Things to Do on Koh Tao: Diving, Snorkelling, and Beyond

Diving

Koh Tao certifies more PADI divers per year than anywhere else in the world. The combination of warm clear water (visibility 15–25 metres in good conditions), a well-developed reef ecosystem, and dive schools that compete hard on price makes it the default destination for first-time certification in Southeast Asia.

PADI Open Water Course: ฿9,000–11,000 over 3–4 days. Includes classroom theory (or eLearning pre-arrival), pool training, and four open-water dives at certification sites. Most schools include equipment; some charge extra for wetsuit hire in cooler months (November–February, when water temperature drops to 25°C).

Advanced Open Water: ฿7,500–9,500. Five adventure dives including deep and navigation. Usually completed in 2 days.

Fun dives for certified divers: ฿800–1,200 per dive, ฿2,500–3,500 for a two-dive day trip.

Best dive sites:

• Chumphon Pinnacle (13km northwest, 40m max depth): The best dive site in the area. Large schools of chevron barracuda, whale sharks possible (February–April). Advanced divers.
• Sail Rock (between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan): A pinnacle rising from 40m to just below the surface. Whale shark territory, abundant fish life. All certification levels with appropriate portions of the site.
• Japanese Gardens (between Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan): Shallow reef (7–14m), good for beginners and snorkellers. Dense coral, sea turtles, nudibranch.
• Shark Island (east coast): Reef sharks (blacktip and whitetip), moray eels, and trigger fish. Intermediate.

Choosing a dive school: Over 50 dive schools operate on Koh Tao. Differences are less in price than in instructor-to-student ratio, equipment quality, and language of instruction. The most recommended in terms of consistency: Big Blue Diving (large operation, multiple languages), New Heaven Dive School (conservation-focused, smaller groups), Ban’s Diving Resort (the largest single operation, good for social environment).

Snorkelling

Koh Tao has exceptional snorkelling accessible without a boat for most of the east and northwest coast.

Sairee Beach northern end: Rocky points with coral and reef fish. Accessible from shore at high tide. Snorkel hire from beach shops: ฿100–150/day.

Aow Leuk (southeast coast): A sheltered bay with coral gardens and consistent turtle sightings. One of the best snorkel sites in the Gulf of Thailand. Reachable by taxi boat from Mae Haad (฿100–150 return) or by walking/driving south.

Mango Bay (north coast): Shallow bay protected from prevailing winds, good year-round. Turtle sightings common. Day tours include this bay as standard; also reachable by longtail from Mae Haad.

Koh Nang Yuan: The three-islet formation 1km northwest of Koh Tao, connected by a sand spit. Day admission ฿100 (plastic bottles banned on the island — bottles are checked at the pier). Excellent snorkelling off both sides of the sandbar. Speedboat from Mae Haad pier: ฿100 return.

Viewpoints and hiking

John Suwan Viewpoint — The highest accessible point on the southern part of the island, reached by a 30-minute steep trail from Ao Chalok Ban Kao. Views over the southern bays and across to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui on clear days. Arrive before 8am or after 4pm to avoid the heat.

Mango Viewpoint — A rocky promontory on the east coast above Mango Bay. Requires some scrambling. One of the better views over the bay and the northern islands.

Rocky Road — A series of boulder-strewn trails connecting the southern bays. Can be walked without a guide; take water and footwear with grip.

Sairee village and beach

Sairee is the main traveller hub — a 2.5km beach on the west coast with the highest concentration of restaurants, bars, dive schools, and accommodation. The main street behind the beach has cheap eats, 7-Eleven, ATMs, diving agencies, and massage shops.

Koh Tao Cabaret Show — A nightly performance (7pm, 9pm) at the Mae Haad viewing area. Ladyboy performers, Thai classical dance segments, comedy. ฿300.

Practical notes

• Best diving conditions: April–June and September–October (dry periods on this coast, excellent visibility). December–January has occasional strong winds from the northeast that can make the west coast rough — dive trips move to sheltered eastern sites.
• Weather: Koh Tao is sheltered from the southwest monsoon (May–October) by the mainland. It catches the northeast monsoon (November–January) more directly — rough weather possible, some dive sites inaccessible.
• Getting around: Taxi trucks (modified pickup trucks) cover the island. ฿100–200 per ride. Scooter hire from ฿200/day — the road over the hill to the east coast requires care.

See also: Koh Tao travel guide and the diving and snorkelling guide.