Hidden spots, local knowledge and day-trip combos you will not find in the brochure.
26 stories
Insider GuidesLocal dive instructors rank the ten best beaches on Koh Tao — snorkeling ratings, entrance fees, how to reach each one, and a one-day beach-hopping itinerary.
Insider GuidesFrom snorkelling with turtles at Shark Bay and a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan to viewpoints, hiking, rock climbing and Sairee Beach nightlife — the 12 activities worth building a Koh Tao trip around.
Insider GuidesJohn Suwan, Koh Nang Yuan, Love Koh Tao, Mango, Sunset (High Rock), Two View and Summit — how to get to every major viewpoint in Koh Tao, what it costs, when to go and the tips our team has picked up over the years.
Insider GuidesThe five best places for a massage on Koh Tao — Manara Royal Thai Massage, Watergate Spa, Mai Thai Health Massage, Majestic Spa and Silver Sands — plus massage styles, prices and tips for your session.
Insider GuidesPlan your Koh Tao yoga retreat — the island's best yoga studios and their prices, what to pack, the best season to visit and simple daily practices for mind-body balance.
Insider GuidesWhich fishing tours to book on Koh Tao, what they cost and include, the species you can target, the best months to go and practical tips for a successful day on the water.
Insider GuidesA comparison of Koh Tao's snorkelling and island-hopping boat tours — operators, price ranges, group sizes and durations — plus tips on timing, what to bring and how to plan the day.
Insider GuidesFrom the 15-minute climb to John Suwan Rock Viewpoint to the jungle trek out to Laem Thien — the best hiking trails on Koh Tao with difficulty, duration, entry fees and preparation tips.
Insider GuidesJohn-Suwan, Koh Nang Yuan, Love Koh Tao, Sunset and Mango viewpoints compared — difficulty, best time of day, entrance fees, hiking tips and how to fit them around your dives.
Insider GuidesBowling, rock climbing, karaoke, pub quizzes, SUP at sunset and pool parties — the Koh Tao bars where the entertainment goes well beyond the drinks, and when to go for each.
Insider GuidesFrom Chopper's Sports Bar and the beach bars of Sairee to jungle parties at Escobar — a local's guide to the best bars in Koh Tao, with what makes each one worth a visit.
Insider GuidesNatural High Cafe, Tattoo Bar, Goodtime, Maya Beach Club and The Smoking Dead — the most relaxed bars on Koh Tao for sunset drinks, craft beer and easy evenings, plus tips on when to go and what to order.
Insider GuidesWhere to watch the game on Koh Tao — Choppers, Fishbowl Beach Bar, Arcadia, The Smoking Dead, Serve Chilled Roof Garden and The Hacienda — plus what to expect and how to plan around big fixtures.
Insider GuidesWhere to find live bands, fire shows, open mic nights and DJ sets on Koh Tao — the best venues, weekly schedules, seasonal patterns and tips for a great night out.
Insider GuidesThe island's party scene from the Secret Party and Escobar's jungle raves to the Booze Cruise, Choppers' pub crawl, AC Bar pool parties and the Leo Beach Festival — with tips on tickets, timing and what to wear.
Insider GuidesKoh Tao after dark — from Fishbowl Beach Bar and Lotus Bar on Sairee to Queen's Cabaret, jungle parties at Escobar and pool parties at AC Bar, with tips for a fun and safe night out.
Insider GuidesFishbowl, Fizz Beach Lounge, Maya Beach Club, The Smoking Dead and Lotus Bar — the best beach bars on Koh Tao for sunset drinks, live DJs and fire shows, with tips on when to go, what to order and how to get home.
Insider GuidesOur pick of the ten best restaurants on Koh Tao — beachfront seafood at Fizz, fine dining at The Terrace at Jamahkiri, budget Thai at ChuChu, wood-fired pizza, French pastries and more — plus the dishes to try and insider tips.
Insider GuidesThe best Italian restaurants on Koh Tao — Thaita, La Pizzeria da Claudio, Portobello, The French Market and Gambero Rosso Andrea — with standout dishes, prices and booking tips.
Insider GuidesThe best vegetarian and vegan restaurants on Koh Tao — VegetaBowl, Coconut Monkey, The Factory Cafe, Breeze and Tukta — plus the signature dishes worth ordering at each one.
Insider GuidesOur pick of the best fine dining restaurants on Koh Tao — Barracuda, Blue Water, The Terrace at Jamahkiri, The French Market and The Gallery — with the dishes to order, the settings and what to know before you book.
Insider GuidesThe best Thai food on Koh Tao — the dishes you have to try, from Tom Yum Goong to Pad Thai, the local restaurants and street stalls that do them best, plus cooking classes, food markets and what a meal costs.
Insider GuidesOur team's favourite places for fresh seafood on Koh Tao — from beachfront Thai kitchens and rooftop fusion to sushi — plus what to order, when to eat and what to expect to pay.
Insider GuidesTattoo Bar, Juicy Burger, Roots, Blacktip Cafe and Hippo Burger Bistro — where to find the juiciest, most creative burgers on Koh Tao, plus vegetarian and vegan options, prices and money-saving tips.
Insider GuidesOur pick of the best beachfront restaurants on Koh Tao, bay by bay — Sairee, Chalok Baan Kao, Mae Haad and the east coast — with the dishes to order and the best spots for sunset dining.
Insider GuidesA food lover's guide to Koh Tao — authentic Thai kitchens, fresh seafood with a view, Italian and American favourites, vegan bowls, beachfront tables and tips on the island's dining culture.
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