Overview
Take a trip to Koh Tao on your Thailand Vacation
Koh Tao is an island situated off the Gulf of Thailand and is known for its excellent scuba diving, some of the best in the gulf on a Thailand vacation. Tourism is its almost exclusive industry. You can see turtles, stingrays, barracuda, lots of small fish, and reef sharks and there is a possibility of seeing a whale shark.
It is less developed than nearby Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan but has become increasingly popular, especially with the younger crowd. The white sand beach north of Ao Tanot is the best place on the island for snorkeling due to its very clear waters. There is a sunken catamaran in the bay. This beach can be reached by a long-tail boat. The most popular resort is Sairee on the west coast, which has a white sand beach with a length of 1.7 kilometres/ 1 mile interrupted only by a few huge boulders and some resort hotels and restaurants. Chalok Baan Khao, to the south of the island, is becoming popular as an alternative for those wishing to escape the crowds.
Nearly any time of the year except November is good diving weather in Koh Tao and visibility can exceed 40 metres/130 feet. Average visibility is around 15 to 20 metres/50 to 65 feet. It is possible and perfectly comfortable to swim and dive without a wetsuit year-round. However, as with most diving, a wetsuit is recommended to help reduce the risk of cuts or injury.
You can rent a bicycle or a scooter and ride around the island. Shark Bay is another good place to go snorkeling Other spots include Koh Nang Yuan, Freedom beach, Laem Thian, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay and Tanote Bay. Chumpon Pinnacle, a dive site to the west of the island has a reputation for divers in search of both whale sharks and bull sharks. However, because of warmer water temperatures recently, a great number of bull sharks have migrated to cooler waters. The island is host to over 130 species of hard corals and over 223 species of reef fishes.
Apart from scuba diving and snorkeling on Thailand tours, hiking and rock climbing are popular pastimes for visitors.
You can rent a bicycle or a scooter and ride around the island. Shark Bay is another good place to go snorkeling Other spots include Koh Nang Yuan, Freedom beach, Laem Thian, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay and Tanote Bay. Chumpon Pinnacle, a dive site to the west of the island has a reputation for divers in search of both whale sharks and bull sharks. However, because of warmer water temperatures recently, a great number of bull sharks have migrated to cooler waters. The island is host to over 130 species of hard corals and over 223 species of reef fishes.
Apart from scuba diving and snorkeling on Thailand tours, hiking and rock climbing are popular pastimes for visitors.
At a Glance
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Thai Baht (THB)What do the experts say?
Thailand is a friendly destination with fun & warm people, great food, and impressive cultural and beach experiences. Simply wandering neighbourhoods, visiting temples, shops & viewpoints, and eating at local restaurants are what I enjoy most when visiting Thailand. The south of Thailand is a special location with beautiful scenery and a seemingly laid back lifestyle, so visiting this area is always a special and memorable experience.
The experience of travelling from island to island on longtail boats in the south of Thailand is something that still resonates with me after many years.
For families, visiting a sustainable community in Koh Yao Yai can bring the trip to life with local interaction. For honeymooners, personalizing memorable experiences with special menus, in-room dining and more can really elevate the experience for Goway guests.
All the people that I met at the hotel, restaurants, and parks were always smiling at me. I can feel that they are grateful to all international tourists. A Thai smile inspires me most and makes me want to revisit.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao Beach
Koh Tao Reef
Koh Tao
Koh Tao Bay
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