Somewhere between falling in love with scuba diving and getting stuck here during Covid, we’ve managed to make a pretty happy little life on Koh Tao. There’s a reason it’s nicknamed the sticky island — you arrive for a few days and somehow never quite leave!
And now, we get to share it with some of our favourite people!
After the wedding celebrations on Koh Samui, we’d love for you to join us on Koh Tao for a few more days of island adventures, beach hopping, long lunches and probably a few too many sunset cocktails.
Koh Tao is a TINY island of just 21 square kilometres — roughly 7 km from north to south and 3 km from east to west. There’s no airport here, so the final leg of your journey will always be by ferry. From Samui, it’s approximately 2–3 hours north, passing Koh Phangan along the way.
There are two main ferry operators running high-speed services between the islands: Lomprayah and Boonsiri. We regularly use both. Whichever you choose, we recommend booking ahead. February is high season, and ferries can and do sell out!
Koh Samui has a few ferry piers, so pay attention to which one you’re departing from when booking.
The closest departure area to Samui Airport, with both Lomprayah and Boonsiri services. This is where we plan to depart from when returning to Koh Tao after the wedding.
Google Maps →Another Lomprayah pier on the north coast.
Google Maps →A Lomprayah pier on the west coast.
Google Maps →All ferries to Koh Tao arrive at Mae Haad Pier.
Lomprayah operates larger catamarans and faster speedboats. We STRONGLY recommend choosing a catamaran. It might take a little longer, but it’s WAY more comfortable. Speedboats are exactly what they sound like: fast, bumpy, hot, and you’ll be sporting a life jacket for the journey. 😂
Pay attention to the vessel and journey details when booking, because the experience will be very different! Also keep an eye out for departures that require a change of boat at Koh Phangan.
Lomprayah catamarans have VIP and VVIP seating areas, and they’re absolutely worth the upgrade. For an extra 100–250 THB per person, you can get a super-wide reclining leather chair, wonderfully aggressive air-conditioning and a much quieter journey.
When you board, head upstairs, walk in like you own the place, choose a seat and settle in. Staff will come around to collect payment once you’re underway. Payment is by cash only.
Boonsiri is a newer high-speed catamaran service. Generally less busy, with fewer queues for boarding.
There’s an upstairs seating area with comfy leather chairs. It’s completely free, but most people don’t think to go up there, so it’s usually empty!
From barefoot beach bungalows to beautiful boutique resorts.
Koh Tao might be small, but there’s no shortage of places to stay, whether you’re after a simple beachfront bungalow, a luxurious private villa or something in between.
Our biggest recommendation is to choose your accommodation based on where you want to be on the island. Some areas are wonderfully walkable, while others are more secluded and require transport to get around.
The island’s main hub, packed with restaurants, beach bars, cafés, shops and accommodation. Perfect for anyone who wants to be within walking distance of pretty much everything, including those all-important sunset cocktails.
This is also where we live! Mi casa, su casa — come visit! xx
Home to the main ferry pier, Mae Haad has plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops. It’s also around a 20-minute walk to southern Sairee, making it a great option if you want to be close to the action without being right in the middle of it.
Tucked into the south of the island, Chalok has a more relaxed village feel, with lovely cafés, restaurants and peaceful little bays. Perfect for anyone who prefers a quieter tropical escape.
If your dream holiday involves waking up to uninterrupted ocean views and doing absolutely nothing, Koh Tao has some spectacular tucked-away resorts. Just bear in mind that many are fairly isolated, with little or nothing within walking distance. You’ll likely need taxis whenever you want to venture out.
A little collection of places around the island to suit different budgets and travel styles.
If you’re travelling with friends or family, or simply fancy a little more privacy and your very own pool, there are some absolutely beautiful villas dotted around the island. We’re lucky enough to have friends who manage a few of these properties, and some may be able to offer better rates than those advertised online.
Here are a few lovely options. If any catch your eye, let us know and we can put you in touch directly.
An entirely unofficial schedule of sunshine, sea and good company.
After the whirlwind of the wedding, we’re looking forward to slowing things down and spending some proper quality time with everyone.
We’ve put together a loose itinerary with plenty of opportunities to get together, but nothing too structured. You’re welcome to join in, wander off on your own adventures or spend the entire day horizontal on a beach lounger.
We fully support all three.
Check out of Koh Samui, jump aboard the ferry and make your way to Koh Tao! Settle into your accommodation, unpack your swimmers and take your first dip in the sea.
In the evening, we’ll gather at one of our favourite Sairee Beach bars for some casual sunset drinks and a proper welcome to island life.
Location and time to come!
Come say hello to our four-legged island babies! We’ll kick things off with a morning stroll along the beach, stopping for brekky, coffee and a cheeky swim.
All aboard! We’re planning a private boat trip around Koh Tao, with snorkelling gear, lunch and plenty of tropical scenery. We’ll cruise around the island, explore some reefs, visit neighbouring Koh Nang Yuan and generally have the best time.
BYO drinks — we’ll bring the tunes!
Closer to the date, we’ll reach out to see who’s keen and coordinate bookings and pricing.
One of our absolute favourite island restaurants deserves a group outing! Join us for an evening of fabulous food, drinks and good company at Barracuda Roof Terrace.
For the early risers, join us and the dogs for a morning hike. Think jungle trails, beautiful views and a beach stop on the way.
LADIES! Gird your loins and hoist your tiddies — Nik’s bachelorette is tonight, and you’re all invited!
Yes, we’re doing the hen party AFTER the wedding. Because why the hell not?!
More details (and potentially questionable decisions) to follow.
We’ll head down to Koppee, our much-loved beachfront restaurant and pool hangout on Chalok Beach, for a lazy day of brunching, sipping and splashing.
Swimmers strongly encouraged. Productivity absolutely not.
A Koh Tao classic and not to be missed! We’ll head out for an evening of sequins, lip-syncing, big personalities and possibly a few buckets of cocktails at Queen’s Cabaret.
And no, not THAT kind of show! It’s a cheeky, high-energy drag cabaret that’s an absolute riot.
It wouldn’t be a Koh Tao trip without a dive day! We’ll coordinate boat space with Crystal Dive for our certified friends, plus Discover Scuba Diving experiences for anyone keen to give it a try.
Come see what Oli does for “work”!
Stay for a few days or a few weeks. There are plenty of beaches to discover, reefs to explore and cocktails to drink.
Consider this your official invitation to embrace island time.
All activities are optional. We’ll confirm times, meeting points and any additional costs closer to the wedding.
We’ve done the very difficult research of eating, drinking and exploring our way around Koh Tao, all in the name of bringing you our favourite spots, plus a few extra recommendations from our lovely island friends.
From cheap and cheerful local eats to gorgeous restaurants and long, lazy lunches.
If there’s one thing we take seriously on Koh Tao, it’s a good sunset cocktail.
From chilled beach beers and fancy sundowners to nights that accidentally become mornings, here are a few watering holes worth knowing about.
With beautiful bays tucked into almost every corner of the island, the hardest part is choosing which one to visit first.
Obviously! Our home beach, perfect for long sandy strolls and spectacular sunsets.
Beautiful rocky bay, fantastic snorkelling and a really great Rasta bar.
Gorgeous little sheltered bay with clear water. Billy & Lola’s favourite swim spot!
Great for swimming and snorkelling, with a local restaurant serving Thai food, cold beers and even colder coconuts.
One of the island’s prettiest bays, surrounded by boulders and jungle-covered hills.
A sheltered little paradise in the south of the island with plenty of shade! Plus a gorgeous viewpoint hike just behind.
Some beaches and privately managed access roads charge a small entrance fee, so bring a little cash with you.
There’s plenty to keep you entertained above and below the surface on Koh Tao, from snorkelling and diving to spectacular viewpoints, jungle hikes, yoga, padel (Oli’s second home) and ice baths (Nik’s personal fave!).
Koh Tao is full of jungle trails and spectacular viewpoints. Here are a few of our favourites to stretch your legs and earn that afternoon cocktail.
Bring water, sunscreen and comfy shoes.
For anyone who can’t sit still for too long, our little island has a surprisingly fantastic wellness scene.
Yoga, ice baths, craft workshops, freediving and all kinds of good stuff.
Gym sessions, sauna and ice baths with a side of island community. Website →
Yoga, mat Pilates and reformer classes. Website →
Padel, padel and more padel. Ask Oli, he’ll probably already be there.
If beach lounging isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more to get stuck into!
Yes, you can actually learn to fly on a trapeze here! Website →
Diving, climbing and all kinds of adventures. Website →
A little something for everyone! Cinema, ten-pin bowling, pool tables and mini golf. Perfect for a rainy day or a break from the beach.
Explore the coastline by stand-up paddleboard.
Small island, big hills!
Koh Tao is tiny, but don’t let its size fool you. It’s surprisingly hilly, and getting from A to B can be a little more adventurous than you might expect.
Koh Tao’s taxis are mostly pickup trucks, and you’ll find plenty waiting at the pier and around the main intersection in Sairee. They’re great for groups, luggage-heavy arrivals or heading home after a few too many cocktails.
Fares aren’t metered — there are generally set rates for different areas of the island, and yes, they’re shockingly expensive for such short distances. We know!
Luckily, we have a little black book of trusted local taxi drivers who offer fair rates and can all be booked via WhatsApp. We recommend messaging ahead and agreeing on a price before setting off.
Our trusted taxi drivers:
It’s also worth checking whether your accommodation offers a complimentary pickup from the ferry pier.
If you’re staying around Sairee or Mae Haad, you’ll be able to explore much of the area on foot. There’s a beachfront path known locally as Walking Street or the Yellow Brick Road. It is neither yellow nor exclusively for walking. Go figure. 😂
It’s basically Koh Tao’s main artery, lined with cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and plenty of opportunities for spontaneous cocktail detours.
Some of the island’s prettiest bays are best explored by boat. Traditional Thai longtails can be hired for beach hopping, snorkelling or simply taking the scenic route.
If you’re walking along Sairee Beach, you’ll spot plenty of TAXI BOAT signs. Stop in, have a chat and negotiate a rate.
Scooters are the most popular way to get around, with rentals generally starting around 250 THB per day.
HOWEVER, WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS OPTION UNLESS YOU’RE ALREADY AN EXPERIENCED RIDER!
Koh Tao is a very sandy island, with twisty roads, steep hills, uneven surfaces and an abundance of inexperienced tourist riders. Throw some speeding taxi trucks into the mix, and things can get a little hairy.
Please don’t make Koh Tao the place where you learn to ride a scooter.
If you do rent one, wear a helmet, make sure you have the correct motorcycle licence and check that your travel insurance covers you for riding in Thailand.
The little things worth knowing before you arrive.
Koh Tao is still very much a cash-oriented island.
While hotels, dive shops and some larger businesses accept cards, most restaurants, bars, taxis and local activities prefer cash.
You’ll find plenty of ATMs around Sairee and Mae Haad, but withdrawal fees for foreign cards can be hefty — often around 220–350 THB per transaction, depending on the bank and card.
Keep a reasonable amount of Thai baht handy!
Swimwear, sunscreen, sandals, lightweight clothing and a few nicer outfits for dinner are really all you need.
If you’re planning to explore, throw in some trainers for the jungle trails and a reusable water bottle.
And don’t forget mosquito repellent!
Travelling light? No worries!
You’ll find laundry services all over the island, generally around 50–60 THB per kilo, with a 24-hour turnaround. Some places also offer same-day express service for around 100 THB per kilo.
Just look out for the laundry signs around town or ask your accommodation for the closest one.
Hopefully you won’t need them, but Koh Tao has several medical clinics and a small hospital.
Our trusted local clinic is Sai’s Clinic in Sairee. They offer walk-in GP consultations without an appointment, pharmacy services and facilities for overnight stays if needed.
For urgent medical assistance on Koh Tao:
Koh Tao Rescue: +66 87 979 9019We recommend saving this number in your phone.
Here’s one of those things nobody tells you about travelling in Thailand until it’s too late...
Please don’t flush toilet paper!
Koh Tao’s plumbing systems, like much of Thailand’s, aren’t designed to handle paper, tampons, sanitary products or anything other than natural waste. You’ll find a little bin beside pretty much every toilet. That’s where your toilet paper goes!
Koh Tao’s beautiful beaches, reefs and marine life are a huge part of what makes this place so special, and we’d love your help keeping it that way.
If you can, choose reef-conscious sun protection, avoid touching coral or marine life and never stand on the reef while snorkelling.
Single-use plastic is one of the biggest issues we face here. Try to minimise where you can by declining plastic straws and bags, and buying large water bottles rather than lots of little ones. Public rubbish bins are few and far between, but most bars and restaurants will happily take small amounts of rubbish if you ask nicely — especially if you’ve collected a little extra from along the beach!
Koh Tao experiences frequent water shortages due to the heat, high demand and limited freshwater supplies, especially during high season. At times, water even needs to be shipped over from the mainland! We ask everyone to be conscious of their water use. Every little bit helps.
We couldn’t be more excited to share our home with you. Whether it’s your first visit to Thailand or your fiftieth, we hope you fall a little bit in love with Koh Tao too.
