An Island Hop, Skip & A Jump Away From Koh Samui | Koh Tao

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Here’s our curated list of the Top things to do in Koh Tao. This tiny island packs in plenty of adventure, natural beauty, and laid-back charm. And is a boat ride away from Koh Samui and a must for and Gulf of Thailand Island Hopping itinerary.

But before reading on don't forget to checkout our other Koh Tao Travel blogs: See our Best Beaches of Koh Tao here | See our Koh Tao you big show off blog here | See our Koh Tao with Kids blog here. Ready to dig deeper and find out the Top 10 Things To Do on Koh Tao... Let's go:

🌴 Top Things to Do in Koh Tao, Thailand

1. 🤿 Go Scuba Diving – Koh Tao is one of Thailand’s Top Dive Destinations

Koh Tao is world-famous for its affordable, beginner-friendly diving. It’s one of the cheapest places in the world to get PADI certified, with dozens of dive schools and vibrant dive sites like:

- Chumphon Pinnacle – best for spotting barracuda and whale sharks

- Sail Rock – one of the top dive spots in the Gulf

- Japanese Gardens – great for beginners and snorkelling too

2. 🐠 Snorkel in Crystal-Clear Bays

If diving’s not your thing, Koh Tao’s shallow reefs make it a snorkelling haven. Some top spots include:

- Shark Bay – known for reef sharks and turtles

- Ao Leuk – calm waters and coral gardens

- Hin Wong Bay – colourful reefs and plenty of fish

3. 🌅 Hike to a Viewpoint

Koh Tao has some incredible hiking trails that lead to epic island panoramas. Don’t miss:

- John-Suwan Viewpoint – short but steep hike with stunning views of the southern coast

- Mango Viewpoint – gorgeous sunset spot overlooking Sairee Beach

- Love Koh Tao Viewpoint – easy access with cafes nearby

4. 🏝 Visit Koh Nang Yuan

Just a short boat ride from Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan is a postcard-perfect trio of tiny islands connected by a sandbar. Great for snorkelling, relaxing, and climbing up to the iconic viewpoint.

5. 🧘 Try a Yoga Class with a View

Koh Tao’s tranquil vibe is perfect for wellness. Join a class at places like Shambhala Yoga or Ocean Sound Yoga, many with sea-view decks and calming natural surroundings.

6. 🍛 Take a Thai Cooking Class

Learn to make classics like green curry, pad Thai, or mango sticky rice in a relaxed, island setting. It’s a fun and tasty way to connect with local culture.

7. 🛶 Go Kayaking Around the Island

Rent a kayak and explore Koh Tao’s quiet coves and hidden beaches at your own pace—especially in the early morning when the sea is calmest.

8. 🐢 Volunteer with Marine Conservation Projects

Many dive schools and local NGOs offer short-term volunteer opportunities where you can help with reef cleanups, marine research, or turtle conservation.

9. 🌃 Enjoy Sunset Drinks at a Beach Bar

Don’t miss sunset on Koh Tao—it’s magical. Head to Sairee Beach for beachfront bars, fire shows, and chilled-out vibes. Popular spots: FIZZ Beachlounge, Lotus Bar, or Maya Beach Club.

10. 🏄‍♂️ Relax and Unwind

Sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing at all. Koh Tao is the perfect place to slow down, swing in a hammock, and soak up the island energy.

Coming up next: More on our Thailand adventure and how to experience this country on a budget (even with kids!).

Want help planning your Koh Samui adventure? Let me know in the comments & I can help you create the perfect itinerary for you. I hope you found this post helpful. In the meantime keep up with our daily updates below and use our travel planning tools below to get best prices for flights, hotels and more:

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💡HELPFUL PLANNING TOOLS FOR YOUR THAILAND TRIP 💡

✈️ - FLIGHTS - We use this flight checker to search the best flight tickets fall or our Thailand flights. For Koh Tao, you will need to fly to Koh Samui first and get the ferry to Koh Tao from Koh Samui. We used this flight checker to get flights from UK to Bangkok. Then domestic flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui with the best prices at the time. Use to check dates and flight costs to Bangkok Airport (International and Domestic) now or go to our Flight Planning Page fore more

🏨 - ACCOMMODATION - We use this hotels checker to search hotels and accommodation for our Thailand trip. Use to check dates and costs to hotels and hostels in Thailand now or go to our Accommodation Planning Page for more

🧭🗺️👣 - THAILAND TOURS & GUIDES - We use Get Your Guide for all of the trips in Thailand. But we also love Klook too. TIP: Use both to compare offerings as trips will be different.

This post includes affiliate links that we may receive a small commission from at no extra cost to you. Thank You for supporting our blog!