Scuba-Diving and Snorkeling in Koh Tao

First-Time Thailand in 9 Days – Day 4

One of the best sites for scuba diving and snorkeling not only in Thailand but also in South-East Asia is Koh Tao, that makes up the Gulf of Thailand along with other islands like Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui. These islands are clustered in south-eastern part of the country and is well-connected by Chumphon. It acts like a transit town that allows travelers to go to and come back from the islands of Gulf of Thailand, and also allows the travelers to go further south or west of Thailand.

Highlights of the day

  • Chumphon pier to Koh Tao pier by high-speed catamaran
  • Scuba-diving at Koh Tao
  • UV Snorkeling at Koh Tao
  • Explore Sairee village

Chumphon Pier

We reached Chumphon Pier at around 5 AM.

Bangkok to Chumphon overnight bus
Lomprayah bus from Bangkok to Chumphon

The washroom was clean and tidy where you can finish your morning chores and feel fresh. After checking in our luggage at Lomprayah ferry office, we were asked to board the high-speed catamaran, that cruised off at 7 AM from the pier.

Lomprayah at Chumphon
Lomprayah office at Chumphon pier

The first sight of clean water across the ocean was mesmerizing.

Lomprayah high-speed catamaran
Chumphon to Koh Tao catamaran

Koh Tao

Koh Tao, also known as Turtle Island, is one of the best destinations for diving in South-East Asia. The calm waters and the beautiful biodiversity of marine life makes it an excellent diving destination.

Koh Tao pier
Koh Tao welcomes us

But be careful, do not litter the beautiful island with plastic litter and try to avoid plastic bags that are given out to you for everything you buy.

Check with the hotel if you can use hotel water to brush your teeth as the water is usually salty and also scarce; you may have to use distilled water to brush your teeth and of course for drinking purposes.

Koh Tao has a long stretch of road from Mae Haad pier to Sairee village – the most popular place of the island – and further north. The plus point of staying at Sairee village is that you can access all the good places to eat, party, meet new people, and many diving schools along with other water activities.

I chose to stay in Goodtime Beach Hostel at Sairee village near Sairee beach as I was interested in the water sports they were offering along with economical stay just by the beach.

But you can always prefer to stay at other parts of Koh Tao if you want to stay away from the crowd, though Koh Tao is far less touristy than other islands, so you can enjoy your own time being near Sairee beach as well.

Goodtime Beach Hostel Koh Tao

Once we reached Mae Haad Pier of Koh Tao, at around 9 AM, I informed Goodtime Beach Hostel about our arrival. They sent a 4WD taxi to pick us up from the pier and we reached the hostel in just a couple of minutes. The taxi cost us 400 ฿.

We booked 4 beds in 4-bed hostel room that cost us 500 ฿ each for 1 night.

As the room check-in time was noon, few of my friends decided to do scuba-diving while few of us just stayed back and enjoyed the ocean view right from the beach restaurant of the hostel.

Restaurant of Goodtime Beach Hostel
View from the beach restaurant

The food served at the beachside restaurant of Goodtime Beach Hostel will impress every type of taste bud. We enjoyed having some delicious Burmese delicacies, like the Laphet Salad – the tea leaf salad of Burma, and we also had a Burmese curry with jasmine rice, along with another salad called Super Salad – it had sliced tomatoes, onion, lightly sauteed broccoli, and edamame beans, all tossed in a spicy chili peanut dressing.

Lunch at Goodtime Beach Hostel, Koh Tao
Super Salad, Tea Leaf Salad, Burmese Curry and Jasmine Rice

Goodtime Beach Hostel organizes scuba-diving, snorkeling, rock-climbing, and many other adventurous and fun activities under the brand “Goodtime Adventures”. You can contact them online and get more details and book in advance.

Scuba Diving Failure

I decided to join scuba-diving for 2200 ฿ for discover scuba diving, where the speed boat took us to a distant diving spot called Mango Bay – one of the best diving spots of South-East Asia. But honestly, I could not manage to breathe from mouth in water instead of breathing from nose – it was difficult for me!

You have to trust the scuba-diving instructor – they are certified and can guide you the best.

My other two friends enjoyed the underwater fun so much that I wish I could have been more patient and tried it harder – but I guess I gave up too soon. Never mind, maybe next time!

Sunset at Koh Tao

The first thing after coming back from the diving is to take bath – by this time, we had got out lovely four-bedded room overlooking the Sairee village walking street.

Next, we walked ahead the stretch of Sairee village to find a cozy beachside restaurant from where we could enjoy an uninterrupted sunset view. We did not enjoy the food much, but the view was incomparable.

Sunset View at Koh Tao
Sunset from the beachside restaurant at Sairee village

There are many good restaurants in Koh Tao, even with a good view – follow the post on my next visit to Koh Tao to have a detailed idea on where to eat at Koh Tao.

Sunset View at Koh Tao
Sunset at Koh Tao, Sairee village

It was nice to walk back to the hostel from the beachside rather than from the village side. We could enjoy more of the sunset.

UV Snorkeling

After we are back, the instructor from Goodtime Adventures took us snorkeling at dark. We could enjoy watching the corals with glowing light. UV snorkeling cost us 800 ฿ each.

UV snorkeling at Koh Tao
Ready for UV Snorkeling

Be careful, do not stand on the corals for the sake of not disrupting the marine biodiversity.

Koh Tao at Night

Koh Tao has some happening bars. There would be many parties happening on the beach. You can either ask your hotel or hostel or just check out for the posters.

Late night party at the beach
Late night party at Rock Beach bar next to our hostel

The Rock Beach Bar next to Goodtime Beach Hostel was playing good music. There was some exciting fireshow as well happening on the beach which we enjoyed till late.

NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)

Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 4 in Thailand – Koh Tao.

  • Getting around: 100
  • Hostel in Koh Tao for single bed (1 night): 500
  • Scuba-diving and UV-snorkeling: 3000
  • Food:  250
  • Miscellaneous: 150

Total expense (roughly): 4000 THB

For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at First-Time Thailand in 9 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.

If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!

22 thoughts on “Scuba-Diving and Snorkeling in Koh Tao”

  1. One of my favorite activities is scuba diving!! 😀
    I would like to try it in every place where I travel if it’s possible. I try it first time in Malta and that was a love on a first, I would like to try it in Koh Tao also. Did you do a course for scuba instructor?

  2. Great story! I just came back from an island hopping tour in Thailand and loved the superb snorkling on Koh Kradan. I would like to go back and why not for some scuba diving!

  3. Jane Dempster-Smith

    Great article. Thailand has some amazing islands and snorkelling spots. This is another one was can add to our list. Thank you for sharing costs.

  4. I totally agree that Koh Tao is one of the most beautiful islands! I was here also, but was not certified for scuba diving, so i only did a fun dive. The beauty of the corals motivated me to get my PADI certification. Such a lovely island, glad you enjoyed it! (look like you saw the fire dancers)

  5. Scuba diving is one of my favorite activities while traveling and Koh Tao sure is a great diving destination. This was actually the first place I went Scuba diving some 4 years ago. The post brought back so many nice memories, I would definitely want to go back someday.

  6. What a nice activity for holidays – Koh Tao is famous in Malaysia for being the island to visit. What was really interesting for me is that snorkeling in the dark that you did!!! It now goes into my bucket list – I’ll bet the coral views were awesome!

  7. Koh Tao looks like an amazing place to spend a weekend. I’m not into scuba diving, but love to snorkel and can imagine the wonderful underwater life in the region. The snorkeling in the dark is the first time I’ve heard of it and now I can’t wait to try it. The sea looks clam and love the different shades of blue. The food looks delicious and what better way to end the day than with a party on the beach. Thanks for all the information.

  8. I remember trying scuba diving and it wasn’t easy! I never tried it in Koh Tao, but it looks like an idyllic place to try. I can imagine the scene was spectacular there, would love to return one day.

  9. blair villanueva

    Recently, I am scheduled to explore the city more, but also planning to do island hopping soon. Koh Tao will definitely in our list!
    Do they also offer volunteering activities for marine life?

  10. Thailand is definitely on my bucket list and so is Scuba diving. It was really sad to know that you couldn’t enjoy it. But am sure you gonna practice it even more and do it next time. Going under water is scary at first but Trust me that is the most peaceful thing I have done in my life

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