Koh Tao

Koh Tao, Turtle Island is an island off Koh Samui having neighbouring Koh Phangan in Suratthani Province. It covers an area of about 21 square metres. Koh Tao is well known for scuba diving and snorkeling. The most popular place for tourists is Sairee Beach, where white sandy beach of 1.7 km interrupted only by a few huge boulders and a scattering of medium budget resorts and restaurants.

Chalok Baan Khao is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative for those wishing to escape the crowds. A multitude of beautiful granite boulders, which nestle both in the forests and on the beaches of Ko Tao, attract a growing number of climbers who visit each year to enjoy the adventurous aspect.

Ko Tao is increasingly becoming a mecca for game fishermen on a budget. Species targeted include marlin, sailfish, king mackerel, cobia, baracuda, trevally and snapper. Diving conditions have improved dramatically in the past few years with the continuing education of locals by the dive community. Chumpon Pinnacle, a dive site to the west of the island has a reputation for divers in search of both whalesharks and bull sharks.

Getting Koh Tao

Ko Tao has no airport, so anyone wishing to fly would need to fly to Koh Samui and then transfer over on a ferry. Flights to Samui are operated by Bangkok Air and Thai Airways. Another option is fly from Bangkok to Suratthani and then catch the boat over after a bus ride of 2 hours to the ferry terminal from the airport. Flights to Suratthani are much cheaper than flights to Koh Samui. Budget airlines such as Air Asia, Nok Air fly from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phuket.

Train services are available from Bangkok down to Chumphon where travellers can then catch a ferry to Koh Tao.

Travelling within Koh Tao

Koh Tao has few options to travel. Almost all roads on Ko Tao are dirt roads and generally are in poor shape. However, new roads are being paved at a quick rate. 95% of all traffic on the island is motorbike with mopeds and dirt bikes being the main mode of transport. Motor bike accidents are the most common injury on the island. Poor roads, sand, reckless taxi drivers and drunkenness are the major causes of road accidents.