Thailand · Region
Koh Tao
Koh Tao — "Turtle Island" — is a small, hilly speck in the Gulf of Thailand that has become one of the world's leading places to learn to dive, prized for calm, clear water and dense clusters of dive schools around its bays. Away from the reefs, granite headlands, jungle viewpoints, and laid-back beach bars give the island a scrappy, backpacker-meets-diver character rather than a polished resort feel.
Top attractions
attraction Chalok baan kao bay: Koh Tao Travel Guide (4.4★)
Chalok Baan Kao Bay is a curved, coconut-palm-backed beach on Koh Tao's south coast, quieter and more local-feeling than Sairee Beach up north. 4.4★ (652 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction View Point Resort: Koh Tao Travel Guide (4.6★)
View Point Resort sits on Koh Tao's coastline in the Chalok Baan Kao area of this small Gulf of Thailand island, and it's still under-the-radar compared to the dive-shop strips further north. 4.6★ (795 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Koh Tao
Live prices from Klook. Booking through these links supports our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay in Koh Tao
Compare Koh Tao hotels and stays at the lowest price — deals, ratings, and real traveler reviews.
Search hotels in Koh Tao →Booking links are affiliate links — booking through them supports our free guides at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip to Koh Tao
Some links above are affiliate links — if you book through them, Wander Atlas earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep every guide free.
When to visit Thailand: month-by-month weather, crowds and holidays →
Frequently asked questions about Koh Tao
How do I get to Koh Tao?
There is no airport on Koh Tao, so travellers fly into a mainland or regional hub — Koh Samui, Surat Thani, or Chumphon — and then complete the trip by ferry to Mae Haad Pier, the island's main gateway. Fastest access is typically via Koh Samui airport with a high-speed catamaran crossing, while Chumphon and Surat Thani offer cheaper flight options connecting to the same ferry network.
How many days should I spend in Koh Tao?
Plan on ~3-5 days as a practical minimum, enough time to complete an introductory or open-water dive course and explore a couple of viewpoints and beaches, with many divers choosing to stay a week or more.
What is Koh Tao known for?
Koh Tao — "Turtle Island" — is a small, hilly speck in the Gulf of Thailand that has become one of the world's leading places to learn to dive, prized for calm, clear water and dense clusters of dive schools around its bays. Away from the reefs, granite headlands, jungle viewpoints, and laid-back beach bars give the island a scrappy, backpacker-meets-diver character rather than a polished resort feel.