Ko Tao Guide
Koh Tao is a picturesque island in the Gulf of Thailand. It offers beautiful beaches and everything for an exotic vacation. Ko Tao with a total area of 21 km2 is the smallest of the surrounding islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Its name in translation means "Turtle Island", which is derived from the shape of the island, which resembles a turtle with its head submerged in water. Also from the occurrence of turtles on the island.
Transport
You can get here by boat from the surrounding islands of Koh Phangan or greater Ko Samui, where there is also an international airport. If you are traveling from Bangkok, you can choose from several options. Probably the cheapest is the combination of bus and boat travel. Definitely more convenient and also more interesting is the journey by night train from Bangkok to Chumphon or Surat Thani (boat connection to Ko Samui) and from there by boat. To explore the island it is then necessary to rent a motorbike.
Beaches
The main beach and the longest beach on the island is Sairee Beach. No visitor can avoid this beach, there is the port of Mae Hat, where all boats arrive. On Sairee Beach you will find a large number of accommodation, restaurants, diving centers, etc. It is the center of the island. We can definitely recommend it as a base for accommodation for exploring the island. Chalok Baan Kao beach is located on the south side of the island and I would recommend it to families with small children. It is a quiet beach with plenty of accommodation options and shops. Next to Chalok Bay is another popular beach, Freedom Beach. The adjoining bay offers the breathtaking Shark Bay beach (entrance fees apply). There are several beaches in the eastern part of the island. Probably the most popular is the beautiful Tanot Bay surrounded by large boulders.
Activities
Ko Tao Island is a popular place for divers. It is also popular for snorkeling. It is possible to sniff here on almost every beach. Mango Bay is one of these attractive places. A small beach on the north side of the island with coral reefs on either side of the beach. The best way to get to Mango Bay Beach is by boat. Another beautiful place for snorkeling or diving is Shark Island. It is located about 800 meters south of Ko Tao. You can get here by kayak in about 15 minutes from Aow Leuk Beach or Sai Daeng Beach. When visiting Ko Tao, be sure not to visit the group of 3 islands of Ko Nang Yuan. Ko Nang Yuan is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. You can get here as part of a day trip or rent a boat to Ko Tao. Entrance to the island is charged and there is a ban on plastic bottles. If you go here, in addition to the beach, do not miss the view from the top of the hill, it is worth it.
Accommodation
On Ko Tao, accommodation can be chosen by everyone, from luxury hotel resorts, to cheap accommodation in hostels. Sairee Beach offers the largest selection of accommodation. Here we can recommend luxury accommodation in Jamahkiri Resort & Spa or luxury villas with private pool Over the Moon KT. Cheaper options on Sairee Beach include Grand Beach Resort. At Chalok Baan Kao, we can recommend Koh Tao Tropicana Resort or Greenery Resort Koh Tao. Also, popular are hotels near Mae Haad Pier such as Koh Tao Beach Club. From the hotel resorts on the island we can recommend Cape Shark Villas or Sai Daeng Resort.