Things to Do in Koh Tao: Our Top 7 Highlights & Travel Tips

Facts About Koh Tao

Koh Tao is one of our top 3 most beautiful islands in Thailand. It’s located in the southeastern part of the country in the Gulf of Thailand.

The neighboring islands are Koh Phangan (known for the Full Moon Party) and Koh Samui (probably Thailand’s most popular vacation island).

Koh Tao may be the smallest of the three islands, but it offers big adventures. The island has made a name for itself above all for its stunning dive sites and relatively affordable dive courses.

But the nature and beaches on the island itself are breathtakingly beautiful too. On top of that, Koh Tao hosts what is said to be Asia’s largest pub crawl several times a week.

Don’t worry if partying isn’t your thing, though. Koh Tao is great for solo travelers and backpackers, but there are also plenty of quiet corners where couples and families feel just as at home.

The Top 7 Highlights of Koh Tao on a Map

Koh Tao doesn’t have classic sightseeing attractions. For us, the highlights on Koh Tao are the beaches and cool viewpoints — cultural highlights are unfortunately hard to come by here.

So you know exactly where our 7 highlights on Koh Tao are located, we’ve marked them on the map for you.

Number 8 is the island of Koh Nang Yuan, one of the coolest day trip destinations from Koh Tao.

The Most Beautiful Beaches on Koh Tao

Let’s start with the beaches on Koh Tao — they’re mostly tropical yet remarkably varied. And the best part: they’re almost never overcrowded.

Here are the five most beautiful beaches on Koh Tao, in our opinion.

Sairee Beach

What you need to know: Sairee Beach is Koh Tao’s main beach — and at 1.7 kilometers, it’s the longest. The sand is incredibly fine and the beach slopes gently into the water, making it perfect for swimming. The tourist center of Koh Tao runs along Sairee Beach, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops.

Is it worth it? Sairee Beach is our favorite beach on Koh Tao! It’s lively but never too hectic. Our highlight: watching the sunset here every evening — with a delicious cocktail, of course. Since the pub crawl takes place in the alleyways behind the beach, you’ll find lots of backpackers around.

Our tip: Sairee Beach is our favorite area to stay on Koh Tao. You’ll also find plenty of accommodations where you won’t hear the parties at night.

Chalok Baan Kao Bay

What you need to know: Chalok Baan Kao Bay (often simply called Chalok Bay) is probably one of the most charming and laid-back bays on Koh Tao. The near-white sand is soft and the water is wonderfully calm. Right along the beach you’ll find plenty of small beach bars, restaurants, and shops.

Is it worth it? This beach is ideal for a relaxed beach day away from the younger crowd. You can swim here or rent a kayak and soak in the view of the bay. Really cool: on a clear day, you can see all the way to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Ang Thong Marine Park from the bay.

Shark Bay

What you need to know: Right next to Chalok Bay is Shark Bay (or Haad Tien). It’s a gorgeous, crescent-shaped bay on Koh Tao, best known for snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks — hence the name Shark Bay.

Is it worth it? Yes, we absolutely love Shark Bay! The sand is white and the water is turquoise blue. You can snorkel here on your own very easily, because there are tons of colorful fish and corals. Unfortunately, some of the corals are already badly damaged. Still totally worth a visit!

Our tip: Especially in the morning, you have a good chance of spotting small blacktip reef sharks. They’re harmless to humans.

Good to know: The easiest way to access the bay is through the Haad Tien Beach Resort or OK2 Bungalow Resort. A small entry fee (around 100 Baht) is sometimes charged if you’re not staying there.

Freedom Beach

What you need to know: On the way to the John Suwan Viewpoint (our sight number 06), you’ll pass by Freedom Beach. Here you’ll find a small, white sandy beach with plenty of shade. You do have to pay a 50 Baht entry fee, but that also covers the viewpoint and includes the use of sun loungers.

Is it worth it? Freedom Beach is the perfect stop after coming down from the John Suwan Viewpoint. You can cool off and truly relax here for an hour or two. There’s also a small beach bar. We wouldn’t necessarily eat here, but it’s great for a drink.

Our tip: You can easily combine Chalok Bay, Shark Bay, Freedom Beach, and the John Suwan Viewpoint in a single outing, since all four spots on Koh Tao are very close to each other.

Mango Bay

What you need to know: Tucked away from all the other top beaches on Koh Tao is the beautiful Mango Bay. The highlight is the crystal-clear water and a great fringing reef that you reach just one to two meters after entering the water — a perfect snorkeling spot. Baby sharks sometimes swim along the reef too.

Is it worth it? Are you in the mood for a quiet, secluded beach where you can snorkel at your own pace? Then Mango Bay is perfect for you. Getting there by scooter can be quite an adventure and even a little dangerous, so we recommend a taxi boat instead.

Getting there by scooter: From the main road to the scooter parking area, an unpaved, steep path leads through the jungle. From the parking area, a trail with many steps leads down to the sea. There you have to pay a 100 Baht entry fee. To reach the beach itself, you’ll need to climb over some rocks.

Getting there by taxi boat: From Mae Haad Pier or Sairee Beach, you can take a taxi boat — usually shared with other tourists. The driver will drop you off and pick you up again at an agreed time. You won’t have to pay the bay entry fee.

The Coolest Viewpoints on Koh Tao

Besides the beaches on Koh Tao, there are two viewpoints in particular that you absolutely should check out during your visit to the island. Here are our two favorite vantage points on Koh Tao.

John Suwan Viewpoint

What you need to know: From the John Suwan Viewpoint, you get a sweeping 360-degree panorama of Chalok Bay, Shark Bay, and the entire interior of Koh Tao. From the small parking area, follow the well-marked trail uphill for about 15 minutes. Entry costs 50 Baht (combined with Freedom Beach).

Is it worth it? The John Suwan Viewpoint is an absolute must-do on Koh Tao and the view is stunning. Just be careful on the way up — the path is steep and rocky in some spots, and you’ll need to climb over rocks and pull yourself up with ropes. It’s totally doable, though.

Our tip: Arrive before 10 AM if you want to have the place mostly to yourself. And make sure to wear sturdy shoes.

Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint

What you need to know: The Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint is truly spectacular and probably one of the most iconic photo spots associated with Koh Tao. Technically, though, the viewpoint isn’t on Koh Tao itself — it’s on the neighboring island of Koh Nang Yuan.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The viewpoint is one of the top things to do on Koh Tao and really shouldn’t be skipped on any visit. The roughly 10-minute climb is strenuous, but it’s worth every step. Important: come as early as possible, otherwise you’ll be waiting in a long line.

Our tip: You’re best off making a full day trip to Koh Nang Yuan — we’ll tell you how to plan that under the day trips section. Make sure to bring bug spray, there are tons of mosquitoes up top!

The Top Activity on Koh Tao: Diving

What to expect: Around Koh Tao you’ll find the best and most popular dive sites of your Thailand trip — if not in all of Southeast Asia. Diving highlights include wrecks, corals, rock formations, and colorful schools of fish. Koh Tao is also considered one of the most affordable places to take a dive course or get your dive certification.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! Our one-day beginner dive course was genuinely one of the coolest activities in all of Thailand. What’s great about Koh Tao: you don’t just stay in a pool — you dive in the open ocean on the very first day. We went straight down 9 meters and discovered an incredible number of marine creatures.

Activity location: Many spots are reachable directly from Koh Tao by boat in just 10 to 30 minutes.

Good to know: Koh Tao has more than 50 certified dive schools. You can book courses both online and on-site.

1-Day Beginner Dive Course

More Cool Activities on Koh Tao

Not interested in diving on Koh Tao, have extra time, or just want to know what else you can do on Koh Tao?

Here are two more activities on Koh Tao that we personally think are really great!

Snorkeling on Koh Tao

What to expect: A great alternative or complement to diving on Koh Tao is snorkeling. Many beautiful reefs are super close to the beach, while others are best explored on a snorkeling tour. There’s plenty to discover: parrotfish, clownfish, pufferfish, anemones, reef sharks, and sometimes sea turtles.

Is it worth it? Yes! Snorkeling is more relaxed than diving for many people, and on Koh Tao you often have really great visibility from the surface. You can head out on your own or join a snorkeling tour that takes you to the best spots. That’s our recommendation, since the tours are super affordable on Koh Tao.

Cool snorkeling spots on Koh Tao:

• Shark Bay
• Ao Leuk
• Tanote Bay
• Mango Bay
• Koh Nang Yuan
• Hing Wong Bay

Full-Day Snorkeling Tour Around Koh Tao with Lunch

Pub Crawl on Koh Tao

What to expect: The Koh Tao Pub Crawl is one of the biggest and most well-known pub crawls in all of Southeast Asia. On a good night, up to 200 people join in. During this organized party evening, you make your way through bars, pubs, and clubs on Koh Tao. There are games, free shots, cheap drinks, and loud music.

Is it worth it? Do you like to party anyway? Then you definitely shouldn’t miss the pub crawl. We went twice and had an absolute blast! We met great people and danced all night. Just keep in mind that the pub crawl attracts mainly young backpackers.

Activity location: It starts at 7 PM at Chopper’s Sports Bar in Sairee Beach. You need to sign up for the pub crawl there by 6 PM.

Good to know: The pub crawl generally takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The price is around 15 euros, which gets you a pub crawl tank top (we love it), a bucket cocktail, a shot at every bar, free entry to clubs, plus games, music, and fire shows.

Top Day Trips from Koh Tao

Some of the top things to do on Koh Tao are best discovered on a guided day trip.

Especially for places that require a longtail boat ride, it’s sometimes more convenient to just book a tour. Here are two great day trips from Koh Tao.

Day Trip to Koh Nang Yuan

What to expect: Koh Nang Yuan consists of three small islands connected by two sandbars. The highlight here is definitely the viewpoint we already told you about above. But you can also snorkel here or simply relax on the beach.

Is it worth it? The viewpoint alone makes the trip to Koh Nang Yuan worthwhile. But the beaches are also really beautiful and, above all, peaceful — there’s no traffic. You can head there on your own by longtail boat from Sairee Beach (about a 15-minute ride) or join a guided tour.

Good to know: The longtail boat ride for the round trip shouldn’t cost more than 200 to 300 Baht (roughly 5 to 8 dollars). You’ll also need to pay a 250 Baht (around $6.50) national park fee for the island (even on a tour).

Our tip: Especially during high season, it can get crowded. It makes sense to arrive early.

Snorkeling Trip to Koh Nang Yuan Island and More Spots

Private Sightseeing Tour of Koh Tao

What to expect: On this private sightseeing tour, your guide takes you to eight beautiful spots on Koh Tao. Among other things, you’ll visit the John Suwan Viewpoint and Freedom Beach, but you’ll also discover lesser-known sights on Koh Tao — especially viewpoints that even we don’t have on our list.

Is it worth it? This tour focuses especially on cool vantage points on Koh Tao. If you’re keen to discover off-the-beaten-path lookout spots and want interesting insights from a guide, the private tour is perfect for you. The price is for up to four people, by the way. Lunch is included.

Private Sightseeing Tour to Cool Viewpoints on Koh Tao

Hotel Tips for Koh Tao

Koh Tao has a manageable but solid selection of accommodations for every budget. For a nice mid-range hotel or bungalow, you should budget 50 to 80 euros per night.

That makes accommodation prices on Koh Tao lower than hotels on Koh Samui, but higher than places to stay on Koh Phangan.

If it’s your first time on Koh Tao, we recommend staying at Sairee Beach. This is where you’ll find the tourist center, the longest beach, and the popular nightlife.

Our top hotel pick is the stylish Cactus Boutique. It’s centrally located on the beach and the rooms are modern and thoughtfully designed. You won’t hear the parties at night from here.

Not in the mood for parties at all and want complete peace and quiet — but still with some tourist amenities? Then you should book a hotel in Chalok Baan Kao Bay.

Our hotel recommendation there is the View Point Resort. Here you stay in truly gorgeous bungalows with a dream view of the ocean.

Three more places to stay:
Palm Leaf Resort: Cozy bungalows in an Asian style at Sairee Beach, slightly away from the action.

Assava Dive Resort: A more budget-friendly option in Chalok Baan with a private beach and its own dive school.

Blue Wave House: Great value for money in the main town of Mae Haad, close to the ferry pier.
Detailed descriptions of the best areas and more hotel tips can be found in our separate Koh Tao hotel tips article.

Getting to and Getting Around Koh Tao

Getting to Koh Tao

You can only reach Koh Tao by ferry. The best departure points are Koh Samui, Surat Thani, or Koh Phangan (though you can only get there by ferry as well).

Koh Samui and Surat Thani each have a small airport. So before continuing on to Koh Tao, you’ll need to fly first.

This makes the most sense if you were previously in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, or on Phuket (or the surrounding areas, like Khao Lak or Koh Phi Phi).

From Koh Samui you’ll get there fastest, though the flights tend to be more expensive. Flights to Surat Thani are generally much cheaper, but the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Tao takes longer.

#1 From Koh Samui to Koh Tao

Once you’ve arrived by plane on Koh Samui, you can take a taxi straight to the ferry pier.

Important: Koh Samui has 6 ferry piers! Ferries to Koh Tao depart from Lomprayah Bangrak Pier, Maenam Pier, and Nathon Pier. Lomprayah Bangrak Pier is closest to the airport.

The fastest way from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is by speedboat, which takes only 1.5 hours. Other ferries can take up to three hours.

We always buy our ferry tickets in Thailand in advance online through 12Go.

If your flight arrives late on Koh Samui, you can spend a night there too. We stayed at the SK Hometel Samui Airport. The accommodation is located right between the airport and the ferry pier and is great value for money.

For a nicer option, look right on Maenam Beach, where there’s also a ferry pier. Our hotel tip: Coco Palm Beach Resort.

More hotel tips for Koh Samui

#2 From Surat Thani to Koh Tao

Once you’ve arrived at the airport in Surat Thani, you’ll also need to take a taxi to the ferry pier, which is about 35 kilometers from the airport. You should allow at least 40 minutes for the journey.

The ferry pier is called Lomprayah Tapi Pier, and most ferries from here go directly to Koh Tao (ferries to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui depart from elsewhere).

On 12Go you can book the minivan ride from the airport to the pier and the ferry ticket as a combined ticket, so you don’t have to worry about two separate bookings.

Buy a Combined Ticket on 12Go

If you land late in Surat Thani, you can alternatively spend a night in the city — though there isn’t much to see. We did it once because no more ferries were running. Our hotel tip: Baanthana Boutique Hotel

In that case, you’ll need to book two separate tickets: one for the minivan from the airport to the city, and one from the city to Koh Tao (a van to the pier, then the ferry).

Getting Around Koh Tao

On Koh Tao there are three ways to get from A to B: scooters, shared taxis, or taxi boats.

You’ll mainly need these to get around and see the sights on Koh Tao. If your accommodation is at Sairee Beach, for example, you can easily reach restaurants and shops on foot.

#1 Riding a Scooter on Koh Tao

We recommend renting a scooter for sightseeing on your own — at least for all the spots on Koh Tao except Mango Bay.

You’ll find scooter rentals on every corner or at many accommodations. Scooters cost between 300 and 400 Baht per day (roughly $8.50 to $11.50).

With a scooter you’re independent and it’s the fastest and cheapest way to get around. The main roads are in good condition, but there are also many gravel and dirt roads.

The roads on Koh Tao are also steeper than on Koh Phangan, for example. So you should only rent a scooter if you have riding experience and feel confident.

Important: Most rental places don’t ask for an international driver’s license or any license at all. Legally, however, you need at least an international driver’s license. If you’re stopped by the police without one, you’ll have to pay a fine. But usually there are no further consequences.

#2 Shared Taxis on Koh Tao

If you don’t want to rent a scooter on Koh Tao, you can use shared taxis, known as songthaews. These are minibuses with open flatbeds.

The shared taxis operate on flexible routes, meaning there’s no fixed schedule. The taxis will take you to almost any accessible spot on the island on request — as long as the road is passable.

If other people are heading in the same direction, you’ll ride together (shared taxi). If not, the driver will take just you — though that can be more expensive (essentially a private ride).

Most shared taxis are stationed at piers, beaches, and accommodations. Prices vary by distance, but a ride usually costs between 2.50 and 5 euros.

For the return trip, you can arrange it with your driver. Usually they can pick you up again at a specific time. Popular spots often have taxis waiting, or the bars and restaurants can call one for you.

#3 Taxi Boats on Koh Tao

Taxi boats are small longtail boats with a driver that take you to specific beaches, dive sites, or snorkeling spots — or simply ferry you around the island.

The boats on Koh Tao are especially useful when you want to reach secluded bays or beaches that are hard to access by scooter.

Most taxi boats operate during the day between 8 AM and 5 PM. There’s no official schedule, though. You just show up and talk to a boat driver directly.

You’ll find plenty of taxi boats especially at Sairee Beach, Mae Haad Pier, or in Chalok Baan Kao Bay. Your accommodation can usually arrange one for you too.

For the return trip, you should agree in advance on when you want to be picked up, or just exchange WhatsApp numbers.

A one-way trip to a beach (such as Mango Bay) shouldn’t cost more than 200 to 400 Baht (5 to 10 dollars) per person. Prices also vary by distance, and you can negotiate a bit.

More Practical Tips for Koh Tao

To make your time on the island perfect, here are three more travel tips for Koh Tao.

#1 How Many Days Should You Plan for Koh Tao?

For a first impression and to see the most important things to do on Koh Tao, we recommend staying for at least two full days.

In that time you can have a great sightseeing day and take a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan.

If you also want to do a beginner dive course, a snorkeling trip, or have time to relax on the beach, we’d suggest staying closer to three to five days on Koh Tao.

A full Open Water dive course to get your certification takes three to four days.

#2 When Is the Best Time to Visit Koh Tao?

The best time to visit Koh Tao is from mid-January through April. During these months you’ll have the best weather with lots of sunshine, little rain, and temperatures between 73 and 86°F.

These months are also the best time to visit all of Thailand, but it’s also peak season.

Another good time to visit the islands in the Gulf of Thailand is July through September. Despite being the rainy season, it hardly rains and it stays warm.

A road trip through Thailand can also make sense during this time, as there are significantly fewer tourists not only on the islands but also at the sights in Bangkok and in Khao Sok National Park.

If your focus is on diving, the best time to visit Koh Tao is from March to May and from September to October. These months offer the best conditions with calm seas and good visibility.

You should definitely avoid the months of November through early January. During this time it can rain quite a lot on Koh Tao.

#3 Costs: Is Koh Tao Expensive?

Compared to other islands in Thailand, Koh Tao is relatively affordable, but not quite as cheap as the mainland. It largely depends on where you stay and whether you want to go diving.

Here are some sample prices:

Accommodation prices on Koh Tao (per night)

• Budget accommodation: 20 to 40 euros
• Mid-range hotel: 50 to 80 euros
• Ocean-view resort: from 100 euros

Food prices on Koh Tao

• Local dish (e.g. Pad Thai): approx. 2.50 euros
• Western dish: approx. 7 euros
• Fresh smoothie or coffee: approx. 2 euros
• Cocktail at a beach bar: approx. 5 euros

Activity prices on Koh Tao

• One-day dive course: from 70 euros
• Snorkeling trip: from 20 euros
• 1-hour Thai massage: approx. 10 euros
• Scooter rental: approx. 10 euros per day

More general travel tips for Thailand

Frequently Asked Questions About Koh Tao