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15 BEST THINGS TO DO IN KOH TAO – The Ultimate Guide

Koh Tao is an idyllic small island of only 21km2 on the east coast of Thailand. The other islands around are Koh PhanganKoh Samui and Koh Nang Yuan, which is the closest to Koh Tao. There are many fun activities to do on Koh Tao and it is a suitable travel destination for couples, backpackers and families. Koh Tao is most famous for its scuba diving and is one of the, if not THE, cheapest locations in the world to get PADI certified. Besides that, Koh Tao also has beautiful beachesviewpoints and snorkel spots. After spending more than a week on the island, we share all our tips in this blog post with the best things to do in Koh Tao.

Best Koh Tao tours

If you want to explore Koh Tao then it is highly recommended to book your tour in advance. Choose your favorite tours here and secure your booking! All of these tours include air conditioned transport with hotel pick up and drop off, certified guides and sometimes also lunch and the entrance fees. You can reserve now and pay later, with cancellation up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.

  • Thai Cooking Class Koh Tao. Rainy afternoon or just interested to learn Thai cooking? Then this activity is for you! In a small group you will learn how to cook Thai from a local expert. After cooking the dishes you will enjoy them and leftovers can be taken home.
  • Half Day fishing experience Koh Tao. Enjoy this private half day fishing tour around the waters of Koh Tao. Learn how to catch fish and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
  • PADI 4 day diving course Koh Tao. Get PADI certified during this 4 day scuba diving course. All lesson material, dives, equipment and the official certificate are included.
  • Half day snorkeling trip to hidden bays of Koh Tao. Start your morning at 8AM with snorkeling in some of the hidden bays of Koh Tao. You will visit Freedom Bay, Shark Bay, Aow Leuk Bay and Tao Thong Bay during this half day snorkel tour.
  • Private Photo Session with Local Photographer in Koh Tao. The perfect way to capture your solo trip, honeymoon, family vacation or couples photoshoot with 100% money back satisfaction guarantee on Koh Tao.
  • One day diving experience Koh Tao. If you don’t have your PADI certificate but you want to go diving in Koh Tao, then this is the tour for you. During this one time scuba diving experience you will explore the underwater world of Koh Tao at 12 meters depth.
  • Koh Nang Yuan snorkel day trip by speedboat. Explore the best snorkel spots around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan during this half day snorkel trip. You can see many tropical fishes, turtles and maybe even black tip sharks!

15 BEST THINGS TO DO IN KOH TAO

Rent a motorbike to explore the island

The best way to explore Koh Tao is to rent a motorbike. There is no public transport but you can always arrange a taxi if you need one, or if you can’t drive a motorbike. But to be honest, if you go to Asia and you can’t drive a motorbike, you better learn it and get comfortable with it before you go traveling 🙂 You are so free and flexible if you have your own transport! The roads on the island are pretty decent, sometimes you have to go a bit off road. But you can always choose to park you motorbike and walk the last part. For example to one of the Koh Tao viewpoints where it might get a bit steep on your way up. For around 150 Baht per day you can rent a motorbike. Make sure to take pictures of scratches that are already on the motorbike together with the person where you rent from. So you won’t get fooled or scammed once you bring the motorbike back. 

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Relax on the best Koh Tao beaches

The Koh Tao beaches are without a doubt one of the most beautiful paradise beaches that Thailand has to offer. There is a beach for everyone. Families with young children will love the more quiet beaches with shallow water like Tanote Bay and Aow Leuk Bay. Snorkelers will love all the beaches we mention in the blog about the best snorkeling spots on Koh Tao, and for swimmers is every beach perfect because nowhere is a strong current if you stay close to the shore. Couples who seek for privacy and a relaxing beach will love the more remote and ‘hidden gem’ Sai Nuan beach. And if you want to catch a good sunset with a lively vibe, then head to Sairee beach. The biggest beach of 2 kilometres long on the island!

Read the complete guide about the best Koh Tao beaches here

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Attend yoga class

Get in touch with your mind body and spirit and practice yoga to stretch your body! It is one of the most popular things to do in Asia, and especially on the islands is always such a relaxing vibe which encourages to join a yoga class. There are several yoga classes on the island which you can attend, or even a yoga retreat if you’re looking to learn more about yoga and spirituality.

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Koh Tao snorkeling

Koh Tao is one of the best places to go snorkeling in Thailand. It has around 20 kilometres of beautiful coastline that gently slopes underwater towards stunning marine life and ecosystems. The crystal clear and calm water make it year round the perfect circumstances to go snorkeling in Koh Tao. Many of the beautiful beaches on the island have a shallow coral reef just off the shoreline which makes it easy to explore the beautiful underwater world by yourself. Although, you can also book a snorkel tour at one of the many tour operators!

Read the complete guide about the best spots on Koh Tao for snorkeling here

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Take a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan island

Koh Nang Yuan is located on the north west coast of Koh Tao and consists of three small islands. The white sand beach, picturesque rocks and beautiful viewpoint makes it the perfect setting for an idyllic day-trip. Due to its close location to Koh Tao, a visit to Koh Nang Yuan is a must! There are several things to do on Koh Nang Yuan, like snorkeling, climbing the viewpoint, relaxing on one of the beaches or even scuba diving!

Read the complete guide about Koh Nang Yuan island here

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Try rock climbing

If you love rock climbing, there are plenty of options because of the granite rocks scattered around Koh Tao. Perfect for practising your technical climbing skills. Also, most sites around the island are very quiet, so you might not even see anyone else. Some of the popular rock climbing sites on the island are Mek’s mountain, Secret garden in Sairee and front/back garden in Chalok Baan Kao. You can book some courses and hire a guide from one of the rock climbing shops on Koh Tao.

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Learn how to cook Thai

If you love cooking, taking a Thai cooking class is one of the things you have to do while being in Thailand! Discover the secrets of making a mouth-watering Thai curry or some of the many other delicious Thai dishes. If you didn’t know already, Thai food is so amazing and learning how to cook a real Thai dish is a skill you can take home with you forever!

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Go scuba diving and get PADI certificated

Scuba diving is one of the main reasons why tourists come to Koh Tao. It is one of the world’s best dive locations and also one of the cheapest places in the world to get PADI certified! You can get your open water certification here for as little as $200, which is crazy cheap! There are many great dive spots around the island. So don’t worry if you’re not (yet) a pro, there are courses and fun dives for all levels!

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Go to one of the viewpoints for a drink and sunset

Koh Tao has some amazing viewpoints which can’t be missed during your stay on the island. One of the most popular viewpoints is John Suwan viewpoint, but there are many more beautiful viewpoints to check out. Most of them have an entrance fee, but some have the rule that when you buy a drink there won’t be entrance anymore. 

Read in this complete guide about all the best Koh Tao viewpoints

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Watch the sunset

Watching the sunset is always a magical ending of the day. One of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset is from Sairee beach. Many people gather to the beach to relax in the bean bags with a beer and enjoy the beautiful colours in the sky. But you can also choose to watch the sunset from one of the bars higher up in the mountains, or at one of the viewpoints like ‘Sunset viewpoint’.

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Go on a fishing tour

Unleash the fisherman in you and go on a day tour fishing around Koh Tao island. During the tour you can catch fishes such as barracudas, groupers, snappers, and more! Your guide will share you some of the best fishing practices that you should keep in mind once you’re on the boat. While fishing you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and if you need to cool off you can jump into the sea, but don’t scare the fish 😉

Eat at some of the amazing Koh Tao restaurants

Everyone can find a restaurant in Koh Tao that suits their budget and taste. From local budget restaurants to the more luxury restaurants, to great beach bars where you can not only have delicious food but also a wonderful view. The picture below was when we had breakfast at Sai Daeng beach at the beach restaurant. A huge recommendation if you want to have breakfast with a view!

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Get a relaxing Thai massage

One of the best massage therapists in the world are the Thai people. So something I would really recommend to do while you are on Koh Tao, or any other Thai island, is taking a massage in one of the many Spa’s. Usually the prices range from 200 – 400 Baht for a one hour massage. But the more luxury Spa you go to, the more expensive it will be.

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Try out a Thai boxing class

If you’re into boxing, or want to step up your game in boxing, you can learn the 700-year-old ancient art of Thai boxing and go on a boxing class, or maybe even a boxing retreat! Learn how to use the body’s eight limbs at one of the Thai boxing classes available on Koh Tao. The classes are available for both men and women and suitable for all levels of competence.

Rent a kayak and explore the beautiful bays

Renting a kayak and paddling around the stunning bays of Koh Tao is one of the best things to do on the island. You can even combine it with snorkeling in one of the many beautiful bays. You can rent kayaks at some of Koh Tao’s best beaches such as; Sai Nuan beachShark BaySairee beach and Freedom beach. Make sure to put your valuable stuff in a waterproof bag, or just leave them in your room. If you have a GoPro you have to take it witch you because the marine life is beautiful! Make underwater photos to capture all the beauty, read here about how to make underwater photos with a GoPro dome

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Where to stay on Koh Tao

Luxury

The Place Luxury Boutique Villas

The Place Luxury Boutique Villas offers amazing one-bedroom villas with an incredible view on the ocean located on the west coast of the island. We stayed at The Place for 2 nights and had the best time! You have complete privacy with your own dining area at the spacious terrace. A fully-equipped kitchen with a wide-range of cooking equipment. The air-conditioned bedroom offers a direct access to the outdoor infinity pool with an amazing view on the mountain and sea wit sunset view. The bathroom is beautiful with details of plants and the living room includes a flat screen TV and a DVD player for entertainment. Breakfast is not included but you can order at local restaurants and get it delivered to your door! This villa has so much privacy, we haven’t experienced before!

Prices start around €245 per night.

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Mid Budget

Simple Life Cliff View Resort

Simple Life Cliff View Resort is located at the southern tip of Sairee Beach and offers luxury studios, 1 and 2 bedroom suites. The rooms with view on the swimming pool start around €65 per night. The more luxury rooms with breathtaking view of Sairee Beach and the ocean start around €198 per night. This 3 star resort offers a private beach area, free Wifi and room service The cascading swimming pool runs through the centre of the resort and their restaurant serves fantastic Thai and international cuisine. A continental breakfast is daily available at the resort.

Prices start around €65 for the pool view rooms up to €198 per night for the sea view rooms.

Budget

The Ozo

Here you will enjoy a peaceful hillside location located in the south of the island. The cozy, comfortably furnished rooms offer a living space of 32 – 40 square meters and are equipped with all the necessities for a relaxing stay. The amenities available in the rooms include air conditioning, refrigerator, TV, safe, hot shower, tea and coffee making facilities. But also free WiFi and a private balcony or terrace from where you can enjoy views of the pool and mountains. Some of the rooms also have a kitchenette with a microwave. The outdoor pool with sun loungers makes it perfect for a lazy afternoon. We stayed for a few days at the Ozo and it was a great budget deal!

Prices start around €33.

Of course there are also even cheaper accommodations on the island, like hostels and guesthouses where you can stay for around €10 per night. Have a look at booking.com to find your perfect spot!

Is Koh Tao safe?

If it’s your first time coming to Asia, or Thailand to be more specific, then it is important to know how you can respect the local culture. As you might know the main religion in Thailand is Buddhism, but throughout the years Thailand adapted to the many tourists that come to the country. However, it is always important to respect the local rules and religion in general. Plus, use your common sense and don’t walk alone, drunk on the beach. Here are my 3 tips for safe travels in Thailand.

  1. Respect the local people and their culture
    Never get into a fight with a Thai person. These Thai guys might seem like little boys, but they could be Muay Thai fighters, so be careful! Besides that, islands are like small communities and they all know each other. It will always be you against the island. So don’t get into trouble with the wrong people.
  2. Stay away from drugs!
    The rise of tourist deaths in Thailand brought more police to the islands and stories of being caught with marijuana are getting more common. Be aware that it is illegal to use drugs in Thailand! Apparently they give you a 50,000 THB ($1,400) fine and take your passport while waiting your trial. 
  3. Be a responsible traveler
    Use your common sense while traveling. Simple things like, not walking alone on the beach at night, especially as a women! There is a big chance nothing will ever happen, but a drunk tourist is an easy victim. Also research where to stay on Koh Tao, especially if you want to party and drink a lot. 
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How to get to Koh Tao

The only way to get to Koh Tao is with the ferry because the island doesn’t have an airport. The nearest airport is at Koh Samui which is a 3 hour ferry ride away from Koh Tao. From Koh Samui you can easily fly domestic to other cities in Thailand. If you are in Bangkok there are two options to go to Koh Tao. You can either fly to Koh Samui or Surat Thani and take a ferry from there. But if you want to save money, you can also take the ferry from Bangkok all the way to Koh Tao! This will be a longer travel time, but it saves some money. Although, the prices for domestic flights in Thailand are not that expensive. So compare it and make the decision for yourself if you want to travel longer to save some money or if you go for the convenient way.

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Koh Tao weather

Koh Tao has a tropical climate which makes the weather hot and humid for most of the year. The rainiest months are October, November and December, so try to avoid these months. However, you can expect lower prices are a more quiet island in these months. The best moment to come to the island is from January to April. But also during the months of March until August it is a great time to travel to this part of Thailand. At this time of the year Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao have the best weather of all Thai islands.

More Koh Tao travel inspiration

We hope you enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Koh Tao.

For more inspiration about Koh Tao Thailand, read these blog posts:

Best Beaches Koh Tao

Best snorkeling spots Koh Tao

Koh Tao viewpoints – The Ultimate Guide

Koh Nang Yuan – The Complete Guide

For all best tips about Koh Phangan, head over to these blog posts:

Best things to do in Koh Phangan

The best beaches of Koh Phangan

6 best hikes in Koh Phangan

Thong Sala Night Market – The Complete Guide

Is your plan to travel to Koh Samui? Then read this blog for all the best things to do in Koh Samui

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One Comment

  1. Marjoleine says:

    Hi Ilse, just enjoyed reading your information about Koh Tao ! It looks wonderful and your pictures are amazing.

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