Most individuals who journey to Thailand need to spend not less than a few of their journey on a tropical island. The Kingdom of Smiles has no scarcity of paradisiacal islands to select from. Among the finest Thai islands to go to is Koh Tao, “Turtle Island.”
Koh Tao is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Thailand for those who’re in search of a diving vacation spot, however there’s rather 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 once you journey to Koh Tao. Right here’s my listing of the perfect 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 earth higher to get scuba licensed than Koh Tao. There are tons of dive retailers 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 at all times been concerned with scuba diving however have been placing it off, Koh Tao is the proper place to begin. It’s nice with the ability to be taught within the ocean, as there are spots which are shallow sufficient to take action.
I for one am actually blissful I realized out within the ocean quite than in a pool. It made the transition to correct scuba diving very clean and we had nice instructors.
Since there are lots of dive colleges on Koh Tao, it’s essential 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 obtainable, 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 lessons for those who’d prefer to get into that. There’s little question that scuba diving is on the high of the listing 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 training yoga. There are fairly a couple of yoga studios in Koh Tao as of late, providing lessons of assorted sorts and ranges.
It’s laborious to think about a greater strategy to begin your day than with an ocean-view yoga class. Should you’re pondering of turning your ardour for yoga right into a job, you’ll be able to look into doing all of your yoga instructor coaching right here as effectively.
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: Issues To Do in Chiang Mai – A Listing 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 individuals who aren’t dive-certified however nonetheless need to admire the plentiful marine life.
Along with seeing turtles (which you’d count on on Turtle Island), you may also 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 effectively. 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 be taught extra about this enjoyable journey.
Should 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’ll be able to select from a wide range of recent seafood and have it barbecued proper on the spot.
A seafood feast on the seashore is actually probably the most scrumptious issues to do in Koh Tao! Try Household Kitchen or Barracuda for some tasty meals.
5. Play Mini-Golf
Some 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 may 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 this can be a nice strategy 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. Carry some associates 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 by means of Southeast Asia, you need to most likely eat not less than one. There’s a motive you will discover banana pancakes in all places on this area. They’re candy, scrumptious, and tremendous low-cost, so why not?
Try Coconut Monkey for extra of a restaurant type, or hit up any of the streetside distributors for a banana pancake crammed with Nutella, bananas and extra. At round 40 baht ($1.20), it’s a discount. Consuming a banana pancake is certainly probably the most fashionable issues to do in Thailand for backpackers.
☞ See Additionally: Issues To Do in Pai: 21 Issues You Don’t Wish to Miss
7. Lease Some Wheels
The easiest way to discover Koh Tao is certainly with your individual two wheels. Most vacationers select to lease motorbikes, that are available and fairly low-cost. With a set of wheels, you’ll be capable of 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 journey with a helmet.
Should you’re not comfy on a motorcycle, you too can discover bicycles for lease 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 Bike Leases or KP Journey and Bike 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 embrace the John Suwan Viewpoint and Fraggle Rock.
It’s greatest to go 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 superb sweat is without doubt one of the high issues to do in Koh Tao.
☞ See Additionally: Issues To Do in Chiang Rai – 21 High Issues You Don’t Wish 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 a superb day journey.
Along with stress-free on the postcard-worthy seashores and having fun with some world-class snorkeling, you will get a pleasant adrenaline rush right here on the superior zipline.
Koh Nang Yuan is dwelling to the world’s first island-to-island zipline, which options some fairly unbelievable views. Make sure to put it excessive in your listing of issues to do in Koh Tao. Click on right here to find out about this wonderful day journey.
☞ In search of a shocking island with pristine seashores, however much less vacationers? Don’t miss all the unbelievable issues to do in Koh Lipe.
10. Climb On Rocks…and Bounce 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 retailers providing climbing programs on the island, so get on the market and provides it a strive. One other expertise price making an attempt 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 fashionable Koh Tao Climbing Challenge 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 laborious discovering a store that may lease 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 blended in is tough to beat. Wherever you exit in Koh Tao, you’re positive to see loads of marine life. The kayak/snorkel combo is certainly one in all my favourite issues to do in Koh Tao.
Try at the present time 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 selection is certainly a bucket. The idea is straightforward – 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 associates!
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 listing of high issues to do in Koh Tao. Fishbowl is a well-liked spot to seize a drink.
13. Practice in Muay Thai
Should you’re seeking to get into form, you need to think about coaching in Muay Thai when you’re visiting Koh Tao. Even for those who’re not into the thought of entering into the ring for an precise match, signing up for some Muay Thai classes is an effective way to get match. In any case these banana pancakes and buckets, it’s most likely not a foul concept.
Island Muay Thai on Sairee Seaside is an efficient place to strive.
14. Watch a Hearth Present
that outdated saying about enjoying with fireplace? Folks 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 evening of the week, you will discover 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 fashionable vacationer vacation spot, marine conservation is extraordinarily essential. Fortunately, Koh Tao takes this subject very significantly and there are lots of nice organizations laborious at work there.
If you wish to find out about marine conservation, you need to drop by Eco Koh Tao and the New Haven Reef Conservation Challenge. Each are doing nice work and have a wide range of programs and tasks you’ll be able to take part in.
16. Dive at Sail Rock
When you’ve bought your open water certificates, you may as effectively stick round Koh Tao to do a couple of free dives. Among the finest dive websites within the space is certainly Sail Rock, so put a visit on the market on the high of your listing.
A lot 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 best way.
17. Go to Ang Thong Marine Park
Some of the fashionable day journeys out of Koh Tao is the Ang Thong Marine Park. This attractive archipelago of islands is only a brief boat journey 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 a ravishing lagoon. You’ll possible spot some wildlife as effectively, together with dusky langurs, hornbills, silver-haired bats, and hawksbill turtles. Go to Island Journey Tour Firm for tickets – in addition they lease scooters.
18. Sip on Sundowners
After a protracted time out within the water or up on the rocks, one of the best ways to wind down is with some sundowners on the seashore. Just about each bar on the seashore has a superb Glad 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 provide a panoramic view of the sundown. Cruise as much as the aptly-named Sky Bar, seize a drink, and benefit from the present. (word: ingesting at a sky bar can be one of many high issues to do in Bangkok – put it in your listing for the capital!)
19. Take a Thai Cooking Class
If you go away Thailand, you’ll inevitably miss numerous issues in regards to the nation. One factor you’re positive to lengthy for is the meals. Thai delicacies is a number of the greatest on the earth, so why not discover ways to prepare dinner it your self?
Signing up for a Thai cooking class is certainly among the finest issues to do in Koh Tao. Discover ways to prepare dinner some basic Thai dishes after which impress your folks again dwelling together with your culinary prowess.
Parawan’s Thai Dwelling 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 on right here to be taught extra about this genuine cooking class in Koh Tao.
20. Celebration it Up on the Pub Crawl
Should you’re seeking to let unfastened, have a superb 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 every week!
Each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, you’ll be able to be 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 celebration, and a ridiculously enjoyable ladyboy cabaret present. The doorway charge 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 probably the most enjoyable nights out.
21. Be a Seaside Bum
After that jam-packed listing, 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 have to take not less than a while in your journey to only do completely nothing and benefit from the seashore.
Whilst you’re sitting there in your seashore chair, why not go forward and plan your journey to the subsequent Thai island? In any case, each Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui are only a brief boat journey away. There are such a lot of superior issues to do in Koh Phangan, together with the well-known Full Moon Celebration. 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. Huge Tree Boutique Lodge: positioned close to Mae Haad Seaside, this stunning lodge affords 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 Lodge: positioned 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 bogs, and complimentary snacks. Click on right here for particulars.
3. Treehouse Bungalows: these distinctive bungalows are positioned close to Aow Leuk Seaside. Get pleasure from swaying forwards and backwards in your hammock on the deck, or hand around in the backyard. Rooms right here have sea view as effectively! Click on right here for particulars.
Able to Journey to Koh Tao?
As you’ll be able to see, Koh Tao affords much more than simply diving. There are such a lot of issues to do in Koh Tao that you can skip out on the diving totally 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.
