Koh Tao attractions

Top sights on Koh Phangan:

1. Excursion to Koh Nang Yuan
2. Snorkeling trip to Shark Bay
3. John-Suwan Viewpoint
4. Mango Viewpoint
5. Secret party in the mountains

The small island of Koh Tao has a few highlights to offer. An excursion to Koh Nang Yuan should be at the top of your bucket list. After a hike over forest paths and rocks, you will be rewarded with a beautiful postcard panorama of the archipelago. We also recommend taking a private day tour with a longtail cab boat to discover all the coasts of Koh Tao. If you want to encounter sea turtles or reef sharks while snorkeling, then be sure to plan a stop at Shark Bay one. In the south of Koh Tao lies the John-Suwan Viewpointwhich offers a spectacular view, especially at sunrise or sunset. In the evening you can enjoy the Sairee Beach and in the Walking Street head to one of the many party locations to celebrate with like-minded people until dawn. Koh Tao really is a diverse island with many facets!

Koh Tao measures just 21 square kilometers, so you can cover the entire island in just a few days. We recommend spending at least 2 days on the island to see the most famous highlights Koh Nang Yuan in the north and the John-Suwan Viewpoint in the south. Another must: a snorkeling trip or a diving course!

If you're spending a longer stay in Thailand or are digital nomads like us, then it's worth spending a few weeks in the Samui archipelago. The daily ferry connections between Koh Samui - Koh Phangan - Koh Tao also allow a spontaneous visit to the islands.

Of course there are also some free sights on Koh Tao. Only the way to the highlights might cost a few baht in gas money, but once there you can enjoy pure nature for free. It's best to grab a scooter on your first day and plan a beach tour. Recommended beaches and bays are e.g: Sairee Beach, Aow Luek Beach, Freedom Beach, Shark Bay or Tanote Bay.

For the John-Suwan Viewpoint a small entrance fee of 50 baht (= 1.27 euros) is charged during the day, but you can avoid this fee if you leave early in the morning before sunrise. There are also several other free viewpoints on Koh Tao, including Mango Viewpoint, Deisha Viewpoint or West Coast Viewpoint. You can visit & enjoy all these places for free!

Probably the most interesting stretch of beach is on Koh Tao's small neighboring island: Koh Nang Yuan. This is part of a three-part group of islands, two of which are connected by a long sandbank. And this is the perfect place for a swim! The beach is open on both sides and offers an incredibly beautiful panorama.

There are numerous beautiful beaches and bays on Koh Tao itself - so many that it's impossible to list them all. Here are a few places worth seeing to help you plan your trip: Sairee Beach, Aow Luek Beach, Freedom Beach, Tanote Bay and Jansom Bay. The latter is only accessible for a fee, as this section belongs to a hotel. Suitable for snorkeling Shark Bay, Mango Bay or Ao Hin Wong Bay. You will find many diving centers at the well-known Chalok Baan Kao Bay find. Also in the main town Mae Haad there is a narrow beach, but it is less beautiful than the surrounding beaches.

The most popular means of transportation on Thai islands, including Koh Tao, is the scooter. You can hire one directly on arrival at Mae Haad Pier in the village. Many hotels also offer their own scooter rental service. It is worth negotiating the price, especially if you are renting for several days or weeks. You can get a simple Honda Click 125 for around 200 baht (= €5) per day. Make sure you wear a helmet when riding, as the Thai roads are sometimes very stony and uneven.

Alternatively, you can also get around by cab or tuk-tuk. These can be found on many streets and are just waiting to take you. This is a particularly convenient option in the evening if you want to go out and live outside the city center.

Yes, you can also book some guided tours on Koh Tao, especially snorkeling trips or diving courses. The best way to do this is to use the platform GetYourGuide. Here are some suggestions:

Snorkeling trip to the most beautiful baysAfter a short safety briefing, you will explore Koh Tao's most beautiful dive sites together with a group, including Shark Bay, Mango Bay, Aow Luek Beach and Ao Hin Wong Bay. You will also visit the island's most famous postcard motif: Koh Nang Yuan. Hotel transfer and lunch are included.

Taster dive 1-day experienceIf you have always wanted to explore the underwater world with professional diving equipment, then this is the right tour for you. It starts at 9:30 am with a safety briefing from the diving instructor. After two and a half hours, you will board a special diving boat that will take you to a beautiful bay. The dives go to a maximum depth of 12 meters.

4-day scuba diving courseYou still haven't had enough of diving? Then a 4-day scuba diving course would be the right thing for you. On the first day you will receive a safety briefing. The theory part follows on the second day, where you will learn the most important underwater techniques. On days 3 & 4 you will finally be able to dive to depths of 12 meters and then 18 meters. After completing the course, you will be a certified scuba diver and can officially dive anywhere in the world in open waters up to a depth of 18 meters.

Private day tour to seven locations (max. 4 people)If snorkeling or diving is less appealing to you, you can also discover a lot on the mainland. A guided private day tour for up to 4 people is worthwhile for this. Your guide will take you to the most beautiful spots on Koh Tao, including two beaches, a viewpoint and a few other spots with panoramic views.