Koh Tao offers plenty of incredible things to do for every type of traveler. Be sure to explore the breathtaking natural beauty of the island, where white sandy beaches, vibrant underwater life, and captivating mountain viewpoints await. Immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere and savour the diverse culinary scene influenced by the island’s international community. Here are the top 7 things to do to make the most of your time on Koh Tao.
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What’s in This Guide? |
Koh Tao boasts nearly twenty beaches to choose from, with some of the recommended ones being Aow Leuk, Freedom Beach, Tanote Bay, June Juea Beach, and Koh Nang Yuan. These beaches are among the most stunning attractions on Koh Tao, featuring breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear waters, and white sandy beaches. You can access most of these beaches by renting a motorbike, except for Koh Nang Yuan, which requires a boat ride.
Koh Tao’s abundant coral reefs and diverse marine life, including sea turtles and harmless sharks, are just steps from the shore. Snorkeling emerges as the most popular thing to do on Koh Tao, whether you’re exploring right in front of your bungalow or pairing it with kayaking to discover some hidden spots. The famous “Around the Island” boat tour is a worthwhile choice, offering visits to the five most beautiful snorkeling spots in just half a day.
For those who want to experience the deeper sea, Koh Tao ranks among the world’s top diving destinations because of its affordable scuba diving courses, excellent facilities in top-rated diving schools, and efficient logistics to over 15 dive sites around the island. The most popular Open Water Diver certification course, offered by SSI, PADI, or RAID organizations, spans three and a half days, teaching you to dive to maximum depths of 18 meters.
The tropical island of Koh Tao doesn’t only offer underwater activities but also features mountains filled with dry evergreen forests and over 10 picturesque viewpoints. Most hiking trails of Koh Tao can be completed in half a day, while some of the most stunning viewpoints such as John-Suwan and West Coast are easily accessible by road plus a mere 10-minute walk. Check out The Five Best Hiking Trails that will take you away from the hustle of Koh Tao.
Freediving has recently become more of a recreational activity than an extreme sport and it is recommended to anyone who simply loves the ocean. Freediving courses will teach you skills such as relaxation exercises to help develop a more efficient breath-hold ability, enabling you to enjoy the underwater world longer. A beginner Freediver course on Koh Tao takes 2-3 days, teaching you to dive to a maximum of 20 meters—yes, deeper than scuba diving!
Koh Tao offers a wide range of delectable Thai and international foods, often prepared by chefs from their respective nations. Here, you can explore cuisines from around the world in just a few days. While many renowned restaurants dot Sairee Beach and Mae Haad Bay, hidden culinary gems await discovery within some top hotels in Chalok Baan Kao, Shark Bay, and Aow Leuk. For more details, check out our restaurant reviews.
The pristine beauty of Koh Tao creates a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for participating in a wellness retreat. Here, you can practice yoga and meditation surrounded by tranquility, promoting your health and well-being. Koh Tao also offers plenty of ways to rejuvenate, including spa treatments, saunas, and Thai massage therapies. Plus, if you want to stay active during your vacation, you’ll find gyms, fitness classes, Muay Thai venues, and CrossFit facilities.
When thinking about a snorkeling trip around Koh Tao, Oxygen Tour is always at the top of the list. They offer snorkeling trips, and road trips to popular viewpoints. Their professional, friendly approach and strong marine environmental awareness have made them popular among both Thai and international tourists for more than a decade. Their enthusiastic and caring guides will show you how to use the snorkeling equipment…
Monsoon Gym opened its doors in 2001 as the very first gym on the island. Today, it continues to set the standard by offering a world-class Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu training experience in Thailand, combining professional coaching with a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere. Located just a short walk from Sairee Beach, the facilities are well-equipped, with spacious training areas and a motivating environment…
Read our review of Monsoon Gym & Fight Club
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Located beachfront on the quiet north end of Sairee Beach, Scuba Shack is a well-established dive school on Koh Tao. Since opening in 2014, it has built a strong international reputation, with over 10 years of consistent positive reviews on Google. Scuba Shack offers a full range of PADI courses, from beginner Open Water to specialty and instructor levels. Dive theory is taught in a relaxed setting, with two comfortable classrooms…
Established in 2004, Apnea Total is the longest-running freediving school on Koh Tao. It started off with teaching the freediving techniques to students in a simple bungalow 16 years ago to grow into the headquarters of the organization with 20 locations worldwide. Apnea Total Freediving has a student-centered teaching approach for all courses, whether someone is training for the starting level of Freediver…
Read our review of Apnea Total Freediving
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Jamahkiri Dive Resort & Spa on Koh Tao, known as the island’s first luxury 5-star spa resort, offers a complete indulgent experience designed to make your trip truly unforgettable. At the renowned Jamahkiri Spa, you can choose from a range of packages lasting 1 to 3 hours, all created to help you unwind and fully relax during your vacation. You can also enjoy access to the sauna and gym throughout your stay.
Read our review of Jamahkiri Spa Koh Tao
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18/3 Moo 3, Koh Tao
Surat Thani 84360 THAILAND
info@kohtaocompleteguide.com
