Also known as Turtle Island, Koh Tao is world famous for being home to the largest and best scuba diving centre in south-east Asia. It’s part of the Samui archipelago and is the destination of choice for many travellers who wish to take their first scuba dive here. Only Australia awards more beginner dive certifications than Koh Tao.
While it is true that scuba diving is Turtle Island’s main attraction, we should also mention that its beaches are truly spectacular. It has a hippy vibe, as here nature wins out over glitz and glamour. Its infrastructure is basic and many stretches of the coast are only accessible by boat or a 4×4.
Essentially, the services on this island are aimed at deep-sea lovers, who are lured here by its spectacular coral reefs and its great variety of tropical fish: reef sharks, whale sharks, groupers, cobia, nudibranchs, rays, turtles, etc. That said, there are many things to do and see on Koh Tao.
- History and context of Koh Tao
- Best beaches on Koh Tao
- Diving on Koh Tao
- How to get to Koh Tao
- Recommendations for your visit
- Where to eat on Koh Tao
- Hotels in Thailand
History and context of Koh Tao
Koh Tao is regarded as the little sister of two other islands in the Gulf of Thailand: Koh Samui and Koh Phangang. It covers just over 21 square kilometres and is home to around 4,000 people. Koh Tao means “turtle island” in English, as there are many species of turtles, and the island is shaped like a turtle when viewed from above.
The island, whose first settlement was Malayo-Polynesian, has always been known to European cartographers as “Pulo Bardia” and was not inhabited until 1943. It served only as a refuge for fishermen and as a prison for political prisoners. Its first inhabitants made a simple living from fishing and from coconut, rice, vegetable and fruit plantations. At that time, there were so many turtles that at certain times of the year, the beach turned black because of the colour of the turtles’ shells.
Since the 1980s, the fishermen and farmers have given way to the more than 750,000 tourists who arrive throughout the year and who have plenty to do in this natural paradise.
Best beaches on Koh Tao
Tanote Bay, also known as Ao Tanot Bay, is a beautiful beach and ideally suited for a first dive. It has several restaurants and isn’t overly crowded.
Ao Leuk is a beautiful sandy cove with coral reefs. It’s ideal for snorkelling and diving with children, but you have to pay a small entrance fee for the amenities on offer, such as parking, cold drinks and sun loungers.
Sai Nuan is a beach separated by a large rocky promontory and can be accessed by a path from Mae Haad. It’s a place where nature takes centre stage and where you can see turtles, batfish and unicorn fish if you snorkel or scuba dive.
Another interesting place is Hin Wong Bay, where the coral reef is home to many types of fish and sea anemones. The coastline of Hin Wong Bay is quite rocky, which is why many travellers opt for kayaking rather than walking.
Diving on Koh Tao
Koh Tao is an island designed to make divers’ dreams come true. There are many diving centres scattered around the island. In addition to them, there are plenty of specialty shops where you can buy the equipment you need for your dives. If you’re a diving instructor and can provide proof of this, you’ll get discounts in some shops. You won’t be short of anything here if you have a passion for the deep sea.
Koh Tao’s dive hub is split between Sairee Beach and Chalok, two of the island’s liveliest areas. Almost all the diving centres have their boats ready in the harbour, from where they depart for the dives. At Chalok, some centres have speedboats that transport divers to the larger boats.
How to get to Koh Tao
Koh Tao is located in the Gulf of Thailand, around 70 kilometres from the city of Chumphon. Its province is Surat Thani. How can I get to Koh Tao? From Bangkok it is quite easy to get to Turtle Island. You can take a bus to Chumphon and board one of the ferries to Koh Tao. You can also fly to the island of Koh Samui and take a ferry there, but this option is much more expensive.
Recommendations for your visit
The island of Koh Tao is safe but be careful when driving, as locals often break the traffic rules, especially motorcyclists. There are banks and ATMs on the island where you can withdraw cash. You can usually pay for most things by card, but some places ask for cash. There are health centres and pharmacies that can provide basic health services. If you scuba dive, we recommend that you take out diving accident insurance and dive safely and within the established limits.
Where to eat on Koh Tao
On Koh Tao there are plenty of dining options to suit your gastronomic and financial needs. There is European and Asian food. Local establishments are the cheapest, but there are also gourmet restaurants with higher prices. You’ll find 7-Eleven supermarkets everywhere, where you can buy all kinds of fast food, beer and soft drinks. And that’s not to mention the street food stalls. The further you get away from the tourist areas, such as Sairee Beach, the cheaper everything will be.
