Your base for exploring this destination is the tourist resort island of Koh Samui. For travel information about Koh Samui, read the Koh Samui Travel Guide. To prepare for your trip to Thailand, read the AsiaExplorers Thailand Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation? Find good clean accommodation at the Budget Accommodation Guide!
Koh Tao, is a small island about 70 km to the east of Surat Thani mainland, and 45 km to the northeast of Koh Phangan, in the Gulf of Thailand. Along with its diminutive inshore isle of Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Tao offers one of the most pristine diving and snorkelling sites off the east coast of South Thailand. The name Koh Tao means "Turtle Island", because the seas surrounding Koh Tao used to be rich in sea turtles, although today there are less often seen.
When to visit Koh Tao
The warmest months in Koh Tao are February to March, while November is often the wettest. As the weather pattern tends to change year after year, it is hard to predict how the weather would be like.
The Beach in Koh Tao
Here's a little trivia. If you watch the movie "The Beach" by Leonardo DiCaprio, you will see a treasure map. If you're familiar with the geography of South Thailand, the secret island in The Beach is northeast of Koh Samui. Although The Beach was shot at Phi Phi and Krabi, on the west coast, on the secret map, it seems to indicate that the secret island is Koh Tao or the islands of the Ang Thong archipelago slightly to the south.
Stones stacked on the beach at Koh Tao, Thailand.
Koh Tao is a diver's paradise teeming with a rich variety of marine life and beautiful coral reefs, and what's more, at Koh Tao, it's diving season all around the year, because the island is hardly affected by the seasons. There are numerous dive centres in Koh Tao offering diving courses, trips and equipment.
Geography of Koh Tao
Much of Koh Tao is hilly, with beach on the west side of the island while on the east, there are high cliffs.
Haad Sai Ree (Sairee Beach)
At 2 km, Sairee Beach is the longest strip of soft, white sand on the island. The pier to Koh Tao is south of here, at Mae Haad, a 10 minute walk away. There are many beach accommodation along Sairee Beach, as well as tourist amenities like diving center, shops and restaurants. You can also see Koh Nang Yuan, which is to the northwest.
Mae Haad
This is an old fishing village that has now become the entry point to Koh Tao. Most of the amenities of the island is concentrated here, including the post office, government office, health centre, money exchange, dive centres, 24-hour mini markets, Internet and IDD shops, bike rentals, restaurants and party places. The upmarket resorts are lined to the south end of Mae Haad.
Au Chalok Ban Kaw
This is a curved bay of about 2 km long. It is a favourite spot to visit and to play in the beautiful, clear waters.
Chalok Baan Kao
On the southern side of Koh Tao facing Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, Chalok Baan Kao is the third largest beach. The bay is smaller than Sairee, but offers a similar range of accommodation, eateries and nightlife. For a spectacular view of the bay and surrounding beaches, you may consider hiring a helicopter at The Last Paradise, a helicopter pad.
Chalok Baan Kao is beautifully framed by Taa Toh Lagoon to the east and Saan Jao Beach to the west. It is also linked to Thian Og Bay (Aow Thian Ok) and Sai Daeng Beach (Au Haad Sai Dang). The rock formation at cape Taa Toh resembles a sitting Buddha, hence the name Buddha Rock. This is best viewed from the viewpoint opposite.
Hin Wong Bay
North-east coast; this bay is abundant with intact coral reefs. Four small hillside resorts and one diving school (Hin Wong Divers).
History
The island was visited by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V 1868-1910) on June 18, 1899. His Majesty placed his monogram on a huge boulder at Jor Por Ror Bay next to Sairee Beach. The site is still worshipped today, and should be treated with great reverence.
Koh Tao became a political prison from 1933 until 1947, when the then prime minister, Khun A-Paiwang, sought and receive a royal pardon for all prisoners on the island. They were taken to the Suratthani shore and released, and with that Koh Tao was abandoned again. But not for long.
That same year the twin brothers Khun Ueam and Khun Oh arrived at Koh Tao from neighboring Koh Phangan. They came aboard their traditional sail boat, a rather adventurous - not to mention dangerous - journey. Although the island was still under royal patronage, they proceeded to clear a piece of the land for themselves, on what is today's Sairee Beach. They settled there, cultivating the fertile soil, and before long, the first generation of today's Koh Tao community has taken root. One of the descendents of Khun Ueam is Khun Orawan of Seashell Resort. She is the great-grand daughter of Khun Ueam, and would be able to furnish interesting insight into Koh Tao's past.
At that time, Life was simple. They people survived on farming, planting coconuts and fishing. These they bring to trade at Koh Phangan. Despite the difficultiesn of living here, the population of Koh Tao grew steadily.
It was only in the eighties that things take a change for Koh Tao. Backpackers discovered it, and especially, they discovered the beautiful and pristine underwater world of Koh Tao's excellent dive and snorkelling sites, an suddenly, Koh Tao became globally known as a premier beach destination.
Koh Tao's excellent dive sites began to attract divers, both beginners and professionals. This fueled a local business to cater to the needs, and today, visitors can enjoy bigger, faster and safer boats to visit Koh Tao. Koh Tao's reputation - and the marketing of it as Turtle Island - coupled with its natural beauty, marine life and coral reefs, propelled this tiny island onto the world stage, and brought paradise seekers in increasing numbers.
Koh Tao Photo Gallery
Rocks arranged on the beach.
Natural rock formation on a Koh Tao beach.
The pier at Mae Haad, Koh Tao.
Snorkellers at a rocky coastline of Koh Tao.
Sharp edges.
A beach in Koh Tao. The tiny holes in the sand are created by crabs.
Timothy Tye, founder of AsiaExplorers, at Koh Tao.
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