Koh Tao
Two hours north by catamaran, and the best snorkelling and diving water in the Gulf. Shark Bay, Mango Bay and a village that lives entirely off diving.
Open≈ 3.8 km
Three islets joined by a sandbar off Koh Tao, with a short climb to the viewpoint that everyone has seen a photograph of.
Three islets joined by a sandbar off the north-west corner of Koh Tao, and the viewpoint above them is the photograph everyone has seen of the Gulf. Most Koh Tao day trips stop here, and it is the reason many people book them.
The climb to the viewpoint takes ten minutes on rock steps and a boardwalk. The snorkelling off the sandbar is shallow and busy with fish, and the water between the islets is the colour that photographs badly because nobody believes it.
Single-use plastic is banned on the island; bring a refillable bottle.
Single-use plastic is banned on the island and bottles are confiscated at the jetty — bring a refillable one. Landing is chargeable and collected on arrival.
On the map…
Open the full island map · Driving directions · Google Maps · © OpenStreetMap
The closest places on the map, straight-line distance.
Two hours north by catamaran, and the best snorkelling and diving water in the Gulf. Shark Bay, Mango Bay and a village that lives entirely off diving.
Open≈ 3.8 km
Thirty minutes north by boat: Haad Rin and the Full Moon Party at one end, and a wild, near-empty east coast at the other.
Open≈ 48 km
The north-west coast: shallow, glassy water and a row of seafood shacks built out over it. Very few hotels, very little noise.
Open≈ 62 km
Half of these places are easier with a driver who knows which hill road is paved. Tell us which ones you care about and we will build the day around them.