"Koh Tao" or Turtle island is located in the Gulf of Thailand 45km north of Koh Samui but in more recent times it has grown from an off the beaten path tourist destination to the largest dive training center in Southeast Asia.Koh Tao is the smallest and remotest of the three major islands in this region that offer accommodations. While it takes most boats about three hours to get there from Samui, the new speedboat service from Bophut and Na Thon can do it in under two hours. But the most important access is that through Chumpon, from where there are both speedboat and ferry service.
The island is similar in geography to its bigger brothers to the south, Samui and Pha Ngan. Here again are many rocky headlands piled high with huge granite boulders. There are fewer beaches, though those few are particularly beautiful. Bungalow resorts can be found on every beach, and like Pha Ngan, most range from remote and primitive to basic, though there are a couple of high quality establishments here. A few sandy, rocky tracks provide access from a single boat pier in the village on the west coast.
Koh Tao's real claim to fame has nothing to do with its beaches, coconut palms and rocky mountains. Instead, it's the underwater realm surrounding the island that has established its reputation. There is a thriving dive industry on the island , and for those who have never dived before, Koh Tao offers ideal conditions in which to learn. The diving shops there maintain high standards, with qualified international instructors, and daytrips to sites that are rich in marine life and which offer excellent visibility and pleasant, warm water. You can book tours to the island here.
