|
Koh Tao is an island in Thailand located
near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. The economy of the
island is almost exclusively centered around tourism, especially
scuba diving.
- Area: About 21 km.
- Province: Surat
Thani
- District (Amphoe): Koh
Phangan
- Population: approximately 5000
- Main town: Ban Mae Hat
Koh Tao was named by its first settlers
for the island's turtle-like geographic shape. Coincidentally, the
island is an important breeding ground for Hawksbill turtles and
Green turtles. Development of tourism has negatively impacted the
health of these grounds but a breeding program organised in 2004
by the Royal Thai Navy and KT-DOC, a coalition of local scuba diving
centres has reintroduced hundreds of juvenile turtles to the island's
ecosystem
The island is well known for scuba diving
and snorkeling, and offers also 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. Resorts
are scattered with varying density, however, along the many small
bays of the island.
Koh Tao is less developed than Koh
Samui and Koh Phangan, 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, Koh 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
Koh 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 ($210-$250) and last 3-4 days. Diving conditions
have deteriorated a little over time because of large crowds of
divers and the development of the island, but it is still one of
the best places in the world to learn scuba diving .
The island does have cell phone towers, internet access and ATMs,
all added within the last 3 years.
Internet access is expensive, running at 120 Baht per hour.
With few execptions, almost all roads on Koh Tao are dirt roads
and generally are in poor shape. However, new roads are being paved
at a quick rate. 95% of all traffic on the island is motorbike,
with mopeds and dirt bikes being the main mode of transport. Mopeds
can be rented for around $5 (200 Baht) per day. Motor bike accidents
are the most common injury on the island. Poor roads, sand, reckless
taxi drivers and drunkenness are all a factor. It is generally known
that motorbike repairs are a better business than renting motorbikes.
Inspect your motorbike completely before driving away.
Koh Tao is serviced by ferry services from Surat Thani (4 to 9
hours) (only night boats), Chumphon (1.5 to 3 hours), Koh Samui
(4 hours) and Koh Phangan (2.5 hours). All ferries dock at Ban Mae
Haad. Koh Tao has no airport.
Scuba diving is by far the biggest attraction
on Ko Tao. Diving in Ko Tao is easy, fun,
and you can see turtles, stingrays, barracuda, lots of small fish,
reef sharks, and there is a very small chance of seeing a whale
shark.
Nearly any time of the year except November is good diving
weather in Ko Tao, In November, the
visibility is reduced and the seas are choppy, but diving is good
by the standards of many other destinations.
When diving is good, the visibility can be 40+ meters. Average
visibility is around 15-20 meters.
There are a huge number of dive operators on the island, many offering
budget accommodation (sometimes described as "free" accommodation,
but this is not really true as you will usually get a discount if
you stay elsewhere). Currently (2006) the price for PADI open water
certification including the new PADI training manual, professional
instruction, rental equipment, boat dives, and certification is
around 10,000 baht; insurance and basic accommodation may also be
included. Shop around as the price is the same but not all shops
teach the same way.
Avoid shops that use swimming pools to teach. It's cold and boring
in a pool and with 100's of students in and out every week - dirty
too! Others will instead take you to a private beach so you will
see fish and coral from the start (you can also squeeze an extra
dive in this way). Also try and find a shop with a private pier
as many others will make you climb across several boats at the main
pier. Usually your dive gear is carried for you by the many Dive
Master Trainees on the island. Ask how many students are in a group.
Many shops try and stuff 10-20 students together in a class and
you feel like cattle not customers. These are the little things
that will make the difference between an OK course and a great one.
Coral Grand. Located in a much quieter area than the other
dive shops, at the far end of the beach, the hotel is more upmarket
than most on the island although the 'free' rooms are still basic.
Operates 2 dive boats plus a speed boat.
Divepoint. Located in Mae Haad on the waterfront. Divepoint
has probably the nicest dive boat on the island, big enough that
you won't have to carry your gear to and from it. PADI and SSI.
(closed during Nov & Dec 2006)
Easy Divers. Fantastic Dive Shop with really experienced
instructors. Professional and fun with great accommodation. Based
right in the heart of Ko Tao.
IDC Ko Tao. Instructor development courses (IDC's) run every
month by English PADI Course Director Matt Bolton.
Phoenix Divers. Right on Sairee Beach, has good boats, new
gear and multilingual often western staff.
Stingray Divers. Very modern dive resort overlooking Chalok
Ban Khao Bay.
Koh Tao is a small island covering 21 sq km., located 44 km. north
of Koh Phangan
and 45 km Northeast of Samui. It is rumored that during the 40's
it was used to hold political prisoners captive. Koh Tao's boom
started when it was discovered by the diving industry. It is a paradise
for both beginning and experienced divers, and also the largest
dive training center in Southeast Asia. Sea turtles are ever present
around the island's shores, and more turtles are expected to thrive
in the coming years. The "We love Koh Tao" foundation
has been turning their efforts toward bringing more turtles to the
island, and last year they released 300 baby turtles into the beaches.
Read more about the islands history here.
The climate on Koh Tao is generally pleasant all year around,
with temperatures varying from around 25 to 34 degrees Celsius.
There are three seasons…
" Warm season from February until May.
" Rainy season from the end of September until November.
" Cooler season from October until January.
From February until October, the temperature averages of 32 to 38
degrees, but from July until September, there can be some heavy
showers, which for the most [part seem to hit early morning or late
afternoon.
The tropical climate is quite humid all year round, but fortunately
Koh Tao, being a tropical paradise also gets a refreshing sea breeze
every now and then stretching in from the Gulf of Thailand. If you
are planning a trip to Koh Tao soon and want to plan your diving
and vacation a little better, you can check out the weather forecast
for the next 10-days.
|
