Koh Tao Environmental

Koh Tao Environmental

The local community respects and cherishes Koh Tao Environmental as it is such an integral part of everyone’s life and livelihood.

Rapid development has urged the community to find methods together to create a balance between nature and development. As a result, the Save Koh Tao Community Group was established with the aim of having sustainable tourism on Koh Tao in the future. To accomplish this, time and participation from the community and visitors to Koh Tao are needed. Volunteer programmes have been set up with various groups on Koh Tao for anyone who wishes to help.

Save Koh Tao logo

‘Save Koh Tao’ Community Group

The group was established in 2000 by the Koh Tao community, including several business owners. The aim is to conserve natural resources, address local environmental concerns and educate and develop understanding in the community to work towards sustainable tourism on Koh Tao.


Their plans cover the following:

Land conservation: Focus on solving problems with garbage, wastewater release, deforestation and lack of freshwater.

Marine conservation: Projects include Buoyancy World; an artificial reef and diver training ground, Bio-Rock; an artificial reef, a turtle release programme, underwater cleanups, etc.

Education: for sustainable development for youth such as teaching diving courses to local children.

Fund raising events: such as the Koh Tao annual Underwater World Festival.

All the projects are undertaken by volunteers from local dive schools, businesses and the community. Volunteers are always needed.

Koh Tao environmental releasing turtles





Volunteer Works

Koh Tao Local School

Baan Koh Tao School is the only school on Koh Tao and teaches children from kindergarten to grade 9. At present, there are about 240 students and 16 teachers with volunteer work welcome. You can introduce pupils to short lessons, educational games, and activities aside from regular classes, such as a fun science experiment, art, music or sports. For more details, please visit the school or call the school principal at Tel. 08 1416 0404.

School volunteer





Koh Tao Animal Clinic

The Koh Tao Animal Clinic is a not-for-profit service, and although it does not offer a formal volunteer program, visitors and helpers are always welcome. If you are on the island and have specific skills or love spending time with animals, stop by and see if you can help. The animals always appreciate some one on one attention and extra cuddles.

Emergency care is provided not only for dogs and cats but the occasional pig, turkey, chicken and various birds and reptiles. Preventative health care is provided for dogs and cats with vaccinations, dental hygiene, worming and flea medications, nutrition advice, and general health care. A major focus of the clinic is to assist the community in education about the benefits of controlling the dog and cat population with the de-sexing of owned pets and the stray animal population.

You can also donate money, medical supplies, dog and cat food, old clothes and blankets.

Please call 08 1090 5372 or visit www.kohtaoanimalclinic.org

Koh Tao Animal Clinic

Animal clinic volunteer




  • Sustainable Tourism & Good Practices

    Development on Koh Tao continues to grow at a fast pace and it is already difficult enough to supply the high demands, especially for water and electricity. Some problems are beginning to occur with regards to waste management, deforestation, wastewater release and issues relating to the impact rapid development is having on society. Be a part in helping our community by taking part in volunteer work, or, just by following some of these good practices below, you can help to make a difference.

    RUBBISH — There is approximately 6 tons of waste per day and the efficiency of waste disposal on the island is not equal to the amount of the waste each day. Help to separate waste into 4 types; organic or biodegradable waste, recyclable waste, toxic waste and ‘other’ waste if it’s none of the above. Limit the use of plastic waste. Dispose of cigarette butts responsibly.

    WATER — Water is a precious resource and the island is dependent on the rain for its supply, so please use with care and help to conserve it. Do not leave the tap water running. Any leaking water should be reported. Reuse the bed linen and towels when staying in resorts.

    ELECTRICITY — The government power station has limited production ability and over demand will cause some areas to blackout as it just can’t cope. Most resorts also have their own generator as a backup should the government electricity stop. Costs for private generators are very high, please use as little power as is necessary.

    NATURE — As the saying goes: “leave only footprints or bubbles and take back only photos and memories”.

    SOCIAL — Understand and show respect for local people, culture and traditions. Please be aware and mindful of self conduct and set a positive example as a visitor to this island. Proper and appropriate dress is an easy way to be respectful. Bikinis, swimwear and being shirtless are for beaches only. Nudity in public is contrary to Thai culture. Please also be mindful of overly public displays of affection.
  • Koh Tao Eco Programs

    Koh Tao Eco Programs

    Koh Tao Ecological Monitoring Program is a PADI course based on Koh Tao designed to give divers an opportunity to learn about coral reefs.