Koh Tao is well known for scuba diving and snorkeling,
and also offers some hiking. The most popular place for
tourists is Sairee on the West coast, which has a white
sandy beach of 1.7 km interrupted only by a few huge boulders
and a scattering of medium budget resorts and restaurants.
A multitude of beautiful granite boulders, which nestle
both in the forests and on the beaches of Koh Tao, attract
a growing number of climbers who visit each year to enjoy
the adventurous aspect of there sport. There is a web site
for climbers: www.zengecko.com
Ko Tao is less developed than Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan,
but has become increasingly popular especially with the
mid-20's backpacker crowd in search of relatively inexpensive
scuba diving certification.
As of December 2005, Ko Tao had about 150 resorts offering
accommodation and approximately 50 bars/clubs. Most of the
resorts are still bungalow-style, not hotel/resort style.
Accommodation prices are lower than nearby Ko Samui. Most
dive shops offer scuba diving PADI certification classes
as well as hostel/bungalow accommodation. Accommodation
rates are generally significantly reduced upon registering
for scuba classes. PADI open water certification classes
typically cost around 9000-9800 Baht and last 3-4 days.
Diving conditions have deteriorated tremendously over time
because of large crowds of divers and the uncontrolled environmental
development of the island. An absolutely necessary purification
plant is not planned. Especially at the dive spot Mango
Bay were people get direct contact with effluent disposal.
LongtailOther activities available on the island include
scuba diving with a number of companies offering very reasonably
priced training courses and excursions, snorkelling, especially
off the Mae Haad sandbar in the north west, wakeboarding,
archery, fishing, walks in the national park or simply relaxing
in the company of other farangs or the friendly locals.
