Koh Tao is also called "Turtle Island", and is a true paradise for diving and snorkeling. Several dive centers along the beaches in Mae Hat, Sairee Beach and others, offer diving trips for beginners and advanced. In various nature projects today turtles are raised on the island, to expose them later to the surrounding reefs again. Also, an artificial reef was created on the Saire beach. The beaches are quiet and idyllic during the day, only in the two largest sections of the city in Mae Hat and Saire nightlife takes place in the evening. On the northwest coast is the small archipelago Koh Nang Yuan, which is privately owned by a resort and a diving school.

The hotel capacity on Koh Tao is limited due to the size of the island. Especially during the summertime or shortly after the Fullmoon parties on Koh Phangan, the island regularly fills with visitors. Especially at these times it is advisable to book a room. Most of the life takes place in the evenings at Sairee Beach, where many beach bars play loud music. On the other beaches it is much quieter.
Near the Mae Haad Pier is the Blue Wave Guesthouse. (Walk about 5 minutes to the pier) The rooms are very clean and modern. The location is very quiet and the room rates are quite cheap (about 25-30 € / night)

Also close to Mae Haad Pier is the Blue Diamond Resort. We had a room with pool access. The plant was very good. The rooms are very nicely decorated and the area very well maintained.

Koh Tao has no airport. The most obvious airports are Surat Thani (mainland) and Koh Samui. However, the journey to Thailand takes place via the two metropolitan airports in Bangkok. The flight time to Surat Thani or Koh Samui from Bangkok takes about 1-1,5 hours.

Airport transfer Koh Samui to the piers to Koh Tao:
The airport transfer is regulated in Koh Samui. For about 500 baht / car you get from Samui Airport in about 20 minutes (depending on traffic) to the Big Buddha Pier and another pier. There are no price negotiations with the taxi drivers, because the taxi tickets are issued in the arrivals hall in the airport building and the fixed price is charged depending on the destination. There you will receive a receipt and can then board the booked taxi or minibus / van. From Big Buddha Pier we continue by boat to Koh Tao. From the airport in Surat Thani it is also best to take a taxi to Don Sak Pier.

Arrival from Bangkok:

• Arriving from Bangkok via Koh Samui by plane is possible with either Bangkok Airways or another airline (Thai Airways, Malaysian, Singaporean and Chinese companies). In Bangkok there are 2 airports to choose from (Don Muang, where only domestic flights depart and land and Suvarnabhumi Intl.)
• The journey by land is e.g. possible from Bangkok with the so-called "VIP Bus" or "Aircon Bus" and takes depending on the traffic between 13 and 16 hours. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. The buses go to Chumphon (Lomphraya Pier) There you have to change to the ferry to Koh Tao. There are 3 different buses at the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok:

1. Standard buses (orange) with approx. 75-80 seats (280 THB = approx. 7.- EUR) (the bus stops in different locations)
2. Aircon buses (blue) with approx. 40 seats (600 TBH = approx. 15.- EUR)
3. VIP buses (inscription "VIP Bus 999") with approx. 24 seats (895 THB = approx. 25.- EUR

• Koh Tao is not connected to Thailand's rail network. But you can take the train to Surat Thani and from there by ferry to Koh Tao.

• Continue from Bankok by bus and ferry to Koh Tao via Chumphon or flight to Koh Samui / Surat Thani or Chumphon and ferry to Koh Tao.

Arrival from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus continues to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Koh Tao. From the pier, pick-ups or minibuses continue to the beaches.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Pattaya, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. The mini bus continues to the bus station and from there by VIP bus to the "Bus Station" at Lomphraya pier in Chumphon. From there, take the boat / ferry to Koh Tao. From the pier, pick-ups or minibuses continue to the beaches.

Road conditions:
The road conditions are partly unpaved and very steep and partially suitable only for experienced drivers. Especially to the viewpoints it goes over steep mountainous paths, so that it is sometimes impossible to go there on the scooter with passenger. Some viewpoints are also within walking distance. Here you should wear sturdy shoes.

Viewpoints:
West Coast Mountain Viewpoint / Twin View Rock
Between Sairee Beach and the Moonlight Bungalows there is a turnoff to Twin View Rock. The road is demanding and only partially fixed. At the Twin Rock junction you have a view of the east and west coasts of Koh Taos. If you continue from here towards Tanote Bay, you will reach the left hand side West Coast Mountain Viewpoint. Here are two large boulders over which one arrives at a large, flat rock. From up here you have a view of the entire west side of the island: From Koh Nang Yuan on the Sairee Beach to Mae Haad Bay.

Mango viewpoint
This is on the left hand side, in the middle between Sairee Beach and Hin Wong Bay and is well signposted. The road is partly very steep. From here you have a beautiful view of the Sairee Beach. Up here there is a small bar offering cool drinks and some food. On a flat ledge is the actual viewpoint.

Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint
This is located on Koh Taos small neighboring island and is one of the most popular photo opportunities in Thailand! Admission to Koh Nang Yuan is 150 THB. From the small pier, the viewpoint is signposted. Over a footbridge you can walk around the rocks up to the Viewpoint. The view is fantastic.

John Suwan Viewpoint
This is located in the very south of the island and the last part is only on foot to climb. Viewpoint is located near Freedom Beaches. The view is on the Freedom Beach on one side and on the other side you can look from Taa Cha Bay to the small Shark Island.

Chalok Baan Khao Viewpoint
This vantage point is perfect for sunset. It is best to go to the Koh Tao Resort in the Paradise Zone. Here you can enjoy the sunset with a cool drink.

Temple:
Kuan Yim Shrine
The small temple is located near the transmission towers at Chalok. The shrine is a small complex with a main building and some figures.

Laem Jor Por Ror / King Rama V Rock
At the southern end of Sairee Beach is the King Rama V Rock. King Rama the 5th visited the island in 1899 and left his initials there. Here is also a statue of the king. This place is revered and should be visited with respect.

On Koh Tao, a lot is being done to preserve the reefs. The Marine Conservation Center is an association of Thai and foreign islanders who have launched various conservation projects. You can find some information here:
http://www.marineconservationkohtao.com/

Several diving schools offer projects for volunteers who are mainly concerned with the protection and rebuilding of reefs. et al http://www.bigblueconservation.com/ offers various projects.

Chrystal Divers can be found in courses on the research and development of reef restoration techniques, such as Biorock ™ reef constructions, coral transplantation and the creation of artificial reefs. There are also monthly beach & dive site cleanups and a permanent reef health monitoring program in the Reef Check Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP). http://crystaldive.de/eco-diving-kurse/

At the New Heaven Reef Conservation Center you can feed turtles daily from 4.30 pm and learn more about their breeding. The New Heaven Dive School has been in existence since 1995 and is located in Chalok. http://www.newheavendiveschool.com/

Sairee Beach
The almost 2 km long Sairee Beach is Koh Taos main beach and is located on the west coast. Here are the most hotels. The beach is white and powdery and falls off flat. Only 20 meters from the beach there are corals, so it is perfect for snorkeling. Night owls will love it as well, there are beach bars with live music and DJs and fire shows. Also diving schools, restaurants, shops and the post office are located here.

Mae Haad Beach
This is located near the village Ban Mae Haad. This is where most ferries arrive. In the village there are many restaurants and shops, banks and tourist information. There are many diving schools in Mae Haad and many diving and boat tours are available from here. The beach is busy and about 500 m long.

Nang Yuan Beach
This beach is located on the small neighboring island Koh Nang Yuan and is the most popular photo opportunity in the area. To land here, a small fee (THB 150) must be paid as the island is privately owned by a hotel. Between two rocks here is a beautiful sandbar. On a boardwalk along the rock leads to a fantastic vantage point.

Chalok Baan Kao
The third largest beach of the island is located on the south coast. There is a wide selection of resorts, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The beach is nestled in the small Taa Toh headland to the east and on the opposite side is the connection to Thiang Ong Bay and Sai Daeng Beach. The beach section is perfect for a relaxing beach holiday.

Haad Tien Beach / Thian Og Bay
The Haad Tien Beach is one of the most scenic beaches, as the bay is lined with palm trees and boulders. The water is crystal clear. Thaan Og Bay is in the immediate vicinity. Both stretches of beach are a bit further from the capital, so it is quieter and you can spend very relaxing days on the beach.

Sai Daeng Beach
The Sai Daeng Beach is a beautiful beach lined with boulders and very quiet. Hidden between the palm trees are 2 resorts. In front of the beach is Shark Island. The small island is a hotspot for snorkelers and divers.

Tanote Bay / Ao Leuk
The small bays are among the quietest beach sections and are located on the east side of the island. Taxi boats take you from Tanote Bay to Ao Leuk and back. Both beaches are beautiful, very quiet and the water is crystal clear.

Hin Wong Bay
The bay is located on the northeastern tip of the island and is known for large offshore coral reefs. That's why the place is especially popular with snorkelers and divers.

Mango Bay / Ao Muong
On the north coast of the island is Mango Bay and Ao Muong, both of which are best reached by boat. The coastline is beautiful and lined with rocks. Offshore coral reefs offer ideal diving and snorkeling grounds.