Koh Tao is the best diving island in Thailand! Koh tao in thailand
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Anyone who has never tried scuba diving can learn it at one of the diving schools that can be found in every corner of the island. You can even get an official deep-sea diving certificate. At the same time, the services of diving centers on the island are among the cheapest in the country (read more about). Young and crazy appreciate it, so Koh Tao is one of the youth resorts in Thailand. Something like islands or... on last time a month they hold beach parties called.
Dive sites (best dive sites)
Which coast of Koh Tao to choose
The most inhabited western coast of the island of Koh Tao. There are also two main beaches - Mae Haad and Sayri. Around them is concentrated almost all tourism infrastructure, there is the main party life. But the beaches themselves are far from ideal - stones, rocks. Small sandy beaches on Koh Tao located to the east and south. Going to East Coast, you will get the desired peace and quiet. There are only two hotels and a restaurant attached to them. Mango Beach - the northernmost and most beautiful beach on Koh Tao, which is not so easy to get to due to the lack of roads along the coast, you will have to go through the very depths of the island.
Sayri beach
Mae Haad beach
Mango beach
Jansom beach
Each beach has a standard set of paid entertainment. But the largest number of restaurants, massage parlors, bike rentals and shops is in the west.
Program of stay on the island of Koh Tao
There are no historical sights on this piece of land in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand. But you will have something things to do in Koh Tao. First of all, admire the tropical nature. Both on the shore and underwater. beautiful waterfalls, viewing platforms. One of the most famous viewpoints located on the small island of Nang Yuan, which is a private area. If you do not stay at the hotel on it, then you have to pay 100 baht for a visit.
On each beach you can rent a jet ski, kayak, ride a water skiing. Shopping on Koh Tao is not too exciting. There are several 7-Eleven mini-markets and fruit shops. shoes, souvenirs, national clothes trade in shops, concentrated around the beaches. When shopping, it is important to be able to do it right.
The only thing party place, where you can break away in the dark, - bars and discos on Sayri beach.
Island hotels
Hotels on Koh Tao there are all sorts. For romantics, adherents of practicality, lovers of comfort, as well as those who are ready to spend the night under a palm leaf on the sand, if only it would be cheaper. The houses are not only along the coast, but also on the rocks, among the palm trees. Nang Yuan Island is home to a private resort with private beach. Even if you settle in a hut like the one in which Signor Robinson stayed, then for sure there will be free wifi. Read more about how to find and book a hotel on the websites and.
A selection of the cheapest hotels in Koh Tao
Transport
It is possible that there is an islander collusion, but renting any transportation on Koh Tao costs from 150 to 200 baht (read more about). Regardless of the type - a bike at full disposal for the day or a boat that delivers to the island of Nang Yuan. The island is small, so if you are in good shape, you can take a walk. But if you take a bike, then the most powerful and with good brakes - the descents and ascents are quite steep.
Another feature of the island of Koh Tao in Thailand is the lack of an airport on the island (the nearest one). So if you're wondering " how to get to Koh Tao”, then get ready to take a rather long boat trip. Although this increases the attractiveness of travel. Ferries operate from the cities of Chumphon, Surat Thani province and Koh Samui. There are airports at these points, but none direct flight from Russia they do not accept. You will need to transfer to or from. The most popular way is from the capital. There you can buy complex ticket(or through the company's website), which includes not only air travel, but also on and. A little later we will write a more detailed article on how to get to Koh Tao in Thailand.
(or simply Tau) is considered the most beautiful place with sandy beaches, coral reefs, hills and exotic forests. However, more than half of the territory of the island of Tau is occupied by rocks. The lowlands are covered with jungle, thickets of bushes. Here, too, one can often find granite boulders.
If you look at the map of Thailand, then the shape of the island of Tai is very reminiscent of a turtle. But unfortunately, the turtles themselves there is very little left in this place due to the large influx of tourists. Here you can see two turtles that are frozen in stone. Their sculptures are located on Clock Town - a busy crossroads of the city, as well as on the beach near the port pier.
Koh Tao on the map of Thailand
Koh Tao is a small green Island, which is located in Gulf of Thailand. The distance from the island to the peninsula is 69 km, if you count from the Surat Thani border. The distance from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is 64 km. The distance from Koh Tao to Bangkok is 700 km.
In the eastern part, the beaches of Cambodia are approximately the same distance. Koh Phangan is located 35 km south of the island. Tau area is 22 square meters. km. The island is 10 km long and 4 km wide. The population of Tau is 2 thousand people.
How to get to the island?
There is no airport on Koh Tao. The closest ones are on:
- Koh Samui;
- Chumphon;
- Suratthani.
The above cities are connected by airlines with Bangkok and. Ferry and catamarans deliver tourists to the island. They can be boarded at the port, which is located in Maya Had Bay.
How to get to Koh Tao from Bangkok?
The easiest way to get from Bangkok to the island is by bus, which goes to the city of Chumphon. But, then you have to sail on the ferry, which will take you to end point.
Also, from Bangkok to Chumphon can be reached by train. At Chumphon Station, there are ferry operator agencies where you can buy a ferry ticket, and the operator will take you to the pier for free.
From Bangkok, you can fly to Surat Thani or Samui. In the first case, at the airport you can buy ferry ticket from the same operators that will take you to the Don Sak pier. In the capital, you can also buy a combined ticket, according to which you will only have to make transfers, taking into account all schedules.
How to get to Koh Tao from Koh Samui?
From the island of Koh Samui, as well as from the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, you can get to Koh Tao by using a ferry or a catamaran.
How to get to Koh Tao from Pattaya?
From Pattaya you will have to take a bus to Chumphon. The bus leaves from the North Station. Next, you need to take a taxi to the pier, from where you can then swim to the end point by the nearest boat.
How to get to Koh Tao from Phuket?
From Phuket, you must first get to Koh Samui, and from there by ferry to Koh Tao.
Always worth it in Koh Tao Port a large number of taxi drivers who are ready to give you a ride to the place. from hotels, usually, on the pier are their agents. If you have booked a hotel, you must call the property in advance to let them know your arrival time. The hotel staff should meet you and organize a transfer, which is most often free.
Koh Tao Hotels
As a rule, tourists do not have problems with living on Tau. There are hotels here for every taste and budget. Here they are there are more than one hundred. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the highest tourist season in Thailand falls on November-March. And the largest influx of tourists occurs during the Christmas holidays. That is why the choice of hotel should be decided in advance.
Those who prefer to relax in comfort can pay attention to luxury luxury hotels, which are high-level apartments. The most popular of them are:
- luxury villas;
- Sairee Sunset Luxury;
- The Place Luxury;
- Boutique Villas.
These villas are in a very picturesque places. Of course, the hotel has a swimming pool, sunny terraces, restaurants and much more. All of these hotels offer stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand, mountain ranges And tropical garden. It has everything for the comfort of guests.
For those who prefer a budget option, can consider the offers of guest houses, which are two-story houses with 20-30 rooms. Most often, the host lives in the same guest house with his family, as well as the staff. Gests good because here you can have lunch and dinner with homemade dishes. But it is worth considering that such housing options do not always meet sanitary standards. Wi-Fi is most often in guest houses. There are no problems with the Internet on the island.
When choosing a hotel or guesthouse, you should consider its location. Of course from beautiful villa on the rock opens a chic bay view, but you will have to overcome steep descents and ascents daily, climb and descend steep stairs. This will be especially problematic for the elderly and young children.
The beaches of Koh Tao
Tau is rich in cozy bays and beaches. Any tourist can find a place to their liking here. Tourists who travel on their own, most often choose the beaches of Mae Haad and Sairee for relaxation. For those traveling with young children, Chalok Beach or Jansom Bay are suitable. Couples in love should definitely visit remote beaches: Ao Leuk or Mango Bay.
- There are beaches on the island that are private property, but they are available to anyone;
- In some cases, the administration of private beaches sets its own rules for entry and behavior on the territory;
- As a rule, there are few sun loungers in the resorts of Koh Tao, so you will have to sunbathe on the mat;
- Fans of noisy parties, discos should pay attention to the beaches that are located closer to the port;
- Those who are diving or planning to try their hand at this business should choose places with diving centers.
Weather on Koh Tao
The weather on Koh Tao can be called very unique. The tourist season here lasts almost 10 months. That is why on the island you can vacation at any time of the year. It is worth paying attention to the fact that in November-December there is a monsoon period here, but this lasts only a few weeks.
As in the whole of Thailand, the island is hot and sunny weather throughout the year. Let's look at each month separately:
And now you can read the reviews of tourists who have already visited Koh Tao.
Choose your beach
The beaches of Koh Tao
Ko Tao is a tiny island, its territory occupies a little more than 20 sq. km. The main life of the island takes place on the western and southern coasts - here are the most popular and developed beaches and settlements of the island. Eastern and northern beaches, bays and bays, many of which are a combination sandy beaches with large stone boulders, removed and isolated from the "main party", due to which it is (at least in the evenings) more calm and relaxed here.
Sayri beach
Sairee Beach is the most famous, longest, widest and most popular beach on an island located in the center of the west coast. This is where most of the hotels and beach bungalows, dive shops, restaurants and bars are concentrated. It is crowded here during the day and in the evening. Beach BBQ and magnificent sunsets at Sayree are must-haves on Koh Tao.
Sayri beach. Photo: Nick Abbott, Flickr
Sunset at Sayri Beach. Photo: Mr & Mrs Backpacker, Flickr
Mei Haad beach
Mae Haad adjoins Sayri, it is the infrastructure center of the island. Ferries arrive here, most of the shops and tourist offices. Mei Haad is less interesting from the point of view of the beach, but it will interest those who plan to actively spend time on Koh Tao, there are a lot of different housing, incl. good budget apartments and guest houses.
Mei Haad beach. Photo: Christian Sorand, Flickr
Jansom Bay
The tiny Jansom Bay is located in the southwest of the island. private beach of Charm Churee Village Resort is isolated and well maintained. In the vicinity, on the hills, there are several small budget hotels. Beautiful views and wonderful undersea world- the undoubted advantages of this place.
Jansom bay. Photo: Nathan Grant, Flickr
Chalok Baan Khao
Chalok Baan Kao - cute, well developed and quite big beach in the southern part of the island, a quieter alternative to Sayri Beach. Shark Bay and Ao Leuk, which are considered the best for snorkeling on the island, are located nearby, you can get to them on a traditional Thai boat, of which there are a huge number on the beach.
Chalok Baan Khao beach. Photo: Leina Sevele, Flickr
Thian Og bay
Thiang Og Bay, better known on the island as Shark Bay, is considered one of the best places on the island for snorkeling. Here you can with a fairly high probability to see small reef sharks. There are also several dive spots near the bay. The beach in the bay is completely idyllic and romantic, there are several hotels nearby.
Thian Og bay. Photo: Alasdair Milne, Flickr
Saideng beach. Photo: Aysegul Demir Jakubowski, Flickr
Ao Leuk Bay
Ao Leuk is located in the eastern part of Koh Tao. Here is beautiful small beach with turquoise water and just a fantastic underwater world. The remoteness and the presence of a very limited number of restaurants and hotels - bungalows located on the hills, make this place especially attractive for a romantic getaway.
Koh Tao Island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 69 km from the mainland of Thailand (Surat Thani province), and 64 km from Koh Samui. It has total area about 22 sq. km, number local population- about 2,000 people.
Ko Tao (or simply Tao, as Koh translates as "island") is one of the most popular places in Thailand for diving and snorkeling. Unlike the Similan and Surin archipelagos, which are also popular for this, it is easier and cheaper to get here. The infrastructure on the island is much better developed and here you can not only dive, but also relax in comfort. There are all conditions for this - hotels, restaurants, massage parlors, bars on the coast, some types of water activities.
Koh Tao is translated from the local dialect as “Turtle Island”, and it got this name for two reasons. Firstly, it resembles a turtle in its shape, and secondly, they lay their eggs here (or rather, they laid them in the past, now this phenomenon is rare).
Koh Tao is a combination high mountains and lowlands covered with shrubs, granite boulders and dense jungle. Moreover, mountains occupy more than 65 percent of the total area and form the basis of the landscape. According to archaeological data, in the past there was no vegetation on the island, only rocks, but over time the landscape has changed and today it is a very beautiful place, located in pristine purity, since there are no large buildings, etc.
Koh Tao on the map of Thailand
Story
For many millennia, the island of Koh Tao was deserted, there was not a single person here. This is due to the fact that it is located far from the mainland and other islands and is relatively small in size. Certainly, locals knew about its existence, because it was they who gave it such a name, but no one wanted to move here because of its remoteness. From time to time, ships and pirate schooners stopped on the island to rest before further travel or simply wait out the storm. For the same purpose, fishermen landed here in their small kayaks, which could easily roll over in inclement weather and sink all the fish caught during the day. But when the sea calmed down, they boarded their boats and returned to where they came from.
In the middle of 1899, the then King of Thailand - Rama V, sailing with his retinue on a ship past Ko Tao, decided to inspect it and landed at Jor Porror Bay, not far from the modern Sairee beach. This historical moment is evidenced by the inscription on a large stone left by His Majesty. Since the king is very revered in Thailand, an altar was built near this place, to which flowers and fruits are offered daily as a sign of respect and devotion. Since then, the island has been under royal patronage. 
Until the 30s of the last century, political figures objectionable to the authorities were exiled to Koh Tao, who lived in makeshift thatched huts. At the beginning of 1947, they were all amnestied by order of the king and returned to their homes to their families. The island became deserted again, but this lasted only a few months.
The date of the first permanent settlement on Koh Tao can be considered the middle of 1947, when two twin brothers from the island of Koh Phangan sailed here on a new boat. They loved it so quiet and serene place, with beautiful hills, coconut palms and a sandy coast, that they soon returned to the island with their families and built the first houses on the shore of the same Sayri beach. So for many years they lived by selling the collected nuts, vegetables and fruits, as well as the caught fish, to neighboring islands. Everything over time more people moved here, several villages were formed.
In the early 80s of the last century, with the development of tourism in Thailand, travelers began to explore new places where no Westerner had gone before. One of these paradise turned out to be the island of Koh Tao. Every year it became more and more popular, many tourists really liked the idea of moving away from civilization in order to take a break from the hustle and bustle of cities.
Demand creates supply, so the Thai authorities decided to make Koh Tao real resort. The first hotels, shops and shops with souvenirs, restaurants and bars appeared, in a word, everything that makes a comfortable stay among tropical jungle and mountains.
Today, thanks to the beautiful coral reefs, the island is a place of pilgrimage for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts who come here from all over the world to swim among the abundance of outlandish marine life.
Neighborhood large hotels and small bungalows, as well as the fact that the beaches are public, make affordable vacation both for wealthy people and for budget travelers.
How to get to Koh Tao
There is no airport on the island, the closest ones are in Chumpon, Surat Thani and Koh Samui. You can fly directly from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other countries only to Bangkok or Phuket, where you need to make a transfer.
Cheap flights to Bangkok
You can buy tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible with the help of special search engines that collect data from all airlines.
One of the most popular ways to get to Koh Tao is to buy a combined ticket from Bangkok, which may include a flight or bus and transfer to the place. .
Well organized ferry service neighboring islands, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, as well as the mainland, piers in Surat Thani and Chumpon.
Transport
Since the island of Koh Tao is mountainous, and asphalt roads are laid only to the main beaches, this imposes some restrictions on movement. The mountains are really high, so it’s better to forget about bike rides, and there are practically no bike rentals. Only experienced drivers can ride a motorcycle to remote beaches and viewing platforms, since the road there is soil mixed with sand, plus steep descents and ascents, plus holes left by rainwater. And the most bummer is that at first you start driving on asphalt, and about a kilometer before right place it breaks off, and the extreme begins. In our opinion, this is the most worst island Thailand in terms of roads. Even the often scolded Koh Phangan or Samet are much safer. The latter, by the way, is a bit like both in size and in the quality of roads.
On the other hand, getting around the island is not that important for those who just want to swim and sunbathe. Since it is small, you can walk between the main beaches. For example, from Mae Haad, where all the piers are located, Sairee Beach is easily accessible in just 10-15 minutes. It takes a little longer to walk to the village of Chalok and its beach - about half an hour. These are the three most important settlements on Koh Tao, with the longest and most well-equipped beaches.
If you decide to rent a motorbike, then the easiest way to do this is right on arrival, in the village of Mae Haad. The rental price is 200 baht per day and 4000-4500 per month. Almost all mopeds are equipped with special tires designed for off-road driving. To top up the tank, there are several gas stations in the Mae Haad and Sayri area. The cost of one liter of gasoline on Koh Tao is 45 baht. They take a passport as a deposit and, upon returning the moped, they carefully check it for scratches (which are quite realistic to get on sharp turns and off-road climbs).
There are taxis on Koh Tao that can take you to any part of the island for a negotiable fee. As a taxi, not only pickup trucks are used, like those in Pattaya, but also ordinary cars.
Who should go to Koh Tao
Ko Tao is a specific resort that you may or may not like. Its main advantage is the purest water and rich underwater flora and fauna. If you add to this some of the cheapest prices for diving certificates, you can understand why Koh Tao is one of the most youthful resorts in Thailand, along with Koh Phangan and Phi Phi.
If you visited Egypt and then spat on the underwater life in other parts of the world and in Thailand itself, then here, at least, you will not be disappointed. There are a large number of certified diving schools on the island, where you can take courses from beginner to seasoned deep-sea diver and get certificates of any level.
For lovers beach holiday the main thing is to choose the right hotel, since the coast of Sayri and Mae Haad, where all the infrastructure is concentrated, are not so pleasant for tourists. But nevertheless, there are excellent beaches on Koh Tao, you can find out about them in separate articles.
As a result, if you are an amateur deep sea diving or cool snorkeling - you just need to get here.
What to do and what to visit
1. Attractions.
There are no special attractions on Koh Tao. Anything that may be of interest is related to natural beauties around: beaches, viewing platforms, waterfalls. Well, the most famous place- this is, perhaps, an observation deck and a beach on.
If you are not planning a trip only to Koh Tao, then we offer you.
2. Entertainment.
During the day, Koh Tao offers a good selection of water activities, such as water skiing, motorcycle and kayak boating, and diving. You can rent a motorbike or a boat and travel by land or water on your own. Also very popular hiking, in this case, you will have access to those places that cannot be reached by car or motorcycle.
3. Nightlife.
There is also nightlife, but it is concentrated only in the busiest part of it - on Sayri Beach, and even then only in some of its sections. They even have their own. If you are not a fan of noisy parties, then you can easily find a quiet place in the evening, for example, on many beaches that are empty at sunset. Here you can sit quietly at the water's edge, enjoying the sea breeze, the sound of the surf and the beauty of the night tropical paradise. This perfect place for a romantic walk with your loved one.
4. Shops.
Shops on Koh Tao are represented mainly by 7/11 mini-markets, small shops with vegetables and fruits, departments of manufactured goods (where you can buy fans, tiles, etc.). No hypermarkets and shopping centers no, not even a mini Tesco Lotus. The only large supermarket (which is called Supermarket) is located on main road between Mae Haad and Sayri. Close to the main beaches malls with clothes, shoes and souvenirs. That's all shopping.
Beaches
The most inhabited place is the west of the island, here are the two main beaches of Sayri and Mae Haad - the most inhabited and popular, where there are quite a lot of people and there is "movement". But not the most for lovers beautiful sea and sand. People looking for a quiet and uncrowded holiday destination on Koh Tao should look to the east and south coasts. There are deserted beaches, both sandy and rocky.
The island acquired this name due to its shape, which resembles a swimming turtle. The name is also associated with big amount turtles that came here to breed.
This is one of the most beautiful places for both recreation and diving. In addition, this is one of the untouched places on earth, the infrastructure here is just beginning to develop. Most attractions of the island are natural objects.
The landscape design of the island is able to impress even the most demanding and biased tourist. After all, he represents highlands. Only 30 percent of the land has a pronounced flat terrain covered with shrubs.
Climate of Koh Tao
The climate of the island is exactly the same as on. best time August - September, and the second half of December - March are considered to be holidays. During these periods the weather is very good, dry and warm. October-November are considered the rainiest, and in the first half of December there are showers quite often. In addition, from October to January, storms are observed that arise through a strong southeast wind. Koh Tao is characterized by very changeable weather.
Island beaches
There are quite a lot of beaches on the beach. For example, the beach Jansom Bay(Jansom Bay) is located in Jansom Bay. In order to be on this beach, you need to go along the path through the Charm Churi villa. This beach is private property, so you will need to pay for it. Near this beach is favorite place divers "Three Rocks".
Another equally picturesque beach Freedom(Freedom Beach). This beach is also small in size, so there are not many tourists here. Not far from the beach there is a restaurant serving local dishes (Thai cuisine).
A small concrete road departs from Freedom Beach and leads to the lagoon. Taa To(Taa Toh Lagoon). This is a very beautiful place. Here are Coral reefs, thanks to which excellent conditions for snorkeling are created here. Some tourists swim closer to the rocks in order to see the rays, which are very numerous in the coral reefs. In addition, here you can find coral fish, octopuses, snappers, sea porcupines. To get to this beach you need to walk about 15 minutes from the center of the island.
Beach Tanot Bay(Tanote Bay) strewn white sand, the sea here is of amazing turquoise color, and from the water, you can see a large number of rocks, as well as snow-white coral reefs. IN rainy weather getting to the beach is quite difficult, since one of the roads that leads to it is sandy, but there is another road that has a partial hard surface. For the convenience of tourists, there is also a restaurant serving both Thai and European cuisine. There are also hotels here. Moreover, there are two diving centers where you can rent equipment. The sand on the beach is coarse, so it is more convenient to walk in shoes. You can get to the beach by cycling or just walking along the road that goes from the center of the island.
Tanote Bay Beach
One more beach Laem Tian(Laem Thian Beach) is located with opposite side islands of Koh Tao (parallel locality Sayri) on the beach there are bungalows that fit beautifully into the local landscape. “Lam Tian is not only a beach, but also a bay. The bottom here is strewn with small pebbles. At big wind, here are observed big waves. You can get to the beach on foot from Sayri.
Laem Thian Beach
Beach Mae Haad(Mae Haad Beach) is located to the right of the pier where boats sail. This beach is not very popular, as there is a lot of noise from boaters, as well as tourists arriving or departing. But still the sand here is snow-white, soft, the water is clean.
Mae Haad Beach
Beach Sai Daeng(Sai Daeng Beach) is covered with white sand, and the water near it is crystal clear. The beach is located near shark island. This place especially attracts divers. Reach it by boat or car. Sai Dang - the best place for those who love silence, or want solitude.
Sai Daeng Beach
Beach Sayri(Sairee Beach) - located on west coast island, it is divided by boulders into two parts. Located near the beach best bars, restaurants, shops. It's very beautiful sunset, many tourists go to this beach to see this spectacle. There are many viewing platforms here.
Sairee Beach
Another wonderful beach – Chalok Baan Khao(Chalok Baan Kao Beach). It is the third largest beach. It is located in the southeast of the island. It can be reached on foot or by bike. The infrastructure is also very developed here. In addition, there are many good places to view the local nature.
Chalok Baan Kao Beach
What to see on Koh Tao
As for the attractions of the island, there is a fishing museum here, where you can see a wide variety of devices for fishing. fishing, as well as an exposition of rare inhabitants of the sea.
There is a rock on Sayri Beach, on which King Rama V put his signature. He visited the island at the end of the 19th century, after this event, the autograph became one of the attractions of the island.
Near Sayri beach (from the northern part of the coast) are the remains of a large whale. How he got there remains a mystery.
You can also visit the diamond caves here. Some tourists go there in search of treasures. This is one of the most beautiful places islands.
The whole island is dotted with wonderful viewing platforms, from which you can see nature, sunset, sunrise. For example, the Two View site is notable for the fact that you can view the entire island from it, because it is located on the very high rock islands. This is a favorite place for tourists, especially couples in love.
View from the Two View Observation Deck
Are you an expressive tourist looking for thrills? Then you should definitely plunge into the world of mysteries and magic - into the underwater world of Koh Tao. Yes, indeed, because the multifaceted flora and fauna are direct proof of this. You will have the opportunity to see firsthand large turtles, barracudas, reef sharks, sixgill sharks, as well as electric rays, dogfish and many other colorful fish who will also be happy to get to know you better. 
For those who have a great desire to dive into the water, but do not belong to the category of "beginner" divers, you can get some training lessons. However, it is worth noting that the training is carried out in special preparatory professional centers, so you will have to pay a small amount (approx. $ 25 / lesson).
How to get to the island?
You can get to the island itself only with the help of ferries that run from or from Chumpon. Ferries are fast, so the travel time takes - from Chumpon - up to 2 hours, and from Koh Samui - 1.5 hours.
