Most individuals who journey to Thailand wish to spend a minimum of a few of their journey on a tropical island. The Kingdom of Smiles has no scarcity of paradisiacal islands to select from. Top-of-the-line Thai islands to go to is Koh Tao, “Turtle Island.”
Koh Tao is among the finest locations to go to in Thailand in case you’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, seaside bumming, mountain climbing, and wild nightlife. All this and extra await once you journey to Koh Tao. Right here’s my checklist of the very 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!
When you’ve at all times been concerned about 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 can be shallow sufficient to take action.
I for one am actually glad I realized out within the ocean relatively than in a pool. It made the transition to correct scuba diving very easy and we had nice instructors.
Since there are various dive colleges on Koh Tao, it’s necessary to do your analysis and select the one which’s best for you. Two prime contenders embrace the highly-rated La Bombona and Dpm Diving (which additionally has nice lodging out there, examine 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 outlets additionally provide underwater pictures lessons in case you’d prefer to get into that. There’s little question that scuba diving is on the prime of the checklist 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 just a few yoga studios in Koh Tao nowadays, providing lessons of assorted sorts and ranges.
It’s onerous to consider a greater strategy to begin your day than with an ocean-view yoga class. When you’re considering of turning your ardour for yoga right into a job, you’ll be able to look into doing all your yoga trainer coaching right here as properly.
Try Shambhala Yoga on Sairee Seaside (round 300 baht per class) or try Ocean Sound who provide 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 wish 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 a giant fan of diving, however the snorkeling in Koh Tao is fairly superior as properly. It’s definitely 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 revel in a meal with drinks. Click on right here to be taught extra about this enjoyable journey.
When 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 quite a lot of contemporary seafood and have it barbecued proper on the spot.
A seafood feast on the seaside is definitely one of the vital scrumptious issues to do in Koh Tao! Try Household Kitchen or Barracuda for some tasty meals.
5. Play Mini-Golf
One of the vital 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’ll be able to play as many rounds as you want for about $5, so go forward and provides the “Goofy Golf” a attempt. It stays open late and it’s flood-lit at night time, 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. 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 way of Southeast Asia, you must in all probability eat a minimum of one. There’s a cause you could find 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 model, 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 cut price. Consuming a banana pancake is certainly one of the vital standard issues to do in Thailand for backpackers.
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7. Hire 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 have the ability to hit all corners of the island simply with out having to fret about discovering a cab. Simply ensure you drive safely and at all times experience with a helmet.
When you’re not snug on a bike, you can even 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 Motorcycle Leases or KP Journey and Motorcycle Rental.
☞ In search of 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 just a few quick mountain climbing trails in Koh Tao that take you to gorgeous viewpoints. Among the finest embrace the John Suwan Viewpoint and Fraggle Rock.
It’s finest to go out mountain climbing 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 among the prime 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 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 wonderful day journey.
Along with stress-free 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 dwelling to the world’s first island-to-island zipline, which options some fairly unbelievable views. Make sure to put it excessive in your checklist of issues to do in Koh Tao. Click on right here to find out about this wonderful day journey.
☞ In search of a surprising 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 Leap Off Them
When you can handle to climb out of your seaside chair, why not give mountain climbing a attempt 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 just a few outlets providing climbing programs on the island, so get on the market and provides it a attempt. 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 standard Koh Tao Climbing Challenge for extra particulars.
11. Hire 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 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 just a few).
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 certainly one 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!
*Observe: at all times examine 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 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 positively makes the checklist of prime issues to do in Koh Tao. Fishbowl is a well-liked spot to seize a drink.
13. Practice in Muay Thai
When you’re trying to get into form, you must take into account coaching in Muay Thai when you’re visiting Koh Tao. Even in case you’re not into the concept of stepping 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 in all probability not a nasty concept.
Island Muay Thai on Sairee Seaside is an effective place to attempt.
14. Watch a Fireplace Present
You recognize that previous saying about enjoying 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 seaside.
Each night time of the week, you could find seaside bars with fireplace exhibits 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. Be taught 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 subject very critically and there are various nice organizations onerous at work there.
If you wish to find out about marine conservation, you must drop by Eco Koh Tao and the New Haven Reef Conservation Challenge. 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 properly stick round Koh Tao to do just a few free dives. Top-of-the-line dive websites within the space is certainly Sail Rock, so put a visit on the market on the prime of your checklist.
A lot of the dive outlets in Koh Tao provide 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
One of the vital standard day journeys out of Koh Tao is the Ang Thong Marine Park. This beautiful archipelago of islands is only a quick 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 a good looking lagoon. You’ll possible spot some wildlife as properly, together with dusky langurs, hornbills, silver-haired bats, and hawksbill turtles. Go to Island Journey Tour Firm 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 seaside. Just about each bar on the seaside has a very good Completely happy Hour round sundown, so plop down in that beanbag and get your self an grownup beverage or two!
There are additionally just a few 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. (notice: ingesting at a sky bar can also be one of many prime issues to do in Bangkok – put it in your checklist for the capital!)
19. Take a Thai Cooking Class
Whenever you go away Thailand, you’ll inevitably miss loads of issues concerning the nation. One factor you’re positive to lengthy for is the meals. Thai delicacies is among the finest on the earth, so why not discover ways 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 traditional Thai dishes after which impress your pals again dwelling together with your culinary prowess.
Parawan’s Thai Dwelling Cooking Lessons 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. Occasion it Up on the Pub Crawl
When you’re trying to let unfastened, 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 a part of within the insanity and expertise a wild night time out in Koh Tao.
The pub crawl contains stops at just a few bars, a pool social gathering, and a ridiculously enjoyable ladyboy cabaret present. The doorway charge of about $15 will get you a tank prime, a bucket, just a few pictures, 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 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 must take a minimum of a while in your journey to only 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 quick boat experience away. There are such a lot of superior issues to do in Koh Phangan, together with the well-known Full Moon Occasion. Or, attempt 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 here are a few our suggestions:
1. Large Tree Boutique Resort: positioned close to Mae Haad Seaside, this stunning resort provides parking, a backyard, and an onsite restaurant and bar. The essential rooms have balconies and personal bogs, whereas the suites embrace a kitchen. Click on right here for particulars.
2. MAR24 Koh Tao Resort: 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, personal bogs, and complimentary snacks. Click on right here for particulars.
3. Treehouse Bungalows: these distinctive bungalows are positioned 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 properly! Click on right here for particulars.
Able to Journey to Koh Tao?
As you’ll be able to see, Koh Tao provides much more than simply diving. There are such a lot of issues to do in Koh Tao that you could possibly skip out on the diving totally 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.