Ko Tao (also often Koh Tao, Thai: เกาะเต่า, lit. "Turtle Island" due to its shape) is an island in Thailand, located near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand.

Administratively, the island is part of Surat Thani province, in the district (Amphoe) Ko Pha Ngan.

All boats dock at Mae Haad, a small village with only a few bars and shops. The most popular place is Sairee's beach. Sairee's white sandy beach stretches about 1.7km over most of the west coast, interrupted only by a few huge boulders.

Tourism

The island is well known for scuba diving. Unlike Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao is not yet developed and thus not flooded with tourists.

Transportation

The island is reachable by boat from Ko Pha Ngan in app. 3 hours, from Surat Thani in app. 9 hours and from Chumphon app. 6 hours. This island can also be reached in one and one-half hours from Ko Samui.

Bungalows on the beach at Ko Tao.

The main street at Ko Tao.

Blue Spotted Stingray photographed in the waters around Koh Tao.

See also

• List of islands of Thailand