Welcome to Koh Tao, the heaven for divers.

Koh Tao is located north of Koh Phangan and means "Turtle island", as sea turtle are used to roam around the underwaters of the area. Small island of only 21 Sqkm, far less developed than its neighbours Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, it gives a pleasant impression of Robinson...
Small paradise island, but also and mostly a paradise for scuba diving and snorkelling, as not less than twenty dive sites among the best of South-East asia, are here dispersed around Koh Tao.
Moreover, one of the most beautiful site of the area, and surely the most popular of the Gulf of Siam, Koh Nang Yuan, a stunning group of three tiny islands linked together by a sand bank, is located close to Koh Tao wich is another trump to attract visitors here...
If diving is the main activity of the island, you can still remain sitting or laying on the beach, relaxing and enjoying snorkelling, just from the beach and still observe splendid underwater.
Or just have a ride and explore this superb wild island, which Koh Tao is, by renting a motorbike, like you will do everywhere in Thailand, and ride its dirt tracks through the jungle to enjoy the splendid panoramas some view points offer.
And, in the evening, when divers will rest, preparing their next dive or their next-day-exam, you can go party in the many bars lining the beaches and end up at the "Castle", the one and only nightclub in Koh Tao, located between Chalok Ban Kao and Mae Haad, where you will check that you are not the only one who wanted to party to enjoy the tropical nights of Koh Tao.
You can also enjoy, time to time, some huge Trance parties on the beach or in the Jungle, check for flyers once you are in the area !

Koh Tao, few beaches, but of high quality...

Like all islands of the area, Koh Tao has splendid beaches, but it seems that here, the water is more limpid and with emerald reflects, closer to the images you can have of the Andaman coast.
Sairee Beach, on the west coast, is the most renowned and also the most popular beach of Koh Tao, it is also here where you will find most of the diving schools and resorts, deluxe hotels and night bars. The beach is absolutely gorgeous, with an incredibly clear water where snorkelling is easilly reachable and marvelous, exciting the non initiates and giving the divers the urge need to go for a real dive. Moreover, you have a stunning view on Koh Nang Yuan straight from the beach.
Mae Haad is the entry city to Koh Tao, with the Main Pier and the administrative main town. A very nice beach awaits you, and if it is less popular than Sairee, it is nevertheless as splendid, with a similar clear water as Sairee Beach wich actually is just 10 minutes walk. In the village, you will find the usual facilities, with restaurants, bars, supermarkets, as well as agencies of most diving schools of Sairee beach and the police Station.
Chalok Ban Kao, south of Mae Haad, is a large cove with a stunning view over Koh Phangan. Like on all beaches, you will find here accommodations of all categories, restaurants and some night bars, relax setting, far less divers than on other beaches of Koh Tao, a haven of peace for non divers, while still not to far from the animation.

Hin Wong Bay and Tanote Bay are two renowned beaches of the east coast, far from the divers, even if snorkelling is amazing, and close to the nature, two splendid beaches favorite of backpackers, especially those thinking that Sairee has become too much a divers guetto. The ideal locations to be away from it all. Further South, you will also find Ao Thian and Sai Daeng facing Shark Island, both stunning places to practice easy snorkelling and enjoy a trip in the underwater world.

Diving around Koh Tao

Even if some travellers do not come to Koh Tao especially for diving, it is to admit that divers are here the majority, and all the west coast is totally dedicated to this water activity. You don't have to be an experimented diver as all schools offer training to obtain your PADI certifications, up to the instructor exam, and can also prepare excursions for your baptism of dive. You can also simply join the excursions to enjoy the trip on the sea and take your chance to have some stunning snorkelling experience with equipment provided by the crew. You can dive all around Koh Tao as all its coasts are actually dive sites, but there exist some unavoidable sites known of all divers.
Koh Nang Yuan, in addition to be a superbly scenic place and a well known tourist attraction, is also a renowned dive site offering stunning underwater, with a splendid coral reef, of only 14 meters depth, which is a perfect dive site for the novices who will already have the luck to observe splendid colourful tropical fishes and corals of any kind.
Sail Rock is located between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, it is an impressive rock formation cropping up from the sea and offering 40 meters depth dives, if you are likely to see whalesharks during your dive, it is here that you will have the best chances to meet them.
Koh Wao is a nice bay (only 8 to 14 meters depth), perfect for novices and baptism.
Shark island is renowned to host whale sharks and black pointed sharks, as you migh expect from its name, but also sea turtles. This tiny island is located south of Koh Tao.
You will also find more interesting sites like the Chumphorn Pinnacle north west, beautiful, with 20 meters depth, the Samran Pinnacle, three submerged rocks near Sail Rock, splendid and accessible to all levels.

And, best of all, you will actually be able to swim straight from the beach where you stay, wherever it is, and enjoy stunning underwater with just a mask and a snorkel, a guenine paradise for families with young children...