All you need to know about Koh Tao island!

A satellite photo of Koh Tao island. Notice how little of the island is developed!

Koh Tao is a small island situated 70km out in to the Gulf of Thailand . Part of the Samui Archipelago, Koh Tao has a big reputation for diving and diver training.

Koh Tao island is developing but still retains an island charm. The balance is just about right - we have a great variety of resorts to fit every budget, plus fine cuisine from all over the world (especially fantastic Thai food). The West coast of Koh Tao has become the main touristic area, but buildings remain low level, mostly hidden amongst the palm trees that line the beaches. The East coast of Koh Tao is still undeveloped, largely due to the line of mountains that run down the centre of the island.

Off the north west coast we have small three islands joined by a sand bar (Koh Nangyuan Island), plus the stunning Ang Tong Marine Park three hours south west of Koh Tao island.

On this page we cover a brief history of Koh Tao Thailand, the easiest ways to get here, where our DJL diving facilities are located and the best areas to stay. We also recommend great restaurants to eat in, plus the best Koh Tao bars to enjoy during the evenings. We'll tell you about what there is to do if you're not into scuba diving and discuss the best times of year to visit Koh Tao island.

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Neighbouring Nangyuan Island

Originally Koh Tao's isolated location meant that it was used as a Thai prison many years ago!

After the prison closed, fisherman started to use Koh Tao island as a refuge, and eventually began settling on Koh Tao, claiming tracts of the tropical terrain as their own.

It has only been recently that tourism has been introduced to Koh Tao. A little over twenty years ago the first intrepid travelers made it onto the island, and were met by a stunning scenery of clear blue sees, beautiful beaches lining dense jungle, amazing rock formations and incredible corals reefs. As a result the island's reputation has quickly grown, especially due to the fantastic scuba reefs and great diversity of dive marine life that Koh Tao island offers.

We now have very good ferries serving the island both from Koh Samui to the south, and Chumphon to the north west . As a result we have gradually seen an increase in the numbers of visitors coming to Koh Tao, Thailand.

Koh Tao island still retains a rustic island charm unlike some of Thailand's more developed islands. Building has been restricted so the island is still a very special destination.

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Tim works to tow the shot line towards the superstructure of a new wreck

Most people enter Thailand by flying into Bangkok . From Bangkok there are three main options for getting down to Koh Tao island.

•  The fastest but most expensive route: Fly to Samui.

You can pickup flights from Bangkok direct down to Koh Samui for just a few thousand baht. From Samui take one of the high speed ferries across to Koh Tao island (Lomprayah Catamaran or Seatran) - these cost about 550 baht per person and take about an hour and a half.

If you shop around you may even be able to get a flight direct from your country of origin to Samui, cutting out the Bangkok bit.

•  The compromise : Train to Chumphon

Thailand has a great rail service. From the airport you need to get a meter taxi to the main Hualamphong train station in town (costing about 200 baht). From there you can catch a very comfortable overnight train down to Chumphon. You can get a bed in an air conditioned cabin for under 1000 baht, waking up fresh at your destination in the morning! From Chumphon you take a high speed ferry to Koh Tao island the same mornining. This will take about an hour and a half and costing about 500 baht.

This is my preferred way to travel.

•  The budget route : Bus from Bangkok

Even this isn't too bad. From the airport get a meter taxi to Khao San Road (about 200 baht). At Khao San Road you can book a combined bus and boat ticket direct to Koh Tao. This will be an overnight bus ride to Chumphon, then boat the rest of the way and should cost less than 1000 baht all in.

Look out - there are a few 'sharks' around the Khao San area, out for the naïve tourist. My advice would be to go into one of the official looking travel agents and book with your ticket with them. Go for the Lomprayah or Seatran services, you should be able to book one of these in most agents. These are fast, comfortable services and usually show DVDs on the way down. You don't want to end up getting crammed on a mini bus or 'local' service.

White beaches, palm trees and amazing corals reefs.

The main strip in Mae Haad.

There are several different areas where you can stay on Koh Tao island. To see details of specific resorts visit our where to stay section. DJL has offices in Sairee Beach and Mae Haad (see facilities). We have a taxi pickup service available to take you all over Koh Tao island.

Here is a summary of each area:

Sairee Beach (Koh Tao island's longest beach, lining the West coast).

In my opinion Sairee Beach is the best place to stay on Koh Tao, Thailand. There is a great mix of restaurants, bars and shops within short walking distance wherever you stay. You can also get whatever style of accommodation you want, from budget Koh Tao bungalows in the village, right through to luxury Ko Tao resorts at the north end.

Mae Haad

Mae Haad is the biggest settlement on Koh Tao, Thailand. It has many shops and restaurants, plus the main piers are located here. A mix of accommodation is available to fit every budget.

Chalok Ban Khao (Southern bay of Koh Tao ).

Chalok Ban Khao has a reasonable beach, but buildings along it's entire length. Shark Bay is much nicer within short walking distance. Again, you can get pretty much whatever you want to eat here, and there is a wide range of Ko Tao resorts.

Eastern Bays (Tanote Bay , Aow Leuk and Hin Wong Bay ).

Nice beaches, pleasant resorts and great snorkeling, the East side of Koh Tao Thailand has much less development than the west coast, and is much quieter. The problem is that the mountains mean each of these bays is very isolated. You would struggle to walk between each of these bays, without first returning to the west coast and taking a different road back over the mountain. There are several small resorts on Koh Tao's eastern coast.

If you like being isolated, go for it. Otherwise just take a taxi over one afternoon and enjoy the beaches.

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Turtle island

Koh Tao island has so many good restaurants, I can’t possibly describe them all! I’ll stick to the areas where our two DJL facilities are located.

We are spoilt for choice on Koh Tao island. Here are some of my favorite places to eat:

Sairee Beach Koh Tao: All restaurants within short walking distance of DJL Sairee Beach.

Coffee Boat.
Undoubtedly the best restaurant on Koh Tao island. Plastic furniture, water served from a Tupperware jar, and an uneven wooden deck floor. Fantastic authentic Thai food for tiny amounts of money. A great original Thai eating experience.

Tong’s Thai Food
Another economical restaurant, with a slightly more western menu than that above.

New Heaven Bakery
Next door to DJL Sairee, the bakery offers tasty European pastries and sandwiches. This is a good breakfast option if you’re not into eating rice soup for breakfast.

Simple Life Restaurant.
Fantastic foot-long kebabs with slabs of steak on a skewer. One of the most satisfying meals on the island!

Sairee Hut Restaurant
Recently redeveloped and now turning out great food. Relaxed ambiance down on the beach, with a great seafood barbeque every night.

Papa’s Tapas
Exclusive restaurant with exquisite surroundings and menu. Their Swedish chefs and barman take a lot of care to produce one of the best dining experiences on Koh Tao. A little more expensive than elsewhere.

Mae Haad, Koh Tao

Zest
European style bakery for sandwiches and salads in the daytime.

Cappuccino Bakery
Next door to the above and similar selection. Tasty pastry and fresh coffee.

Yangs
Tasty dirt cheap Thai food, in a no frills surrounding.

Puks Kitchen
Another economical Thai eatery, slightly upmarket from Yangs. Good for lunchtime.

Café Del Sol
Excellent French restaurant, serving great steaks, pizzas, salads and more.

Farango
Authentic Italian cuisine – all the classic pasta and pizzas that you would expect.

El Gringo
Serves good Mexican food including tacos, fajitas and chilli. Makes a nice change.

Beautiful coral reefs surrond the island

Early in the evening check out the Dry Bar on Sairee Beach. Beautiful surroundings and nice people, with stunning sunsets. Next door, Lotus bar is also very popular later in the evening, as people are warming up for the main event.

If late night partying is your thing, you need to head to the south end of Sairee beach.

There are three big bars that take it in turns. Needless to say there is a party every night on Koh Tao.

If you walk down the beach, you would have had to have drunk many buckets of Thai whisky to not find them – they are called AC, Maya and Intouch. Just walk towards the lights. Firedancing, strong cheap liquer, unpleasant toilets etc. Good fun once in a while.

A few yachts pass by from time to time!

Incredible Ang Tong Marine Park just three hours away.

Diving certainly dominates this small island, but you're a non-diver don't worry - there is still plenty to do. Here are some ideas:

Visit one of the luxury spas where you can pamper yourself

Try Thai cooking classes

Enrol in a Yoga class

Check out the fantastic (but slightly physical) Thai Massage, or take a massage course yourself

Play paintball

Rent a motorbike, ATV or jeep to tour around the island

Relax on the beach

Head into Mae Haad to pick up some holiday souvenirs

Enjoy the great snorkeling around the island

Charter a sailing boat and visit the fantastic Ang Tong Marine Park just a few hours away.

Have a crack at wakeboarding!

If other members of your party are diving, you're welcome to come along and enjoy the trip (either snorkeling or just relaxing on the boat).

A big brain coral at Mango Bay

In Koh Tao Thailand we are lucky enough to have a twelve month scuba diving season, enjoying year round diving. This is due to our relatively sheltered location within the Gulf of Thailand .

We do suffer a mini monsoon during November and early December, so if you have a choice, don't come then!

It's hottest in March and April, and it doesn't really rain from February right through till late October. This raises one point - fresh water is a precious commodity on this small island. Sometimes water even has to be imported onto the island! If you do visit please be considerate and don't waste water.

Regarding diving, visibility is good from February right through till the end of October. We get most visitors around Easter and during the summer season. Late September and early October are a great time to visit - diving conditions are normally fantastic plus the island is much quieter than during peak season.

Hope to see you soon! DJL Diving Koh Tao.