at hotels and resorts as well as dive agencies located throughout. The island is also a home to other watersports such as kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and many more. Speedboat charter is also available at many tour agencies as well as island tours. Yet, a wide range of dry sports calls all to experience the fun such as bowling, mini golf, paintball, new exciting sports, sumo tube and flying trapeze. As being close to the nature, health programmes run by health centres and spas can rejuvenate you body and soul. Escape to the island’s jungle for a day can add more fun to your holiday.

This section features what and where you can find activities to keep your holiday relaxing as well as fun.
Beaches & Islands
One may have their own ideal beach; white sandy beach or golden sand with the coconut shade or different rock formations. Beaches on Koh Tao spread along the west, the east coast and a few in the south. A great combination of various ambiences, Koh Tao is where you can find white sand beaches with tranquil surroundings or a tad livelier beaches with complete facilities. Some of the beaches have only a few resorts, ideal for those who seek peace and soothing atmosphere. Shops, supermarkets, tour agencies and services concentrate on the 3 biggest beaches.

Find out information and description on each beach on Koh Tao to help you find your favourite spot or where to go shopping, nightlife, fun activities, watching the sunset, visiting viewpoint or a spot for striking a pose!
Nang Yuan Island
This is a picture perfect where you often see on the postcard, a sand dune that connects 3 islets together is called Koh Nang Yuan. It is situated in the northwest of Koh Tao. It is where you can enjoy the picturesque views and relax. It has only one resort providing accommodation to suit different budgets. It is a spot where you can unwind and enjoy all of your senses, the sight of the blue sea and white sand beach, the sound of the waves lapping the shore, the smell of the ocean, sipping a cold beer or tropical cocktail on the beach and the touch of the sea breezes.

Information on the island, how to get there, activities, dive sites and accommodations is provided in this section.
Diving around Koh Tao
Koh Tao is internationally known as a great spot for diving. With prolific coral reefs and aquatic animals, you will find yourself in a slice of heaven. Once you arrive the island, the opportunity to experience the blue world is just at a stone throw. Don’t miss a chance to see colourful fish swimming around the stunning waterscape. You may be lucky to see Black Tip Reef shark, Whale sharks, Hawksbill Turtle, White Eyed Moray, Manta Rays and many others. There are a plenty of scuba diving agencies providing full services from the boat transfer to the dive. Novices do not need to worry, Koh Tao has many diving centres where beginners level can learn from scratch at a professional operator such as PADI, NAUI, SSI. If scuba is not your thing, snorkeling trips can be arranged easily throughout. Check out information on the diving spots of Koh Tao and the surrounding areas, see what you can expect to see at each spot and list of diving agencies with location and contacts.
Nightlife in Koh Tao
Nightlife on Koh Tao, without a doubt, happens on right on the beach or on the mountain. After the day of soaking up the sun, sip some cocktails in a quiet corner, listening to waves lapping the shore and having a chat with friends or if you want to get wild in a party, Koh Tao has all to offer. Bars, pubs and clubs on the island offer a good variety of a nightout. Some feature theme party, monthly party, pool party, salsa party, live sports on screen, comedy nights, beer garden, dancefloor, cabaret show and some places will let you can also show off your pool skills.

List of interesting pubs, bars and clubs in this section will give you an idea what to do and where to go and have fun at night.
Time in Koh Tao is 03:21 (GMT+7)