Choose your beach
Beaches of Koh Tao island
Koh Tao is a tiny island, its territory covers a little more than 20 sq. km. The main life of the island takes place on the western and southern coasts - here are the most popular and developed beaches and settlements of the island. The eastern and northern beaches, bays and coves, many of which are a combination of sandy beaches with large stone boulders, are remote and isolated from the “main crowd”, which is why it is more calm and relaxing here (at least in the evenings).
Sairee Beach
Sairee Beach is the most famous, longest, widest and most popular beach on the island, located in the center of the west coast. This is where most hotels and beach bungalows, dive shops, restaurants and bars are located. It is crowded here during the day and evening. Beach barbecues and stunning sunsets at Sairee are a must on Koh Tao.
Sairee Beach. Photo: Nick Abbott, Flickr
Sunset on Sairee beach. Photo: Mr & Mrs Backpacker, Flickr
Mei Haad Beach
Mae Haad is adjacent to Sairee and is the infrastructure center of the island. Ferries arrive here and most of the shops and tourist offices are located here. Mei Haad is less interesting from a beach point of view, but will be of interest to those who plan to actively spend time on Koh Tao; there are a lot of different accommodations here, incl. good budget apartments and guest houses.
Mei Haad Beach. Photo: Christian Sorand, Flickr
Jansom Bay
Tiny Jansom Bay is located in the southwest of the island. The private beach at Charm Churee Village Resort is secluded and well maintained. There are several small budget hotels in the surrounding hills. Beautiful views and a wonderful underwater world are the undoubted advantages of this place.
Jansom Bay. Photo: Nathan Grant, Flickr
Chalok Baan Kao
Chalok Baan Kao is a nice, well-developed and fairly large beach in the southern part of the island, a quieter alternative to Sairee Beach. Shark Bay and Ao Leuk, which are considered the best snorkeling on the island, are located nearby and can be reached by a traditional Thai boat, of which there are a huge number on the beach.
Chalok Baan Khao Beach. Photo: Leina Sevele, Flickr
Thian Og Bay
Thiang Og Bay, better known on the island as Shark Bay, is considered one of the best places on the island for snorkeling. Here you can quite likely see small reef sharks. There are also several dive spots near the bay. The beach in the bay is absolutely idyllic and romantic, and there are several hotels nearby.
Thian Og Bay. Photo: Alasdair Milne, Flickr
Saideng Beach. Photo: Aysegul Demir Jakubowski, Flickr
Ao Leuk Bay
Ao Leuk is located in the eastern part of Koh Tao. There is a beautiful little beach with turquoise water and a fantastic underwater world. The remoteness and the presence of a very limited number of restaurants and hotels - bungalows located on the hills make this place especially attractive for a romantic vacation.
Ao Leuk Bay. Photo: Henry and Tersia Claasen, Flickr
Koh Tao is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in the south of Thailand, in the Surat Thani province, whose name literally translates as Turtle Island. The island is not big at all - about 21 square meters. kilometers, where less than one and a half thousand people live.
In 1933-1947, this island was famous for being a prison for political prisoners, and today it is known to most people as an excellent sea and diving resort, without the hustle and bustle of Ko Samui, and especially Phuket. The entire economy of the island is based on tourism. Due to its colorful underwater world, Koh Tao is considered one of the best places in Thailand for exploration and diving. There is practically no current and a large number of dive sites, schools and shops where you can purchase all the necessary equipment.
Over 100,000 people visit Koh Tao throughout the year. True, the island faces some everyday problems, for example, a lack of drinking water and the high cost of electricity. Garbage is also a problem, since the resort is less developed than other islands. However, there are plenty of bungalows and guesthouses for accommodation, as well as bars and restaurants. The administrative center of the island is Ban Mae Hat, where ferries from other islands and the mainland arrive.
Flight time:
(nearest airport on Koh Samui)
from Moscow - from 11 hours 30 minutes. (1 change)
from St. Petersburg - from 14 hours 45 minutes. (2-3 transfers)
from Kazan - from 15 hours 5 minutes. (2-3 transfers)
from Yekaterinburg - from 16 hours 15 minutes. (2-3 transfers)
from Novosibirsk - from 10 hours 20 minutes. (1-3 transfers)
Current time in Koh Tao:
(UTC +7)
The busiest seasons on Koh Tao are from December to March and July to August. This place is quite popular among Thais, so on Thai holidays there may be absolutely no vacancies there.
How to get there
The only way to get to Koh Tao is by ferries. The closest airports are on Koh Samui and Surat Thani, where there are very good connections with the main cities of the region - Bangkok, Penang, Singapore and others.
From Surat Thani
Koh Tao can be reached by ferry from the city of Surat Thani on the mainland - one ferry leaves in the morning and takes about 4 hours, but there is also an overnight ferry departing at approximately 23:00 and arriving in Koh Tao early in the morning (at approximately 6 am ). For overnight sailing, it is recommended to board early to grab your mattress.
From Koh Samui and Koh Phangan
Ferries to Koh Tao also go from the neighboring islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. These are the more popular tourist islands, so many who want to relax in a less busy place go to Koh Tao. For these purposes you need to use the company's ferries. Tickets for these boats can be purchased online. This company is generally considered one of the best in Thailand in terms of ferry transportation; their ferries are equipped with air conditioning, so in extreme heat it is not so difficult on board. Departure from Koh Samui at 8:00 and 12:30, half an hour later - stop at Koh Phangan. The company also has a good reputation, whose comfortable ferries also connect Koh Samui and Koh Tao, departing from the first island at 8:00 and 13:30 (travel time - 2 hours). Along the way, the ferry calls at Koh Phangan - at 9:30 and 14:00.
From Bangkok and Chumphon
From Bangkok you can also take the Longprayah ferries, they sail at 6:00 and 21:00, the journey time is 8 hours 45 minutes on a day trip and 12 hours 45 minutes on a night trip. Another option is Songserm trains and ferries. First, you will have to take a train to Chumphon (departure 18:20 or 19:30; arrival in Chumphon - 2:56 and 3:44), then take a ferry to Koh Tao (they are described below). You can also take the train to Surat Thani, they leave at 17:35, 18:20 and 19:30 (the last two are the same as for Chumphon) arriving in Surat Thani at 5:03, 5:30 and 6:11 am respectively. From there you can take a ferry.
From Chumphon to Koh Tao you can take ferries from several companies at once - and. Longprayah ferries depart at 7:00 and 13:00; the ticket costs 600 baht, travel time is 1:45. Songserm ferries depart at 7:00 and arrive in Koh Tao at 9:30.
At the same time, you should always carefully check the schedule - missing the right ferry or train is always unpleasant.
Finding travel companions
on BlaBlaCar
Finding travel companions on BlaBlaCar
Where do you want to go?
A couple of clicks and you can hit the road right from the door.
Among millions of fellow travelers, you can easily find those who are close to you and who are on the same path as you.
Get to your destination without transfers. When traveling with fellow travelers, you don't have to worry about queues and hours spent waiting at the station.
We cooperate with Blablacar and do not charge any commissions - the cost of the trip is absolutely the same as on the website.
Reviews by month
| January 3 February 1 | April 1 | July 2 August 1 September 2 |
Transport
The island has one main road running north to south, with secondary roads branching off from it. It connects the northern village of Sairee with Chailok, passing through the center of Mae Haad Island. Some of the minor roads lead to small mountains in the middle of the island, and they are all very muddy and easily washed away by rain. In recent years, the island has had tolerable asphalt roads leading to the main beaches and bays. However, the condition of the roads on the island is still depressing, so drivers should be as careful as possible. In addition, traffic rules are ignored everywhere, no one enforces the speed limit, and stray dogs don’t mind sleeping right on the road. By the way, the movement left-handed.
Rent
Many tourists are not averse to renting a vehicle to explore the island and its beaches. Any vehicle means either a motorcycle or a bicycle. Although you can also rent a small jeep, which will cost at least 1000 baht. Motorcycles are cheaper - from 150 baht. It is best and cheapest to rent Honda Dream and Sonic models. A bicycle ride can be very interesting - it is both cheaper and more environmentally friendly, although you should also look around when riding a two-wheeled friend, since local drivers are not particularly careful.
In the case of renting any transport, you need to take pictures of all scratches and damage in advance, so that you can then prove to the rental companies, who are not fed bread, let them cheat, that bribes from the tourist are fine, because he did not damage this bicycle, motorcycle or car in any way.
Taxi
It is also true that Koh Tao also has its own taxi. This is a motorcycle taxi service that operates from early morning until approximately 11 pm. Motorcycle taxis can be found in the main busy areas of the island or can be hailed directly on the road. There are no fixed prices, so everything should always be discussed in advance. At night, taxi drivers almost double their rates. Also, given the driving style of the locals, you should prepare for a windy ride.
On the main beaches of the island you can take a water taxi - these are boats from the Longtail company, which can take tourists to remote beaches and bays for a fee. You can rent a boat with a driver for the whole day or, for example, for a walk around the island, which will cost about 500-700 baht.
Photos of Koh Tao
What to see in Koh Tao
The island of Koh Tao is famous primarily for its underwater world, but there is also something to see on land - nature on tropical islands is always particularly beautiful. On the other hand, Koh Tao does not have any significant tourist attractions. For example, at the southern end of the village of Sairee there is a fishing museum, opposite which is the Rama V rock, which offers a beautiful view of the area. Another great viewpoint is Two View, one of the highest points on the island on the way to Tanote Bay. In the town of Chalok Baan Kao you can also enjoy beautiful views, the bay located here is especially impressive. There are several other great viewpoints around the island, such as Mount John Suwan in the south of the island, two in the center and Fraggle Rock in the north.
By and large, each bay of the island is a natural attraction, distinguished by its beauty. Koh Nang Yuan, Freedom beach, Laem Thian, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay and Tanote Bay are good places for day excursions, accessible by both land and sea. True, some roads may be in such a state that you can only drive on them by car or SUV. Certain beaches are private property, but nothing prevents you from diving in their coves. An example of an excellent dive site is Shark Bay, an excellent dive site where blacktip reef sharks live, which are not dangerous to humans.
Leisure
Things to do
Diving Koh Tao
This is perhaps the main thing why tourists come to the island. The marine landscapes in the Koh Tao area are particularly beautiful and rich in fauna - here you can see turtles, electric rays, barracudas, many small fish, reef sharks, and there is even a small chance of meeting a whale shark. Juvenile sixgill sharks are sometimes found off Chumphon Pinnacle and are not aggressive at all.
On Koh Tao, the weather for diving is almost always good (except for November), and visibility underwater can exceed 40 meters. In November, the sea becomes rippled and visibility decreases. The average visibility is 10-15 meters.
It is possible and quite comfortable to swim and dive without a diving suit throughout the year. However, as with any location, it is advisable to have a diving suit to reduce the risk of cutting or injury. Contact with coral reefs should be avoided.
For diving dummies, Koh Tao has various PADI scuba training centers offering professional courses, equipment rental, a dive boat and a certificate for a few thousand baht; insurance and accommodation may also be included in the price. Typically one lesson costs $24. By the way, Koh Tao ranks second in the world in the number of PADI certificates issued. In total, there are about 70 dive schools located here. Competition is quite high, which has a positive effect on prices. Some provide free housing during training.
Typically, training takes place first in the pool, where about 20 basic skills are taught, and then the student is ready to go out into open water. Some schools have their own pier, others go from the beach to the sea by boat. It is worth making sure in advance that the instructor speaks clearly and in a familiar language - Russian or English.
PADI Centers and Resorts
SSI Organization Centers
Other Dive Schools in Koh Tao
Dive sites in Koh Tao
Not just diving...
Over the past few years, more and more non-divers have been discovering the beauty of this island, with its secluded coves and untouched mountain ranges. Thanks to this, the number of small fashionable resorts is constantly growing, villas have appeared in the valleys, and in general there are much more entertainment on the island, including swimming, rock climbing, mountaineering, water skiing, jungle paintball, mini golf, bowling in Mae Haad, massage courses and yoga and cooking courses, ecotourism and so on.
Good Time Adventures is the premier travel company on Koh Tao with a wide range of exciting activities including: climbing lessons of various levels; guide services; diving (certified divers only) with speed boat ride; mountaineering, mountain biking, snorkeling; cruises, as well as tours of the best beer and bars on the island. A variety of custom tours and packages are available to help visitors decide how to spend their time. Climbing equipment (shoes, chalk, mats) is also available, including a free map of suitable places on the island.
Cruises around the island are day and evening sailing cruises, but private trips, safaris to Ang Thong National Marine Park and bespoke group trips are also available on the island.
Muay Thai - For those looking for some serious training, the Sairee Muay Thai Stadium offers Muay Thai wrestling courses, and if that's not enough, the convenient Monsoon Gym is located nearby.
The MV watersports company offers various types of water sports, such as catamaran riding, boating, water skiing, windsurfing and the like.
Black Tip Diving & Water Sports offers a similar range of activities: boats, surfing, snorkeling, cliff jumping, trips around the island, kayaking and so on.
Food and drink
Food
On Koh Tao, of course, tourists can try Thai cuisine, which includes an abundance of seafood dishes. Since the majority of the population is immigrants, it is easy to find many national dishes of other countries, in particular European ones.
Thai food is the cheapest. One of the most beloved local dishes is fish barbecue, which in a standard local restaurant will cost about 250 baht. A serving of rice there will cost about 60 baht. In inexpensive resort cafes you can buy fresh banana pancakes for 35 baht, and a plate of porridge with honey for 60 baht. A plate of freshly prepared Italian pasta will cost 200-300 baht, while pizza can be ordered for 160-200 baht. Everywhere on the island you can get freshly squeezed juices for about 30-40 baht.
Examples of good resort restaurants and cafes: A Taste of Home (in the east of Sairee), Bhan Thai (excellent Thai restaurant in the center of Sairee), Chineese Noodles (Chinese restaurant in Mae Haad), El Toro Restaurant (an eclectic cafe in Mae Haad with Thai, Italian and Tex-Mex dishes), Shalimar Indian Cuisine (a restaurant near Sairee Plaza with an excellent selection of Indian dishes), Tukta Thai Food (a Thai cafe in Chalok Ban Khao).
Binge
There are plenty of bars on the island where you can relax perfectly after diving and beach holidays. Many bars on the island are open 24 hours a day, so it is better to ask the school staff which bar is best to visit at night, or look at the posters yourself. Many people start the evening at the bars located on the north side of Sairee, and when those close at 1 am, they move to the clubs on the south side of Sairee, which remain open the rest of the night.
Examples of good bars in Koh Tao: FIZZ beachlounge (on Sairee beach, open until 1am), MOOV (bar in a beautiful garden right by the beach in Mae Haad), Vibe (bar on the northern beach of Sairee with fire shows and great music), Khirana (a bar with a pool in Chalok Ban Khao), Dirty Nelly's (the only Irish bar on Koh Tao in Mae Haad), DJL Bar, Pool & Restaurant (a bar in Sairee with pool parties, barbecues, etc.), AC bar (a frivolous club in Sairee for noisy parties), In Touch (a club where house music parties are held a couple of times a week).
Communication on Koh Tao
Safety
The main safety rule on Koh Tao is to not drive drunk. Motorcycle accidents are common here, especially when driving drunk in the dark. There are also a lot of ATVs on the island, which many people get injured on due to misconceptions about their safety. So you should think twice before renting it. When renting bicycles, you should always pay attention to all scratches and take photographs of them at the rental center, since usually, upon returning, tourists are required to pay for damage that allegedly occurred through their fault. However, this rule applies to any type of transport.
In cases where a tourist requires medical assistance, you need to contact one of the clinics - they are available on the island. The largest is in Saire. However, the nearest hospitals are located only on the island of Koh Samui and Chumphon, so in case of serious injuries or illnesses you will have to swim for about two hours to the hospitals. The water on the island does not meet Western standards at all, so it is better to buy it in stores. You should be careful when driving, swimming and diving - minor scratches can lead to unwanted infections. Mosquito bites also do not promise anything pleasant.
It is also worth making sure that your hotel or guesthouse room is properly secured. There are frequent cases of theft of money and property directly from the rooms, this happened especially often on Sairee Beach. Typically, thieves (sometimes even hotel workers) enter the room while the tourist is on the beach and take cash from wallets or bags.
As always, you need to be careful in the sun. On the island it gets especially hot, so you should never forget about sunscreen.
Where to stay on Koh Tao
Booking.com offers more than 230 Koh Tao hotels for booking. You can select a hotel using a variety of filters: hotel star rating, hotel type (hotel, apartment, villa, hostel, etc.), cost, hotel location, ratings of people who visited the hotel, Wi-Fi availability and much more. .
Latest booked hotels on Koh Tao
In addition to the traditional hotels presented above, you can, this may be convenient for some categories of tourists - families with several children, who prefer to cook for themselves, and so on.
The miniature island of Tao, located in the Gulf of Thailand, began to attract the attention of travelers relatively recently. Among the Thai islands, it is one of the smallest, Koh Tao's area is just over 20 square meters. kilometers. Almost the entire island is covered with dense tropical forests; the bulk of its most important excursion sites are natural attractions. It is very convenient to travel around the island on foot, and many tourists prefer to explore its territory on a scooter. If you look at the island from above, its outline resembles a huge turtle. Turtle Island - this is how the name Koh Tao is translated from Thai - will appeal to lovers of nature and hiking, as well as those who have long dreamed of relaxing on fabulously beautiful beaches.
The starting point for many excursions around the island is Sairee Beach. This place is one of the most iconic; here on the coast you can see the rock on which King Rama V left his “autograph”. The ruler visited Tao Island at the end of the 19th century, since then the rock located on the coast with his painting remains one of the main attractions . Not far from the legendary rock is the Fisheries Museum - the most interesting and visited cultural site of the island. In addition to all kinds of equipment that local fishermen go fishing with, the museum displays an interesting collection of rare underwater inhabitants; the excursion promises to be very educational.
Nearby there is another notable site - the Fishery Conservation Unit. It is open to visitors; everyone can learn about which rare marine inhabitants are found in coastal waters, and what measures scientists are taking to preserve rare fish species. Several interesting attractions are located in the vicinity of the picturesque Sairee Beach. In the northern part of the coast you can see the remains of a huge whale; scientists can only guess how this mighty inhabitant of the deep sea ended up on the coast. Not far from the beach there are diamond caves, a walk through which will also give you a lot of impressions. The most inspired tourists still go here in search of precious stones; diamond caves are one of the most interesting natural attractions of the island. Copyright www.site
The real symbol of the island has become the numerous observation decks located on its highest hills. There are many interesting stories associated with some of them; in the immediate vicinity of Sairee beach there is an observation deck Sairee View. The landscape that opens from these places is simply amazing. At the highest point of the island there is an observation deck called Two View. From here the entire island is visible at a glance; climbing the mountain remains one of the most favorite pastimes among tourists.
A beautiful legend is associated with the John Suwan observation deck, which offers an unforgettable panoramic view of the southern part of the island. The observation deck is named after two friends who arrived on the island hundreds of years ago in search of an ideal place to build a house. On one of the most inaccessible hills they discovered an incredibly beautiful place, and today the John Suwan site is considered the most beautiful on the island. A walk through the cities of Koh Tao also promises to be exciting. Some of them have preserved beautiful Buddhist temples and ancient residential buildings, as well as interesting craft shops and museums.
Koh Tao is known as one of the world's most popular diving and snorkeling destinations. All conditions have been created for scuba diving enthusiasts on the island; there are water sports centers here, and you can rent all the necessary beach equipment. It is important to note that the cost of services of local diving centers here is very attractive; the island is often chosen for vacation by beginners in this sport. Near the island there are incredibly beautiful and interesting dive sites for beginners. Experienced athletes are attracted here by deep-sea diving sites; guests of Koh Tao will have the opportunity to obtain certificates of various levels.
Koh Tau and Bali are the best islands in Asia! The famous travel website Tripadvisor conducted a survey and identified the most beautiful islands in the world in 2015. Two islands from Southeast Asia also made it into the Top 10. Mysterious and magical Bali took seventh place. And in the top five most beautiful is the paradise (cross out) Thai beach island of Tau. We are talking about the most beautiful island of Thailand and all of Asia!
Tau Island in Thailand: photo, place on the map, how to get there. Koh Tau Hotels.
The most beautiful islands in the world: Top 10
First of all, we’ll tell you: what are they, the most beautiful islands in the world according to Tripadvisor readers? Here is the complete list.
1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (Bahamas).
2. Maui, Hawaiian Islands, USA.
3. Roatan, Honduras.
4. Santorini, Greece.
5. Island Tau, Thailand.
6. Madeira, Portugal.
It's strange that the magical island of Bali only took seventh place. There was definitely some black magic involved here. So, not all demons!
8. Mauritius, Republic of Mauritius.
9. Bora Bora, French polynesia.
10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.
Koh Koh Island in Thailand is a paradise for divers and nature lovers.
Photo Jamahkiri Resort, Koh Tao Island, Thailand .
Tau Island in Thailand: what is good about it and what to do there?
How did the island of Koh Tau (aka Koh Tao) in Thailand manage to become one of the most beautiful islands on the planet? First of all, thanks to its stunning beaches and rich underwater world. Most tourists go to Tau Island specifically for beach holidays and diving. And also for the picturesque sand spit, which opens up to photographers at low tide.
But getting to Tau Island in Thailand is not so easy: this is not Koh Larn, where ferries from Pattaya go every half hour. This heavenly place is located in the south of the country, in the province of Surat Thani, a hundred kilometers from the mainland. I’ll even say this: getting to the island of Koh Tau is a real hemorrhoid! Therefore, there are much fewer tourists there than, say, on Koh Chang or Samui (although you won’t get there without hemorrhoids). And this also has its own charm. The island of Tau is home to stunning corals, amazing landscapes and half-empty beaches, where your ear is not caressed by the usual, barely perceptible, carried by a gentle breeze from a nearby sun lounger “Well, what the hell..., still on the way to Volkin?”
Koh Tao island in Thailand. I wonder if there were more tourists there, would it be among the five most beautiful islands in the world?))
Hotel photo Monkey Flower Villas, Koh Tao island, Thailand .
If you still have a burning desire to get to Tau Island on your own, then the following instructions are for you! Personally, in the process of writing, all the desire to go to Ko Tao on my own disappeared)))
How to get to Koh Tao from Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket
There are several ways to get to Koh Tau island. They mainly lie through the cities of Surat Thani and Chumpon in southern Thailand. So first we need to get there.
1. How to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani or Chumphon
There are three ways: by train, bus and plane.
Trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani and Chumpon They run several times a day from Hua Lampong Railway Station. The road to Chumpon takes 8 hours, to Surat Thani - from 10 to 12 hours.
Buses from Bangkok They also run several times a day from the Southern Bus Station (Sai Tai Mai). The road takes about the same. In addition, a ticket from Bangkok to Chumpon or Surat Thani can be bought at many travel agencies in the city - for example, on the same Khaosan street.
Airplanes from Bangkok to Surat Thani and Chumpon They also fly several times a day. You can find cheap air tickets using this form:
2. How to get from Pattaya to Surat Thani There are two ways to get from Pattaya to Surat Thani. The first is through Bangkok. That is, in a couple of hours you travel to the Thai capital, and then see point 1. The second way is by direct bus. Buses from Pattaya to Surat Thani and some other southern provinces of Thailand run from the bus station on North Street (you will find its location on the map); the journey also takes about half a day. But keep in mind that it is better to buy tickets in advance, several days, or even a week in advance. So, we reached Surat Thani (or Chumpon). Now we’ll tell you how to get from there to Koh Tau island.
How to get to Koh Tau from Surat Thani or Chumpon
To get to Koh Tao island you need to take a ferry. You can buy a ticket either at a travel agency (some offices are located right at airports and bus stations) or at a local pier, which is best reached by taxi or tuk-tuk.
Ferries from Surat Thani to Koh Tao Island run several times a day from Donsak and Bandon Pier piers. Ferries depart from Donsak Pier at 10:00 and 16:00, from Bandon Pier at 9:00 and 14:30 (hereinafter - information on times and prices may change, it is better to check on site). Travel time is from 6 to 8 hours. Ticket price is from 700 to 900 baht. There is also an overnight ferry for 500 baht, departing to Koh Tao Island from Ban Don Pier at 23:00.
If you arrive in Chumpon, then it is also better to get to Koh Tao Island with the help of any of the local travel agencies who will be happy to arrange a transfer for you. It will be more difficult to do it yourself and it’s not a fact that it’s much cheaper. You can get from Chumpon to Koh Tao Island from one of three piers: Tha Yang Pier (7 km from the city), Mattapon Pier (15 km from the city) and Tung Makham Pier (30 km from the city). The ferries are owned by different companies and have several sailings per day. At 7:00 a ferry leaves for Tau Island from Tung Makham Pier, at 7:30 - from two piers Tha Yang Pier and Mattapon Pier. Ticket price is from 500 to 700 baht, travel time is about two hours. The night ferry to Koh Tao departs at midnight from Tha Yang Pier, takes five hours, and costs 350 baht. There are other flights, but it is also better to check this information on the spot.
Well, I told you, hemorrhoids))) And who promised that the road to the best island in Thailand is easy?..
BY THE WAY
How to get to Koh Tao via Koh Samui
There is a more expensive, but faster and more convenient way to get to Koh Koh Island from Bangkok. This can be done through the island of Koh Samui, where Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways fly from the capital of Thailand. You can select air tickets using the system Aviasales.ru
Ferries depart from Koh Samui to Koh Tau seven times a day. The first one is at 8:00, the last one is at 12:30. You can buy tickets both at the pier and at travel agencies.
Hotels on Koh Tao Island
If you are traveling to the island of Tau (as well as to any other place on the planet), I advise you to select hotels using the Hotellook aggregator website. It compares the cost of accommodation in different booking systems and shows you the best options. To find out prices, simply enter the name of the island of Koh Tao in the form below and select the dates that suit you. Have a great holiday on the best island in Southeast Asia! And don't forget to take our
Koh Tao is a beautiful and picturesque island in the Gulf of Thailand. Its name is translated from Thai as “Turtle Island”. There used to be a large number of turtles living here, but after Koh Tao became a popular tourist resort, there were very few turtles. Apparently they found a quieter place. But there are still sculptures of turtles on the island. Koh Tao has many beautiful sandy beaches, coral reefs and greenery. Let's take a closer look at this island.
Koh Tao Island is quite small in size, its area is approximately 21 km². It is 67 km away from the nearest point of the mainland (Surathani province). Koh Samui is 64 km away and Koh Phangan is 35 km away. Koh Tao is an inhabited island; the infrastructure is well developed here; if you wish, you can stay overnight. There are quite a lot of shops on the island, including 7-eleven, shopping malls with clothes, cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, ATMs, exchange offices, hotels and even houses for rent. That is, you can live quite comfortably here. But prices are higher than on the mainland.
There are very few attractions on the island, mainly tourists come here for beautiful beaches, tropical views, diving and snorkeling. The most popular attraction in Koh Tao is the Two View observation deck, which offers stunning views of the entire island. It is well equipped and almost every tourist strives to get here.
Another tourist spot is the square where the monument to King Rama V stands. The king came to the island and left his signature on the rock, and later his monument was erected here. This attraction is located in the southern part of Sairee Beach.
There is also a fishing museum and a nature conservation center on the island. And, of course, diamond caves. A favorite place for many tourists.
Weather
The dry season on Koh Tao lasts from late December to April. This period is the best time to relax on the island. From May the amount of precipitation increases, but it is not critical. Therefore, it is also quite good to vacation on Koh Tao from May to September. The most unfavorable months for traveling to this island are October, November and the first half of December. At this time, a large amount of precipitation falls and large waves rise in the sea.
Beaches
Koh Tao has a large selection of beaches. Everyone will find a suitable place for themselves. There are crowded beaches and calm, secluded coves.
Sairee Beach is the noisiest and most crowded on the island. There are many bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels and shops, and in the evening there is a fire show on this beach. However, this is not the best place for swimming. The sea is shallow, and at low tide the water goes quite far. Sairee Beach is suitable for those who prefer fun and nightlife.
Mae Haad Beach be next to the pier. It is quite noisy and crowded here due to the constantly arriving boats. There are also many cafes, restaurants and shops on this beach. However, prices are lower than on the beach described above. Here you can find a budget hotel or guesthouse. The beach is suitable for those who want to find cheap accommodation and do not want to spend a long time getting to their hotel from the pier.
located in the north of Koh Tao. It is a picturesque and secluded bay. The beach is great for snorkeling. But getting to it is not easy, since there is no road along the coast to the beach, you have to go through the center of the island, and the path goes through the mountains.
Chalok Ban Kao Beach located in the very south of Koh Tao. It ranks second in popularity among European holidaymakers. Therefore, there are always a large number of tourists here. The Chalok Ban Kao beach has an excellent infrastructure: shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. The sea is shallow, it is not very convenient to swim in it, but it is what children need. The beach is notable for the fact that there are large and unusual cobblestones that create a special charm for this place.
is a small secluded bay. It is located on the private property of the hotel, but anyone can visit it. The beach is clean and well-groomed, there is a lot of greenery and flowers. While swimming in the sea, you can see schools of colorful fish. This beach is very popular among snorkelers.
- a great place for swimming and snorkeling. There is crystal clear water here, a smooth sandy descent into the sea. The beach is quite calm, there are no noisy establishments here. There are several cafes on the shore where you can have a snack. Leuk Bay beach will appeal to those who love a calm and secluded holiday. This beach is located on the east coast of the island.
Diving and snorkeling
Most tourists come to Koh Tao to enjoy the beauty of its underwater world. And there really is something to see here. In the coastal waters of Koh Tao Island you can see turtles, stingrays, reef and whale sharks, and barracuda. There are several dozen diving schools on the island, where they will teach you everything you need.
Koh Tao mostly employs English-speaking instructors, but you can find a school that teaches in Russian. All necessary equipment is provided by the school. At the end of the lesson you will receive a diver certificate.
You can also rent a mask and snorkel on the island and go snorkeling. Koh Tao has many beaches that are ideal for snorkeling. For example, the beaches of Leuk Bay, Jansom Bay, Mango Bay, Freedom Beach.
Video review of Koh Tao
In the video you can see what Koh Tao Island is like.
Hotels
Koh Tao has a large selection of hotels, guesthouses and villas. Here you can choose accommodation according to your taste, budget and on the beach you like. One of the most luxurious hotels on the island is The Place Luxury Boutique Villas. There are several excellent hotels near the port: Sensi Paradise Beach Resort and Koh Tao Royal Resort. For more budget options, I can recommend Montalay Beach Resort, Nadapa Resort and JP Resort Koh Tao.
It is better to book the hotel in advance, since Koh Tao is very popular among tourists and there may not be any vacancies. This is especially important before the New Year. During peak season, the best options sell like hot cakes.
I recommend booking a hotel on the Hotelluk website, as thanks to it you can find options at the best price. I also leave you a map of the island with hotels, it will help you choose the hotel on the beach that you liked best.
Transport
You can get around Koh Tao Island by taxi. You can also use taxi boats; it is convenient to sail from one beach to another. But it is much more convenient to rent a vehicle on Koh Tao. The most popular types of transport include motorbikes and ATVs. If you plan to explore the entire island, then it is better to take a quad bike, as most of the roads on Koh Tao have steep descents and ascents, and standard motorbikes do not always have enough power to drive uphill.
The cost of renting a motorbike is 150-200 baht, a quad bike - 800 baht.
However, you should rent a vehicle if you are completely confident in your driving skills. And be sure to check that the brakes work well; this is especially important in mountainous areas.
How to get there?
Getting to Koh Tao is quite difficult. There is no airport on the island and can only be reached by ferry or boat.
If you are flying from Russia or any other country, you will have to change planes in Bangkok or Phuket. Next, you can fly to Surathani province or Koh Samui, and then take a ferry to Koh Tao. There are also buses from Bangkok and Phuket to Surathani province, from where ferries depart to Koh Tao. On the website you can buy a comprehensive ticket to Koh Tao.
The easiest way to get to Koh Tao is from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Ferries run daily from these islands to Koh Tao. You can also book an excursion on Koh Samui to Koh Tao. In this case, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken back, provided with snorkeling equipment, and the tour package also includes lunch and guide services. You can book a tour at.
See the map for the exact location of Koh Tao Island.
