Most individuals who journey to Thailand need to spend at the very least a few of their journey on a tropical island. The Kingdom of Smiles has no scarcity of paradisiacal islands to select from. Probably the greatest Thai islands to go to is Koh Tao, “Turtle Island.”
Koh Tao is among the finest locations to go to in Thailand when you’re in search of a diving vacation spot, however there’s rather more happening right here.
I had such unimaginable experiences in Koh Tao and cherished scuba diving, seaside bumming, mountaineering, and wild nightlife. All this and extra await whenever you journey to Koh Tao. Right here’s my checklist of the most effective issues to do in Koh Tao that can assist you plan your Thai island getaway.
1. Get Scuba Licensed
There are few locations on the planet higher to get scuba licensed than Koh Tao. There are tons of dive retailers on the island, and the competitors helps preserve costs down. You may get your open water certificates right here for simply round $300. What a deal!
In case you’ve at all times been focused on scuba diving however have been placing it off, Koh Tao is the proper place to start out. It’s nice with the ability to study within the ocean, as there are spots which can be shallow sufficient to take action.
I for one am actually completely satisfied I discovered out within the ocean fairly than in a pool. It made the transition to correct scuba diving very easy and we had nice instructors.
Since there are a lot of dive faculties on Koh Tao, it’s necessary to do your analysis and select the one which’s best for you. Two high contenders embrace the highly-rated La Bombona and Dpm Diving (which additionally has nice lodging out there, verify that out right here).
Those that have already got their open water certification can add loads of different credentials right here, together with superior diver, divemaster, and extra. Many dive retailers additionally supply underwater pictures courses when you’d prefer to get into that. There’s little question that scuba diving is on the high of the checklist of issues to do in Koh Tao.
2. Unleash Your Inside Yogi
It’s not all about being within the water right here. There are additionally loads of issues to do in Koh Tao on land, together with working towards yoga. There are fairly a couple of yoga studios in Koh Tao as of late, providing courses of assorted sorts and ranges.
It’s onerous to think about a greater method to begin your day than with an ocean-view yoga class. In case you’re considering of turning your ardour for yoga right into a job, you possibly can look into doing all your yoga trainer coaching right here as nicely.
Try Shambhala Yoga on Sairee Seashore (round 300 baht per class) or take a look at Ocean Sound who supply scuba diving and yoga courses.
☞ See Additionally: Issues To Do in Chiang Mai – A Listing of 17 Highlights
3. Go On a Snorkeling Cruise
You don’t need to be a diver to benefit from the underwater world that surrounds Koh Tao. There are many snorkeling cruises for individuals who aren’t dive-certified however nonetheless need to admire the ample marine life.
Along with seeing turtles (which you’d anticipate on Turtle Island), you may also spot black-tip reef sharks and blue-spotted rays. I’m a giant fan of diving, however the snorkeling in Koh Tao is fairly superior as nicely. It’s actually simpler and cheaper, too!
On this highly-rated journey, you’ll discover Koh Nang Yuan islands off of Koh Tao, have use of kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear, and luxuriate in a meal with drinks. Click on right here to study extra about this enjoyable journey.
In case you’re on close by Koh Samui, you are able to do a day journey to Koh Tao to benefit from the underwater world.
4. Feast on a Seafood BBQ
After all these fish within the water, it’s time to eat a few of them again on land. There are many beachside eating places the place you possibly can select from quite a lot of contemporary seafood and have it barbecued proper on the spot.
A seafood feast on the seaside is actually one of the scrumptious issues to do in Koh Tao! Try Household Kitchen or Barracuda for some tasty meals.
5. Play Mini-Golf
One of the enjoyable issues to do in Koh Tao is enjoying a spherical of mini-golf. Head to the Koh Tao Leisure Park to play a spherical on their 18-hole course.
You possibly can play as many rounds as you want for about $5, so go forward and provides the “Goofy Golf” a strive. It stays open late and it’s flood-lit at evening, so it is a nice method to spend a night out.
Along with mini-golf, additionally they have petanque courts, pool tables, foosball tables, a cinema, and a sports activities bar. Convey some buddies alongside from the hostel for a tremendous enjoyable evening.
6. Eat a Banana Pancake
Seeing as how Koh Tao is firmly on the famed Banana Pancake Path via Southeast Asia, it is best to most likely eat at the very least one. There’s a purpose yow will discover banana pancakes in every single place on this area. They’re candy, scrumptious, and tremendous low-cost, so why not?
Try Coconut Monkey for extra of a restaurant fashion, or hit up any of the streetside distributors for a banana pancake stuffed with Nutella, bananas and extra. At round 40 baht ($1.20), it’s a cut price. Consuming a banana pancake is unquestionably one of the widespread issues to do in Thailand for backpackers.
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7. Lease Some Wheels
One of the simplest ways to discover Koh Tao is unquestionably with your personal two wheels. Most vacationers select to lease motorbikes, that are available and fairly low-cost. With a set of wheels, you’ll be capable to hit all corners of the island simply with out having to fret about discovering a cab. Simply be sure you drive safely and at all times experience with a helmet.
In case you’re not snug on a bike, you can too discover bicycles for lease in Koh Tao. There are many good bike rides you possibly can tackle the island, and also you’ll get some train within the course of.
Take a look on the extremely rated Oli’s Motorcycle Leases or KP Journey and Motorcycle Rental.
☞ On the lookout for an epic bike journey? Don’t miss the Mae Hong Son Loop in northern Thailand, it’s a spotlight of any journey to the nation.
8. Take a Hike to a Viewpoint
Talking of getting train, there are a couple of brief mountaineering trails in Koh Tao that take you to gorgeous viewpoints. A few of the finest embrace the John Suwan Viewpoint and Fraggle Rock.
It’s finest to move out mountaineering early within the morning or later within the day simply earlier than sundown, because the noon solar might be intense. Everytime you go, working up a great sweat is among the high issues to do in Koh Tao.
☞ See Additionally: Issues To Do in Chiang Rai – 21 Prime Issues You Don’t Wish to Miss
9. Take a Day Journey to Koh Nang Yuan
Simply since you’re already on a beautiful island doesn’t imply you possibly can’t depart for the day to go to one other one. Close by Koh Nang Yuan is a tiny island that makes for a superb day journey.
Along with enjoyable on the postcard-worthy seashores and having fun with some world-class snorkeling, you may get a pleasant adrenaline rush right here on the superior zipline.
Koh Nang Yuan is residence to the world’s first island-to-island zipline, which options some fairly unimaginable views. You should definitely put it excessive in your checklist of issues to do in Koh Tao. Click on right here to study this wonderful day journey.
☞ On the lookout for a shocking island with pristine seashores, however much less vacationers? Don’t miss the entire unimaginable issues to do in Koh Lipe.
10. Climb On Rocks…and Leap Off Them
In case you can handle to climb out of your seaside chair, why not give mountaineering a strive in Koh Tao? Whether or not you’re an absolute newbie or a professional, there’s a climbing route right here for you.
There are a couple of retailers providing climbing programs on the island, so get on the market and provides it a strive. One other expertise price attempting is cliff leaping. After that severe exercise climbing, it’s tons of enjoyable leaping within the water and cooling off.
Take a look on the widespread Koh Tao Climbing Undertaking for extra particulars.
11. Lease a Kayak and Snorkel
An effective way to spend a half day in Koh Tao is renting a kayak and snorkel and heading out by yourself. It’s not onerous discovering a store that can lease the gear out to you for a few hours.
There are many bays within the south of the island the place you possibly can head out from – Jansom Bay, Shipwreck, Sai Nuan Seashore, June Juea Seashore, Viewpoint Cape, Cape Je Ta Kang and Freedom Seashore (to call a couple of).
A day of paddling across the bay with a little bit of snorkeling blended in is tough to beat. Wherever you exit in Koh Tao, you’re certain to see loads of marine life. The kayak/snorkel combo is unquestionably one in every of my favourite issues to do in Koh Tao.
Try this present day journey which features a boat tour, snorkeling, kayaks, and rather more. Or, take a look at this superior snorkel boat journey round Koh Tao!
*Be aware: at all times verify the wind and sea situations earlier than setting off and search native recommendation about the place (and the place not) to kayak.
12. Drink a Bucket
When partying in Koh Tao (or any Thai island), the drink of alternative is unquestionably a bucket. The idea is straightforward – take a seaside bucket, and fill it with booze, ice, and some mixers. Add a number of straws (ideally bamboo or glass ones), and share it with buddies!
Dipping your toes within the sand, dancing to some music, and sipping on a bucket with a few of your finest journey buddies undoubtedly makes the checklist of high issues to do in Koh Tao. Fishbowl is a well-liked spot to seize a drink.
13. Prepare in Muay Thai
In case you’re trying to get into form, it is best to think about coaching in Muay Thai whilst you’re visiting Koh Tao. Even when you’re not into the thought of entering into the ring for an precise match, signing up for some Muay Thai classes is a good way to get match. In any case these banana pancakes and buckets, it’s most likely not a nasty thought.
Island Muay Thai on Sairee Seashore is an efficient place to strive.
14. Watch a Hearth Present
that previous saying about enjoying with hearth? Individuals in Koh Tao have by no means heard of it. One of many quintessential issues to do in Koh Tao is watching a hearth present on the seaside.
Each evening of the week, yow will discover seaside bars with hearth reveals happening. Seize a drink, pull up a beanbag, and sit right down to take pleasure in a scorching sizzling efficiency.
Try Koh Tao in our “Streets, Beats & Eats” collection!
15. Study About Marine Conservation
On this tiny island that’s a extremely popular vacationer vacation spot, marine conservation is extraordinarily necessary. Fortunately, Koh Tao takes this matter very severely and there are a lot of nice organizations onerous at work there.
If you wish to study marine conservation, it is best to drop by Eco Koh Tao and the New Haven Reef Conservation Undertaking. Each are doing nice work and have quite a lot of programs and tasks you possibly can take part in.
16. Dive at Sail Rock
When you’ve acquired your open water certificates, you would possibly as nicely stick round Koh Tao to do a couple of free dives. Probably the greatest dive websites within the space is unquestionably Sail Rock, so put a visit on the market on the high of your checklist.
Many of the dive retailers in Koh Tao supply journeys out to Sail Rock. You’ll get two dives, lunch on the boat, and loads of superior views alongside the way in which.
17. Go to Ang Thong Marine Park
One of the widespread day journeys out of Koh Tao is the Ang Thong Marine Park. This attractive archipelago of islands is only a brief boat experience away, and nearly each tour operator runs journeys there.
On a visit round Ang Thong, you’ll get to take pleasure in some snorkeling and a brief hike to an attractive lagoon. You’ll seemingly spot some wildlife as nicely, together with dusky langurs, hornbills, silver-haired bats, and hawksbill turtles. Go to Island Journey Tour Firm for tickets – additionally they lease scooters.
18. Sip on Sundowners
After a protracted time out within the water or up on the rocks, one of the simplest ways to wind down is with some sundowners on the seaside. Just about each bar on the seaside has a great Comfortable Hour round sundown, so plop down in that beanbag and get your self an grownup beverage or two!
There are additionally a couple of bars up the hill that supply a panoramic view of the sundown. Cruise as much as the aptly-named Sky Bar, seize a drink, and benefit from the present. (observe: ingesting at a sky bar can be one of many high issues to do in Bangkok – put it in your checklist for the capital!)
19. Take a Thai Cooking Class
If you depart Thailand, you’ll inevitably miss a number of issues in regards to the nation. One factor you’re certain to lengthy for is the meals. Thai delicacies is a few of the finest on the planet, so why not learn to prepare dinner it your self?
Signing up for a Thai cooking class is unquestionably the most effective issues to do in Koh Tao. Learn to prepare dinner some basic Thai dishes after which impress your pals again residence along with your culinary prowess.
Parawan’s Thai Dwelling Cooking Lessons are extremely rated on the island. Half-day courses (3 hours) with 3 completely different dishes value round 1,500 baht ($45). Click on right here to study extra about this genuine cooking class in Koh Tao.
20. Get together it Up on the Pub Crawl
In case you’re trying to let free, have a great time, and meet fellow travellers, there’s nothing higher than the Koh Tao Pub Crawl. This epic pub crawl is a lot enjoyable that they now run it 4 nights per week!
Each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, you possibly can be a part of within the insanity and expertise a wild evening out in Koh Tao.
The pub crawl consists of stops at a couple of bars, a pool occasion, and a ridiculously enjoyable ladyboy cabaret present. The doorway price of about $15 will get you a tank high, a bucket, a couple of photographs, and drink specials at each bar. In all my travels round Southeast Asia, the Koh Tao Pub Crawl stands out as one of the enjoyable nights out.
21. Be a Seashore Bum
After that jam-packed checklist, it’s becoming that the final spot goes to easily being a seaside bum. There’s a lot to see and do in Koh Tao that you just’ll have to take at the very least a while in your journey to simply do completely nothing and benefit from the seaside.
When you’re sitting there in your seaside chair, why not go forward and plan your journey to the following Thai island? In any case, each Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui are only a brief boat experience away. There are such a lot of superior issues to do in Koh Phangan, together with the well-known Full Moon Get together. Or, strive your hand at digital nomad life on these lovely Thai islands.
The place to Keep in Koh Tao
There are some nice lodging choices on Koh Tao. Listed below are a few our suggestions:
1. Huge Tree Boutique Resort: situated close to Mae Haad Seashore, this lovely lodge gives parking, a backyard, and an onsite restaurant and bar. The fundamental rooms have balconies and personal bogs, whereas the suites embrace a kitchen. Click on right here for particulars.
2. MAR24 Koh Tao Resort: situated close to Chalok Baan Kao Bay, this lodging has an onsite out of doors pool, a solar terrace and free pickup from the pier. Rooms have fan or air-conditioning, non-public bogs, and complimentary snacks. Click on right here for particulars.
3. Treehouse Bungalows: these distinctive bungalows are situated close to Aow Leuk Seashore. Get pleasure from swaying backwards and forwards in your hammock on the deck, or hand around in the backyard. Rooms right here have sea view as nicely! Click on right here for particulars.
Able to Journey to Koh Tao?
As you possibly can see, Koh Tao gives much more than simply diving. There are such a lot of issues to do in Koh Tao that you possibly can skip out on the diving fully and nonetheless fill loads of days there.
You shouldn’t try this, although, as a result of the diving is top-notch. So what are you ready for? Plan that journey of a lifetime and recover from to the Thai islands.
