Koh Tao
A small island built around diving. Koh Tao certifies more divers than anywhere else in the world, and the reefs are close enough to swim to from some beaches.
Koh Tao is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, 70km from the mainland, and one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive. Three to four nights is right; five if you are doing an Open Water course.
Why people come for a week and stay a month
Open Water courses are cheap, the water is warm and visibility is good from March to September. The island is small — 21 square kilometres — so everything is ten minutes away.
Beyond diving
Sairee is the main beach and the busiest; Chalok Baan Kao and Tanote are quieter. The viewpoint above Sairee and the Koh Nang Yuan sandbar are the two non-diving things everyone does.
Where to stay in Koh Tao
Koh Tao is small and built around diving, so the base depends on whether you want to be near the dive shops, the quiet beaches or the sunset. Sairee is the middle; everything else is a short scooter ride.
- Sairee Beach (south end)$$
Best for: Divers, quiet with restaurants nearby
Walk to the dive schools and the better reef; the north end is bars, the south end is calm.
- Mae Haad$–$$
Best for: Ferry arrival, budget
Where the boats land and the cheapest rooms; 10 minutes to Sairee.
- Chalok Baan Kao & Aow Leuk$$
Best for: Snorkelling, families
The best swimming and snorkelling from shore on the island.
Price bands are for a double room per night in high season: $ under THB 1,800 · $$ 1,800–4,500 · $$$ 4,500–10,000 · $$$$ above 10,000. We book hotels in every band and inspect them in person.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Booking a dive course at the cheapest shop without checking instructor ratios
- Staying in Sairee if you want quiet — it is the busiest part of the island
- Coming in November and December, when the monsoon makes the crossing rough
Is it worth it?
Worth three or four nights, and the best place in Thailand to learn to dive. Above water the island is small and not especially beautiful, but the reefs, the courses and the value are excellent. Non-divers will find three days enough.
Things to see in Koh Tao
Tours that include Koh Tao
Experiences here
Common questions
Ferry from Chumphon (1.5–2 hours) or Koh Samui (2 hours). The Lomprayah catamaran is the fastest and most reliable.
Open Water certification is around 9,000–11,000 baht including accommodation in many schools. Fun dives are 800–1,200 baht.
March to September for the best visibility and calm crossings. November and December are the roughest months.
It is fine for three days — snorkelling, beaches and viewpoints. Divers tend to stay longer.
Last updated: October 2026 · JoyoTour editorial team
Add Koh Tao to a longer trip
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