Koh Tao

Name: Koh Tao
Address: Koh Tao island, Ko Phangan, 84360, TH
Telephone: 0880282989
Price range: £

Koh Tao INFO : Koh Tao island, Suratthani 84360 Thailand. Koh Tao Information : Koh Tao island - Suratthani @ Thailand.

Koh Tao Resorts & Hotels , Koh Tao Diving - Divers - Dive Centre - Dive Point , Koh Tao MAP , Koh Tao Travel & Tours, Koh Tao Activity , [ www.kohtaotoday.com ]

17/11/2013

Sairee Beach @ Koh Tao

The longest and most popular beach on the island stretches from the statue of Rama IV in the south to the headland at the far north, almost opposite Koh Nang Yuan. It boasts both busy entertainment areas at the southern end and quieter, less-trafficked areas toward the headland. The water is very shallow - in places you can walk for ages and get no deeper than your waist. Snorkellers are better served staying on other beaches.

Sairee beach is home to some of the most upmarket resorts on the island along with backpacker favourites through to mid-range places ideal for families. In the evenings entertainment can be very loud, so light sleepers are better off staying toward the northern end.

A couple of small bays and beaches with a handful of resorts are dotted beyond the north end, with most places having either good views over the beach or offshore to Koh Nang Yuan. It's a sleepy spot but close enough to the main strip for a night out.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_sairee_beach_koh_tao.php

14/11/2013

Mae Haad Beach @ Koh Tao

This beach runs to the north and south of Koh Tao's main town, Mae Haad, where the ferry piers are also located. The town is typical of those on heavily touristed Thai islands, with a cluster of dive shops, exchange kiosks, travel agents, Internet cafes, bakeries, restaurants and bars. It's dusty during the day, chaotic when the ferries come and go, and otherwise sleepy and largely deserted.

Around the piers the beach is grubby and littered but both the northern and southern extremes are quite pleasant. To the south, there is some good snorkelling and comfortable resorts. If you're looking for something secluded however, this is not your best choice.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_mae_haad_beach_koh_tao.php

13/11/2013

Koh Nang Yuan Island

The most famous southern province in the Gulf of Thailand, Surat Thani has several world famous islands under its territory; namely Koh Samui, Koh PhaNgan, Ang Thong archipelagos, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. The last two are best known among intrepid travellers as the best dive site in the gulf of Thailand.

Located around 120 kilometres from the Surat Thani coast, Koh Tao and neighbouring Koh Nang Yuan, occupy an area of almost 18 square kilometers. With mountains and rocky cliffs accounting for 70% of its land area, the island has eight kilometers of coral reefs around its coast. The island's half-moon-shaped western coast is where most of the beaches are found.

Dotted in and around Koh Tao's 11 bays and 10 rocky headlands are many, picturesque beaches: some long and sandy like Sairee Beach, Haad Mai Haad, Ao Chaloke Baan Kao Bay; others with smaller, rockier beaches.

Acclaimed to be the best dive location in the Gulf of Thailand, tourists tend to make diving their first priority as soon as they arrive on Koh Tao. It's not surprising therefore that each year Koh Tao's dive school turns out a number of proficient divers from around the world.

If you are looking for an alternative to diving, you might enjoy exploring the island, and swimming from its many beaches, or kayaking, or climbing hills to check out the vistas from numerous viewpoints. Alternatively, you can take a tour to its nearby islands of Koh Nang Yuan, which is only 15 minute away by local boats.

Getting to Koh Tao

Despite being part of Surat Thani Province, it's more convenient and faster to go to Koh Tao from Chumphon Province. The island is only one hour ride on a high-speed catamaran from Ao Makham Noi Pier in Chumphon - a speed boat from Koh Samui takes you around 3 hours to get to Koh Tao. Nowadays, more travelers choose Chumphon as their starting-off point.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_koh_nang_yuan.php

13/11/2013

Sai Nuan Beach @ Koh Tao

This series of very attractive turquoise bays and palm-fringed beaches can be reached on foot from either Mae Haad or Chaloke Baan Kao.

These bays have both advantages and disadvantages - what you gain in tranquility you lose in ease of access. If you're a bit of a night owl, this part of Koh Tao may not be the best choice as stumbling home down the goat-track of a trail in the early hours will be a recipe for disaster.

On the other hand, if you're after a bit of serenity, a lot of hammock swinging and a fare dose of gazing out to sea, then you're in the right place.

In a few spots the beaches around this part of Koh Tao are beginning to lose their sand - luckily a problem that so far hasn't really spread to elsewhere on the island.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_sai_nuan_beach_koh_tao.php

13/11/2013

Tanote Bay @ Koh Tao

To get to Tanote Bay is a thrilling experience. The road there will take you over 'Mount Koh Tao' and offers a breathtaking view of the island's eastern hilly slopes. The bay itself offers nice bathing and snorkelling and variety of bungalows and restaurants. From Tanote Bay you can see Koh Samui and Koh PhaNgan on a clear day. There is a growing number of resorts offering accommodation in this beautiful bay.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_tanote_bay_koh_tao.php

13/11/2013

Sai Daeng Beach @ Koh Tao

Really part of Rocky Bay, Haad Sai Daeng Beach is a beautiful little cove on the southern tip of Koh Tao. Haad Sai Daeng Beach is very nice spot to relax in solitude with a book on the beach or going for a swim to Shark Island.

With only two resorts nestled into an idyllic landscape & a sandy beach, it's not only famous for its beauty similar to Ao Leuk Bay.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_sai_daeng_beach_koh_tao.php

12/11/2013

June Juea Beach @ Koh Tao

June Juea Beach located on the south west side of the island you'll find this small quiet beach where you will probably be the only guest. Best reached by foot or longtail taxi boat. A real getaway for travelers.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_june_juea_beach_koh_tao.php

12/11/2013

Freedom Beach @ Koh Tao

This beach is fairly small, with a much smaller beach tucked just a 50 metre paddle southwest.

Good sand, and shade on the waters edge under the trees. An excellent place to sling a hammock. Fairly quiet and tucked away, it is rare to find more than a dozen people on the beach.

It is now linked with Taa Toh Lagoon by a concrete walkway. Makes for an interesting stroll, especially at sunset where wonderful camera opportunities abound at sunset. Snorkelling here can be interesting. Some large coral outcrops in the bay, but most people swim around the rocks on the southwest side.

Look out here for bluespotted stingray sleeping under rock shelves. The straight line of their tail is a giveaway for finding them. Look out also for the shy Black-Blotched porcupinefish with its huge sad eyes and its cousin the Spotted Porcupinefish. Shoals of Snapper found here. Beaked coralfish are an exotic delight to look out for as well as damsel fish protecting their individual feeding ground, Rock Lizardfish sitting around looking menacing. Also possible to see small octopus here in the shallows.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_haad_freedom_beach_koh_tao.php

12/11/2013

Thian Og Bay @ Koh Tao

Thian Og Bay leaves most of the other beaches on Koh Tao back at the starting post in terms of sheer beauty. The perfect arc of white, fluffy sand and azure waters will leave you breathless. Almost always quiet and serene, this is the perfect place to chill out for an afternoon.

The beach has shade from shrubs rather than trees and is empty much of the time despite its proximity to Chaloke Baan Kao. While people stay away, sharks flock here, however: it's a popular bay with divers.

One of the newest and flashest resorts on Koh Tao, Jamahkiri, has a monkey enclosure, ensuring the peculiar calls of primates now ring out regularly across the bay.

Thian Og is separated from Chaloke Baan Kao by a peninsula, and on the eastern flank of this peninsula, facing Thian Og, you'll find Ao Taa Chaa which has good snorkelling and a couple of very well-appointed resorts perched on its edge.

If you walk out to the end of the peninsula you'll reach the John Suwan Viewpoint, a spectacular vantage point overlooking Chaloke Baan Kao to the left and Thian Og to the right. Unfortunately the trail hasn't been well looked after, so it's quite a bush-bash to get there nowadays.

Further to the east you'll find the very pretty Sai Daeng Beach where, just offshore, sits Shark Island - one of Koh Tao's most popular dive spots. The bay itself has some fine snorkelling when the water is calm and there is also more than enough sand to just lay around or plan out world domination or another frisbee-golf course.

While it's a shame that Coral View Resort decided to build a two-storey building right on the beach, the beach nevertheless remains scenic and relatively low key. It's a good choice for those looking for some peace and quiet but who don't want the absolute isolation you'll get on the east coast beaches.

Chaloke Baan Kao is close enough to be an option for an evening out but if you don't want to wander that far, there are a couple of places to eat at on Sai Daeng itself.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_ao_thien_og_bay_koh_tao.php

12/11/2013

Ao Muong Bay (Mango Bay) @ Koh Tao

Ao Muong Bay (Mango Bay) is a very isolated bay at the very northern tip of Koh Tao and is the most recently developed area on the island. The landscape consists of high rocky cliffs and lush green hillsides rising up from the water's edge and offering breathtaking views of the gulf. The clear blue-green waters of Ao Muong Bay are great for swimming and snorkelling, and one of the island's most beautiful dive locations sits at the centre of the bay.

The resorts here are decidedly upscale and more expensive than elsewhere on Koh Tao, and given the particular isolation of this spot, they lean towards self-contained affairs. You'll get a good deal of comfort and tranquility for your money.

That said Ao Muong Bay does get a lot of day-tripping diving and snorkelling trips - this is a secluded spot, but unfortunately not a silent secluded spot.

The focus is on water activities: snorkelling, diving and kayaking. If that's all a bit too energetic, tanning, reading and generally lazing around are also prime activities.

The road access is via a poorly maintained road, so most opt for a longtail.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_ao_muong_bay_koh_tao.php

12/11/2013

Ao Leuk Bay @ Koh Tao

Access to this bay can be 'interesting'. The least awkward way for those renting motorbikes is to leave the bike at the top of the hill and walk down.
It is signposted. Walk down the sandy track to the bay. A slow 10 minute stroll will bring you to the beach. You will see why biking down is not such a great idea for all but the experienced rider. The walk back is exactly the same distance...but boy, does it seem longer!

The bay has a couple of nice covered restaurants, and a small range of bungalows for rental. Fins, masks, snorkels, and kayaks are available for hire here. The snorkeling here is wonderful. You will see dive boats anchored at several buoys in the bay. The sandy bottom and depth is ideal for novice divers. Snorkellers should concentrate on the rock formations either side of the bay. You can follow them for several hundreds of yards. Look especially for turtles which are sometimes seen here, pairs of Blue Ringed Angelfish, and the stunning Lined Butterfly fish.

Some of the coral here is beautiful both in appearance and colour. The water is deep enough to swim all year round whatever the tide level. Beware of the rocks which line the waters edge. There are several easy entry points to the water. The beach here is soft, but coarse sand.

You will also find an area of short grass which can suit those who aren't keen on sand. The bay itself is steeply sided so the sun can dip behind the headland quite early.

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_ao_leuk_bay_koh_tao.php

12/11/2013

Chansom Bay & Beach @ Koh Tao

Chansom Bay is a tiny beach on the south-west side of Koh Tao. When you come with the boat from Koh Samui or Koh PhaNgan you will pass it on your destination at Koh Tao pier. I just visited the beach just for one afternoon on a cloudy/windy/rainy day, so there were quite a lot of boats from the diving schools, which looked for shelter. But you find a friendly relaxed athmosphere. The only bar/restaurant is run by settled Chao Leh , a type of people quite different to the original Tao population, which came from China in the mid of the last century. huge rocks, sandy beach, cold beers, food - what else do you need more ?

http://www.kohtaotoday.com/kohtao_2012/location_ao_chansom_bay_koh_tao.php