Visit the top sights on Koh Tao - one of the three most popular islands in the Samui archipelago. You should definitely make a stop here if you want to go snorkeling or take a diving course. In the underwater world, you can discover colorful fish, coral reefs and even sea turtles. The mountainous island is known for its lush green nature, white sandy beaches and turquoise ocean. The most popular highlights include the John-Suwan Viewpoint and the neighboring island Koh Nang Yuan. Tip: you can take a cab boat around the island to explore the beautiful bays!
All Highlights
All the highlights on Koh Tao
Sairee Beach
Sairee Beach is the most famous and, at 1.7 km, the longest beach on Koh Tao's west coast. Along the promenade is the tourist center of the island with a walking street full of stores, pubs and restaurants. It can get loud and hectic here, especially in the evening. During the day, the town offers the perfect beach day: Long walks through the white sand, shady palm trees and crystal-clear water create a relaxed atmosphere. Even on the beach...
Koh Nang Yuan
To the north of Koh Tao is a small group of islands connected by a sandbank. Koh Nang Yuan is a must-visit for all travelers and is a real postcard motif! Pure nature, mountainous terrain and crystal-clear water. You can only get to this place by boat - either by cab boat (from Sairee Beach, approx. 300 THB p.p. for a return trip) or on a guided day tour, e.g. from Koh Phanganª or Koh Samuiª. As the...
John-Suwan Viewpoint
The John Suwan Viewpoint is a phenomenal vantage point in the south of Koh Tao. From here you have a fantastic view over Freedom Beach and Shark Bay! This place is an absolute must-see if you are only on the island for a few days. The "hike" is more like scaling and climbing large rocks that block your way to the top. It is therefore challenging on the right, but also quite adventurous and fun. In between, you can use...
la Cigale
la Cigale" is a hidden paradise in the middle of the jungle of Koh Tao. We found this place purely by chance and were more than thrilled! The host Andrew and his wife have lived on the island for many years and have built three villas of their own, whose style blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings and rock formations. Each villa is truly unique, with some rooms being completely outside, such as the bathroom. But who wouldn't want to...
Koh Tao Cabana
The pretty "Koh Tao Cabana" hotel is located directly on Sairee Beach with its own stretch of beach. Here you can relax on the white sand or rent free snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddle boards. The nearest town is just a 10-minute walk away, where you will find many bars, restaurants and supermarkets. There are many individual rooms, including a sunset villa, a tree house cottage and several pool villas. All rooms are designed in a natural style with great attention to detail. This hotel...
Koh Phaluai
Koh Phaluai is an untouristy island to the south of Ang Thong National Park and a real natural paradise! You won't find this place on a guided tour, and cab boats only operate very rarely. However, if you are on Koh Phangan, you can include this place in your plans. The passenger ferry Raja Ferry runs several times a week between Donsak Pier and Koh Phaluai. For around 400 THB per person, you can reach the island in around 1 1/2 hours....
Ang Thong National Park
Ang Thong National Park (Mu Ko Ang Thong) is located to the west of the two islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Due to its surreal rock formations, it is on almost every bucket list. The place consists of numerous limestone islands and lush green vegetation. There are several highlights such as the emerald green Emerald Lake, the famous Monkey Rock or the beautiful viewpoint Phu Jun Jaras. Other activities include snorkeling, kayaking and hiking. The place served as inspiration for Alex...
Getting to Koh Tao
The small island of Koh Tao can only be reached by ferry, as there is no airport on the island. Ideally, you should arrive at Koh Samui International Airport and take the ferry to Koh Tao from there. There are also plenty of ferry connections from the mainland (Surat Thani or Chumphon) to the Samui archipelago. We recommend the booking platforms 12go.asiaª or directferries.comª. The best known ferry connection is "Surat Thani (Donsak Pier) - Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) - Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) - Koh Tao (Koh Tao Pier)". This route is usually served by local ferry companies such as Lomprayah or Donsak/Raja Ferry.
Excursions on Koh Tao
Even though the island is very small, Koh Tao has plenty of excursion destinations to offer! Simply hire a scooter and explore the island on your own. Discover beautiful viewpoints, paradisiacal beaches and snorkeling spots where, with a bit of luck, you might even spot sea turtles. In Sairee you will find plenty of bars and nightlife options. The most popular excursion is a day trip to the neighboring island of Koh Nang Yuan - a beautiful place with a double beach on both sides. You can find more activities and excursions on GetYourGuideª, Viatorª or Klookª.
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