Overview
Imagine a small tropical island with incredible snorkelling and scuba diving, a rich jungle in the centre and surrounded by remarkably quiet, palm tree laced beaches. You're imagining Koh Tao.
Historically, it was once the detention place for political prisoners similar to Ko Tarutao of Satun Province, but today it is a great place for divers or anybody who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Ko Samui and want more than the Full Moon Party on Ko Pha Ngan. Ko Tao is a great place to learn how to dive. There are hardly any currents and a wide selection of dive sites and dive shops, schools and resorts. Activity options are growing outside of diving and the food and nightlife options are some of the best in the Gulf of Thailand. Ko Tao is a small island of app 21sq Km.It receives over a 100 000 visitors per year. To minimize your impact on the eco-system, notice that there are no garbage disposal facilities, so everything that can't be burned has to be taken away. Try to avoid plastic bags that are given out for every purchase you make. There is also no department to clean the roads or other public areas, so don't dump your waste on the open landscape. Water is scarce and electricity expensive, so don't waste them. Peak seasons in Ko Tao are from December to March and July to August. It is quite popular destination amongst Thais also, so it can be nearly fully booked on Thai holidays.
Diving Description
Scuba diving is still the biggest attraction on Ko Tao. Diving in Ko Tao is easy, fun, and you can see turtles, stingrays, barracudas, lots of small fish, reef sharks, and there is a very small chance of seeing a whale shark. At Chumphon Pinnacle you are likely to see juvenile bull sharks which have, until recently, been misidentified as grey reef sharks. Don't worry, the bulls are curious but not aggressive and for many years literally thousands of people have dived this site without a single shark related incident.
Snorkeling Description
Some of Thailands best snorkelling can be had in Koh Tao. Some snorkel tour operators bait the fish for a good show. Sometimes the fish show their appreciation by taking a little nip of the farangs (foreigners). These bites tend to be more startling than actually dangerous. Still, keep an eye out for trigger fish.
Getting There
BY AIR: To Koh Samui or Surathani Province and then continue by boat to Koh Tao. BY TRAIN: Regular trains from Bangkok to Chumporn, connect to boat to travel to the island. BY COACH: Regular coaches from Bangkok to Chumporn. BY BOAT: Regular boats from Koh Samui or Surathani Province to Koh Tao OR From Chumporn to Koh Tao.
