Welcome to Koh Tao. Take your time, lay back and close your eyes or stare at the skies. Perhaps go for a dive. Either way, there’s no hurry here. This island was made for rest.
Koh Tao (literally meaning “turtle island”) is named for its shape. It’s round like a small hill that emerged from the water, and resembles a turtle’s shell.
More about Koh TaoThe island of Koh Tao (กกา ต่ต่า) is about 50 km from Koh Samui, close enough to be accessible but still isolated, three kilometers wide and seven kilometers long, with a good tourist infrastructure, but no massive construction. With its beautiful beaches and its tranquility, it is a great retreat for those who seek the peace and solitude of a tropical island in Thailand.
If you have reached Koh Tao, probably what you are looking for is the peace and quiet, and the tropical beauty. In Koh Tao you can enjoy sitting at an amazing beach and look at the water: stripes of green turquoise along the beach, to a deep blue far in the horizon. In Koh Tao you can also enjoy the underwater world. Dive to see the coral reefs and enjoy the absolute silence beneath the water, and watch the different fish. In the nighttime, you’ll see the small, glowing plankton lighting up the night water.
On the day you will see colorful reef fish and if you dare to get to the Sharks’ Bay, into the deeper waters, you will dive alongside sea cats and of course you may also meet sharks. If you’re in the right season – spring or autumn – you can also watch the whale shark. It’s 12 meters long, even though it feeds on the tiny plankton.
There’s another reason for the name turtle island. Koh Tao has a large population of sea turtles. It was damaged by tourists and divers and almost disappeared, but in 2004 the Thai government embarked on a special program. Together with the Thai Navy and the Thai Diving Association, hundreds of young turtles reappeared on the island.
With such a tempting sea life, it is no surprise that this island specializes in diving courses. You can choose different courses. Some will choose short courses for a single diving star, just to try the underwater experience, and some will choose to do a full course and become expert divers. Plenty of schools, all good. Sometimes it’s hard to choose. Don’t worry – we’re here to help you.
We know the dive schools. ask us, and we’ll be happy to recommend. Not only recommend, but even help. As part of our relationship with the schools, we were able to get very cheap prices for our clients. We will give you a recommendation, and we will also help you with a great hotel for the cheapest price. What you have to do is take the time, lie on your back, close your eyes or just look at the sky and occasionally freshen up under the water.
Koh Tao – What’s on the Island
If you have reached Koh Tao, you are probably a sea person. You want to dive, sail or at least lie on the beach and watch the sky or the water. But between those, Koh Tao has plenty to do on land as well.
Those who like hiking can go for short walks on the island’s hills, find hidden vantage points beneath which the island will be revealed and the blue-green sea surrounding it fully shown. In the southern part of the island you can climb about 20 minutes to John Suwan observation point where you can see Koh Phangan and Koh Samui on a clear day.
In the northern part of the island you can climb a slight climb of about 30 minutes to Koh Nang Yuan’s vantage point and gaze down on the thin strip of sand that connects Koh Tao to nearby islands. You can even go up to lookouts from the highest peak on the island – take a taxi to the top of the road and then continue by foot.
The island also has climbing schools where you can use the help of a skilled guide and climb the granite rocks to spectacular vantage points. You can take Thai boxing classes. Oh yes, if it is the rest that brought you to the island – there are also yoga classes. After a few lessons, staying on the beach you will be so relaxing, that there is a real danger that you will never want to leave.
Koh Tao – How To Get There
Koh Tao is located on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand and is located in the area of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan Islands. Most of the tourists who arrive at Koh Tao do so on a cruise from Koh Phangan or Koh Samui, which takes between one hour and an hour and a half.
If you want to go directly to Koh Tao, you can with a flight package, which includes a flight from Bangkok to Chumphon or Surat Thani and a ferry to Koh Tao.
Another cheaper way to get to Koh Tao is by bus to Chumphon, which takes about 7 hours and a ferry ride from Chumphon to the island.
