Most individuals who journey to Thailand need to spend at the least a few of their journey on a tropical island. The Kingdom of Smiles has no scarcity of paradisiacal islands to select from. Among the best Thai islands to go to is Koh Tao, “Turtle Island.”
Koh Tao is without doubt one of the greatest places to visit in Thailand should you’re on the lookout for a diving vacation spot, however there’s way more happening right here.
I had such unbelievable experiences in Koh Tao and liked scuba diving, seashore bumming, mountaineering, and wild nightlife. All this and extra await whenever you journey to Koh Tao. Right here’s my record of one of the best issues to do in Koh Tao that will help you plan your Thai island getaway.
1. Get Scuba Licensed
There are few locations on the earth higher to get scuba licensed than Koh Tao. There are tons of dive outlets on the island, and the competitors helps hold costs down. You will get your open water certificates right here for simply round $300. What a deal!
Should you’ve all the time been excited about scuba diving however have been placing it off, Koh Tao is the right place to begin. It’s nice having the ability to be taught within the ocean, as there are spots which are shallow sufficient to take action.
I for one am actually comfortable I realized out within the ocean quite 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 colleges on Koh Tao, it’s necessary to do your analysis and select the one which’s best for you. Two prime contenders embody the highly-rated La Bombona and Dpm Diving (which additionally has nice lodging out there, check that out 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 outlets additionally supply underwater pictures lessons should you’d wish to get into that. There’s little question that scuba diving is on the prime of the record of issues to do in Koh Tao.
2. Unleash Your Interior 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 nowadays, providing lessons of varied varieties and ranges.
It’s onerous to consider a greater solution to begin your day than with an ocean-view yoga class. Should you’re considering of turning your passion for yoga right into a job, you’ll be able to look into doing all of your yoga instructor coaching right here as nicely.
Try Shambhala Yoga on Sairee Seaside (round 300 baht per class) or take a look at Ocean Sound who supply scuba diving and yoga lessons.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Chiang Mai – A Checklist of 17 Highlights
3. Go On a Snorkeling Cruise
You don’t must be a diver to benefit from the underwater world that surrounds Koh Tao. There are many snorkeling cruises for many who aren’t dive-certified however nonetheless need to admire the considerable marine life.
Along with seeing turtles (which you’d count on on Turtle Island), you may additionally spot black-tip reef sharks and blue-spotted rays. I’m an enormous 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 here to be taught extra about this enjoyable journey.
Should you’re on nearby 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’ll be able to select from quite a lot of recent seafood and have it barbecued proper on the spot.
A seafood feast on the seashore is actually one of the vital scrumptious issues to do in Koh Tao! Try Family Kitchen or Barracuda for some tasty meals.
5. Play Mini-Golf
One of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Koh Tao is taking part in 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 night time, so it is a nice solution to spend a night out.
Along with mini-golf, in addition they have petanque courts, pool tables, foosball tables, a cinema, and a sports activities bar. Deliver some buddies alongside from the hostel for a tremendous enjoyable night time.
6. Eat a Banana Pancake
Seeing as how Koh Tao is firmly on the famed Banana Pancake Path by means of Southeast Asia, you need to in all probability eat at the least one. There’s a cause you could find 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 discount. Consuming a banana pancake is certainly one of the vital common things to do in Thailand for backpackers.
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7. Lease Some Wheels
The easiest way to discover Koh Tao is certainly with your personal two wheels. Most vacationers select to hire 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 ensure you drive safely and all the time trip with a helmet.
Should you’re not snug on a motorcycle, you too can discover bicycles for hire in Koh Tao. There are many good bike rides you’ll be able to tackle the island, and also you’ll get some train within the course of.
Take a look on the extremely rated Oli’s Motorbike Rentals or KP Travel and Motorbike Rental.
☞ In search of an epic motorcycle 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. Among the greatest embody the John Suwan Viewpoint and Fraggle Rock.
It’s greatest to move out mountaineering early within the morning or later within the day simply earlier than sundown, because the noon solar could be intense. Everytime you go, working up a very good sweat is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Koh Tao.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Chiang Rai – 21 Prime Issues You Don’t Need to Miss
9. Take a Day Journey to Koh Nang Yuan
Simply since you’re already on a stunning island doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t go away for the day to go to one other one. Close by Koh Nang Yuan is a tiny island that makes for an excellent day trip.
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 unbelievable views. You’ll want to put it excessive in your record of issues to do in Koh Tao. Click here to learn about this amazing day trip.
☞ In search of a shocking island with pristine seashores, however much less vacationers? Don’t miss all the unbelievable things to do in Koh Lipe.
10. Climb On Rocks…and Soar Off Them
Should you can handle to climb out of your seashore 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 outlets providing climbing programs on the island, so get on the market and provides it a strive. One other expertise value making an attempt is cliff leaping. After that critical exercise climbing, it’s tons of enjoyable leaping within the water and cooling off.
Take a look on the common Koh Tao Climbing Project for extra particulars.
11. Lease a Kayak and Snorkel
A good 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 may hire the gear out to you for a few hours.
There are many bays within the south of the island the place you’ll be able to head out from – Jansom Bay, Shipwreck, Sai Nuan Seaside, June Juea Seaside, Viewpoint Cape, Cape Je Ta Kang and Freedom Seaside (to call a couple of).
A day of paddling across the bay with a little bit of snorkeling combined 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 certainly one in every of my favourite issues to do in Koh Tao.
Try this day trip which features a boat tour, snorkeling, kayaks, and way more. Or, take a look at this awesome snorkel boat trip round Koh Tao!
*Word: all the time verify the wind and sea circumstances 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 certainly a bucket. The idea is easy – take a seashore 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 greatest journey buddies undoubtedly makes the record of prime issues to do in Koh Tao. Fishbowl is a well-liked spot to seize a drink.
13. Practice in Muay Thai
Should you’re trying to get into form, you need to contemplate coaching in Muay Thai whilst you’re visiting Koh Tao. Even should you’re not into the thought of moving into the ring for an precise match, signing up for some Muay Thai classes is a good way to get match. In spite of everything these banana pancakes and buckets, it’s in all probability not a nasty thought.
Island Muay Thai on Sairee Seaside is an efficient place to strive.
14. Watch a Fireplace Present
You realize that outdated saying about taking part in with fireplace? 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 seashore.
Each night time of the week, you could find seashore bars with fireplace reveals happening. Seize a drink, pull up a beanbag, and sit right down to take pleasure in a scorching scorching efficiency.
Try Koh Tao in our “Streets, Beats & Eats” collection!
15. Be taught About Marine Conservation
On this tiny island that’s a very talked-about vacationer vacation spot, marine conservation is extraordinarily necessary. Fortunately, Koh Tao takes this subject very critically and there are a lot of nice organizations onerous at work there.
If you wish to study marine conservation, you need to drop by Eco Koh Tao and the New Haven Reef Conservation Project. Each are doing nice work and have quite a lot of programs and initiatives you’ll be able to take part in.
16. Dive at Sail Rock
When you’ve obtained your open water certificates, you would possibly as nicely stick round Koh Tao to do a couple of free dives. Among the best dive websites within the space is certainly Sail Rock, so put a visit on the market on the prime of your record.
Many of the dive outlets 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 vital common day journeys out of Koh Tao is the Ang Thong Marine Park. This attractive archipelago of islands is only a brief boat trip 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 doubtless spot some wildlife as nicely, together with dusky langurs, hornbills, silver-haired bats, and hawksbill turtles. Go to Island Travel Tour Company for tickets – in addition they hire scooters.
18. Sip on Sundowners
After an extended day trip within the water or up on the rocks, the easiest way to wind down is with some sundowners on the seashore. Just about each bar on the seashore has a very good Joyful 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. (be aware: consuming at a sky bar can also be one of many prime things to do in Bangkok – put it in your record for the capital!)
19. Take a Thai Cooking Class
If you go away Thailand, you’ll inevitably miss quite a lot of issues in regards to the nation. One factor you’re certain to lengthy for is the meals. Thai cuisine is a number of the greatest on the earth, so why not learn to prepare dinner it your self?
Signing up for a Thai cooking class is certainly top-of-the-line issues to do in Koh Tao. Discover ways to prepare dinner some basic Thai dishes after which impress your folks again residence along with your culinary prowess.
Parawan’s Thai House Cooking Courses are extremely rated on the island. Half-day lessons (3 hours) with 3 totally different dishes value round 1,500 baht ($45). Click here to be taught extra about this genuine cooking class in Koh Tao.
20. Social gathering it Up on the Pub Crawl
Should you’re trying to let free, have a very good 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’ll be able to be part of within the insanity and expertise a wild night time out in Koh Tao.
The pub crawl contains stops at a couple of bars, a pool get together, and a ridiculously enjoyable ladyboy cabaret present. The doorway price of about $15 will get you a tank prime, 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 vital enjoyable nights out.
21. Be a Seaside Bum
After that jam-packed record, it’s becoming that the final spot goes to easily being a seashore bum. There’s a lot to see and do in Koh Tao that you just’ll must take at the least a while in your journey to simply do completely nothing and benefit from the seashore.
When you’re sitting there in your seashore chair, why not go forward and plan your journey to the subsequent Thai island? In spite of everything, each Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui are only a brief boat trip away. There are such a lot of superior things to do in Koh Phangan, together with the well-known Full Moon Social gathering. Or, strive your hand at digital nomad life on these stunning 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. Big Tree Boutique Hotel: situated close to Mae Haad Seaside, this stunning lodge presents parking, a backyard, and an onsite restaurant and bar. The essential rooms have balconies and personal loos, whereas the suites embody a kitchen. Click here for details.
2. MAR24 Koh Tao Hotel: situated close to Chalok Baan Kao Bay, this lodging has an onsite outside pool, a solar terrace and free pickup from the pier. Rooms have fan or air-conditioning, non-public loos, and complimentary snacks. Click here for details.
3. Treehouse Bungalows: these distinctive bungalows are situated close to Aow Leuk Seaside. Take pleasure in swaying forwards and backwards in your hammock on the deck, or hand around in the backyard. Rooms right here have sea view as nicely! Click here for details.
Able to Journey to Koh Tao?
As you’ll be able to see, Koh Tao presents much more than simply diving. There are such a lot of issues to do in Koh Tao that you might skip out on the diving fully and nonetheless fill loads of days there.
You shouldn’t do 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.
