This small tropical island draws beach lovers, scuba fanatics and adventure seekers alike with its coral reefs, stunning white beaches, and diverse marine life
The Good
- ๐ Decent nightlife
- ๐ Decent food options
- โ Coffee
- ๐ด Strong ex-pat community
- โ๏ธ Fantastic weather
- ๐ก Strong wifi coverage
- ๐๏ธ Nature & beaches
- ๐คฟ Scuba diving
- โฑ๏ธ Great beach
- ๐ฅฐ Beautiful
The Bad
- ๐๏ธ Limited accomodation options
- ๐ก Unreliable wifi
- ๐ Limited public transport
- ๐ถ Not walkable
- ๐ฅต Very humid
- ๐ง Tricky to reach
- ๐ฆ Power cuts
- ๐ Poor infrastructure
Living costs
- Koh Tao is the most expensive place (out of 11) to live in Thailand
- It's about 13% more expensive to live in Koh Tao than it is Athens
- You can expect to spend around $1,898.83 per month living here
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- Prices are estimates and should be used as a guide only. We accept no responsibility for inaccuracies in data.
- Prices adjusted to reflect exchange rates as of 3rd Jun 2026
Safety
Generally safe for tourists, but petty crime can occur; exercise caution, especially at night.
Where to stay
1. Sairee Beach
Sairee Beach is the most popular area on Koh Tao. It offers a range of accommodation, from cheap guesthouses to high end resorts. It's also known for its nightlife, food, and a fun atmosphere. If you want to be in the thick of the action with easy access to restaurants, bars, and water sports, Sairee Beach area is your best bet.
2. Mae Haad
Mae Haad is another popular area located near the main pier. It's the transportation hub of the island and offers a decent selection of accommodation, ranging from cheap to mid-range options. Mae Haad is pretty chilled, with a good choice of restaurants, shops, and dive schools.
3. Chalok Baan Kao
Chalok Baan Kao is a much quieter area located in the southern part of Koh Tao. It's known for its gorgeous beach and chilled atmosphere. It's perfect for those seeking peace and quiet and offers a range of accommodation, including beachfront bungalows and boutique resorts. It's a great spot for relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the island.
Where to eat
Zest
Mae Haad, Koh TaoArguably the best coffee and breakfast on the island. Our go to for a full english.
Nightlife
Where to work
Fitness
Outdoors
John Suwan Viewpoint
Koh TaoOn the very southern tip of Koh Tao a 20 min hike gives stunning views of the entire island and Shark Bay to the right.
Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint
Koh Nang YuanArguably the most taken photograph of Koh Tao with views out over the stunning Koh Nang Yuan island. Definitely one for Instagram.
Transport
Scooter
The easiest way to get around Koh Tao is to rent a scooter or bike. There's no real public transport on the island and although you can hail taxis they can be pretty expensive (more on that below). You can typically hire a scooter for around 3,500 baht per month. There are plenty of hire shops dotted all over the island so it is fairly easy to get a good deal.
Taxi
The only other real option for getting round Koh Tao is taxi. There are no ride hailing services here so grabbing a cab can be a pain as you will need to negotiate a price (which can be expensive for even relatively short journeys). Cabs also tend to be pick up trucks and you'll need to climb onto the back which can be tricky if you have loads of luggage or are elderly.
Walk
Although the island itself is too big to walk the two main area of Sairee and Mae Haad are walkable with many of the bars, dive shops and accomodation in close proximity. There's also a beach side pathway that runs from Mae Haad to Sairee Beach although it is quite narrow and you tend to have bikes driving along it also.
Internet speed
Internet is generally ok but can be unreliable at times.
Time difference
๐คซ Pro tip
If renting a bike or scooter be sure to document and take pictures of the bike before you leave the hire shop. This can be a massive help if you run into any disputes about damage or scratches when returning the bike.When to visit
Late Dec to Apr
Sept to early Dec
Average temperatures
Who it suits
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