BEACH
Thian Og is a beach with a small stripe of beautiful white sand. The Pemphis acidula, a kind of flowering plant, covers most of the coastline. Lastly, it is ideal for swimming because of the tranquil, clear water.
The beach faces south-east and overlooks Shark Island towards Ko Phangan. Take a kayak and paddle to the island where you can enjoy good snorkeling. The south of Ko Tao is known for the black tip reef shark. For this, make sure to come early in the morning or late in the afternoon!
WHERE TO STAY
Thian Og is the beach to go if you want some comfort on a TreasureBeach. Beach Club and Haadtien Resort, both good upper range places, are located directly on the beach. If you are on a limited budget, Rocky Resort on the hill is the place to go, however it is not directly on the beach.
All stays mentioned have a restaurant. We did not find other places to eat near the beach, so you will have to take a 5-minute scooter ride to find alternative places to eat.
From the main pier in Mae Hat Bay, it is 3 kilometers to Thian Og. Luckily, the road is in a good condition.
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.
