topless man sitting on cliff rock viewing Ko Nang Yuan isalnd, houses, and buildings under white and yellow sky

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a small Thai island in the Gulf known for scuba courses, snorkeling reefs and quiet beaches.

Find a room in Koh Tao Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Koh Tao

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Koh Tao is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, part of Surat Thani Province on the country's southern coast. Its name means Turtle Island, and it is a common place to learn to scuba dive. Dive shops, guesthouses and restaurants sit along a few beaches and bays, and Sairee Beach is the main strip with bars and restaurants within walking distance.

The island suits divers, snorkelers and travelers who want a relaxed beach trip without large resorts. Many dive sites lie a short boat ride offshore, and some bays have reefs close enough to snorkel from the beach. March to June is the calmest stretch for diving, though sea conditions shift from year to year. Three nights is a reasonable first visit, and four or more if you want an Open Water course. Ferries from the mainland and nearby islands are the usual way in, so check schedules before you book.

Koh Tao in five

Book the ferry from Chumphon or Koh SamuiKoh Tao has no airport, so every visitor arrives by boat. Ferries sail from Chumphon Pier on the mainland and from Koh Samui. In high season, book ahead.Getting around
Carry baht for small vendors and boatsDive shops and larger hotels take cards, but beach food stalls, longtail boats and small shops often want cash. Withdraw baht before you arrive so you are not short on the first day.Money and costs
Set up an eSIM before the ferryFerry tickets, dive bookings and offline maps all need a phone. Set up an eSIM before you fly so you have data as soon as you land in Thailand.Phones and eSIM
Check that your insurance covers divingKoh Tao is a common place to take an Open Water course, but many standard travel policies exclude scuba diving or set a depth limit. Read the diving clause before you sign up for a course.Travel insurance
Rent a scooter only with a valid licenceScooters are a common way to get around the island. Renting one needs a motorcycle licence valid in Thailand, such as an International Driving Permit. Policies often do not cover riding without one.

Things to do in Koh Tao

See all attractions in Koh Tao

Forest · Koh TaoAo Laem Thian

Temple · Koh TaoKo Tao Temple

A body of water surrounded by trees and rocks

Beach · Koh TaoAo Leuk

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Koh TaoPut the places you like in Koh Tao on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Baht (THB)
Entry: Visa exemption for many passports; file the TDAC arrival card online first Read more
Emergency: 1155 tourist police, 191 police, 1669 ambulance
Tipping: Optional. Rounding up for boat and dive crew is common.
Time: UTC+7, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Monsoon, rough seas
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Monsoon easing
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Calm, clear
AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, calm
MayRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, calm
JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Calm, busier
JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°School holidays
AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Busy, some rain
SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rains begin
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rough seas
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Rough seas, rain
DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Rain, rough seas

Average daily high and low in Koh Tao, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Koh Tao

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 77%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 69%

Koh Tao

06:28 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today30°26°69%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 69%.
Wed29°27°88%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 88%.
Thu29°26°78%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 78%.
Fri29°27°56%Friday: Rain. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 56%.
Sat29°25°88%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 88%.
Sun29°26°96%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 96%.
Mon29°26°100%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 05:29 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Koh Nang YuanShort boat ride from Koh TaoA small island group with a sandy beach, often visited on snorkel trips.
Koh SamuiFerry from Koh TaoThe larger island, with the airport and more shops, a common stop after Koh Tao.Read the guide
Koh PhanganFerry from Koh TaoA larger island with party beaches and quieter coves.

Before you go to Koh Tao

eSIM for Koh TaoData on landing for maps and ferriesRead the guide

Dive and scooter coverCheck scuba and scooter exclusionsRead the guide

Where to stay on Koh TaoCompare Sairee, Mae Haad and baysRead the guide

Ferries from Chumphon and SamuiBook the crossing before you flyRead the guide

Rules for Koh Tao, checked

Many passports enter Thailand visa-free, but you must file the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before you arrive. Check current rules on the official TDAC site.
Thailand's drug laws are strict, and penalties apply even to small amounts. Do not carry or buy drugs on the island.
Riding a scooter needs a motorcycle licence valid in Thailand, such as an International Driving Permit. Wear a helmet, and check that your insurance covers riding.

Plan around Koh Tao

Getting to and around Koh Tao

Ferries from Chumphon and Koh Samui, plus scooters and songthaews on the island

Read the guide Cash, cards and daily costs

Where cards work, where you need baht, and what a day on the island costs

Read the guide Entry rules for Thailand

Visa exemption, the arrival card and what to show at immigration

Read the guide Where to stay on the island

Sairee, Mae Haad and the quieter bays compared side by side

Read the guide Data and phone plans

eSIM and local SIM options for arriving on the island

Read the guide Insurance for diving and scooters

What to check in a policy before you dive or ride

Read the guide

Koh Tao FAQ

How do you get to Koh Tao?

By ferry from Chumphon Pier on the mainland or from Koh Samui. Koh Tao has no airport. Check the schedule for your date and book ahead in high season.

Is Koh Tao good for a first dive course?

Yes, it is a common place to take an Open Water course, with many dive shops in Sairee. Courses usually take three to four days. The sea can be rough from October to December, so schedule the course for calmer months.

How many days do you need on Koh Tao?

Three nights covers a few dives or snorkel trips and a beach day. An Open Water course usually needs three to four days, so book more nights if you are certifying.

Which beach is best on Koh Tao?

Sairee Beach is the main strip, with dive shops, restaurants and bars within walking distance. Chalok Baan Kao and the quieter bays suit a calmer stay, but you will need a taxi or scooter to reach town.

Can you pay by card on Koh Tao?

Dive shops and larger hotels accept cards. Small shops, beach food stalls and longtail boats usually want cash in baht, so carry enough for daily spending.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tao?

March to June usually has the calmest seas, which suits diving and boat trips. July and August are busy with school holidays. October to December is the rainy season with rough seas.