KOH TAO
Traveling To KOH TAO IN 2022
TOP THINGs TO DO ON KOH TAO 2022
SCUBA DIVING
Koh Tao is a paradise island in the Golf of Thailand known for being the cheapest place on earth to get your scuba diving certification. Furthermore, with the many dive schools on the island, you can get discounted accommodation if you stay with an associated hotels. I stayed at the Sairee Cottage Resort, where I spent my first week relaxing to the sounds of the waves from my beach front cottage, catching many sunsets from my back patio. The relaxed trance that I set into from waking up to turquoise waters steps away from my back door, taking leisurely strolls up and down the beach, jumping into the crystal clear sea when the heat was reaching its peak and then lounging on my patio with a good book and a Chang beer in hand, made the week fly by.
I then inquired at the Sairee Cottage Diving school about prices and what their dive schedule looked like and could not resist the inexpensive Koh Tao prices. Since I hadn’t gone diving since I did my open water certification 5 years prior, I was able to do a refresher session with one of the dive instructors for $40, which gave me the confidence to partake in some fun dives that same afternoon. With the initial jitters out of the way, and the underwater world reminding me how much I loved diving, I took the opportunity to sign up for the Advanced Open Water certification course, which again was cheaper than anywhere else in the world and with the pandemic still affecting tourism, I would have the waters of Koh Tao almost all to myself (the most divers I saw in the water during my week diving was 10-15). Furthermore, since I was now signed up for a diving course with the dive school associated with Sairee Cottage Resort, I was eligible for a reduced rate. The hotel is quite good with honoring this. Since I had already paid for my second week (in cash) at the front counter, they refunded me the difference when I told them I was beginning a dive course.
My 2nd week on Koh Tao was spent increasing my diving knowledge while exploring many of the dive sites around the island, including diving the wreck of the HTMS Sattakut, a very cool landing craft originally from WWII that was donated to Koh Tao and sunk off the coast to use as a dive site, its front and back guns giving it an even cooler appearance. I also did a night dive, which was a very different experience considering that once the sun disappears, the sea becomes pitch black and you become fully reliant on your underwater flashlight to see. We were told to watch for groupers and barracudas, since they know to use the light cast from divers to help hunt the fish that get caught in the light. Though they stayed in the periphery of my light, the sight of large groupers on the hunt was quite cool, and seeing blue spotted rays, who spend much of the day resting in crevices, out in the open feeding on the seabed was spectacular. My dive instructor Sunni remarked that during the week each time I was coming out of the water it was with a bigger and bigger smile, which really does summarize my week in the best way possible. Diving with fantastic people, in great dive sites seeing a whole world that most will never get to experience.
VISIT KOH NANG YUAN
Situated a short taxi boat ride away from Sairee Beach, Koh Nang Yuan is one of the top day trips that people take on Koh Tao and is simply a must-do when visiting the island. The view from the viewpoint is worth the hike to the top, and the crystal clear waters below are great to swim in, especially if you’re with kids since a portion of the bay is entirely protected from waves and currents. One thing of note however is that this place was almost too popular for its own good, receiving hundreds of tourists a day before the pandemic which has had the impact of bleached corrals and the feeling of swimming in a pool with some fish in it rather than the sea. The best way to see Koh Nang Yuan, unless you plan on making a day of beach lounging and swimming out of it, is to book a snorkel tour of the island which starts off with a visit to Koh Nang Yuan as soon as it opens. This lets you arrive before most tourists, allowing you to reach the view point without having to wait in line for the must have photo and lets you enjoy it for as long as I felt was necessary. You can always book a taxi boat to bring you to the island from Sairee Beach or if you’re feeling athletic you can kayak there in 45 minutes. Note: There is an entry fee to access Koh Nang Yuan and you will have to pay it even if you go on the snorkel tour.
SNORKELING AROUND KOH TAO
Although scuba diving is the most popular activity on the island, snorkeling comes very close with about 10 different bays for you to explore. I chose to take a full-day snorkel your which was very affordable, allowed me to snorkel 7 different bays, included lunch and refreshments and let me see Koh Nang Yuan, all in the same day. If you’re tight on time, this would be my recommendation for you. However, if you have a more leisurely schedule, you can quite easily rent a scooter and drive to many of these bays. If you go to Shark Bay, you have high chances of spotting some black tip reef sharks (harmless) and sea turtles, though the waters can be quite choppy depending on the day.
KOH TAO VIEW POINTS
There are a many viewpoints on Koh Tao. For the most part, if you can drive a scooter you will be able to access all of these quite easily and will only have to pay a fee once you reach them. If you aren’t driving a scooter, then the options are limited to either paying for a taxi/scooter to drive you (or hitch a ride with a new friend!) or you can try hiking up to those closer to Sairee Beach area. The most known and popular viewpoint however is John Suwan Lookout point, a short drive out of town and a 10 minute hike up. The view is 100% worth it even if it is touristy, it is so for a reason. Note: There is a fee to get to most viewpoints
where to eat on koh tao: TOP RESTAURANTS
Though a small island, Koh Tao has many options for both your western and Thai food cravings. You’ll find the majority of these located near Sairee Beach, the main beach and hotel area. Here are some of the top restaurants to try on Koh Tao, though there are many that I did not have a chance to try. Here is my list of best restaurants on Koh Tao.
Chu Chu Thai Food & Pizza
Located at the end of an unassuming side street, Chu Chu is run by a couple from Myanmar and offers everyone the hospitality one would expect was reserved only for locals. It is one of the main restaurants frequented by dive instructors, so don’t be surprised to see tables filled with groups of people that are on the same open water certification course or people wearing various dive school shirts. The menu offers a variety of Thai dishes, but also some traditional Burmese cuisine which I recommend trying. The staple of this restaurant however is their Thai Pizza, and I’ll admit having been skeptical at first. However once you tried one, my recommendation being the panang curry or the essan pork, you’ll be asking yourself why there isn’t a Thai fusion pizza in your home town. Aung, who runs the place can usually be seen either ferrying orders, since you can also get this delivered to your hotel (great option if the sun has sapped all your energy and you just wanna kick back with a pizza) or greeting guests with the most genuine smile you’ll ever see.
Check them out here: Chu Chu Thai Food & Pizza
995 Roasted Duck
If you enjoy duck, this is THE place for you on Koh Tao. If you enjoy spicy foods then the spicy duck noodle soup will be one of the best dishes you had in Thailand. If you’re a wimp like me when it comes to spicy food, you’ll be more than content having one of their egg noodle with duck and soy bean paste, all for the low price of $3 for a small portion and $4 for a big one. Affordable and delicious it is no wonder why 995 Roasted Duck is one of the top places to eat on the island and you’ll likely have someone recommend it to you while you’re there.
Check them out here: 995 Roasted Duck
Mama Tam
Located a few steps away from 995 Roasted Duck, Mama Tam’s is where the locals go when they want some feel good food. Known for having the best green curry on the island, Mama Tam’s holds up to its reputation with a green curry that will have you saying “wow” after every spoonful. The food is extremely affordable here with a green curry and rice costing you $3.50. Also worth mentioning, the fruit shakes here are a great and will likely having you coming just for those at some point during your stay.
Check them out here: Mama Tam’s
Side note: If you do end up going to Mama Tam’s for a fruit shake and find that she is closed, right after her is a lady selling fruit shakes which are equally as good for $2, highly recommend the mango + pineapple combination.
Sairee Cottage Restaurant
Now before you prematurely judge this recommendation, I’ll say that of all the beach front restaurants this one has to be the only one where I genuinely had fast service (you’ll wait for agees at places like Ban’s Dive Resort restaurant) the food was excellent, the menu was varied and the view is stunning especially at sunset. In terms of food recommendations, especially if you’re looking for something on the lighter side on a hot day I’d highly suggest trying the Bai Liang Pad Khai, which is stir fried baegu leafs with egg, a light and savory dish I discovered while I was there and was disappointed I couldn’t easily find anywhere else I visited in Thailand.
Check them out here: Sairee Cottage Restaurant