One night on Koh Samui and I was on the first ferry out to Koh Tao. There are only two departures a day to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, at 0800h and 1500h. As advised I took the first ferry out.
Koh Tao (also known as Turtle Island) is one of the smallest islands that form part of the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. You can fly directly into Koh Samui and then take a 2-hour ferry to Koh Tao, or get into Surat Thani city (by plane, bus or train) and then take a ferry out.
Koh Tao (also known as Turtle Island) is one of the smallest islands that form part of the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. You can fly directly into Koh Samui and then take a 2-hour ferry to Koh Tao, or get into Surat Thani city (by plane, bus or train) and then take a ferry out.
Sunset on Koh Tao by Blue Wind cafe.
Since I was late in booking accommodations, I had to get to Koh Tao early to look for one. Usually, if you can't reserve a place, you should get to the island on the first ferry and look for one, as most of the accommodations reserve a few rooms strictly for walk-in customers only.
I knew it was the monsoon season so I was slightly prepared for the rough seas. The best advice I ever got is to always sit in the middle of the boat, the lower the better, and always stay out in the open where there is fresh air, and look out to the horizon. I did not take any seasick tablets and was perfectly fine as long as I stayed out on the open-air decks.
I knew it was the monsoon season so I was slightly prepared for the rough seas. The best advice I ever got is to always sit in the middle of the boat, the lower the better, and always stay out in the open where there is fresh air, and look out to the horizon. I did not take any seasick tablets and was perfectly fine as long as I stayed out on the open-air decks.
From Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, the ride was perfect, rather small waves...smooth ride. As soon as we hit open seas to head to Koh Tao, I saw staff handing out little black bags. Soon I heard, smelt and saw a neat line of people throwing up over board.
Nice.
The sea was rough. I had to hang on to my seat as I was constantly thrown off it!
Yes it was that bad and I was on a 3-deck catamaran and a big one too.
Safe to say I got to Koh Tao safe and sound. From the pier its only a 15-20 minute walk to Sairee beach following the 'yellow brick lane' (or rather a grey brick lane). I stayed with Sairee Cottage Diving as I took on the 6 fun dive package. With that I had a free room for a night and a discounted standard orange room for 400B per night. As long as you dived with them, the room is on a discounted rate. Nice basic room that sleeps 2, cold showers plus fan and it was a bungalow. It was decent and comfortable to an extend for the price.
Nice.
The sea was rough. I had to hang on to my seat as I was constantly thrown off it!
Yes it was that bad and I was on a 3-deck catamaran and a big one too.
Safe to say I got to Koh Tao safe and sound. From the pier its only a 15-20 minute walk to Sairee beach following the 'yellow brick lane' (or rather a grey brick lane). I stayed with Sairee Cottage Diving as I took on the 6 fun dive package. With that I had a free room for a night and a discounted standard orange room for 400B per night. As long as you dived with them, the room is on a discounted rate. Nice basic room that sleeps 2, cold showers plus fan and it was a bungalow. It was decent and comfortable to an extend for the price.
The only decent picture I manage to take during this trip. The island looks far better than this during the dry season.
Got there Christmas Eve and did my first two dives that afternoon within the bay. One of the worst dive sites I would say, as there isn't much to see except for a shallow wreck at 13m and the visibility was bad, 6m visibility. We couldn't dive out, as the sea was really rough. I know Koh Tao has beautiful sights to dive at but the weather was just impossible.
Two days later I did a morning dive at Chumphon Pinnacle. To think that the weather would get slightly better... It was just the same as the time I first landed!
On the boat, fine; briefing, fine; geared up, fine; did a deep 30m dive, all fine. 5m, 3 minute safety stop... NOT fine. Its strange as normally one would get into the water to not feel seasick, but for me it was the other way around. And it wasn’t the first time.
Two days later I did a morning dive at Chumphon Pinnacle. To think that the weather would get slightly better... It was just the same as the time I first landed!
On the boat, fine; briefing, fine; geared up, fine; did a deep 30m dive, all fine. 5m, 3 minute safety stop... NOT fine. Its strange as normally one would get into the water to not feel seasick, but for me it was the other way around. And it wasn’t the first time.
The view from the top of Mango viewpoint. This was taken back in May 2012.
Visibility was a mere 7m. Hardly saw any marine life except for a school of Barracuda, some Sweet Lips and lots of Christmas Trees. The current was rather strong on the surface plus the waves were crashing off the boat and on to us. Some where between that and the safety stop, my tummy felt like a whirlwind.
Managed to keep it all in but I was cold and squirm-ish. I had to sit out the second dive. Doubt I missed much as the dive group came out saying that the visibility got worse plus everyone was cold!
For this time of the year, I didn’t realise how windy it would be on the island. It was very windy in the evenings that I had to put on a long sleeve top. So being wet on a cloudy day on a dive boat wasn’t exactly ideal. (This might be a one off incident as we soon read that the weather is Asia has gone a bit crazy thanks to global warming. The temperature has dropped considerably for this part of the region that's it's a bit unreal)
Managed to keep it all in but I was cold and squirm-ish. I had to sit out the second dive. Doubt I missed much as the dive group came out saying that the visibility got worse plus everyone was cold!
For this time of the year, I didn’t realise how windy it would be on the island. It was very windy in the evenings that I had to put on a long sleeve top. So being wet on a cloudy day on a dive boat wasn’t exactly ideal. (This might be a one off incident as we soon read that the weather is Asia has gone a bit crazy thanks to global warming. The temperature has dropped considerably for this part of the region that's it's a bit unreal)
Koh Nang Yuan marine park. This is when I fell in love with the island.
I was here, on Koh Tao, with my friends last May, just before peak season and the weather was brilliant. Hot sunny skies, calm seas and amazing water clarity. I remember taking a long tailboat (100B including return) to Koh Nang Yuan, the marine park across from Sairee beach. Another 100B to get on to the marine park and it was just breath taking. I learnt to snorkel in these waters and it was simply stunning, with amazing marine life just by the shore. Also if you walked to the left of the entrance, you'll come to a trail heading up to the Twin Peaks viewpoint. It's not a difficult climb and the views are stunning from the top.
I fell in love with this place. There are also zip lines to go on plus, the walk around this marine park is absolutely wonderful. Looking onto the water, you'll see the fishes swim by. It's that clear during the dry season.
I fell in love with this place. There are also zip lines to go on plus, the walk around this marine park is absolutely wonderful. Looking onto the water, you'll see the fishes swim by. It's that clear during the dry season.
Aow Leuk Bay.
Another place, which is good for snorkelling, is Aow Leuk Bay. It is accessible by a scooter or an ATV. It's easy to get too and again, beautiful waters. Koh Tao doesn't have a lot of sandy beaches apart from Sairee beach so be prepared to be faced with some rocky beaches but you will still be rewarded with beautiful aquatics as you snorkel. It only cost about 150B-200B for scooter rental, for a period of 24 hours. Do be prepared to depart with your passport as they keep them as a security measure till you return the scooter. Make sure to check the scooter before you accept it, note all the scratches and make sure everything is in working order to avoid being charged later on.
I remember staying at Shark Point, beautiful bungalows on a slope where you’re welcomed by tranquil waters at the end of the trail. It's rocky and deep without a sandy beach, but when I was there in May, the waters were calm and crystal clear.
I remember staying at Shark Point, beautiful bungalows on a slope where you’re welcomed by tranquil waters at the end of the trail. It's rocky and deep without a sandy beach, but when I was there in May, the waters were calm and crystal clear.
The view at Shark Point.
The other bay we tried to get to was Mango Bay. Now it's a steep drive up and once on the top, the view towards Sairee Beach is stunning. Unfortunately the road to Mango Bay is seriously unused and over grown. We had to turn back and the only way of getting there is to get on a long tail boat. Forget taking the drive down, it's a nightmare and you have snakes on this island so be warned!
From the last time to now the island has grown a fair bit in development. But The Queen's Cabaret bar is still there, just off the main brick lane. This particular lane is closed during the evenings and is bustling with people during peak season. It’s filled with little pop-up shops that adorn the existing restaurants and bars during the evenings and it’s worth a visit.
From the last time to now the island has grown a fair bit in development. But The Queen's Cabaret bar is still there, just off the main brick lane. This particular lane is closed during the evenings and is bustling with people during peak season. It’s filled with little pop-up shops that adorn the existing restaurants and bars during the evenings and it’s worth a visit.
Soaking up the ambience and the view.
Another watering hole that is mentioned by everyone here is the Fish Bowl bar, next to Ban's diving resort on the brick lane. It's one of the best bars on the island and almost every other visitor on the island would tell you to go there. It's just so much fun and their fire shows are excellent. For some strange reason, it doesn’t say Fish Bowl outside the bar, but has a signboard up on the beach side entrance saying 'Fish Bowl'.
There is one little home restaurant that serves some of the best Thai food on Sairee Beach located just off the main street. Get to the 7-Eleven on the main street (not the brick lane) and walk towards Parnee Guesthouse. This little Pud Restaurant is just on the right, and mind you its really small. Get there an hour before you think you will get hungry as the food takes time to get to the table. One stove, one cook and one wok! But its mouth watering and made with fresh ingredients. Trust me when I say you can really tell the difference in quality.
Its been a rather short 3 days on the island and I was here mainly for the diving and to spend Christmas with my friends. Although diving wasn't the best, I had a wonderful-chilled-out Christmas. Koh Tao is definitely a place you want to be after the long parties on Koh Phangan!
Next up: New Year's Eve on Koh Phangan!!!
There is one little home restaurant that serves some of the best Thai food on Sairee Beach located just off the main street. Get to the 7-Eleven on the main street (not the brick lane) and walk towards Parnee Guesthouse. This little Pud Restaurant is just on the right, and mind you its really small. Get there an hour before you think you will get hungry as the food takes time to get to the table. One stove, one cook and one wok! But its mouth watering and made with fresh ingredients. Trust me when I say you can really tell the difference in quality.
Its been a rather short 3 days on the island and I was here mainly for the diving and to spend Christmas with my friends. Although diving wasn't the best, I had a wonderful-chilled-out Christmas. Koh Tao is definitely a place you want to be after the long parties on Koh Phangan!
Next up: New Year's Eve on Koh Phangan!!!