20 Things to Do in Koh Tao: The Underwater World Paradise

Just because you're already on a beautiful island doesn't mean you can't take a day trip to another one. Koh Nang Yuan is a little island nearby that makes a wonderful day excursion. You may get a wonderful adrenaline rush here on the fantastic zipline, in addition to relaxing on the postcard-worthy beaches and enjoying some world-class snorkeling.

Make it a priority on your list of things to do on Koh Tao. Learn more about this fantastic day excursion by clicking here.

You've heard the expression "playing with fire" before, right? Nobody on Koh Tao has ever heard of it. Watching a fire show on the beach is one of the must-do activities in Koh Tao.

Every night of the week, there are beach bars with fire shows. Grab a drink and a beanbag, and settle back for a blisteringly hot performance. 

Paying a visit to Ang Thong Marine Park is one of the best things to do in Koh Tao. This beautiful archipelago of islands is only a short boat ride away, and almost every tour operator offers visits there. A trip around Ang Thong includes snorkeling and a short climb to a gorgeous lagoon. You're also likely to see animals such as dusky langurs, hornbills, silver-haired bats, and hawksbill turtles.

The best way to unwind after a hard day in the sea or on the rocks is with some sundowners on the beach. Around sunset, almost every bar on the beach has a decent Happy Hour, so flop down in that beanbag and get yourself a licensed beverage or two! 

A few pubs on the hill also provide a panoramic view of the sunset. Take a ride up to the appropriately named Sky Bar, have a drink, and watch the show. (Note: drinking at a sky bar is also one of the best things to do in Koh Pao; add it to your itinerary!)

When you leave Thailand, you will undoubtedly miss many aspects of the nation. One thing you'll undoubtedly miss is the food. Thai cuisine is among the best in the world, so why not learn how to make it? One of the coolest things to do in Koh Tao is enroll in a Thai cooking class. Learn how to make some traditional Thai dishes, and then wow your friends back home with your culinary skills. On the island, Parawan's Thai Home Cooking Classes are highly regarded. Half-day (3-hour) lessons with three different meals cost roughly 1,500 baht ($45).

Marine conservation is critical on this tiny island, which is a major tourist attraction. Fortunately, Koh Tao takes this issue extremely seriously, and many wonderful groups are working hard there. You should visit Eco Koh Tao and the New Haven Reef Conservation Project if you want to learn more about marine conservation. Both are doing fantastic work and provide a variety of courses and initiatives in which you can participate.

Few sites in the world are better for scuba certification than Koh Tao. There are numerous dive shops on the island, which helps keep rates low. You can get your open water certificate for roughly $300 here. What a bargain!

Those who already hold their open water certification can add advanced diver, divemaster, and other credentials here. If you want to go into underwater photography, several dive shops offer classes. Scuba diving is without a doubt at the top of the list of things to do in Koh Tao.

It's not just about being in the water. On land, there are a variety of activities available, including yoga. There are many yoga studios on Koh Tao these days, with classes for all levels and genres. It's difficult to imagine a better way to start the day than with an ocean-view yoga lesson. If you want to turn your enthusiasm for yoga into a career, you may get your yoga teacher training here as well. 

After gazing at all the fish in the water, it's time to taste some of them. There are numerous coastal restaurants where you can select from a range of fresh seafood and have it cooked to order. A seafood feast on the beach is without a doubt one of the most delectable best things to do on Koh Tao! For some excellent cuisine, go to Family Kitchen or Barracuda. 

Given that Koh Tao is firmly located on Southeast Asia's legendary Banana Pancake Trail, you should surely eat at least one. There's a reason banana pancakes are so popular in this area. Why not when they're sweet, delicious, and cheap to buy?

Check out Coconut Monkey for a more cafe-style experience, or any of the streetside sellers for a banana pancake packed with Nutella, bananas, and other goodies. It's an excellent price at roughly 40 baht ($1.20). Eating a banana pancake is undoubtedly one of the most popular activities for travelers in Thailand. 

In terms of getting some exercise, there are a few small hiking routes on Koh Tao that lead to breathtaking views. The John Suwan Viewpoint and Fraggle Rock are two of the greatest. Because the midday sun can be harsh, it's preferable to go trekking early in the morning or later in the day, just before sunset. Working up a nice sweat is one of the best things to do on Koh Tao so that you can be lenient in savoring delicious Thai food.

It is not necessary to be a diver to appreciate the marine life that surrounds Koh Tao. Snorkeling tours are available for individuals who are not qualified divers but want to witness abundant marine life. In addition to turtles (as expected on Turtle Island), you may encounter black-tip reef sharks and blue-spotted rays. I'm a huge diver, but the snorkeling at Koh Tao is fantastic. It's certainly simpler and less expensive!

On this highly-rated tour, you'll visit the Koh Nang Yuan islands off the coast of Koh Tao, use kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel equipment, and enjoy dinner and drinks.

Playing a round of mini golf is among the most entertaining and best things to do in Koh Tao. To play a round on the 18-hole course there, proceed to Koh Tao Leisure Park. Try out "Goofy Golf"; you can play as many rounds as you'd like for roughly $5. This is a fantastic way to spend an evening out because it is open late and is floodlit at night.

They also include petanque courts, pool tables, foosball tables, a movie theater, and a sports bar, in addition to mini golf. For a really enjoyable night, bring some hostelmates with you. 

Why not attempt rock climbing on Koh Tao if you can manage to get out of your beach chair? There is a climbing route here for everyone, from experienced climbers to complete beginners. 

Get outside and try it; there are a few stores on the island that provide climbing courses. Cliff jumping is a different and best activity to do in Koh Tao that is worthwhile to try. Jumping in the water and cooling off is so much fun after that strenuous climbing.

An excellent way to spend a half-day in Koh Tao is by hiring a kayak and some snorkel gear and venturing out on your own. It is simple to locate a store that will let you hire the equipment for a few hours. The south of the island has multiple bays from which you can launch your boat, including Jansom Bay, Shipwreck, Sai Nuan Beach, June Juea Beach, Viewpoint Cape, Cape Je Ta Kang, and Freedom Beach.

It's difficult to top a kayaking and snorkeling adventure in the middle of the afternoon. You will undoubtedly witness a lot of aquatic life on Koh Tao everywhere you go. One of the popular activities to do on Koh Tao is to kayak and snorkel together. 

There is no better way to let loose, have a good time, and meet other travelers than the Koh Tao Pub Crawl. They now host this fantastic pub crawl four nights a week since it is so much fun! A pool party, a couple of bar visits, and a highly entertaining ladyboy cabaret show are all included in the pub crawl. You receive a tank top, a bucket, a couple of shots, and drink discounts at all the bars for the $15 entrance price. The Koh Tao Pub Crawl will surely be one of the most enjoyable nights of your Thailand vacation.

As Koh Tao Island is only 7 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide, it is easy to tour it on a scooter. A scooter can securely transport one throughout the island's beaches, villages, and low-lying hills, as the majority of roads are not constructed for driving quickly. In Koh Tao, a variety of scooters may be rented, with automatic scooters being the simplest to operate and costing around THB 300 per day. Roaming around the island on a scooter is one of the best things to do on Koh Tao.

There are many spas and massage parlors in Koh Tao where tourists can unwind after exploring. Come in for a traditional Thai massage to relieve stress and muscle strain while benefiting from acupressure, yoga with expert assistance, and Ayurveda principles. At Lotus Spa, Paradise Massage, and Majestic Spa, massage sessions with panoramic views of the sea and jungle start at THB 200 per hour. Many tourists exclusively visit Thailand for the authentic massage experience, and it is one of the best things to do in Koh Tao.

The only temple in Koh Tao is Wat Koh Tao. Buddhism is practiced and taught here, and monks also live here. Between Sairee and Mae Haad, in a steep area, is where the temple is located, and it was built in 1977 by a Thai Buddhist monk. Anyone interested is given access to the monks' theoretical and practical knowledge of Buddhism. When visiting this location, a few things to keep in mind include taking off your hat and shoes, speaking quietly, turning off your phone, and not touching the monument. 

Thai boxing, usually referred to as Muay Thai, is a popular combat sport in Thailand. Due to the usage of one's fists, elbows, knees, and shins, the activity is also known as the "art of eight limbs." It is a modified type of Thai military martial arts that incorporates boxing-inspired ring fighting. In Koh Tao, watching Muay Thai matches is a popular pastime. Watching the boxing match on this island is one of the best things to do on Koh Tao.