Asia
Best Things to Do in Koh Tao
Koh Tao’s active days revolve around learning in the water, short rocky hikes and bays reached by boat or steep roads. Scuba, freediving, climbing and hands-on Thai cooking give a longer stay structure beyond repeating the same stretch of Sairee.
Big Blue Diving
Big Blue teaches scuba courses and runs fun dives from Sairee, using training facilities and dedicated dive boats. Its open-water course spans two and a half days, so allow time beyond a single outing. Course medical requirements and the day’s sea conditions determine what can be booked.
Apnea Total
Apnea Total teaches freediving through breathing practice, breath-hold technique and supervised water sessions. Founded on Koh Tao in 2003, it offers a progression from beginner courses to advanced coaching. Training is booked as a course; independent breath-hold diving is not the experience being offered.
Goodtime Adventures
Goodtime teaches climbing on Koh Tao’s granite, from a first half-day on the rock to more advanced rope and lead courses. Guides select routes for ability and conditions. Book the session in advance and meet at the Mae Haad office rather than travelling independently to an unfamiliar crag.
Parawan’s Thai Home Cooking Classes
Parawan teaches three Thai dishes in a purpose-built rooftop kitchen at her Sairee home, with an individual preparation area for each student. The first group booking chooses the menu, while private students choose their own. Lessons include flavour balancing and substitutions that make the recipes useful at home.
Ocean Sound Yoga
Ocean Sound runs open-level yoga at Tropicana Resort, with vinyasa, gentler flow and meditation on the timetable. Mats, equipment and drinking water are provided. No advance booking is required: arrive five to ten minutes before the listed class and choose a single session or pass afterwards.
John-Suwan Viewpoint
John-Suwan’s rocky summit looks across both Chalok Baan Kao and Shark Bay, exposing the island’s narrow southern peninsula. The climb is short but steep, with ropes on awkward sections. Wear shoes with grip and avoid the ascent when rain makes the granite slippery.
Koh Nang Yuan
Koh Nang Yuan joins three rocky islets with a narrow sandbar, with snorkeling at Japanese Gardens and a short climb to the viewpoint. Day visitors are admitted from 10:00 to 15:00 and pay an entrance fee. Fins, drones and single-use plastic bottles are prohibited by the island operator.
Tanote Bay
Tanote Bay surrounds a sandy east-coast beach with large granite boulders and accessible reef edges. Snorkeling begins close to shore, but the open bay can receive swell when the west coast is calm. Assess the water before entering and give arriving boats room.