Island · Thailand · Southeast Asia
A small Gulf island known for learning to dive and for its clear seas
Photo: Darren Lawrence / Pexels
Koh Tao is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand with a long-standing reputation for dive training. Hostels cluster at Sairee Beach, Mae Haad and Chalok Baan Kao, usually alongside dive schools.
You’ll complete your booking with Hostelworld. We may earn a commission from qualifying bookings.
Best for: Dive schools and nightlife
The west-coast strip is the island's busiest area, with a long beach, bars, restaurants and many dive schools within walking distance. Sunset beach bars set the tone in the evenings. It is the easiest place to meet other travellers, but it can be noisy at night. Mae Haad is a short taxi ride away.
Best for: Ferry arrivals and practical services
The main pier and town, where boats from Chumphon, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui dock. It has shops, food stalls and services, and is convenient on arrival or departure days. The beach here is small. Taxis and songthaews run from the pier to the main beaches.
Best for: A quieter bay in the south
A sheltered bay on the south coast with a calmer feel than Sairee. There are dive schools, cafés and a small number of hostels, and the pace is slower. It is a taxi or scooter ride from Mae Haad and Sairee, and roads between them are steep in places.
Live rooms and prices
See live dorm beds, private rooms, prices and cancellation terms for your dates on Hostelworld.
You’ll complete your booking with Hostelworld. We may earn a commission from qualifying bookings. You’ll choose your dates and guests there.
Koh Tao is a small island in Surat Thani province, in the Gulf of Thailand. TAT describes the province, including Koh Tao, as a world-renowned destination for people who want to learn to dive. The island's economy depends heavily on visitors, particularly divers drawn by its clear water and dive sites, and the community runs regular clean-ups and reef restoration projects.
Because the island is small, there are only a handful of main areas. Sairee Beach on the west coast is the longest and busiest stretch, with a strip of bars, restaurants and dive schools. Mae Haad is the ferry port and has practical services. Chalok Baan Kao in the south is quieter and more laid-back. Many hostels are linked with dive schools, so packages with accommodation are common.
Even if you do not dive, snorkelling, hiking to viewpoints and beach time fill the days. Evenings are social, with bars and group dinners around Sairee. As on other Gulf islands, ferry timetables can be affected by sea conditions in the wetter months, so it is sensible to leave some slack around onward travel.
TAT calls Surat Thani province, including Koh Tao, a world-renowned destination for those wanting to learn to dive.
Sairee Beach has a concentrated strip of bars, restaurants and dive schools, and group dinners and dive-school socials are common.
Away from Sairee, areas such as Chalok Baan Kao are quieter and more laid-back.
Koh Tao has no commercial airport, so travellers arrive by boat at Mae Haad pier. Lomprayah runs services linking Koh Tao with Chumphon, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, and Songserm operates daily boats among the three islands. The nearest airports are Chumphon (CJM), Koh Samui (USM) and Surat Thani (URT). Fast boats typically take around 45 to 90 minutes between neighbouring islands, and sea conditions can affect timetables. Check current schedules with the operators before you travel.
Sources differ on the details, but the Gulf islands are typically driest from around January to September, with the wettest conditions usually from around October to December, when rough seas can disrupt boats and reduce underwater visibility. March to May is hot. If you plan to dive, ask schools about conditions at the time you travel.
Koh Tao has no commercial airport, so travellers arrive by boat at Mae Haad pier. Lomprayah operates services from Chumphon, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, and Songserm also runs boats among the islands. The nearest airports are Chumphon (CJM), Koh Samui (USM) and Surat Thani (URT). Check current timetables, as sea conditions can affect services.
Koh Tao has a long-standing reputation for it, and TAT describes Surat Thani province, including Koh Tao, as a world-renowned destination for those wanting to learn to dive. Many dive schools operate on the island, often alongside accommodation. Compare schools and check certifications and safety standards before you book.
Sairee Beach is the busiest area, with bars, restaurants and dive schools in walking distance. Mae Haad is practical for ferry arrivals. Chalok Baan Kao is quieter and more laid-back. The island is small, so you can move between areas by taxi or songthaew, though some roads are steep.
Yes. Snorkelling, hiking to viewpoints and time on the beach fill the days for non-divers, and Sairee has plenty of bars and restaurants for the evenings. Many hostels arrange snorkelling trips, though activities and equipment vary by property, so ask what is included before you book.
Sources differ on the details, but the Gulf islands are typically driest from around January to September. The wettest period is usually from around October to December, when rough seas can disrupt boats and reduce underwater visibility. March to May is hot. Check current weather and ask dive schools about conditions close to your dates.
Koh Tao is a stop on Thai islands: the Gulf (Koh Tao, Koh Phangan) and the Andaman coast.
Reviewed by the HostelConnect editorial team on 8 November 2026. Check entry rules, transport and conditions with official sources before you travel.
