Koh Tao travel review & recommendations by dare

Koh Tao is a marine wonderland. The islad has a number of coves and bays where the water is warm and filled with curious fish and other sea life which makes the island a great place for diving and snorkelling.

We went diving with Buddha View Dive Resort and they set us up at the Tropicana Resort, which is right next door. The room was 400 Bhat per night, with cold water bathroom. The room was very nice, on the second floor balcony, which minimises the mosquitos. There was also a foot long lizard that lived on our roof! The food at the Tropicana restaurant is very good - their shake are the best we found in Thailand and there is nothing like a coconut shake to replenish you after a days diving. There were also a number of other excellant restaurants in the area including an on-the-beach seafood buffet which was to die for (and remarkably cheap too!)

We did our diving with Buddha View including the PADI advanced open water training. They were really professional and had top quality training facilities and dive masters. We had a lot of fun with their crew. The diving was really something else - lots of life, big and small.

Buddha View is located in Chaolok Bay, which is south east on the island. All the main tourist activity is on the west coast so if you're looking for a quieter scene its the right place for you. However it can be a little difficult to get to the west side without renting a scooter or the like as taxis are quite sparse and charges double after dark. Its a negotiate first stiuation - no meters.

Renting a scooter is easy enough but you will be required to sign a disclaimer on damage which is quite risky as the roads are dirt, hilly and frequently flooded. A minor scratch can cost you the replacement of the entire panel. Be wary!

The west of the island has Sairee Beach, which is the most popular and has spectacular sunsets - the real  picture post card type. This is also where "tourist town" is, with lots of different resorts, dive operators, shopping and restaurants.

To the north and north west are the top-end resorts and secluded bays.
And contrary to any old printed guides, there are ATMs everywhere!

Koh Tao really is the place for laid back relaxing and marine-intense diving