Where to stay in Koh Tao

Koh Tao is the smallest of the three inhabited islands in Thailand's Samui archipelago, a granite island in the Gulf of Thailand best known as one of the busiest places in the world to learn to scuba dive. Most visitors arrive by ferry at Mae Haad, and almost everything else is a short scooter or taxi ride from there.

The island packs a lot of variety into a small space: a long sandy beach with dive schools and bars on the west coast, a sheltered bay in the south, and steep, quiet coves in the east and north. Where you stay changes the feel of a trip more than the distance on the map suggests, because the roads between them are steep and some are rough.

Getting there
Ferries from Chumphon on the mainland and from Koh Phangan and Koh Samui; there's no airport
Arrival pier
Mae Haad, on the west coast
Getting around
Taxi pick-up trucks, scooters and longtail boats to the remote bays
Wettest months
Usually around October to December on the Gulf islands

Places to stay in Koh Tao

39 hotels

"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Koh Tao, area by area

Pick a base first. The west coast is busy and convenient; the south is calmer; the east and north trade convenience for quiet.

Sairee Beach

Best for beach days and nightlife

The island's longest beach, about 2 km of sand on the west coast, lined with dive schools, restaurants and beach bars. The sunsets face straight out to sea, and the lanes behind the beach hold most of the island's hostels and budget rooms. Rooms on the hillside above Sairee are quieter and often have views, but the roads up to them are steep.

Mae Haad

Best for ferry connections

The village around the main pier, with banks, shops, restaurants and the ferry offices. It's practical rather than pretty, and handy if you arrive late or leave early. Sairee is a short walk north and Jansom and Sai Nuan bays are a short ride south-west.

Chalok Baan Kao and the south

Best for a calmer base with dive schools

A sheltered bay on the south coast with its own cluster of dive schools, cafés and guesthouses, plus small beaches such as Freedom Beach and Shark Bay within walking or short riding distance. It's quieter than Sairee in the evenings, and the bay is shallow at low tide, so swimming is better at the neighbouring beaches.

The east-coast bays

Best for snorkelling and seclusion

Rocky coves such as Tanote Bay, Ao Leuk and Hin Wong face the sunrise and are known for snorkelling straight off the shore. They feel far from the busy west coast, but the access roads are steep and partly unpaved, so most guests rely on the hotel's transfers or a taxi rather than riding in after dark.

The north-west coast

Best for views of Koh Nang Yuan

Past the northern end of Sairee the coast turns rocky, with a few resorts set on the slopes looking across to Koh Nang Yuan, the trio of islets joined by a sandbar. It's quiet and scenic, and Sairee's restaurants are a short ride away.

Questions about staying in Koh Tao

Which area of Koh Tao is best for a first visit?

Sairee Beach suits most first-time visitors: it has the most places to eat, the most dive schools and a long swimmable beach, and Mae Haad pier is a short ride away.

How do I get to Koh Tao?

By boat. Ferries and high-speed catamarans run from Chumphon on the mainland and from Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, arriving at Mae Haad pier. Journey times depend on the operator and the sea, so check the current timetable when you book.

Do I need a scooter on Koh Tao?

Not if you stay in Sairee, Mae Haad or Chalok, which are linked by taxi pick-up trucks. The roads are steep and some are unpaved, so think twice about hiring a scooter if you haven't ridden one before.

Is Koh Tao only for divers?

No. Diving and snorkelling are the main draws, but plenty of visitors come for the beaches, the viewpoints and the boat trips to Koh Nang Yuan without ever going underwater.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tao?

The drier months are usually from around January to August. The Gulf islands tend to get most of their rain from about October to December, when seas can be rougher and some ferries are cancelled.

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