Koh Tao

01Getting to know Koh Tao - a small island with plenty to do

Koh Tao sits in the Gulf of Thailand, north of Koh Phangan, and is the smallest of the area's three main tourist islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

It covers around 21 square kilometres, and its Thai name means "Turtle Island".

Koh Tao is best known as one of Thailand's most popular diving destinations. All over the island you will find dive schools, dive clubs and boat operators heading out to dive and snorkelling sites.

But there is a lot more to the island than diving.

The west coast has stretches of sand, restaurants, cafes and bars facing the sunset. In the east and south there are small bays tucked between hills and rocks, and at some of them you can snorkel straight from the beach.

Sairee, the busiest tourist hub, gives Koh Tao its particular character. By day the mood is relaxed, and in the evening the streets fill with travellers heading out to eat, drink and enjoy themselves.

What did we love most about Koh Tao?

One of Koh Tao's big advantages is that you can enjoy a great deal without planning every day in advance.

Along the central part of Sairee you can walk between the beach, restaurants, cafes, shops and massage places.

We especially loved being able to go out in the evening with no plan: start with dinner, carry on with a stroll down the street, stop at a shop or a bar and see where the night takes you.

That is one of the things that made our long stay on the island so enjoyable.

That said, it is worth understanding that this experience is mainly true of the central areas. Other parts of Koh Tao have secluded bays, steep roads and places to stay where going anywhere means arranging transport.

These differences matter most when you are choosing where to stay, so we cover them in more detail in our separate guide to where to stay on Koh Tao.

02Koh Tao's beaches and bays

Although Koh Tao is a small island, its beaches and bays are very different from one another. Some are easy to reach and sit in a lively tourist area, while others are surrounded by hills and need a drive or a boat trip.

Swimming and snorkelling conditions also vary from bay to bay. There are shallow sandy beaches, rocky coves and spots where the underwater world is the main attraction.

Sairee Beach - Koh Tao's main beach

Sairee is one of the longest and best-known beaches on the island, with a strip of sand of around 2 km on the west side.

It is also the beach we got to know best during our visit.

Along Sairee there are dive schools, restaurants, hotels and bars. One of the lovely things about the beach is being able to sit facing the sea and watch the sunset.

In the afternoon the restaurants start getting ready for the evening, and some set up tables right on the sand. As the sun goes down, the beach takes on a completely different feel from the morning hours.

The water here can be shallow at low tide, so swimming conditions change over the course of the day.

Sairee suits people who like to combine the beach with restaurants, shopping and nightlife, and not necessarily those looking for a quiet, secluded beach.

It is also a fairly varied area: not every part of the beach, or every street around it, feels the same.

Read more: our Sairee guide - the beach, the streets, the restaurants and the nightlife →

Chalok Baan Kao - a bay in the south of the island

Chalok Baan Kao is a bay in the south of Koh Tao with a calmer atmosphere than Sairee.

The area has restaurants, cafes and places to stay, alongside a beach surrounded by green hills.

It is one of the bays worth knowing if you want a beach day somewhere less crowded but still with tourist services close by.

Swimming conditions depend partly on the tide, so it is worth taking the water level into account when planning your visit.

Shark Bay - a bay for snorkelling

Shark Bay, also known as Thian Og Bay, is in the south-east of Koh Tao.

The bay is known as one of the places where you can sometimes see blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles.

Encounters with marine life are never guaranteed, and snorkelling conditions depend on the sea, the currents and the visibility.

Treat the area as a natural habitat: keep your distance from the animals and avoid touching the coral.

It is also important to check beforehand how you get onto the beach, because access to different parts of the bay goes through land used by places to stay.

Aow Leuk - clear water and snorkelling

Aow Leuk is a bay in the south-eastern part of Koh Tao, surrounded by hills and rocks.

The bay is known for its snorkelling, and in the right conditions you can see fish and marine life close to the shore.

Compared with Sairee, this is a place you come to mainly for the beach and the water, not for shops or nightlife.

Getting there involves roads with steep climbs and descents, so it is worth checking your options for reaching it before you go.

Tanote Bay - a bay with large boulders

Tanote Bay is on the east coast of Koh Tao.

It is a bay surrounded by hills, with large boulders in the water and good snorkelling.

One of its landmarks is a large rock in the bay, well known among travellers who like jumping into the water.

Before doing anything like that, it is important to check the depth of the water, the state of the sea and the risks, and not to rely on the fact that others are jumping from the same spot.

Hin Wong Bay - a bay among the rocks

Hin Wong is in the north-east of the island and offers a different landscape from the long sandy beaches.

It is surrounded by rocks and hills, and mainly suits those looking for a natural bay and snorkelling in the right conditions.

The rocky character of the area also affects getting into the water, so it is a good idea to bring water shoes and check the sea conditions.

Mango Bay - a bay in the north of Koh Tao

Mango Bay is at the northern tip of the island.

It is a bay that boat and snorkelling trips around Koh Tao often visit.

It particularly suits those who want to see the scenery and marine life of the area as part of a boat trip.

Reaching the bay overland is more complicated than reaching the main beaches, so a boat trip is an option worth considering.

Which beach on Koh Tao should you choose?

The choice depends mainly on the kind of experience you are after.

Sairee suits a day that combines the beach, restaurants, sunsets and a lively tourist atmosphere. Chalok Baan Kao offers calmer surroundings, while Aow Leuk, Shark Bay, Tanote and Hin Wong are especially interesting if you are looking for natural bays and snorkelling.

If you plan to visit several beaches on the same day, take into account how you get to each one, not just the distances between them on the map.

03Diving on Koh Tao - one of the things the island is famous for

Koh Tao is one of Thailand's best-known diving destinations, with a wide range of dive schools and dive sites around it.

Walking around Sairee, almost every few steps we passed a dive centre, an equipment shop or a group of travellers getting ready to head out to sea.

Diving is a central part of the island's identity as a destination.

You can find beginner courses, try dives for those who have never dived before and certification courses for anyone who wants to progress.

Is Koh Tao a good place to learn to dive?

If you are planning to spend a few days learning to dive, Koh Tao can be a particularly good choice thanks to the wide selection of dive clubs.

But it is important not to choose a centre on price alone.

Check the instructors' qualifications, the number of students per group, the condition of the equipment, the language the course is taught in and the cancellation terms.

It also matters to understand what the price includes: equipment, learning materials, the number of dives and certification at the end of the course.

A dive course takes time, so it is worth building it into your plans for the island rather than leaving it for your last day.

Well-known dive sites around the island

Among the best-known sites in the area are Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle and Japanese Gardens, which is near Koh Nang Yuan.

The dive sites differ in depth, currents and difficulty, so the choice should be based on the divers' training and experience and on the sea conditions.

Even if you do not dive, you can still enjoy Koh Tao's underwater world on a snorkelling trip.

Diving or snorkelling - which suits whom?

If you want to devote a good part of your holiday to the underwater world, you may enjoy a dive course or guided dives.

Snorkelling, on the other hand, lets you add underwater experiences to an ordinary beach holiday, with no need for a certification course.

One of Koh Tao's advantages is the choice between a boat trip with several stops and making your own way to a bay where you can get into the water from the beach.

04Koh Nang Yuan - one of the most beautiful views in the Gulf of Thailand

Off the north-west coast of Koh Tao lies Koh Nang Yuan, one of the most photographed spots in the area.

It is a group of small islands joined by sandbars, with clear water and a viewpoint that looks down over them.

We visited Koh Nang Yuan in March 2025, and the view from the viewpoint was one of the most impressive of the whole trip.

But it is important to understand that the climb to the viewpoint is much harder than it looks in photos: lots of steps, a steep and crowded scramble towards the end, and limited time at the top. You can also skip the climb and enjoy the beach and the water.

Our full guide to Koh Nang Yuan - the viewpoint, the beach, the entry fee and how to get there →

05Viewpoints on Koh Tao

Koh Tao's hills let you see the island from a completely different angle from the beaches.

From some viewpoints you can look out over bays on both sides of a ridge, and from others you see the sea and the strips of beach from above.

Bear in mind, though, that not every viewpoint is a short, easy walk. Some require a climb, and some of the access routes cross hilly terrain.

John-Suwan Viewpoint

John-Suwan is one of the best-known viewpoints in the south of Koh Tao.

It sits on a ridge from which you can look out over two bays on either side of the headland.

The climb includes steep, rocky sections, so wear suitable shoes and pick a time of day when walking conditions are comfortable.

The viewpoint mainly suits those who enjoy walking in nature and are willing to put in some effort for the view.

Mango Viewpoint

In the hilly area above Sairee there are viewpoints looking out over the west coast and the sea.

Getting to them can involve steep roads, so it is worth checking in advance how to get there and what the road is like.

If you plan to go up to a viewpoint in the afternoon, think about the way back too, especially if part of the route is unlit.

06What to do on Koh Tao besides diving and beaches

One of the reasons we enjoyed our long stay on Koh Tao so much is that we did not need to fill the days with organised trips.

We could also enjoy simple things: shopping, massages, cafes, restaurants and time on the beach.

Massages

There are lots of massage places along Sairee's tourist streets.

During our stay we noticed that the further you get from the main tourist strip and into the inner streets, the more places you find at friendlier prices.

It is one of the nicest ways to end a day on the beach or a trip.

Shopping on Koh Tao - beachwear, dresses and accessories

Koh Tao was one of our favourite places for shopping on our trip around Thailand, especially for beachwear.

Along with Pai in northern Thailand, this is where we found an interesting choice of clothes at good prices.

The Sairee shopping strip has small shops selling beachwear, dresses, accessories and souvenirs.

In one of the shops we also found higher-quality, more expensive pieces, and bought two special white dresses and a scarf.

That is one of the advantages of staying several days in one place: you can wander at a relaxed pace, compare shops and find pieces you would not necessarily notice on a short visit.

Unlike big shopping centres, part of the appeal here lies precisely in the small shops and in how the selection changes from one shop to the next.

Read more: our Koh Tao shopping guide →

Boat and snorkelling trips around the island

Boat trips let you reach bays that are harder to get to overland.

Some routes include snorkelling stops, beaches on the east of the island and a visit to the area around Koh Nang Yuan.

It is a convenient option if you want to see several bays in one day without driving along hilly roads.

Check how many stops the route has and how much time is set aside at each one.

A route that lists a large number of sites is not necessarily better than a shorter one. When the stops are short, a good part of the day can be spent getting from place to place.

Water sports and beach activities

Besides diving and snorkelling, there are also operators in the Sairee area offering other water activities.

One option is stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), which lets you enjoy the sea from a different angle.

It is important to choose an activity according to the wind, the currents and the sea conditions that day.

07Restaurants on Koh Tao - where and what to eat

One of the things we loved about Koh Tao was the wide choice of restaurants in Sairee.

Along the tourist street you can find international restaurants, cafes, sushi and bars that serve food.

The further you go into the inner streets and the local areas, the more simple Thai restaurants you find at affordable prices.

One of the things that makes Sairee such an easy place to spend an evening is being able to pick a restaurant as you walk, instead of deciding in advance where to drive to every night.

Sairee Hotpot & BBQ - an evening that is much more than a meal

One of our most memorable food experiences on Koh Tao was at Sairee Hotpot & BBQ.

It is a place where the meal itself becomes a whole evening out.

Every table has a grill and a cooking pot, and diners move between the fridges choosing the ingredients they want to cook themselves.

There is a wide range of ingredients, including seafood, meat, vegetables and other dishes, as well as options for dessert.

The atmosphere was lively, loud and very sociable.

The tables were full, people were moving between the food stations, and the evening felt like an experience rather than just sitting in a restaurant.

It is one of the meals we would recommend fitting into a visit to Koh Tao, especially if you like trying different styles of food and enjoy a busy local atmosphere.

If you are after a quiet, intimate meal, you may prefer somewhere else. Part of the restaurant's charm is precisely the noise, the movement and the shared experience around the food.

Read more: our piece on Sairee Hotpot & BBQ →

Dinner facing the sunset in Sairee

One of the lovely experiences in Sairee is being able to eat right by the sea.

Towards sunset some of the beach restaurants set out tables and chairs on the sand, and the atmosphere gradually shifts from a busy daytime beach to an evening out.

It is a particularly beautiful time to sit facing the sea, order a meal or a drink and watch the sun sink towards the horizon.

The location is a big part of the experience, so choose not only by the type of food but also by the atmosphere you want.

In some places the music gets louder as the evening goes on, while others are better suited to a relaxed dinner.

Local restaurants in the inner streets

You do not have to eat at the beachfront restaurants every night.

During our stay we found it was worth stepping away from the main tourist streets from time to time and heading into the more local areas.

There you can find simple restaurants serving Thai food at lower prices, alongside places that also cater to the island's residents.

It is also a way to get to know another side of Koh Tao, beyond the designer restaurants and the beach bars.

Cafes and breakfast

Sairee has a good choice of cafes and places serving breakfast in different styles.

If you are staying on the island for a few days, being able to start the morning in a cafe, carry on to the beach and only then decide what to do is part of the place's easy-going atmosphere.

Especially in the central part of Sairee, time in cafes blends naturally with wandering between the shops and streets.

08Nightlife on Koh Tao - much more than beach bars

Koh Tao is mainly associated with diving and beaches, but for us its nightlife was one of the most surprising and enjoyable things about the island.

Sairee is the clear centre of the nightlife, with bars, restaurants, music and entertainment that carry on into the night.

What we especially liked is that you do not have to choose one place and spend the whole evening there.

You can start with dinner, carry on along the street, stop somewhere that looks interesting and later move on to another bar.

Sairee's bars

Along the beach and in the streets behind it there are bars in all sorts of styles.

Some focus on a relaxed beach atmosphere, while others draw a crowd looking for music, dancing and a more energetic night out.

Sairee's big advantage is how close everything is. In the central area you can walk between bars and restaurants without needing transport every time you move on.

As the evening goes on, the area changes character. The streets that were full of travellers in swimwear during the day fill with people heading out for the night.

The cabaret show on Koh Tao - one of our most memorable experiences

One of the nights out we enjoyed most on Koh Tao was the cabaret show.

The show combined music, costumes, stage performance and meticulous make-up, and was one of our best experiences on the island.

For one of us, as a professional make-up artist, it was especially interesting to look at the performers' make-up, at how it had been adapted to the show and the stage lighting, and at the precision of the overall look.

It was a completely different night out from the usual bar or restaurant, and one of the things that added variety to Koh Tao's nightlife.

If you enjoy shows and stage entertainment, it is an interesting option to include during your stay on the island.

Read more: the cabaret show on Koh Tao →

Is Koh Tao also good for people who are not after parties?

Absolutely.

Although Sairee is the main entertainment hub, nightlife on Koh Tao is not just about parties.

You can simply have dinner on the beach, spend time in a cafe, go shopping, have a massage or sit facing the sea.

If you like a lively atmosphere but do not necessarily want to go partying every night, you may especially enjoy this mix.

The important distinction is between visiting the nightlife areas and actually sleeping right next to noisy bars. If you prefer quiet nights, take this into account when choosing where to stay.

09Where to stay on Koh Tao

The area you choose to stay in on Koh Tao has a big effect on the kind of holiday you have. Sairee suits those who want to be close to restaurants, shops and nightlife, Mae Haad is convenient for being near the pier, while Chalok Baan Kao and the more remote bays offer a calmer atmosphere.

During our stay we were guests at two different hotels: Seashell Resort in Sairee and The Tarna Align Resort in the hills above it. Moving between the two let us experience the difference between staying close to the action and staying higher up, where getting around takes planning.

Read more: where to stay on Koh Tao - a guide to the areas, beaches and hotels →

10How to get to Koh Tao

Koh Tao has no airport, so you arrive by sea.

You can get there by boat and ferry from Koh Samui, from Koh Phangan and from ports on the mainland, depending on your route.

Most ferry services arrive at Mae Haad, where the island's main pier is.

From Koh Samui to Koh Tao

Ferries run from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, and on some routes the boat goes via Koh Phangan.

Crossing times depend on the ferry company, the type of boat and the route.

Pay attention to the departure port on Koh Samui as well. Getting there may involve a drive from your hotel, so the sailing time alone does not reflect how long the whole transfer takes.

From Koh Phangan to Koh Tao

From Koh Phangan you can reach Koh Tao by ferry.

It is a logical hop if you are combining all three islands in the Gulf of Thailand in one trip.

Check the sailing times against your hotel check-out time, and how you will get to the pier with your luggage.

From Bangkok to Koh Tao

If you are coming from Bangkok, you can travel south towards Chumphon and continue from there by ferry.

There are also combined bus-and-ferry or train-and-ferry routes.

Another option is to fly to Koh Samui and continue by boat, but you need to allow for the transfer from the airport to the pier and for the ferry timetables.

What to check before booking the ferry

The most important detail is not just the length of the crossing, but the total travel time between your two places to stay.

Allow for the drive to the pier, the check-in time before departure, the crossing itself and the drive from the pier to your next hotel.

Sailings can also change or be cancelled because of sea and weather conditions. So it is not a good idea to plan a tight sea crossing just before an international flight.

11Getting around Koh Tao

Koh Tao is relatively small, but distances on the map can be misleading.

Some areas are linked by fairly easy roads, while getting to other bays means steep roads, sharp bends and hilly tracks.

There is a big difference between getting around within Sairee and travelling to the remote beaches in the east and south of the island.

Getting around Sairee on foot

One of the things that made our stay in Sairee so easy was being able to do a great deal on foot.

We could wander between the restaurants, the shops and the beach without needing transport every time we went out.

That said, not every hotel listed as being in Sairee is necessarily within easy walking distance of the centre.

It is important to check the exact location and not rely on the name of the area.

Taxis

Koh Tao has local transport services, including pick-up trucks that work as taxis.

They are a useful option for getting from the pier to your hotel, for travelling between areas and for visiting beaches that are not easy to reach on foot.

Agree the fare in advance, and check whether it is per person or per vehicle.

Renting a scooter on Koh Tao

Scooters are a common way of getting around the island, but it is important to take the road conditions seriously.

Some roads have steep climbs and descents, and riding to the bays can be challenging, especially if you are not an experienced rider.

Renting a scooter should not be seen as an automatic solution for every traveller.

If you do not have the right experience, a valid licence and suitable insurance, it is better to choose another way of getting around.

Longtail boats

Longtail boats are another way to reach certain beaches and bays.

They can be especially useful when getting there overland is awkward, or when you want to combine several spots along the coast.

That said, the service depends on the sea conditions, so you cannot count on boats being available in all conditions and at all hours.

12When to visit Koh Tao - weather and seasons

For part of the year the weather on Koh Tao is different from that of destinations on the Andaman coast, such as Phuket, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.

So if you are planning a trip that combines several regions of Thailand, it is important to check the seasons for each region separately.

February to April - a good time to visit

February, March and April are considered good months to visit Koh Tao in terms of weather and sea conditions.

At this time of year there is usually less rain, and the sea tends to be better for water activities.

March and April can be very hot, so allow for the heat when planning walks or climbs to viewpoints.

Our stay at the end of February and the beginning of March worked well for a holiday built around beaches, wandering and nights out.

May to October - heat, humidity and changing sea conditions

You can visit Koh Tao in these months too and enjoy the beaches and the island's activities.

That said, there may be days with more wind, rain or choppy seas, which can affect water activities.

It is important to check the local forecast rather than relying only on a general split of Thailand into a dry season and a rainy season.

November to January - a wetter period

Broadly speaking, the wettest period on Koh Tao is towards the end of the year and sometimes continues into January.

At this time there can be heavy rain and rough seas, which affect snorkelling, boat trips and ferries.

This does not mean every day will be rainy, but the risk of disruption to your plans is higher.

If your holiday is focused on boat trips, diving and beaches, take the seasons into account as early as choosing your dates.

13How many days should you spend on Koh Tao?

One of the most common questions when planning a trip to the Gulf of Thailand islands is how much time to give each island.

Because Koh Tao is so small, it is easy to think that two or three days will be enough to see it.

But the right length of stay depends very much on the kind of holiday you want.

Two to three days - a short visit

A short stay lets you get to know the central area, enjoy Sairee Beach, go snorkelling or fit in a trip to Koh Nang Yuan.

However, every day you spend on a boat trip or an organised activity leaves less time to discover the island on your own.

Four to five days - a varied holiday

This amount of time lets you combine beaches, snorkelling, shopping, restaurants and nightlife at a more comfortable pace.

You can spend a day on the bays in the east or south, a day on a boat trip or at Koh Nang Yuan, and the rest of the time doing as you please.

A week or more - for those who like to stay and get to know a place

If you enjoy a holiday that is not built around moving between attractions every day, Koh Tao has enough to offer for a longer stay too.

We stayed a full two weeks, and even at the end we did not feel we had exhausted the island.

Much of the enjoyment came precisely from the days when we had no particular plan.

Being able to get up in the morning, decide where to go, browse the shops and go out in the evening without thinking about moving on to the next destination made the holiday especially enjoyable.

That is one of the reasons Koh Tao was, for us, much more than a short stop between islands.

14Key tips for planning a holiday on Koh Tao

Do not go by the straight-line distance

A hotel or a beach can look very close on the map, but the way between them may include a steep road or an awkward footpath.

This is especially important if you plan to walk back to your hotel in the evening.

Decide in advance how you will get around

If you plan to get around on foot, check that your hotel is in an area where you really can reach restaurants and shops on an easy walk.

If you want to visit remote bays, allow for drives, boats or local transport.

Do not plan too many activities in one day

You can combine several places in one day, but remember that moving between bays, boat trips and climbing to viewpoints all take time.

Sometimes it is better to spend a few hours in one place than to rush to four places without really enjoying any of them.

Take the tides into account

On some beaches the water level makes a big difference to swimming.

A beach that looks like the perfect place for a swim in photos may be very shallow at low tide.

So check the conditions at the specific beach rather than relying only on photos.

Go to viewpoints with the right gear

Even when a viewpoint is listed as a short attraction, the way up can be steep and rocky.

Suitable shoes, water and setting off at cooler times of day can make the experience much better.

Check what the boat trip includes

Before booking a snorkelling trip, find out how long you spend at each stop, whether equipment is provided and how long you get at Koh Nang Yuan, if it is included in the route.

A long list of destinations is not necessarily a sign of a better trip.

Leave time for doing nothing in particular

This may be the most important tip we took away from our visit.

Koh Tao is not just an island of attractions to tick off.

Part of its magic lies in the simple hours: walking along the beach, browsing the shops, sitting in a restaurant or an evening that unfolds spontaneously.

Leave room for that in your plans.

15Koh Tao FAQ

Is Koh Tao worth it if you do not dive?

Yes. Although Koh Tao is famous for its dive sites, you can enjoy beaches, boat trips, snorkelling, viewpoints, restaurants, shopping and nightlife there.

Our stay on the island proved that you can fill even two weeks there without making diving the focus of your holiday.

Which is better - Koh Tao or Koh Phangan?

It depends on the kind of holiday you want.

Koh Tao is smaller and particularly associated with diving, snorkelling and natural bays, along with a lively entertainment hub in Sairee.

Koh Phangan is bigger, with more varied areas and greater distances between some of the beaches and villages.

If you like the convenience of a compact tourist area you can get around on foot, Sairee on Koh Tao may suit you particularly well.

Can you get around Koh Tao without a scooter?

Yes, especially if you are staying in a central, accessible area such as Sairee.

You can use local taxis for longer journeys, and longtail boats for some of the bays.

That said, if you plan to visit remote beaches every day, you need to allow for the cost of transport.

Is there nightlife on Koh Tao?

Yes. The Sairee area has bars, restaurants, music and shows.

During our visit we especially enjoyed being able to go out in the evening and walk between places.

Is Koh Tao good for families?

You can plan a family holiday on Koh Tao too, especially if you choose a convenient area to stay in and a beach that suits your family's needs.

It is important to check the swimming conditions, how you get there and the actual distances, because not every bay or beach is equally easy.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tao?

February to April is generally considered a good time to visit, with a better chance of calm sea conditions.

At the end of the year the weather can be wetter and stormier.

How many days do you need on Koh Tao?

If you want to get to know the island and combine several beaches and attractions, four to five days is a good starting point.

If you are planning a dive course or enjoy a relaxed holiday, you can give it a week or even longer.

We stayed two weeks and did not feel we had exhausted it.

16So, is Koh Tao worth visiting?

For us, Koh Tao is much more than an island you go to in order to learn to dive.

It combines beautiful beaches, natural bays, scenery, restaurants, shopping and nightlife in a way that makes it a particularly varied destination.

One of the things we loved most was the contrast between the different areas: on one side bays surrounded by hills and rocks, and on the other Sairee, where you can spend a whole day without any fixed plan.

Our stay on Koh Tao lasted two weeks, far longer than many travellers give a small island.

Even so, when we left, we did not feel we had finished seeing and doing everything there is.

If there is one thing we would recommend to anyone planning a visit to Koh Tao, it is not to treat it as just a stopover between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Give the island enough time, choose the right area to stay in, mix the beaches and bays with the atmosphere of Sairee, and above all leave room for days when you do not plan anything in particular.