Surat Thani (Koh Tao), Thailand: travel guide
Turtle Island — a diver's paradise with world-class coral reefs, affordable PADI certification, and vibrant backpacker scene.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
Plan a Surat Thani (Koh Tao) trip
Top places to visit in Surat Thani (Koh Tao)
John Suwan Viewpoint
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry THB 40
South Koh Tao hilltop with 360° views of the island, Shark Bay and the inner gulf.
Aow Leuk Beach
Beach · 4.2 rating · about 1 h
Small secluded bay on the southeast coast known for calm, clear water and snorkelling.
Ko Nang Yuan (Three-island Viewpoint)
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry THB 100
Three tiny islets connected by white sand bars with a steep viewpoint offering Koh Tao's best panorama.
Freedom Beach Koh Tao
Beach · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 100
Secluded rocky-pocket beach accessible by longtail or a short hike. Calm and crystal-clear water.
Mango Bay
Beach · 3.5 rating · about 1.5 h
Sheltered bay on the northwest coast reachable only by boat, popular for snorkelling.
Tanote Bay
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h
East-coast bay with three connected beach coves and good snorkelling among rock formations.
Sairee Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 3 h
Koh Tao's main beach strip — white sand, vibrant beach bars and easy access to dive shops.
Chalok Baan Kao Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
Sheltered south-bay beach good for swimming. Popular with long-stay divers and budget travellers.
Shark Bay (Haad Shark Bay)
Wildlife · 4.1 rating · about 2 h · entry THB 100
Snorkelling bay where blacktip reef sharks are regularly spotted in the shallow water. No fee to enter.
Sairee Beach Sunset Viewpoint
Beach · 4.2 rating · about 1 h
The main beach strip on Koh Tao's west coast, lined with bars and dive shops, known for sunsets.
HTMS Sattakut Wreck Dive
Activity · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · entry THB 800
Decommissioned navy vessel sunk in 2011. One of Asia's top wreck dives at 18-30 m depth.
Hin Wong Bay
Beach · 4.1 rating · about 1 h
Rocky east-coast bay popular for shore snorkelling among granite boulders.
Things to do
- PADI Open Water Dive Course — Koh Tao Water Sports · 36 h · from THB 4,100 per person
- Snorkelling Day Trip around Koh Tao Water Sports · 6 h · from THB 1,000 per person
- Sunset Boat Cruise around Koh Tao Sightseeing · 2 h · from THB 860 per person
- Muay Thai Training Session on Koh Tao Wellness · 1.5 h · from THB 520 per person
- Chumphon Pinnacle Dive Trip Activity · 5 h
- Sail Rock Dive Trip Activity · 5 h
- Freediving Course on Koh Tao Activity · 4 h · from THB 7,800 per person
- Sunset Kayaking from Sairee Beach Activity · 2 h
Day trips and tours
- Ko Nang Yuan & Shark Bay Snorkel Trip 4 h · from THB 550
- HTMS Sattakut Wreck & Twin Peaks Dive 6 h · from THB 1,400
- Island Hopping & Koh Tao Sunset Cruise 6 h · from THB 760
Where to stay in Surat Thani (Koh Tao)
- Beach Area about THB 3,500 per night
Diving destination with beach resorts
Hotels
- Rocky Resort 4-star
- Sairee Cottage Resort 2-star
- Ko Tao Resort 3-star
Where to eat
- Seaside Restaurant Southern Thai, Seafood · about THB 600 per person
- The French Market French, Italian, Bakery · about THB 500 per person
- Cafe del Sol French, Italian · about THB 550 per person
- Harmony Restaurant Steakhouse, Western, Fine Dining · about THB 1,500 per person
- Yang's Thai Food Thai · about THB 80 per person
- Coconut Monkey Cafe · about THB 350 per person
- Whitening Thai, International · about THB 700 per person
- Zest Cafe, Sandwiches · about THB 200 per person
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Surat Thani (Koh Tao)
- Oct 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for October: 294.9 mm, 15.8 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station KO SAMUI (WMO 48550), 73 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Surat Thani (Koh Tao)).
- Nov 30°C · rough · WMO 1991-2020 normal for November: 444.6 mm, 16.5 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station KO SAMUI (WMO 48550), 73 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Surat Thani (Koh Tao)). Koh Tao sits between two marine parks that both close for the northeast monsoon: "Mu Ko Chumphon National Park - ... Open and will be closed 1 November-15 December" to the north and "Mu Ko Ang Thong ... closed from 1 November-15 December" to the south. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Dec 29°C · moderate · WMO 1991-2020 normal for December: 263.1 mm, 11.6 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station KO SAMUI (WMO 48550), 73 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Surat Thani (Koh Tao)). Mu Ko Chumphon and Mu Ko Ang Thong both closed 1 November - 15 December; the first half of the month is inside the closure. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/