Koh Tao hotels and guide to Ko Tao & Koh Nang Yuan, Thailand. By Sawadee.com

Thailand destinations: Bangkok, Chumphon, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, ...

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A Guide to Koh Tao
Koh Tao, or Turtle Island, is a divers paradise just a 2 hour boat ride north of Koh Samui and the best dive site in the Golf of Thailand. Beautiful bays with tropical resorts and crystal clear water surround the island and it is only a step from your hotel room to the colorful underwater world. There are plenty of diving schools to refresh your skills or you can take a longtail boat to magical Koh Nang Yuan for a day of snorkeling. After sunset enjoy a delicious seafood dinner, have a drink in one of the bars and clubs at the beach and go shopping for some souvenirs.

WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY ?

Mae Haad Bay: 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'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: 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: South-west coast, best reached by foot or long tail, two simple, small resorts, a real getaway.

Cape Jeda Gang: South-west coast, taxi boat recommended, one resort, simple huts & solid bungalows. Can't get it more private.

Chalok Baan Kao: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 (Laem Thian): 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: North-east coast, abundant coral reefs in a natural pool, four small hillside resorts and one diving school.

Mango Bay: 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: 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.

List of Koh Tao hotels

POPULAR HOTELS IN KOHTAO
Black Tip Dive Resort from THB 400 Koh Tao, Ao Tanote Koh Phangan, Suratthani 84280	Sensi Paradise Beach Resort from THB 1800 Koh Tao, Mae Haad Suratthani 84280	Laem Thian Resort from THB 300 Koh Tao, Laem Thian Suratthani
Chintakiri Resort from THB 2400 Koh Tao, Chalok Baan Kao Koh Tao, Suratthani 84280	Blue Diamond Dive Resort from THB 1600 Koh Tao, Mae Haad Koh Tao, Suratthani 84280	The Rocks Luxury Villas from THB 5800 Koh Tao, Sairee Village Suratthani 84360

Getting there Attractions Nightlife Shopping

Subject to weather conditions, there are daily boats connecting to Koh Tao from Chumphon, Surat Thani, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan

● Train/Bus/Boat Combinations:
From Bangkok you can catch a train or bus to Chumphon and board a boat to the island. Coming from the south you stop at Surat Thani and proceed by boat directly to Koh Tao or via Koh Samui and/or Koh Phangan.

Ferry Schedules

Apart from the underwater world there are only a few attractions on the island. You can visit the small, but interesting, Fishery Museum, the Fishery Conservation Unit, Koh Nang Yuan or pay a visit to Sairee View which dispalays a gigantic whale sceleton and while there proceed to the diamond caves nearby. And don't forget to go uphill and enjoy stunning panoramic view.

After sunset the island becomes rather energetic and there is a party somewhere every night. There are bars and dance spots right on the beach and on mountain tops, cocktail lounges and pubs with pool tables and live music and a turtle style bowling and mini golf invites day and night.

From scuba dive & snorkel equipment , stylish & unique beach wear to brand products for bargain prices you can find everything on the island. Small shops offer souvenirs made from ceramic, coconut, shells or bamboo and unique jewelry made from silver, leather and precious stones. Just look around and you are sure to find something