Located in the gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao, also known as Turtle Island thanks to the many turtles that come here to breed every year, is renowned for its diving spots, white sand beaches and coral reefs. But that’s not all: in addition to its amazing seabed, its predominantly mountainous terrain makes it an ideal place for hiking. So choosing where to stay in Koh Tao is essential to planning your stay.
In this guide, we’ll advise you on where to stay on the island, based on location, budget and iconic beaches. We’ll also tell you about the ambience of these areas in terms of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. For each area, we‘ll suggest accommodation to suit different budgets.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Koh Tao, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Koh Tao:
- $ this accommodation which offers both rooms and bungalows, near the rather quiet seaside resort of Chalok Baan Kao.
- $$ this resort in eastern Koh Tao, near a beautiful snorkeling spot.
- $$$ this high-end establishment in the west, with ocean views.
Map of different areas to stay in Koh Tao
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Koh Tao
Areas where to stay in Koh Tao
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Koh Tao.
Accommodation at Sairee Beach, the island's liveliest beach
Located on the western side of Koh Tao, Sairee beach is undoubtedly the island's most famous and liveliest. The longest stretch of sand stretching for almost 2km, it's also the most popular with tourists, whether to enjoy the white sand and turquoise waters during the day or to make the rounds of the many bars in the evening.
Mainly renowned for its nightlife, Sairee Beach is the ideal place to stay for those who want to party. After dark, Sairee Beach hosts numerous night markets, concerts and DJ sets, and some bars even stage fire shows.
Beyond its festive aspect, this is the area where you'll find the most accommodation, thanks to its ideal position for easy access to Koh Tao's other tourist attractions.
Many activities are available here, including snorkeling to explore the seabed and diving schools all along the shore. It's also the starting point for most of the island's hiking trails.
So if you choose to stay close to Sairee Beach, you'll be able to enjoy all these activities night and day. And if you don't fancy the festive atmosphere, there are other advantages to staying here: with its westerly position, it's one of the best spots on the island for admiring the sunset!
Accommodation near Sairee Beach
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Just a short stroll from Sairee Beach, this hotel offers spacious, comfortable rooms with individual terraces. A restaurant, garden and terrace are available within the accommodation.
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Ideally located close to restaurants, this accommodation offers modern Thai-style rooms. Various activities and access to a wellness center are available at an additional cost.
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Located 1km from Sairee beach, this establishment offers large, luxurious rooms. An infinity pool with sea views is available to guests. A wide range of activities are available at an additional cost.
To stay in Mae Haad, the center of Koh Tao
The administrative capital of Koh Tao, the small port village of Mae Haad represents the most developed part of the island. The only point of entry to Koh Tao, Mae Haad's quayside is where you disembark by ferry on your way to the island.
Although it's not the most charming spot in Koh Tao, there are plenty of activities available on the beach, starting with diving and snorkeling.
If you want to stroll the shopping streets and buy souvenirs, Mae Haad is the place to go. This is where most of the shops are located. You can also take advantage of the many bars and restaurants. So, if you decide to stay in this area, you can take advantage of all these facilities.
On this western part of Koh Tao, there's a wide range of accommodation on offer, and its location makes it easy to get to the various tourist spots on foot. Staying in Mae Haad may therefore be the ideal solution if you want to benefit from its proximity to shops and easy access to other parts of the island.
Accommodation recommendations in Mae Haad
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Located 200m from the coast of Mae Haad, this accommodation offers clean, spacious rooms with balconies. By staying at this hotel, you'll be close to the center and to Mae Haad's many shops and restaurants.
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Just 300m from Mae Haad beach, this accommodation features sea-view rooms. A communal lounge, bar and terrace are available within the complex. For those who choose to stay here, Sunrise Koh Tao offers a range of activities at extra cost.
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Ideally located close to the coast of Mae Haad, this accommodation offers bungalow-style rooms with balconies. Located in the heart of the village's shops and restaurants, it also has its own restaurant. There's also a swimming pool on site.
Chalok Baan Kao: stay close to Koh Tao's family beach
To the south of Koh Tao, Chalok Baan Kao is the ideal destination for a more tranquil seaside holiday. The third largest stretch of sand on the island, it is less touristy and lively than Sairee and Mae Haab, but nonetheless one of the most beautiful thanks to its wilder side.
Spots such as Freedom Beach, Buddha Rock Cape and Cape June Juea are all within walking distance, and by crossing a few resorts, it's even possible to get as far as Shark Bay.
The coast boasts a variety of facilities and shallow waters, making it an ideal spot for families with children. If you're planning a family seaside holiday in a peaceful setting, this is surely the ideal place to stay. You'll find different types of accommodation to suit different budgets.
And although Chalok Baan Kao is a quieter area, there are diving centers as well as several bars and restaurants.
So, staying close to this beach is the best compromise for those looking for tranquility while maintaining a certain proximity to local amenities.
The best places to stay in Chalok Baan Kao
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Ideally located 200m from Chalok Baan Kao, this accommodation offers large rooms and bengalows. Guests can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, bar and restaurant. Diving and water sports are available at an additional cost.
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Ideally located just a 2-minute walk from Freedom Beach and Taatoh Yai, this accommodation offers comfortable rooms with sea views. A private beach, spa and restaurant are available on site, and a variety of activities are available at extra cost.
Tanote Bay: accommodation on the island's wild side
The only place east of Koh Tao where you can find tourist facilities, Tanote Bay is renowned for its wild landscapes and tranquillity.
It is also one of the most popular spots for scuba diving and observing a variety of underwater species, making it one of the best beaches to stay close to for diving enthusiasts of all levels.
In addition to its diving spots, Tanote Bay is surrounded by mountains where you can hike to 3 magnificent viewpoints: Water East, West Coast Viewpoint and Tanote Peak. And if you choose to stay on this side of the island, you'll be able to take advantage of one of these viewpoints to admire the sunrise.
With virtually no shops, this is one of the most unspoilt parts of the island. So, if you want to stay in this part of Koh Tao, it's best to book your accommodation early, as there are fewer places to stay here than in the more touristy areas.
Our selection of accommodation in Tanote Bay
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Just a stone's throw from Tanote Bay, this resort offers modern, minimalist accommodation. An outdoor swimming pool and diving school are available on site. There's also a seafront restaurant and bar.
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Facing Tanote Bay, Mountain Reef Beach offers spacious rooms with sea views. A restaurant serving Thai and Western cuisine is available on site. A variety of activities are also available.
Stay close to Shark Bay, the beach of black-tip sharks
With its crystal-clear waters and coral reef, Shark Bay, also known as Thian Og Bay, is one of Koh Tao's most popular beaches.
As its name suggests, it is home to many black-tip sharks and is even considered one of Thailand's best spots for swimming with sharks. What's more, although turtles can be seen all over Koh Tao, Shark Bay is the only place where you can be sure of seeing one every day.
So, if you want to stay right on one of the most beautiful beaches and increase your chances of seeing turtles, this is the area to stay.
Be warned, however, that this area is one of the most expensive in Koh Tao in terms of accommodation, and you'll find mainly mid-range and top-of-the-range accommodation.
It's also easy to get there by the day. So if you're on a budget, you can stay in a less expensive area such as Chalok Baan Kao or Mae Haad and go to Shark Bay by the day.
Good places to stay near Shark Bay
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Just 150m from Shark Bay, this resort offers luxury accommodation with ocean views. Enjoy a private pool and beach, a restaurant and even a PADI-certified diving center to discover one of the most beautiful corners of Koh Tao.
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In the heart of Shark Baie, the Haadtien Beach Resort offers spacious villas with balconies. You can also relax at the spa or by the hotel pool. An excursion service and a wide range of activities are available to help you discover Koh Tao's most beautiful spots.
As you can see, Koh Tao boasts a host of heavenly beaches renowned for diving and snorkeling. Although they’re all superb, they have different atmospheres that you need to take into account when choosing where to stay.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose to stay at Sairee Beach, the most lively corner of the island, or Tanote Bay, the wildest part of Koh Tao.