Welcome to our travel guide to Koh Tao, by far our favorite island in Thailand! Koh Tao is a paradise filled with stunning beaches, swaying palm trees, mesmerizing sunsets, and breathtaking viewpoints. In this ultimate travel guide to Koh Tao, we’ll take you through the best things to do, the top places to eat, and the perfect place to stay, ensuring you have an unforgettable experience on this magical island. Oh how we wished we were back on this gem of an isle!
The best things to do on Koh Tao
Get PADI certified
Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to get your PADI scuba dive certification. In 3 to 4 days you’ll learn all the basics of safe scuba diving, including dive theory and all the skills you need. If you do not have the time (or money) you can also follow an introductory diving course, which only takes one day. We only stayed 2 nights on Koh Tao so didn’t have enough time to get PADI certified, but definitely plan to come back to get our certificate here! Koh Tao’s scuba diving scene is so rich and diverse that it’d be a shame not to.
Relax at Sai Nuan Beach
Sai Nuan Beach is a set of two scenic beaches that are still very much under the radar for most people. When we visited in the morning, there were only two other visitors. This means you’ll likely have the beaches mostly to yourself. With how popular beaches in Thailand can get, finding a secluded one is so nice! That’s why we had to include this beach in this ultimate travel guide to Koh Tao.
The main beach is free to access, but you’ll need to pay a small entrance fee to get to the second beach since it’s private property. However, the second beach was definitely our favorite, so it’s absolutely worth the visit! Another reason we recommend Sai Nuan Beach is the journey to get there. It’s a scenic route with stunning hilly landscapes and endless palm trees. An absolutely idyllic setting!
Climb to the John Suwan Viewpoint
John Suwan Viewpoint is a popular viewpoint situated in the southern part of Koh Tao. It takes roughly 20 minutes to hike to the top, but it’s quite challenging, as you’ll need to climb over rocks to get there. However, the views are absolutely worth it! You’ll get to see two beautiful bays from up there, perfectly divided by the peninsula you’re standing on. We suggest wearing sneakers and tackling the hike in the morning to beat the heat.
Good to know
To climb the John Suwan Viewpoint, you’ll need to pay 50 baht (about € 1,30). This fee lets you also enjoy Freedom Beach with a sunbed included, and Taa Toh Lagoon Beach. Start your day with the viewpoint and later relax at either beach. Freedom Beach is stunning and more popular, while Taa Toh Lagoon Beach is quieter but requires a 10 minute walk to get there. It all depends on your preference!
Or admire the view at Sun Suwan Viewpoint
Don’t feel like a strenuous hike? Have we got an alternative for you! It only takes around 5 minutes to reach Sun Suwan Viewpoint, just a 2-minute walk from John Suwan. While not as breathtaking as its “bigger brother”, the view is still lovely. It’s a great option for those seeking beautiful scenery without much effort! You have seating areas at both sides of the hill with an amazing overview of the sea and beaches on both sides. Fun fact: we actually mistook this place for John Suwan viewpoint at first, but after just a few moments here we were happy we made this mistake!
Good to know
The entrance fee for Sun Suwan Viewpoint is 50 baht (about € 1,30). With this, you receive a coupon that you can exchange at the cafe for water or soft drinks.
Take a boat trip to Koh Nang Yuan
One of the best things to do on Koh Tao is island hopping to Koh Nang Yuan. This island is made up of three small islands, connected by a white sandbar. Its unique scenery looks just like a postcard! You can snorkel or simply relax on the beach here. But the best way to appreciate the island’s beauty is by hiking up to the Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint. It’s a 15-minute hike to the top, where you’ll be treated to one of Thailand’s most picture-perfect views.
Good to know
The island is open between 10 AM and 5 PM. Keep in mind private longtail boat rides from Sairee Beach are only available until 3 PM. And make sure to bring a reusable water bottle because plastic is banned on the island.
Sunset at Sairee Beach
Sairee Beach is the most popular spot for catching the breathtaking sunset on Koh Tao, and it’s not hard to see why! As the night falls, the sky becomes a beautiful canvas painted in shades of orange and pink. It really is a stunning spectacle!
While many opt for bars with cozy seats, we’ve found a more budget-friendly and romantic approach. Simply bring a towel together with your favorite drinks, and find a cozy spot on the beach. There’s nothing quite like watching the sunset together, drink in hand, with the one you love. It’s an experience that’s hard to beat! Sunset at Sairee Beach is among our favorite sunsets so far on our world trip.
Relax at Haad Sai Daeng Beach
For those craving a secluded beach getaway, Haad Sai Daeng Beach is the perfect spot. Tucked away within Coral View Resort, this slice of paradise offers an exclusive experience with sunbeds reserved solely for guests. However, if you prefer to lounge in the sand, simply bring your own towel and claim your spot. Don’t miss out on the Coral View Bar, where you can soak in stunning sea views while sipping on delicious drinks. They have a great range of drinks, we really liked the homemade strawberry lemonade.
Where to eat on Koh Tao
Da’s Sandwiches
We never expected to say this, but the best sandwiches we’ve ever had are on Koh Tao! They’re incredibly delicious and made us come back multiple times. You can customize your own sandwich or choose from their bestsellers. We tried a few, but our favorite was the chicken, egg, cheese, and avocado combo. For sauces, we suggest the sweet chili and barbecue. Such a heavenly mix! Kelvin sometimes switched it up and added spicy sauce, too, if spicy is your thing we really suggest adding some. We’ve recommended this place to several people, and they all agreed that the sandwiches here are fantastic! What’s also important to know is that prices are very reasonable here. Perfect for a budget friendly breakfast or lunch! They close around 3.30 PM which means dinner here is not possible unfortunately.
Kanya Kitchen
Kanya Kitchen is a cozy local place serving tasty food. It’s a small outdoor place with limited seating, but that just adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Kelvin had an incredible Pad Kra Pao here, and the Pad Thai was also quite good. Plus, we paid less than € 6 for two dishes and two drinks, very affordable if you ask us! It’s just a 5 minute ride away from Koh Tao’s main street, so you know where to head after eating here.
Net Fruit Shake
For the tastiest smoothies on Koh Tao, head to Net Fruit Shake. We went there multiple times, and the smoothies were consistently fresh and yummy. The cute cat that always hangs out here also helped keep us coming back several times. At Net Fruit Shake you can choose the ratio yourself, since every shake is made to order. Want more of one fruit, or add a little sugar? No problem! Our top pick? The passion fruit-lime-ginger combo. It’s the ultimate refreshing drink! They also sell fresh fruit if you’re interested.
The Factory Café
Close to Sairee Beach, you’ll find The Factory Café, a restaurant offering all-day brunch. They serve mouthwatering smoothie bowls, salads, wraps, fresh juices, smoothies,… Delicious and nutritious! Plus, they offer plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. A great pick if you’re looking for something different.
Where to stay on Koh Tao
Similar to Phi Phi Don, we were a bit late in booking our accommodation on Koh Tao. This meant most hotels were already booked, leaving only low-quality or more expensive options. So, we ended up choosing a hotel that was a little outside our budget, which turned out to be one of our best decisions ever!
The Plantation provided the most luxurious stay we’ve had in Thailand. It was pure pleasure to enjoy all the luxury and amazing views. With a spacious room, a living area, and kitchen, plus a beautiful balcony overlooking palm trees and the sea, it felt truly magical! The sunsets were simply breathtaking. Plus, having a sofa was a nice touch. We hadn’t lounged on one since the start of our world trip. It was a real treat to relax like that again!
The Plantation is situated a 10-minute walk from Sairee Beach. We spent just over € 200 for two nights, which is a bit pricey, but it’s completely worth it for all the luxury you receive. Pickup from the pier was included, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful with every request we had. We’d absolutely stay here again! Two nights felt way too short.
▶️ Read all about The Plantation, a luxurious getaway on Koh Tao.
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