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Koh Tao island review
The tiny Koh Tao – which translates literally to Turtle Island – is the epitome of tropical paradise. Living up to its name of being the turtle island, Koh Tao is famed for being the choice diving location in all of the Gulf of Thailand. Besides diving, Koh Tao does pack quite the punch too with an assortment of small, cute beaches.
A short hop from the diving nirvana of Koh Tao lies Koh Nang Yuan, another famed highlight of this destination. It is the only landmass in the world that presents three distinct islands connected by spits of white sand. Did you know that Red Hot Chilli Peppers once rented the whole island chain to start writing hit album Californication? With such an outstanding panoramic vista – it’s no wonder.
Despite its reputation as the Dive Mecca of Thailand, Koh Tao island promises plentiful dwelling choices, cozy cafes, expat-run restaurants, eco-adventures, and palm tree-lined beaches for a jungle-esque feeling. Finishing with fantastic hilltop views – the Koh Tao package might look small, but it is undoubtedly not incomplete.
When you find yourself on Koh Tao, you have probably gone through a few other islands before reaching. Depending on what you want to cross off your bucket list, all of Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan are places you should visit. The Ang Thong Marine Park also holds a lot of scenic appeal and surprises for you, should you choose to accept that location for a day trip.
- AIRPORT Koh Samui
- BEST TIME TO VISIT Mar - Sep
Beaches
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Snorkeling
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Boat Tour
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Holiday
Why visit Koh Tao
How to reach Koh Tao
Koh Tao is located directly in the Gulf of Thailand, 70 kilometers from the coastline of Chumphon town in Surat Thani province. It is about 45 kilometers north of popular Koh Phangan, and 65 kilometers north from the largest island in the area, Koh Samui. The easiest way to reach Koh Tao is to take a flight to Koh Samui international airport, connected to Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong via daily flights.
It will take over 60 minutes to reach Koh Tao from Koh Samui by private boat, and only 30 minutes from Koh Phangan. If you want to get to Koh Tao from Chumphon town by boat, expect a 1-hour 20-minute long speedboat ride. With a total area of 21 sq. km., Koh Tao is one of the smallest islands in Thailand. Yet it remains one of the most central tourist destinations, which you can visit for the ultimate compact island experience. Other popular destinations near Koh Tao for boat day trips include Ang Thong National Marine Park and Chumphon National Marine Park.
Best time in Koh Tao
The best time to visit Koh Tao island is during the dry season from March to September. Because Koh Tao is a place where diving, snorkeling, and beach life prevail – you better visit the island during calm waters and excellent underwater visibility. During this period, you can expect an abundance of water activities, boat tours to neighboring islands, diving, and snorkeling tours. The hot and dry seasons in Koh Tao occur between March to May. That might not give you much of a window to visit, but they provide the overall best times for a trip. April-May is the best period to snorkel and dive with whale sharks in Koh Tao.
Rainy season in Koh Tao
Rainy season in Koh Tao lasts from November to January, as in most of the Gulf of Thailand. The sea is usually somewhat rough, and it is the least recommended season to enjoy the area. Nevertheless, you can still expect sunny days with Koh Tao island being much lusher than usual. Otherwise, during the rainy season, it is better to visit islands such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, or the Similan Islands. The seasonality there is the opposite.
Koh Tao or Koh Samui
Koh Samui is better developed than Koh Tao, making it a prime destination for many more activities. On the other hand, Koh Tao is about ten times smaller than Koh Samui, but that can be a massive advantage for those looking for a serene holiday destination, and especially snorkeling or diving. With Islander, you can tailor the whole diving and snorkeling experiences by renting a private boat to Koh Tao from Koh Samui overnight. Or if you are short on time, hop on a day trip by private speedboat could be just enough.
Koh Tao or Koh Phangan
Since Koh Tao is considered a part of the same archipelago as Koh Phangan, this is a little stretched. The more significant area (Koh Phangan) will enjoy better amenities and tourist attractions. Still, it can’t compete with the natural vibe which Koh Tao brings to your holiday mood. A better comparison will be in how serene these two locations are. While Koh Phangan can be calm and highly energetic at different times, both are perfect for a romantic getaway. Koh Tao is pretty laid back and will provide a truly relaxing vacation for those who are into diving.
Koh Tao or Koh Lipe
A point of commonness for the two islands is how small they are. But where Koh Tao is still developing and gives you a shot for your jungle fever, Koh Lipe has been developed as much as it can be. Although Koh Lipe also shares the serenity of Koh Tao on many days, you cannot miss the laid-back party vibe it carries with it. Both islands are immaculate when it comes to diving options. However, seasonality is entirely different between the two. Head over to Koh Tao from March to September, and Koh Lipe from October to May. Both islands are true paradises. We don’t need to spell out what your decision on either location should be anymore.
