BEACH
Tanote is a nice social bay on the east side of Ko Tao. This bay is a great spot to enjoy both the beach and the underwater activities. Tanote is surrounded by rugged rock formations and lush tropical vegetation, creating a stunning backdrop. The beach is known for its large granite boulders and cliffs, making it a popular spot for rock jumping. Adventurous visitors can leap from the rocks into the clear waters below.
When the wind comes from the right direction, the bay is good for snorkeling. However, this beach is not the best for small children, because of the relatively deep swimming water and the sand is somewhat coarse grained. If you want to relax on a beautiful wide social beach, which is not too crowded even in high season, we recommend visiting Tanote.
For non-experienced scooter riders, know that you have to make a steep turn to reach Tanote Bay. It can certainly be terrifying as you drive down the hill.
WHERE TO STAY
Right on the beach there are different mid-range places to stay, all good options. Montalay Resort has a small swimming pool and Mountain Reef Beach Resort is an good alternative.
We enjoy staying at the Diamond Beach Resort. This stay is located directly on the beach and offers nice bungalows with fan or air-conditioning. You get good quality for a fair price but note that the fan rooms are small. Poseidon Resort a good mid-range alternative has a well-known restaurant. Family Tanote Bay Resort is a reasonably priced budget option, they offer diving lessons and diving trips.
Not directly on the beach, we found Tanote Villa Hill, a stay with a lovely pool. Keep in mind that it does involve a climb to get from the beach to the rooms. All properties have restaurants. Located on the hill, Sun Moon Restaurant is just a 10-minute walk from the beach and offers cooking classes.
ISLAND
Ko Tao, often referred to as “Turtle Island,” is a small and picturesque island located in the Gulf of Thailand. Ko Tao is not that big, and we still found some relaxing beaches where you can escape the crowds for a while. However, this place gets busier every year, so the beaches change with it.
WHAT TO DO
Ko Tao is known as a diver’s paradise and as one of the better snorkeling locations. The diving conditions are good compared to most other places in Thailand. Arriving on the west coast, we immediately felt a ‘diverse vibe’: a real tourist center with many dive shops, and bars to drink and socialize at after a day at sea. You find many diving schools, making it a good location to get your diving certification. Here, there is certainly no shortage of options for beach and snorkeling enthusiasts.
In addition to underwater attractions, Ko Tao has hiking trails and lush tropical forests. You can explore the hills, coconut plantations and lush interior areas. A walk through this green landscape on the way to one of the viewpoints is a beautiful excursion. Of course, you can also take cooking, boxing and yoga classes on the island.
Be sure to visit Ko Nang Yuan, one of the most photographed islands in Thailand. This highlight consists of three islands that are connected by pure white sandbanks, a great place to sunbathe. It is recommended to go to the Ko Nang Yuan Viewpoint and enjoy the beautiful sights.
TRANSPORT
The easiest way to reach Ko Tao is via Chumphon. This town has good bus connections to all of the surrounding bigger cities. From Bangkok there is a good connection by train, bus or plane. Airasia operate flights to Chumphon. It is 60 kilometers from the airport and 25 kilometers from town to the Lomprayah Pier with a good ferry link to Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. For this, check the boat schedules online.
It is easy to rent scooters on the island.
