TH · Surat Thani · 10.09°N 99.84°E

ko tao

The go-to island for a first dive licence, with snorkel bays off the beach.

Best time
Roughly February to September, when the water is calm and clear. October to December brings the monsoon, rougher seas and the odd cancelled ferry.
How long
3–5 days (a beginner dive course takes about 3–4 days)
Getting there
Fly from KL to Ko Samui or Surat Thani, usually via Bangkok, then catch a ferry. From Samui it's about 1.5–2 hours, stopping at Ko Pha-ngan. You can also come from Chumphon on the mainland, about 2 hours by fast boat.
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TH · Surat Thaniko tao10.09°N 99.84°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,The go-to island for a first dive licence, with snorkel bays off the beach.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKo TaoTH, Surat Thani
KLko tao
≈ 799 km from KL, as the crow flies
Ko Tao's port town, Mae Haad during sunset

Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small island north of Ko Pha-ngan that's built almost entirely around scuba diving. It's one of the most popular places in the world to get a first dive licence, and the snorkelling straight off the beach is good too.

Things to do

  1. Get your dive licenceDozens of dive schools run beginner courses, with calm, shallow training sites around the island.Map ↗
  2. Ko Nang YuanThree islets joined by sandbars, just off the north-west coast. Good for snorkelling and the view from the top.Map ↗
  3. Shark BaySnorkel over the reef here and you may spot blacktip reef sharks and turtles.Map ↗
  4. Sairee BeachThe island's longest beach, with sunset bars and most of the dive shops.Map ↗
  5. John-Suwan ViewpointA short, steep climb in the south for views over two bays.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Check that your dive school is properly certified (PADI or SSI) and ask about group size before you sign up.
  • Ko Nang Yuan is privately run, charges a landing fee and doesn't allow plastic bottles.
  • Roads are steep and some are dirt tracks. Skip the scooter if you're not experienced.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.