Thailand has some of the most beautiful islands in Southeast Asia, and one of the most underrated is the island of Koh Tao.
Koh Tao has many beautiful things to see and do. It’s the perfect place for scuba diving, island hopping, white sandy beaches and scenic viewpoints without some of the large crowds you see at other places in Thailand like Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands.
We spent almost a whole month exploring the island last year and it seemed like almost every corner of the island had stunning white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Best of all, Koh Tao is a budget-friendly destination.
How To Get To The Island Of Koh Tao
The island of Koh Tao is located in the Gulf of Thailand near the southern islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
There is no airport on Koh Tao, so the nearest airport is Koh Samui (USM), to which you can fly from Bangkok (BKK) or Phuket (HKT). From the islands of Koh Samui or Koh Phangan it is easy to take a ferry to Koh Tao.
Another option is to fly to Surat Thani (URT) from one of Bangkok’s airports and take the ferry to Koh Tao from there. You can buy flights to Thailand on Skyscanner.
The Best Things To Do On Koh Tao
1. Viewpoint of Koh Nang Yuan
Koh Nang Yuan is a pair of small islands right on the west coast of Koh Tao. There are some interesting things to do in Nang Yuan, but the Twin Island viewpoint is the main attraction.
This is by far the most famous view of Koh Tao and also one of the most picturesque! You can reach it by taking a boat from the northern end of Sairee Beach and then taking a short hike to the top of the island.
2. Mango point of view
It is a popular viewpoint near the top of Koh Tao Island with stunning sunsets. It has an entrance fee of 100 baht.
You will get a first-class panoramic view of Sairee Beach in the distance, as well as the entire south side of Koh Tao Island.
3. Viewpoint of the summit
It is a secret lookout point with a swing hanging from a large banyan tree. It has an entrance fee of 100 baht.
We were the only tourists there! At the top you have a magnificent view of the southern end of Koh Tao.
4. Koh Tao Wind Temple
It is the only Buddhist temple on Koh Tao and was just built in 2018.
Thai-style architecture is great for taking pictures, and you don’t need to wear anything special to walk around or take photos from the outside.
5. Island of sharks
Shark Island is a small rocky island near the east coast of Koh Tao, ideal for kayaking and snorkeling trips.
If you want to go to Shark Island by kayak, Sai Daeng Beach is the best place to go, as the distance is less than a kilometer.
From the surface, the island looks like a big boulder, but you can snorkel or dive here, and it’s also a great place for swimming or drone photos.
Kayaks and snorkel sets can be rented in Sai Daeng, and paddling is pretty easy on a quiet day (it only takes about 15 minutes).
There is a buoy on the island where you can attach your kayak while you are busy snorkeling, and the best snorkeling spots are said to be in the rocks around the northwest end of the island.
This island may not look like much, but it is known as one of the best snorkeling spots on Koh Tao!
6. Perspective of John Suwan
This is one of the best viewpoints in the south of Koh Tao. At the top you can see almost the entire island, with huge twin bays on both sides of your field of vision.
This is one of our favorite places! The ascent to the summit takes only 15-20 minutes and there is an entrance fee of 50 baht, but you can avoid it if you go early.
7. ANG Thong National Marine Park
This is a group of 42 paradise islands in the Gulf of Thailand, and it’s easy to visit them on a private day trip from Koh Tao or Koh Samui / Koh Phangan.
The ultra-picturesque viewpoint Mu Ko Ang Thong (below) should be reason enough to go there. You can see groups of mini-islands covered with jungle and scattered on the blue horizon, similar to the Thai version of Raja Ampat.
8. Diving
Koh Tao was (by far) the best place in the world to get a diving certification.
Prices have gone up a bit since a fixed-price racket started on the island, but Koh Tao can still be a very economical place to learn to dive, and there are dive shops everywhere.
Even if you already have your Open Water certificate, you can get advanced diving certificates here or even take a course in underwater photography.
9. Thai massage
There are massage shops on every corner on Koh Tao, and prices can be very reasonable at 300 baht for a one-hour body massage.
It is the perfect way to relax after a day of hiking or diving.
10. Thai cuisine
One of the great things about Thailand is the food, and Koh Tao has many restaurants and cuisines to choose from.
No matter where you stay on Koh Tao, you can choose from your favorite Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong and Pad Krapow.
You can even take a cooking class if you want to learn how to make them yourself!
