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Gulf of Thailand
Koh Tao
The diving island par excellence: cheap PADI courses, colourful reefs and hidden snorkelling bays.
📅 2–3 nightsDivingSnorkelingBeach
The diving island par excellence: cheap PADI courses, colourful reefs and hidden snorkelling bays.
Why Koh Tao? The diving island par excellence: cheap PADI courses, colourful reefs and hidden snorkelling bays.
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🌴 Koh Tao in your trip?
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Koh Tao is the furthest of the three Gulf islands, reached by ferry from Koh Phangan (about 1 hour), Koh Samui (1.5-2 hours) or Surat Thani/Chumphon on the mainland. Seas can be rough in the November-December monsoon, so pack sea-sickness pills. The island is small; most people walk, take longtail water taxis between bays, or rent a scooter - though the steep, sandy tracks to some viewpoints are best left to experienced riders (or take a 4x4 taxi).
Busy Sairee Beach on the west coast is the main hub - the longest beach, most dive schools, restaurants and nightlife, and the best sunsets. Mae Haad, where the ferries dock, is more compact and practical. For quiet, the smaller east- and south-coast bays like Chalok Baan Kao and Tanote are calmer and good for snorkelling. Many divers simply stay at their dive school, which often bundles cheap rooms with the course.
This is PADI country - an Open Water course here is among the cheapest anywhere (often around 9,000-11,000 baht), and the sheer number of schools means fierce competition and good standards. Dive sites like Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock offer pinnacles and reefs, and sometimes whale sharks. Even without a tank, snorkel Shark Bay for harmless blacktip reef sharks and turtles, and take the boat to Koh Nang Yuan - three islets joined by a sandbar, with the island's most famous viewpoint.
Climb to the John-Suwan viewpoint at the south tip for a two-bay panorama at sunset. Sairee Beach strings together beach bars, fire shows and a laid-back, diver-heavy nightlife that is social without the Phangan intensity. Eat cheaply and well along Sairee and Mae Haad - fresh seafood, Thai staples and plenty of banana-pancake backpacker fare.
Compare prices from several providers for this place in one click.
2-3 nights (more if you do a diving course); combine it with snorkelling at Koh Nang Yuan.
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