I often describe Koh Tao as the highlight of my travels around Thailand.
During my month in Thailand, I visited Koh Tao for 3 nights and fell in love with the island. The beaches and bays were my favourite in the region and the ease with which you can explore the whole island was unique compared to the other islands in the region.
The tiny island in the Gulf of Thailand is often missed by many who visit its larger brother and sister – Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
The Island is only 8 square miles in size but packs a punch when it comes to stunning scenery and things to do. It has more of a laid back, chilled vibe compared to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan – the latter of which is famous for the full moon party.
If you’re already planning on heading to the Island then let me take all the planning off your hands with this list of things to do in Koh Tao. If you’re looking for a destination on your Thailand trip then I hope to convince you visit this little gem!
Scuba Diving
Koh Tao is one of the best places in the world to get into scuba diving. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already certified, the island is perfectly set up for it. There are dive shops everywhere offering organised trips and courses, making it incredibly easy to get started.
Its location in the Gulf of Thailand means the waters are generally calm and clear, which is ideal for learning and for enjoying the dive sites. You’ll find a huge variety of marine life here, from colourful reef fish right up to larger species like stingrays, green turtles, and groupers.
There’s also the chance to spot whale sharks, don’t worry they only eat plankton and are very gentle. The best time to see this majestic beasts is usually between February and May, although sightings are never guaranteed.
If you’re looking to get qualified, Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to complete your PADI courses. It’s hard to think of a better place to learn than being surrounded by warm (think 30 degrees Celsius), tropical waters, and incredible marine life.
Snorkelling
You don’t need to strap on a large tank of oxygen and scuba gear to see the wonders of the waters around Koh Tao. A snorkel and a pair of goggles are all the equipment you need to explore the shallower water around the island.
The shallower waters are still full of coral and marine life. You wont see the larger animals such as whale sharks but there are plenty of fish and little caves which is teaming with sea life.
Watch your feet on the coral in the shallow water as they can be quite sharp, and we also don’t want to damage the coral! Wear some beach shoes or flippers which will give you the added benefit of going further and faster in the water.
Tanote Bay and Dwayne The Rock
Tanote Bay is situated half way down the east coast of the island and has one of the more adventurous things to do in Koh Tao. We stayed in a hotel on this bay and would highly recommend you do the same.
They bay itself is stunning. It contains soft sandy beaches, beautiful clear waters, large boulders, reefs, and is flanked all around by dense green forests.
This alone is enough for a visit. However, for the daredevils out there in the mIddle of the bay is a huge rock formation jutting out of the waters. We affectionately named this Dwayne Johnson as it is by far the most prominent feature in the bay.
The Rock is a short swim form the shore. Someone, I’m guessing the locals, have conveniently put a rope on it you can climb to get to the top. However, this is precarious to say the least, and if you fall you might splat a bit on the rocks below.
Luckily we survived the climb and once you are at the top the views of the bay are great. On the other side of the rock is about a 6m jump into the crystal clear waters. This kept us entertained for a whole morning!
Quad Bike
I mentioned in the introduction how easy it is to explore the island. Its size really helps with this as it is only 7.6km long and 3.4k wide. Helping even more are the roads and paths that connect the various bays and viewpoints for you easily access them.
You can hire mopeds on the island but my favourite way to explore the island was on a quad bike. I felt a quad bike was more stable than a moped and could comfortably take two people. Some of the viewpoints are at the end of dirt tracks. Mopeds were struggling to get up to these whilst the quad was taking the steep hills and dusty paths in its stride.
Star Gazing
As Koh Tao is a lot quieter than the other islands in the region there is considerably less light pollution. This makes star gazing a particular great experience during your time on the island.
If there are not many clouds in the sky then head to your closest beach at night (one without massive lights), take a seat, and gaze up a the milky way. If you’re into your photography Koh Tao is one of the best places in Thailand to take photos and a timelapse of the night sky.
Fishing
Fishing is another great way to experience the waters around Koh Tao, especially if you’re looking to do something a bit different from the usual beach and snorkelling days.
The best time for fishing is generally between March and September when the waters are calmer, making for a much more enjoyable trip out at sea.
There are plenty of organised fishing trips available on the island, and I’d definitely recommend going with a guide. There are a lot of protected marine park areas around Koh Tao where fishing isn’t allowed, so having someone who knows where you can and can’t go saves any hassle.
Depending on what you catch, you might even be able to take your fish back to your hotel or a nearby restaurant and have it cooked for you. We did this in Koh Phangan and it ended up being one of the best meals of the whole trip. Just check beforehand that your accommodation is happy to do this.
Even if you’re not massively into fishing, being out on the water with the island in the background is worth it on its own. It’s a pretty relaxing way to spend a few hours and a nice change of pace from exploring on land.
Koh Nang Yuan
Just a short boat ride from Koh Tao lies Koh Nang Yuan, one of the most unique spots in the whole of Thailand. It’s made up of three small islands connected by a strip of white sand, creating that classic postcard view you’ve probably seen before.
The water here is unbelievably clear and perfect for snorkelling. As soon as you step in you’ll see fish darting around the coral beneath you. It’s one of the easiest places to access great marine life without needing a boat or tour.
One of the main things to do here is the short hike up to the viewpoint. It only takes around 10–15 minutes, but it’s steep and can be a bit of a scramble in places. Once you reach the top though, you’re rewarded with one of the best views in Thailand looking down over the three islands and the sandbar connecting them.
It does get busy, especially in the middle of the day, so if you can, try to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon when things are a bit quieter.
Sun Sets
Sunsets on Koh Tao are something else. With most of the best viewpoints facing west, you’re almost guaranteed a great view most evenings.
One of my favourite things to do was simply head down to the beach with a drink and watch the sun drop behind the horizon. The sky often lights up with deep oranges, pinks, and purples, reflecting off the calm water.
There are also a number of beach bars and restaurants where you can sit back and enjoy it with a bit of music and a cold beer. It’s one of those moments where everything just slows down, and you realise why Koh Tao is such a special place.
Viewpoints
For such a small island, Koh Tao has a surprising number of viewpoints, and they’re easily some of the best things to do while you’re there.
Many of them are tucked away at the end of steep roads or dirt tracks, which is where having a quad bike really comes in handy. The effort to get to them is always worth it though.
From these viewpoints you get a completely different perspective of the island. You can see the bays, the jungle-covered hills, and the endless stretch of ocean surrounding it all.
Some are set up with small cafes or bars where you can grab a drink and take in the view, while others feel a bit more off the beaten path. Either way, they’re the perfect spots to slow things down and appreciate just how beautiful Koh Tao really is.
Koh Tao was my favourite island in Thailand and the South East of Asia for that matter. Its laid back vibe and slower pace compared to the bigger islands makes it a stunning paradise to visit for a few days. As the island is relatively small, deciding where to stay in Koh Tao wont restrict you from exploring other parts of the island. I hope I have shown you enough of the things you can do in Koh Tao to convince you to go and visit!
