It took us nearly 12 hours ride by bus and boat to get here. We left from Bangkok by Lomprayah (เรือเร็วลมพระยา) at 9PM and, just got to the island nearly 9AM. The bus ride from Bangkok to the pier at Chumporn province, drop off and jump to the boat which we've paid 1,050 baht (Bus+boat inclusive) That was pretty good price for the package bus + boat and it's quite comfortable travel at night even though it took a bit long hours but we're all happy and can see the smiling face on anyone who has touched the island scene, finally...
Now we are at Koh Tao; it's so beautiful island. Most of tourist came here for scuba divers, the local people said "It is one of the top scuba diving destinations in Thailand"
though even non divers are easily drawn in by the island's beauty and its charm.
The crystal clear waters of Koh Tao feature plenty of marine life and major coral that are certain to please the divers. Particularly as the island itself is so spectacular and the atmosphere here is quite relaxing. What's more to expect on this island?... It's now being a center for environmentally friendly diving practices, including the reintroduction of hundreds of juvenile turtles to the island's ecosystem, and efforts to preserve and grow coral reefs. For non-divers can appreciate the beauty of Koh Tao, which seems relatively devoid of inhabitants while the majority of visitors are spending their days underwater, by taking a boat trip around the island to visit Koh Tao's a lot of gorgeous beaches and bays, hiking to the peak of the island, practicing and studying yoga, or simply relaxing in a hammock and enjoying the view of nearby Koh Nang Yuan, a spectacular attraction in its own right.
A bit of history by local tourist information center saying that " Over the past decade Koh Tao has transformed from a sleepy, yet popular place to get a scuba certification to the second most popular place in the world to do so. Once a destination almost exclusively for scuba divers and those looking to get away from it all" - Koh Tao is now also a destination for wild 20-somethings to warm up before or unwind after neighboring Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party. Fortunately, despite its quite small size, most of the beaches around Koh Tao have retained a charming, laid back atmosphere and bungalows ranging from ultra-basic thatch roof to chic and boutique are available for those on any budget to enjoy the beauty of one of Thailand’s most spectacular islands"
Key Tips
- While there are numerous clinics on Koh Tao at Sairee Beach and Mae Haad, the closest hospitals are on Koh Samui and mainland Chumphon
- Electricity, supplied by generators, is very expensive: switch off the lights, fans, and air conditioning when leaving your room
- Exercise extreme caution when driving motorbikes on Koh Tao
- Avoid drinking the night before scuba diving
- Don't throw anything at all into the sea!
- While diving or snorkeling, look, don't touch; this includes turtles, coral, and any other marine life!
