Where to stay in Koh Tao

Koh Tao is the smallest of the three inhabited Gulf islands most visitors combine, sitting north of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. It is best known as a place to learn to dive: dive schools line the west coast, and many people arrive for an open-water course and stay far longer than planned. Away from the dive shops, the island is hilly and green, with granite boulders, steep concrete roads and small coves that are easier to reach on foot or by longtail boat than by car.

There is no airport, so everyone arrives by sea at Mae Haad pier on the west coast. The island is only a few kilometres across, but the hills make distances feel longer than they look on a map. Picking the right part of the island matters more than the exact hotel: Sairee is sociable and busy, Mae Haad is practical, Chalok Baan Kao is quieter, and the east-coast bays are for people who want to switch off.

Most of the places listed here are small and independently run: dive hostels, guesthouses, bungalow resorts and a handful of small hotels. Filter them by area and features below, or read the area guide first.

Getting there
Ferries and catamarans from Chumphon on the mainland, and from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan
Arrival point
Mae Haad pier, on the west coast
Getting around
Walking, pick-up truck taxis, scooter hire and longtail boats
Wettest months
Usually October to December

Places to stay in Koh Tao

13 hotels

Hotel in Chalok Baan Kao

High Bar

Sea views and a sunset bar on the slope above Chalok Baan Kao

  • terrace
  • garden
  • free parking
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"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Where to stay in Koh Tao, area by area

The west coast holds most of the beds, from Sairee in the north-west down past the pier at Mae Haad to Chalok Baan Kao in the south. The east coast is wilder, with a scatter of bays at the end of steep roads.

Sairee Beach

Best for dive courses and a social scene

Sairee is the island's longest beach and its liveliest stretch, a west-facing curve of sand with sunsets over the water. A narrow walking street runs behind it, packed with dive schools, cafés, bars and travel agents, and the beach bars stay busy into the night.

Many of the island's hostels are here or in the lanes and hillsides just inland. Places up the slope often trade a short walk for views and a quieter night. Mae Haad pier is a short taxi ride or a longer walk to the south.

Mae Haad

Best for ferry connections and short stays

Mae Haad is the island's port and its working centre. Every ferry arrives here, and the streets around the pier have ferry offices, banks, pharmacies, dive shops and plenty of places to eat. Boats to Koh Nang Yuan, the trio of islets joined by a sandbar off the north-west coast, also leave from this side of the island.

It is a handy base if you have an early boat or a short stay, and the small beaches either side of the pier are within walking distance. It is less of a beach destination than Sairee, but Sairee is close enough to visit in the evening.

Chalok Baan Kao

Best for a calmer base with dive schools

A sheltered bay on the south coast with a small village, a few dive schools and a slower pace than Sairee. The water in the bay is shallow, especially at low tide, so swimmers often head to the neighbouring coves instead.

The John-Suwan viewpoint on the headland nearby is a popular short hike, and Shark Bay and the south-east coves are within easy reach. Mae Haad is a short drive to the north.

East-coast bays

Best for snorkelling and switching off

The east and south-east coasts are a series of small bays, including Aow Leuk, Tanote and Shark Bay (Ao Thian Ok), each with a handful of resorts and bungalows and some of the island's best snorkelling from the shore.

Roads to these bays are steep and in places rough, so a scooter is only for confident riders; taxis and boat trips are the safer options. Evenings are quiet, and most visitors eat where they stay or nearby.

Questions about staying in Koh Tao

Which area of Koh Tao is best for first-time visitors?

Sairee Beach suits most first visits, because it has the widest choice of dive schools, restaurants and bars within walking distance. If you'd rather have quieter nights, Chalok Baan Kao still has dive schools and places to eat, with less going on after dark.

How do I get to Koh Tao?

By boat. Ferries and catamarans run from Chumphon on the mainland and from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, often sold as joint tickets with buses, trains or flights. Journey times and timetables vary by operator and season, so check them close to your travel date. All the main boats dock at Mae Haad pier.

Do I need a scooter on Koh Tao?

Not if you stay around Sairee or Mae Haad, where most things are walkable and taxis are easy to find. The hills are steep and some roads to the east coast are rough, so many visitors use taxis or boats rather than riding themselves.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tao?

Like the other Gulf islands, Koh Tao tends to be driest from about January to August, while October to December usually brings the heaviest rain and rougher seas. Diving runs all year, but visibility and boat crossings are generally better outside the wettest months.

Can I stay on Koh Tao without diving?

Yes. Snorkelling from the east-coast bays, boat trips to Koh Nang Yuan, viewpoint hikes and simply time on the beach keep plenty of non-divers busy for several days.

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