Top Things to Do in the Koh-tao | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Koh Tao

Places To Visit In Koh Tao

Hin Wong Bay

A quiet getaway from the ever-crowded Sairee beach, Hin Wong is a large bay entirely surrounded by boulders. The beach at the Hin Wong Bay is small, cosy and surrounded by rocks. The water is incredibly clear and ideal for snorkelling. People usually visit Hin Wong on scooters or on foot. For accommodation here, there are 2 or 3 seafront resorts and bungalows to choose from, but it is not necessary to stay a night here. Hin Wong is recommended for all snorkelling lovers. Read More

It is a boulder with the King Chulalongkorn Rama V's initials which the local residents worship. In 1899, King Chulalongkorn Rama V, known as the greatest and most beloved king of Thailand, had come here and had his initials carved on a large boulder. Since then, this place became a place of worship for the residents as well as the visitors. It is located at the Jor Por Ror bay, next to the Sairee beach.

The picturesque island of Koh Nang Yuan is a group of three tiny landforms connected by strips of white sand. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand, Northwest of Koh Tao, just 15 minutes away. The island is lush with vegetation and is surrounded by turquoise-blue waters. The coral blue waters teeming with marine life make the island an excellent diving and snorkeling destination. The island poses as a perfect destination for a day trip, but if you are looking to have a more relaxing experience amidst all the serenity, it is recommended you stay overnight. The beaches are the centre of attraction on the island. The water is extremely clear and looks blue due to corals' deposition. It is common to hike up to the viewpoint and get a bird's eye view of the surrounding beaches. Snorkeling is the most popular activity on the island. There are five major snorkeling spots on the island. It is usually featured in the itineraries of snorkeling trips taken from other islands like Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui. Besides diving and snorkeling, other experiences to indulge in include hiking, sunbathing, and zip lining, among others. Read More

Spanning over to a distance of 1.85 kilometers up the West coast of Koh Tao, Sairee Beach is the longest beach in Tao. It is also the busiest beach of Koh Tao flooded with throngs of restaurants, dive centers, bars, cafes, shops and a wide range of accommodation options available easily. This gorgeous beach is ideal for families with children. Sairee Beach is also famous for being a hotspot for party animals as it boasts of amazing nightlife culture. The island hopping travelers are seen hanging out at the beach along with fellow backpackers. The line of restaurants on the two narrow streets majorly serving the best Thai Food experience is not to be missed. Read More

The Shark Bay in Koh Tao is a unique and surreal spot popular for snorkeling and spotting the blacktip reef sharks that visit this beach regularly. The Shark Bay Koh Tao is a private bay glistening with white sand and shaded by tall coconut trees which are called ‘Thian’ by the locals. The local name for these trees gives the beach its original name- Thian Og, though the beach is more popularly referred to as by the name of Shark Bay. The Shark Bay is famous not just for its sharks, but also for its serenity and beauty. Be on the lookout for the green turtles as well, which are extremely friendly. Those who don't want to pay for a private snorkel, can always spend a day in solitude at the beach, dipping in and out of the turquoise waters of the ocean at ease. There are some fancy restaurants scattered along the beachfront ideal for the relaxing trip to the beach. Read More

Wat Koh Tao is the only temple of Koh Tao. Here, Buddhism is practised and taught and is also a residing place for monks. The temple lies in the hilly terrain between Sairee and Mae Haad. It was constructed by a Thai Buddhist monk in 1977. The monks residing here impart the theoretical and practical knowledge of Buddhism to anyone who is interested. A few points to remember when you visit this place are - remove your hat and shoes, speak softly, switch off your phone, and don't touch the statue. Read More

Hin Yaai Mae and Hin Taa Tao are two massive boulder-like formations located at the Chaalok Ban Kao Bay. Spiritually of great significance to the local populace, these two rocks are worshipped by the local inhabitants, who consider them to be Gods protecting them from natural disasters and bad luck. Tourists can take a kayak around the bay to see this Koh Tao attraction.

Koh Tao has plenty of spas and massage centres for visitors to relax after sightseeing. Drop in for a traditional Thai massage to reduce muscle tension and stress, with the goodness of Ayurvedic principles, acupressure and professionally assisted yoga. You can soak in panoramic sea and jungle vistas for massage sessions starting at THB 200 hourly at Lotus Spa, Paradise Massage, and Majestic Spa.

On the island's southernmost point, John Suwan Viewpoint is considered one of the best observation decks in Koh Tao’s mountains. Flanked by lush tropical jungles and boulders, the several uphill trails towards John Suwan Viewpoint can be hiked in 20 minutes and lead to panoramic views of the ocean, mountains, and Chalok Bay to the west, and Sai Daeng Bay and Shark Island to the east.

Being only 7 kilometres in length and 3 kilometres wide, Koh Tao island can be easily explored on a scooter. As most roads are not designed for driving fast, a scooter can get one across the island’s beaches, villages and low-lying hills safely. There are many types of scooter rentals available in Koh Tao, with automatic scooters rented out at about THB 300 per day being the easiest to ride.