Treat yourself with a unique experience in Koh Tao!

Are you during your gap year? Are you a family on holiday in Thailand? Do you have the diving bug? Do you want to see what it's like to breathe underwater?

Koh Tao, meaning 'Turtle Island,' is one of Thailand's favorite diving spots. For any diver, whether you are taking your first few breaths underwater or if you are an experienced DiveMaster or Diving Instructor, Koh Tao offers over 20 diving spots for every level, with shallow bays to deep pinnacles.

Why is Koh Tao so famous?

The diving conditions are perfect for Discover Scuba Diving courses or your first certification being your Open Water Course, even for following methods after that. The majority of systems people are looking to make possible here. Unless you're looking for your Dry Suit Specialty, our waters are way too warm for that; temperatures reach 30 degrees during our hot season and can dip to a not-very-cold 27 degrees during the colder time of year.

Another reason Koh Tao is so famous for diving is the price of diving. It is the best place to learn how to dive on a budget. With more than 60 dive schools on the small island, prices can be competitive. You can choose those high-end fancy resorts where you will pay around 14,000 baht (approximately USD 550), then most dive schools average about 9,900 baht (approximately USD 300). Where you find accommodation is also included in the price. Courses are available in multiple languages, and once you're a certified diver, fun dives are equally affordable, costing around 1,400 (approximately USD 42).

Koh Tao location in Thailand

Koh Tao is in the Koh Pha-ngan District of Surat Thani. It is around 70km off the east coast of Central Thailand and 55 km to the North of Koh Samui. It was discovered in early 1899 when King Chulalongkorn visited Koh Tao and had his initials carved on a boulder at Laem Jor Por Ror on the southern end of Sairee Beach. This place is still worshiped today.
Koh Tao Island is only 21 square kilometers. If you hop in a taxi boat for the day, you can easily make your way around the island in an hour's drive nonstop. Which also makes a great snorkeling trip.

How to go to Koh Tao?

There are many different ways to get to Koh Tao. If you have time and are on a budget, you can get an overnight bus from Bangkok to Chumphon and a high-speed Catamaran to Koh Tao, which takes two hours.

If you are short of time, there are two flight routes. First, you can fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui or Surat Thani. Both with a fast boat journey across. You can take an overnight train if you prefer to avoid the bus rides.