Most individuals who journey to Thailand need 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 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 way more occurring right here.
I had such unimaginable experiences in Koh Tao and liked scuba diving, seaside bumming, mountaineering, and wild nightlife. All this and extra await while 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 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!
If you happen to’ve at all times been occupied with scuba diving however have been placing it off, Koh Tao is the right place to begin. It’s nice having the ability to study 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 moderately than in a pool. It made the transition to correct scuba diving very easy and we had nice instructors.
Since there are various 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 accessible, 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 retailers additionally provide underwater pictures lessons for those who’d wish 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 Internal 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 practising yoga. There are fairly a number of yoga studios in Koh Tao lately, providing lessons of assorted sorts and ranges.
It’s exhausting to think about a greater method to begin your day than with an ocean-view yoga class. If you happen to’re pondering of turning your ardour for yoga right into a job, you’ll be able to look into doing all of 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 provide scuba diving and yoga lessons.
☞ See Additionally: Issues To Do in Chiang Mai – A Checklist of 17 Highlights
3. Go On a Snorkeling Cruise
You don’t should 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 ample 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 a giant fan of diving, however the snorkeling in Koh Tao is fairly superior as nicely. 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 study extra about this enjoyable journey.
If you happen to’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 recent 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 crucial 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’ll be able to 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 method 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. 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, you must in all probability eat a minimum of one. There’s a purpose 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 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 cut price. Consuming a banana pancake is unquestionably one of the vital in style issues to do in Thailand for backpackers.
☞ See Additionally: Issues To Do in Pai: 21 Issues You Don’t Wish to Miss
7. Hire Some Wheels
The easiest way 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 have the ability to hit all corners of the island simply with out having to fret about discovering a cab. Simply be sure to drive safely and at all times trip with a helmet.
If you happen to’re not comfy on a bike, you can too 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.
☞ 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 number of brief mountaineering trails in Koh Tao that take you to beautiful viewpoints. A number of the greatest embrace 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 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 stunning island doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t depart 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 will 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’ll want to put it excessive in your checklist of issues to do in Koh Tao. Click on right here to study this superb day journey.
☞ On the lookout for a surprising island with pristine seashores, however much less vacationers? Don’t miss all the unimaginable issues to do in Koh Lipe.
10. Climb On Rocks…and Soar Off Them
If you happen to 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 number 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 in style Koh Tao Climbing Challenge for extra particulars.
11. Hire 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 exhausting 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’ll be able to head out from – Jansom Bay, Shipwreck, Sai Nuan Seashore, June Juea Seashore, Viewpoint Cape, Cape Je Ta Kang and Freedom Seashore (to call a number of).
A day of paddling across the bay with a little bit of snorkeling blended in is difficult to beat. Wherever you exit in Koh Tao, you’re positive 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 way more. Or, take a look at this superior snorkel boat journey round Koh Tao!
*Word: at all times examine 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 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 greatest 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. Practice in Muay Thai
If you happen to’re seeking to get into form, you must think about coaching in Muay Thai when you’re visiting Koh Tao. Even for those who’re not into the thought of stepping into the ring for an precise match, signing up for some Muay Thai classes is an effective way to get match. In spite of everything these banana pancakes and buckets, it’s in all probability not a nasty concept.
Island Muay Thai on Sairee Seashore is an efficient place to strive.
14. Watch a Fireplace Present
You realize that previous saying about taking part in 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, you could find seaside bars with hearth reveals occurring. Seize a drink, pull up a beanbag, and sit all the way down to get pleasure from a scorching scorching efficiency.
Try Koh Tao in our “Streets, Beats & Eats” sequence!
15. Study About Marine Conservation
On this tiny island that’s a very fashionable vacationer vacation spot, marine conservation is extraordinarily necessary. Fortunately, Koh Tao takes this matter very significantly and there are various nice organizations exhausting at work there.
If you wish to study 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 received your open water certificates, you may as nicely stick round Koh Tao to do a number of free dives. Top-of-the-line 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 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 crucial in style 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 get pleasure from some snorkeling and a brief hike to a ravishing lagoon. You’ll doubtless spot some wildlife as nicely, 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 simplest ways to wind down is with some sundowners on the seaside. Just about each bar on the seaside has a very good Pleased Hour round sundown, so plop down in that beanbag and get your self an grownup beverage or two!
There are additionally a number 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. (notice: ingesting at a sky bar can also 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 lots of issues in regards to the nation. One factor you’re positive to lengthy for is the meals. Thai delicacies is among the greatest on the earth, so why not discover ways to prepare dinner it your self?
Signing up for a Thai cooking class is unquestionably top-of-the-line issues to do in Koh Tao. Learn to prepare dinner some traditional Thai dishes after which impress your mates again residence together with your culinary prowess.
Parawan’s Thai House Cooking Courses are extremely rated on the island. Half-day lessons (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. Celebration it Up on the Pub Crawl
If you happen to’re seeking 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 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 contains stops at a number of bars, a pool social gathering, and a ridiculously enjoyable ladyboy cabaret present. The doorway payment of about $15 will get you a tank high, a bucket, a number 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 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 a minimum of a while in your journey to only do completely nothing and benefit from the seaside.
Whilst you’re sitting there in your seaside 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 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 Resort: situated close to Mae Haad Seashore, this stunning resort affords parking, a backyard, and an onsite restaurant and bar. The essential rooms have balconies and personal loos, 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 outside pool, a solar terrace and free pickup from the pier. Rooms have fan or air-conditioning, personal loos, and complimentary snacks. Click on right here for particulars.
3. Treehouse Bungalows: these distinctive bungalows are situated close to Aow Leuk Seashore. Take pleasure in 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’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 could possibly 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.