Saturday, May 18, 2024

Ko Tao เกาะเต่า - a Hotspot for Diving and Snorkeling

See the locations on Ko Tao เกาะเต่า Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

From 1st October fully vaccinated international tourists can visit Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao with Samui Plus model during 7 days and afterwards travel freely around in Thailand. Read How to do Samui Plus

Picture by Sven & Fida
Mae Haad Pier - where you go on land

For information about Covid-19 cases and restrictions read Ko Tao เกาะเต่า: Covid-19 Updates


Welcome to Ko Tao เกาะเต่า, what means Turtle Island. In the past the waters in the area had been rich with turtles. Discovered in the eighties by the backpackers Ko Tao today is one of the major dive sites in Thailand with "the best coral by far", as Tezza notes. But there remain some laid back locations on the east and north coasts as well as in the south-east and south-west.

Ko Tao is part of Samui Plus, the program for vaccinated international tourists, who come to visit Ko Samui. Many hotels now have the SHA Plus certificate. Read more about Samui Plus.



Picture by Dirk Enthoven on Panoramio
Mae Haad Pier area

Picture by jeffr_travel
Street in Mae Haad

Picture by Guy Buchmann
Divers discovery



Which beach? Which resort?


Mae Haad Beach อ่าวแม่หาด

Picture by REMIBRIDOT
Mae Haad Beach

In the area of Mae Haad Beach there are many grocery stores. At the southern end of Mae Haad Bay there is an attractive snorkeling spot: a coconut-carrying boat that is sunken in 1962. It is inhabited by many fish. You can walk north along a small brick road that leads to Sairee Beach. Or you walk south along a small path that leads to Jansom Bay and Sai Nuan Beach. It takes less than an hour to walk.


Koh Tao Montra Resort - SHA Plus: Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Koh Tao Regal Resort - SHA plus: Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Ananda Villa Koh Tao - SHA Plus: Mostly good reviews for this family-run hotel on tripadvisor.com.




Koh Tao Royal Resort: From 1200 Bath. Bungalows in a tropical garden setting. See picture by Yang Xiao. Very good reviews - also for the food in the restaurant - on tripadvisor.com.

Picture by Koh Tao Royal Resort
See also picture by Zdzislaw Szymański.


Sensi Paradise Beach Resort: Bungalows, houses, villas and pool, nestled between white sand, jungle and the ocean, bordered by coconut palms and sea-worn stones. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com, but some guests feel disturbed by loud music in the area.

Picture by Sensi Paradise Beach Resort

Picture by Sensi Paradise Beach Resort





Sairee Beach หาดทรายรี

The longest and most populated beach, not for snorkeling, behind a lot of guesthouses, restaurants, bars and shops. The beach and the shallow waters are ideal for families with children. See panorama-picture by Jeremie Benazra.

Picture by thedingostrategy

Picture by Laura

Picture by David Sim
Reading on the beach

Picture by coincidentalimages

Picture by Laura

Picture by Laura

Picture by David Sim
The south end of Sairee Beach


Blue Tao Beach Hotel - Koh Tao - SHA Plus: No pool, no breakfast option according to good reviews on tripadvisor.com.




Coral Grand Resort - Koh Tao Dive Resort - SHA Plus: Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com.






Island Dive Club - SHA Plus :


Anankhira Boutique Resort: From 3800 Bath. Designed in Balinese-inspired architecture each villa has its own private pool and a great sea view. Five minutes stroll from the hillside to Sairee Beach. Most reviews very good on tripadvisor.com. See video.

Picture by Anankhira Boutique Resort
Laelia Villa pool


Sairee Hut Resort - SHA Plus: Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com.


Sairee Cottage Diving - SHA Plus: A lot of very good diving experiences on tripadvisor.com.




Ban's Diving Resort: Pool and dive shop.Reviews on tripadvisor.com rate the diving service better than the hotel.

Picture by PnP!


Dusit Buncha Koh Tao Resort: From 2000 Bath. Not on Sairee Beach, more in the north. They use a solar cell system for nearly all the bungalows to save electricity. But there are a lot of critical reviews on tripadvisor.com.


Koh Tao Cabana: From 3800 Bath. Amazing according to the reviews on tripadvisor.com. "Unless you are a late night party animal stay clear of the seafront cottages", comments one guest. See video by Michel Cortes.

Picture by Shark Attacks

Picture by Shark Attacks


Koh Tao Heights Boutique Villas - SHA Plus: From 8850 Baht. Pool from where you overlook Sairee Beach. Fifteen minutes walk to the beach. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com. See video.
Picture by Lauren Henderson




The Place Luxury Boutique Villas: Private Yoga sessions are offered. Great, perfect and wonderful experience say the reviewers on tripadvisor.com. See video by Kelsey Burnette.

Picture by The Place Luxury Boutique Villas


The Rocks Villas: From 4830 Bath. Four villas surrounded by lush tropical jungle, with infinity pool, up in the hills, less than ten minutes walk to the beach. A lot of very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Picture by The Rocks



Jansom Bay อ่าวจันทร์สม

Picture by Chris Nener

You have to walk through Chamchuri Villa Resort to go to the beach (fee: 200 Baht/person).

Picture by Natadata


Charm Churee Villa: This resort owns Jansom Bay, which is open for the public for an entrance fee.

Picture by noosles33
Jansom Bay

Picture by linssimato



Sai Nuan Beach หาดทรายนวล

A Quiet bay with great snorkeling possibilities. The atmosphere of Sai Nuan Beach is serene, reminiscent of earlier times on Koh Tao.


Picture by Sven & Fida

Picture by Mr.Peti36 on Panoramio


Sai Thong Resort: From 700 Bath. But much of Ko Tao still has a tranquil get-away-from-it-all vibe, and "the pick of the places to indulge that atmosphere is the Sai Thong, the only resort on the tiny Sai Nuan beach. Sai Thong's tidy wooden fan-cooled bungalows are simply furnished and all have balconies, hammocks and private bathrooms", writes theguardian.com. Nice snorkelling just off the beach according to the quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Sai Thong Resort is only accessible via traditional long tail boat or by a 25 minute scenic walk from Koh Tao's center. See video.

Picture by Sai Thong Resort



June Juea Beach อ่าวจุลเจือ

The spot for sunset.






Pinnacle Koh Tao Dive Resort: From 2700 Bath. Great view, good dive shop, a bit mixed reviews about the service on tripadvisor.com. See picture by Teeza and erikgyepes.



Chalok Bay อ่าวโฉลกบ้านเก่า

Here you find a small town with diving schools, restaurants, bars, clinics, travel agents, drugstores and 7-Eleven. From here you can see Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Ang Thong Islands. On the east side of the bay is a large rock, the symbol of Koh Tao, known as Buddha Rock. Chalok Baan Kao Bay has a sandy bottom that gradually moves in depth. The beach is suitable for families with children.


Chintakiri Resort: From 2900 Bath. Five minutes to walk to the beach. Stairs to climb up on the way back. Spacious rooms. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Picture by Lesley Edwards

Picture by Jelle Oostrom
View from Chintakiri Resort


View Point Resort: From 2800 Bath. From larger pool villas to smaller cottages. see video. A lot of good reviews on tripadvisor.com, but one guest did not feel safe as there was no lock to close the door.



Thian Og Bay อ่าวเทียนออก



Freedom Beach หาดฟรีดอมบีช

Picture by Mr.Peti36 on Panoramio

Powdery white sand and shade of candle trees. Interesting for snorkeling. You can walk to John Suwan Viewpoint (in about 15 minutes) or to nearby Ta To Yai Beach on a concrete walkway along the shore.



Taa Toh Lek Beach

Picture by Mr.Peti36 on Panoramio



John Suwan Viewpoint

Picture by Mr.Peti36 on Panoramio



Tha Cha Bay

Picture by Mr.Peti36 on Panoramio



Thian Og Bay - Shark Bay Beach อ่าวเทียนออก

Beach with fine white sand and shade by coconut trees and candle trees, private property of Haad Tien beach resort. Green turtles can be found here. Very good snorkeling here according to Teeza. Spotting reef sharks is popular. See panorama-picture by Travel-Sphere.com. See pictures on the blog of Kenza Zouiten.

Picture by mookE

Picture by Mr.Peti36 on Panoramio

Picture by fabulousfabs

Picture by Saleh Igal


Haad Tien Beach Resort: Frpm 7300 Bath. 70 private villas amongst over 45 acres of land, at a stunning natural bay, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. PADI dive centre. Beautiful setting, but some critics about service and food prices on tripadvisor.com. See video.

Picture by Haad Tien Beach Resort

Picture by Haad Tien Beach Club Resort

Picture by Haad Tien Beach Club Resort


Jamahkiri Resort & Spa: From 6400 Bath. Nestled in the cliffs, so you do some stair climbing, with lush tropical garden, pools, the Jamahkiri Spa, a fitness room and a PADI diving club. Away from the crowds but also away from other dining options, as the very good reviews on tripadvisor.com say.

Picture by HelloFoto77

Picture by HelloFoto77


New Heaven Resort: From 1300 Bath.


Bungalow at New Heaven Resort, picture by © mookE


View from New Heaven, picture by © mookE


Room with balcony, picture by © mookE


Picture by Joe Coyle



Sai Daeng Beach

Picture by Natadata

Picture by Natadata

Picture by Natadata

There are two roads to Sai Daeng beach, both lead to resorts, which you have to pass to get to the beach.
The Red Sands, or Shark Island, is known as a great snorkeling spot. Especially in the northwest, which is the only area where the water is shallow. By kajak you have 15 minutes to paddle from Sai Daeng. There are currents in the channel between the two islands.


Ao Leuk อ่าวลึก

Picture by Peter P.

Ao Luek is also a nursery for baby black tip sharks. Deep water makes Ao Leuk ideal for snorkeling even at low tide.

Picture by Andy Wright

Picture by Nicolai Bangsgaard



Tanote Bay อ่าวโตนด

Good for watching sunrise. A large rock in the middle of the bay is often used foreigners to jump into the water. Snorkeling you will discover plenty of corals and fish. Up the mountains there are three viewpoints: Reservoir, West Coast Viewpoint and Tanote Peak. Reservoir viewpoint takes about an hour's walk. From the viewpoint of the West Coast you can continue hiking to Sairee Beach or Laem Thian.

Picture by Trevize_06

Picture by Natadata

Picture by Victoria Benstead-Hume
Snorkeling off Tanote Bay

Picture by Natadata



Ao Laem Thian แหลมเทียน


There is no resort at Ao Laem Thian. The bay is full of rocks with a small beach in the south. In 2019 sea turtles laid eggs here. Good snorkeling spots. You can trek from Sairee beach to Laem Thian in half an hour.


Ao Hin Wong อ่าวหินวง

See panorama-picture by Travel-Sphere.com

Picture by eric molina

The underwater rock formations at Ao Hin Wong are covered with intact coral and anemones. Ao Hin Wong is rocky. Therefore you better rent a kayak to explore the bay. At a small beach to the south you'll find an amazing snorkeling spot.

Picture by eric molina

Picture by Dirk Enthoven



Ao Muong - Mango Bay อ่าวม่วง

Picture by Hallman lau

Mango Bay is said to be one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots. It has small beaches and coral reefs on both sides. The water here is mostly calm and clear. Getting here by boat is the easiest way. But you can walk on concrete roads through the lush forests until you reach a resort on the cliffs of Ao Muong. You will have to pay an entrance fee and walk into the resort.


Picture by Mr.Peti36 on Panoramio

Picture by
Rodrigo SEPULVEDA SCHULZ


Ao Muong Beach Resort: Staff takes you to the private bay by 20 minutes shuttle boat from Mae Haad Pier. Rats, geckos and lizards sighted in the jungle bungalows by guests. Electricity out from 6am to 18pm. Very clean beach, turquoise water and good for diving according to reviews on tripadvisore.com. Coral reefs and many species of fish to see. Deluxe sea view room or bungalows number 2 or 3 are an easy walk from the beach. The restaurant is many steps up.

Picture by Ao Muong Beach Resort



Not at the beach

Woodlawn Villas: From 2500 Bath. A family run resort with swimming pool and six villas and suites, surrounded by two acres of coconut palm trees and tropical gardens, in a quiet location carved out of the jungle. Easy walk to a choice of restaurants. You walk 15 minutes to the Chalok Bay or rent a bike. You need protection against mosquitoes. A peacful place according to very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Picture by Woodlawn Villas



What else on Ko Tao?

Koh Tao Complete Guide

The Complete Guide to Diving on Koh Tao

Hiking: Read this Ko Tao Hiking Guide

Culture Trip Koh Tao


From Ko Tao you can visit Ko Nang Yuan เกาะนางยวน.

Picture by m.gifford
A map of Ko Tao, where you can zoom in.

See more pictures of Ko Tao on the blog Kia Ora.


Bad news from Ko Tao

Koh Tao has been in the news due to the death of British and French tourists in 2014 and 2015. Therefore we recommend: Don't go to lonely places alone. Read more:
Two Britions killed on Ko Tao - What are the Dangers at Thailands Beaches?
British Woman found dead on Ko Tao: What happened
British man found dead on Ko Tao: Mother believes son was murdered
Ko Tao back in the spotlight after French man found hanged with hands tied behind bis back
A British Women missing - last seen on Ko Tao?


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