Where to Stay on Koh Tao

Small island, strong opinions

Koh Tao made its name teaching the world to dive, and the island still runs on that rhythm: mornings of boats heading out to the reefs, afternoons of logbooks and fruit shakes, evenings of beach bars facing the sunset. Almost everything happens on the west side, where Sairee Beach and the pier village of Mae Haad sit a short walk apart.

But the island has quieter gears. The southern bays around Chalok Baan Kao move at half Sairee's speed, and the east coast is a different world again — steep green hills dropping into snorkelling coves, with small resorts that generate their own power and let the stars do the nightlife. Where you stay decides which Koh Tao you get.

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At a glance

Sairee Beach is the main hub — dive schools, bars, sunsets
Mae Haad is the pier village, handy for arrivals
Chalok and the southern bays are quieter and family-friendly
The east coast is coves, viewpoints and off-grid resorts

Good to know

Book ahead if you arrive without a dive-school package — Sairee's cheap beds go fast in high season.
Sunset on Sairee Beach is the island's nightly ritual; grab sand early for the front row.
The viewpoint hikes are best at first light, before the heat and the crowds.
Taxis on Koh Tao are famously expensive — factor that in before booking a remote east-coast cove.

Sairee and Mae Haad: the busy west

Sairee is the island's main street and its living room: a long strip of sand with dive schools, restaurants, gyms and bars, all facing a sunset that stops the island every single evening. Stay here if you're doing a dive course — most schools sit right on the beach, often with their own accommodation — or if you simply want everything within a barefoot stroll.

Mae Haad, ten minutes' walk south, is where the ferries land: a compact, likeable village of guesthouses, cafés and shops sloping down to the pier. It's a touch calmer than Sairee, brilliantly practical for early boats, and still close enough to join the sunset crowd when the mood takes you.

Chalok and the quiet coasts

Over the hill on the south coast, Chalok Baan Kao curls around a sheltered bay with a mellow spread of resorts and restaurants — the choice for families, couples and anyone who liked Sairee better ten years ago. Nearby Shark Bay adds calm, snorkel-friendly water where blacktip reef sharks patrol harmlessly over the shallows.

The east coast is Koh Tao unplugged: coves like Tanote and Ao Leuk with superb snorkelling straight off the sand, reached by steep concrete roads or longtail boat. Resorts here are small and semi-off-grid, and that's the appeal — you trade convenience for coves that empty out completely once the day-trip boats leave.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I stay on Koh Tao for a diving course?

Sairee Beach. Most dive schools are based there, many bundle accommodation with courses, and being able to roll from bed to briefing to boat is exactly the convenience you want mid-course.

Which part of Koh Tao is best for non-divers?

Chalok and the southern bays for calm swimming and an easy pace, or an east-coast cove like Tanote if snorkelling is your thing — some of the island's best reef sits within fin-kick of the beach.

Is Koh Tao good for families?

Yes, with the right base. Chalok Baan Kao and Shark Bay offer sheltered, shallow water and a quieter scene than Sairee. Just note the island is hilly and taxis are pricey, so pick a bay you're happy to mostly stay in.

Do I need a scooter on Koh Tao?

Not if you stay on the west side — Sairee and Mae Haad connect by an easy flat walk. For the east and south coasts you'll want wheels or boat rides, but be honest about your riding: Koh Tao's hills are steep and its roads unforgiving for beginners.

Where to stay on Koh Tao

Small island, strong opinions

Tickets & connections

Tours & activities