Ko Tao (เกาะ เต่า, pronounced: gkɔ̀ dtào), often too Koh Tao written, is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand.
getting there
The journey from the mainland and from the neighboring islands is only possible by sea.
north
Of north coming you can take a ferry from Chumphon take off. Numerous agents sell tickets for various boats of various sizes and speeds. The fastest - Seatran and Lomprayah - make the trip in just over two hours, the night boat takes six.
The fast ferries offer online booking and both offer joint tickets with sleeper buses from Bangkok. Depending on the provider, buses and ferries are equipped with (working) air conditioning.
From the seaside town Chumphon you can take the speedboat (two hours drive) for about 500 baht in the morning and at noon, or in the evening or at night with the night boat for six hours across the sea. Chumphon is on the railway line to Bangkok, a train ticket costs around 350 baht.
The distance between the mainland and the island is 65 km.
Provider overview
Lomprayah: Both buses and ferries (high-speed catamarans) of this company offer the comparatively highest standard (air conditioning, video entertainment, leather seats, ...), are the fastest - but also the most expensive. In addition, when transferring from Bangkok it can happen that you catch an older Lomprayah bus (more uncomfortable seats, less space) - to avoid this, you can book the Bangkok – Chumphon bus with an independent company in the appropriate category and only the ferry crossing with Lomprayah.
Songserm: the ferries are not much longer than the Lomprayah ferries, but about 20% cheaper. Plastic bucket seats, the air conditioning does not work on every ferry, TVs are available on many boats but not in use - in addition, some boats make a shabby impression (splintered windows, doors that do not close, peeling paint, ...). The buses are not operated on their own, but by cooperating companies, some of which have questionable methods (e.g. to require an "additional payment" for whatever reason, otherwise one would have to wait indefinitely for another bus).
Seatran:? (please contribute experience)
car ferry:? (please contribute experience) - to bring your own vehicles to the island.
Night boat: the cheapest way to get to Ko Tao. Unfortunately, there is no general statement about the standard, as there are different boats. From the crossing on the bare upper deck of a cargo ship without a mattress in the rain to a new boat with an air-conditioned interior and comfortable mattresses, everything is included ... you usually don't know beforehand which boat you will get (it depends on the demand which one is going to run out). Departure Chumphon around 10 p.m., arrival Ko Tao (Mae Haad) around 5 a.m.
south
Of south you can come from Surat Thani or Donsak from arriving. The night boat goes directly and takes 6 hours, Lomprayah and Songserm run first Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan on - since with Songserm you have to change the boat in between (extended waiting time), it hardly offers a time advantage compared to the night boat (bottom line a little more than 5 hours).
The next possibility is with the car ferry to Samui and further with the fast ferry via Ko Pha-ngan.
By plane
For air travelers (via Samui) the most convenient way is to use the Seatran Pier on Samui near the airport and drive to Ko Tao via Ko Pha-ngan in just under two hours. Danger! The last ferry leaves at 1.30 p.m.
The two low-cost airlines NokAir and Thai AirAsia Offer combined flight and ferry offers from Bangkok-Don Mueang to Ko Tao. After selected flights to Chumphon (NokAir) or Nakhon Si Thammarat (AirAsia) you will be taken by bus to the pier and from there by high-speed catamaran (NokAir) or ferry (Air Asia) to Ko Tao. Including transfer times, the journey takes about 6½ hours (NokAir) or 7½ hours. For one way the package at NokAir costs 4050 baht as standard, saver prices from 1940 baht; at Air Asia between 1490 and 2705 Baht (around New Year's Eve up to 3780 Baht).
mobility
There is a continuously paved / concrete main road on the island from which narrow branch paths (partly concrete, partly pure dirt roads) branch off. There are usually enough taxis available in Sairee Village and Mae Haad (to Sairee from the ferries usually a flat rate of 200 baht).
Scooters, quads and all-terrain machines can be rented from numerous rental companies (prices from 150 baht / day). Caution is advised if you go off the road on one of the many unpaved dirt roads, which can be quite dangerous, especially after heavy rain.
Tourist Attractions
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Due to the very mountainous terrain, there are still many original areas on the island that are ideal for hiking. On the two-hour march to Mango Bay in the north, one generally comes across no more than one or two all-wheel drive vehicles. Almost all the paths to the somewhat inaccessible bays on the east and north sides offer fantastic views.
Of course, you can also reach these places by motorcycle (caution!) Or four-wheel drive taxi. Shark Bay, Mango Bay and Hin Wong Bay are excellent places to spend the day snorkeling. You don't have to be afraid of the sharks in Shark Bay. These are only small black tip reef sharks.
activities
Scuba diving
The island is known for its many Diving clubs. It is one of the cheapest to learn to dive or to learn scuba diving. The open water diving course costs around 9,000 baht, or around 235 euros. The Advanced Open Water course costs around 7,000 Thai Baht, or around 185 euros.
Scuba diving is still the most popular activity on the island. Diving on Ko Tao is easy (no currents), comparatively cheap and you can see turtles, stingrays, barracudas, lots of small fish, reef sharks and, with a lot of luck, even a whale shark. The corals are also in a comparatively good condition.
Almost every season of the year except November is good weather for diving on Ko Tao. At the best of times, visibility under water can be up to 40 meters. The average should be a good 15 m. There are a large number of dive companies on the island, many of which, in conjunction with diving, offer cheap accommodation.
- providers
Most diving schools offer free or discounted accommodation (depending on the category / equipment) for the duration of a diving course. Especially in the off-season, it is not worth booking in advance, but paying attention to the special offers from travel agencies or on site (sometimes strong discounts).
- Dive Point. Diving school under Austrian management. A large number of the diving instructors who work there come from the German-speaking area.
- Island cruises. Sailing charter, offers day tours, sunset cruises, tours to Ang Thong Marine Park and complete charters according to your own wishes. Run by Germans.
- Ban's Diving Resort. Largest diving school on Ko Tao with an attached resort. Offers all types of PADI courses in German (and other languages). Prior registration is recommended, but not mandatory.
Snorkeling
Aside from scuba diving, a wide range of other activities has developed in recent years. Starting with the offers that are still based on the exceptionally good water quality of Ko Tao.
Snorkeling trips are offered by several providers. Worthwhile destinations include Shark Bay, Mango Bay and Hin Wong Bay. In Shark Bay the corals are not very beautiful, but you can see (according to the name) many reef sharks, if you are lucky you can also see a few turtles. Mango and Hin Wong Bay have very beautiful and colorful coral reefs at shallow depths.
Long-tail boats with a driver, including snorkeling equipment, can be rented for 1500 to 2000 Baht a day. However, the extremely loud engines are a disadvantage.
The above-mentioned bays can also be reached by motorbikes / quads via the dirt roads for experienced drivers, equipment can also be rented on site in the restaurants: snorkel glasses cost 50 baht per day, fins on request 50 baht extra. Fins are not absolutely necessary for coral diving, but if you want to follow the reef sharks or turtles you can.
further activities
Other water sports activities on the island include water skiing, wake boarding and windsurfing.
Aside from water sports, the densely wooded ridges are ideal for hiking. On the two-hour walk to Mango Bay in the north of the island, you are mostly alone.
Of course, you can also borrow an enduro or ATV and explore the island. However, you should have advanced driving skills in rough terrain, especially on the route mentioned above.
Need more adrenaline? - Then you can Rock climbing go or on Paint ball- Participate in jungle games.
Once a week at the boxing stadium in Sairee Thai boxing fights shown. Training is offered daily. If you still don't have sore muscles afterwards, you can still do the rest in the Monsoon Gym, which is located directly next to it.
The offers are also available for the active traveler Massage- and Yoga classes, and also into the secrets of the Thai cuisine you can be initiated.
It is much more passive but also pleasant to have a massage administered. This is possible in the countless small massage shops or in the resort with a spa, jacuzzi and private sauna.
The nice thing about this island is that you can fully indulge in the hustle and bustle or even completely escape it. And a walk is enough for that.
shop
As everywhere in Thailand there are several 7-Eleven (including on the main street from the pier), open 24/7. Otherwise the usual shops with beach accessories, clothing and dive shops as well as smaller electronics shops. Almost everything you normally need on vacation is available on Ko Tao, but mostly a little more expensive than on the mainland. What is not available on the island (larger electronics or fresh fruit / vegetables are only available to a limited extent) can be obtained with a day trip with the ferry to Chumphon.
kitchen
Mae Haad
The pancakes right on the pier are highly recommended, as is the Italian restaurant. The "Safety Stop" restaurant right on the pier is not recommended. The service there is slow and the food is so-so.
Sairee
On the main street opposite the big supermarket (to the right of the gas station and the scooter rental) there is good and cheap Thai food in a bamboo hut.
Between Ban's Diving and 7 Eleven there is also a pancake stand with very good pancakes at night.
Chalok
On the way to Chalok there is the right on the main road (about 300m behind the mini golf course) Golden 99, An All You Can Eat Buffet with Korean Barbecue and Sushi is offered there in the evening for currently 140 Baht.
nightlife
Sairee
At the Sairee Beach there are several bars that often offer a fire show at nightfall and later convert the seating area on the beach into a dance floor. It is usually busiest in the early evening in the Lotus Bar, around 2 a.m. one of the bars on the beach rotates until dawn (Lotus Bar, AC Bar, Fishbowl Bar, Maya Bar or Cave Bar). The DJ usually announces where the party will continue for that night.
in the Sairee Village There are a lot of pubs, some with dartboards and billiard tables, which are also open until around 2am. Also very interesting is the "Queen Cabaret" on the main street, a dance show with ladyboys (free entry, but you have to order at least one drink, which is about twice the price of other pubs).
Mae Haad
In Mae Haad there is not much going on at night, due to the lack of a beach there are only a few pubs on the streets, especially on the paths to the Lomprayah and Songserm piers.
Chalok
Chalok is rather quiet, but thanks to the beach there are some nice bars to relax in, and most of the reggae bars on the island can be found here. Party nights are sometimes organized in the resorts.
accommodation
Simple bungalows (fan) are negotiable from 350 baht, in the immediate vicinity of the beach simple rooms from 500 baht. So it is often worthwhile to prefer a somewhat secluded bungalow resort to a narrow room and simply rent a scooter for the money you save (with which you can then explore the entire island). If you take part in a diving course, you usually get the room for free for the duration of the course or a corresponding discount in a higher category.
For A / C and hot water you have to add about 400-500 baht per day.
trips
There are snorkel / beach tours to the neighboring one Ko Nang Yuan, there are also longer trips (some with overnight stays) to Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park offered.
