Koh Tao - Turtle Island

Koh Tao has a fairly short, yet interesting history. Situated in the Gulf Of Thailand (part of the South China Sea), Koh Tao is the third in a series of Islands. Her bigger brother and sister, Koh Samui and Koh Phangnan, lay to the South of the tiny island and are far more built up. It's little sister, Koh Nang Yuan, is just 1000 meter's off it's north west cost. Koh Nang Yuan boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

In mid 1899, the reigning King, His Majesty the King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V 1868-1910) graced Koh Tao with his presence and left behind his monogram on a boulder at Jor Por Ror Bay in the South of Sairee Beach. This monogram is still here today and is frequently visited by tourists and Thai’s. If you visit this spot while on Koh Tao, please show respect as it is a place of worship to the local people.

From the early 1930’s to the mid 1940’s, Koh Tao ended up being a political prison until a Prime Minister received a royal pardon for all the in mates on Koh Tao. Shortly after this, two brothers from neighboring Koh Phangan sailed to Koh Tao. They eventually brought over their families and started to cultivate the land. They realized that Koh Tao had a very fertile soil and there was an abundance of coconut trees at their disposal. Coconut harvesting and fishing became the main means of living on Koh Tao for a long time.

In the early-mid 80's, lonely backpackers started venturing over from Koh Phangnan and Koh Samui to explore the beautiful, untouched beaches. Soon, dive operations started to slowly pop up realizing that the diving around Koh Tao was far superior over the diving around the other islands. As more dive centers started to open on Koh Tao, more people started to venture over and finally bigger ferries started to come to Koh Tao with the new peir being built in Mae Haad (the main town).

With the people came the bars and clubs. Soon the main beach of Sairee started to grow. Koh Tao was once a huge breeding ground for Sea Turtles. Now, due to the artificial lights of clubs and resorts, the turtles have left and breed elsewhere. There are only a few left around the island. Once in a while, the Thai Navy release hatchlings into the water around Koh Tao. It's hard to find turtles these days around Koh Tao, but they are there. Please visit our Environment Page to learn more about the delicate eco-system that exists here on Koh Tao.

Today, there are more things to do on Koh Tao than there was even just a few years ago. Diving is still the biggest attraction to the small island, but more and more 'island hoppers' and sun-tanning holiday makers are coming to Koh Tao, backpackers are slowly starting to fade out of the scene. With more families starting to come to Koh Tao for their holidays, larger resorts, like Koh Tao Island Resort, are being built with more of what you'd expect in a first class resort island.
Koh Tao can now offer a variety of activities. An Entertainment Park including 10 pin bowling & a challenging mini-putt golf course is situated in Mae Haad. A Paintball Center has just recently opened, and there's also hiking, cycling, around the island snorkeling trips, a micro-light 'flying boat', beautiful spas, gormet restaurants, fine bakeries, and upscale bars to keep you entertained if your not diving.