To go to Koh Tao, Thailand, you will need to fly into the nearest airport, which is located on the mainland in the city of Chumphon. From there, you can take a ferry to Koh Tao. There are several ferry companies that operate daily service to the island, and the trip takes about 2-3 hours.
Once you arrive on Koh Tao, there are many things to do and see. Here is a list of the top 20 best things to do on the island:
- Go diving or snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters around Koh Tao. The island is renowned for its excellent diving and snorkeling sites, and there are many diving schools and tour operators that can take you out to the best spots.
- Visit Mae Haad Pier, the main hub of activity on the island. Here you can find a variety of shops, restaurants, and markets, as well as the ferry terminal.
- Relax on one of Koh Tao’s many beautiful beaches. Sairee Beach is a popular spot, with its long stretch of white sand and clear blue waters.
- Explore the island’s many temples and shrines, including Wat Koh Tao and Wat Sai Ngam.
- Go rock climbing at Shark Island or take a rock climbing tour around the island.
- Take a boat tour to Koh Nang Yuan, a small island with three picturesque white sand beaches connected by a beautiful stretch of sandbar.
- Learn to cook Thai food at a local cooking school.
- Go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in the clear waters around the island.
- Visit the Koh Tao gypsy village, a community of sea nomads who have lived on the island for generations.
- Take a yoga class or go for a massage at one of the island’s many wellness centers.
- Explore the island’s rugged interior on a hiking or trekking tour.
- Go fishing with a local fisherman or join a fishing tour.
- Visit the Koh Tao History Museum to learn about the island’s history and culture.
- Take a boat tour to Shark Island and see the island’s famous blacktip reef sharks.
- Go on a night dive to see the island’s nocturnal marine life.
- Visit the Koh Tao Animal Clinic, a non-profit organization that cares for injured and abandoned animals on the island.
- Take a sunset cruise around the island and watch the sun go down over the water.
- Go scuba diving at Chumphon Pinnacle, one of the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand.
- Take a boat tour to the nearby islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
- Visit the Mae Haad Pier Fish Market to see the daily catch and try some fresh seafood.