Where to Stay on Koh Tao: 4 Best Areas & Hotels

Planning a trip to Koh Tao and not sure where to stay? We’ve got you covered!

Koh Tao is a small island, but there’s actually a lot of variety in terms of where to stay. But whether you see yourself in the heart of a lively beach town or nestled in the jungle, we’re here to help make that choice easier.

As diving enthusiasts, Koh Tao is basically paradise for us, but there’s even more to it than its epic marine life! With that in mind, we’ve broken down the four best areas to stay on Koh Tao, with our favorite hotel recommendations for each one.

Overview of the Best Areas to Stay on Koh Tao

Koh Tao is pretty compact, but don’t let that fool you because this island is HILLY! You can easily walk around areas like Sairee Beach and Mae Haad, but getting between different parts of the island usually involves hopping in a shared songthaew taxi or arranging a hotel transfer.

All ferries arrive at Mae Haad, and from there, most travelers continue straight to their hotel. Scooter rental is also really popular on Koh Tao, but we’d only recommend it if you’re a confident rider. The island has steep hills and some pretty uneven access roads, so it’s not the easiest place to drive.

We also recommend booking accommodation early if you’re visiting from December to April or during July and August. Beachfront hotels and popular dive resorts can fill up quickly, especially the more upscale options in quieter parts of the island.

• Sairee Beach – Best for first-time visitors – This is our top pick for first-timers because you’ll have the beach and dive schools right nearby, as well as lots of restaurants and nightlife. Koh Tao Cabana is our favorite option here, with tropical villas and a beautiful infinity pool tucked away at the quieter end of Sairee Beach.

• Mae Haad – Best for ferry access & short stays – Stay here if you want the easiest possible arrival or departure, because you’ve got the ferry pier and plenty of practical amenities right there. Lücke Boutique Hotel is an adults-only beachfront option with complimentary paddleboards and kayaks, so it feels much more like a vacation resort than an overnight stop!

• Chalok Baan Kao – Best for a quiet & relaxing stay – This laid-back southern village is ideal if you want beaches and restaurants nearby without Sairee’s busier atmosphere. Koh Tao Relax Freedom Beach is our top pick, with sea-view bungalows right by the water and John-Suwan Viewpoint just a 15-minute walk away.

• Southeastern Beaches – Best for snorkeling & upscale resorts – Head to this side of Koh Tao if secluded bays and great snorkeling matter more to you than being close to nightlife. Jamahkiri Dive Resort & Spa is perfect for making the most of the area, with gorgeous Gulf views and a private dive club.

Where to Stay on Koh Tao

Sairee Beach 

BEST FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS

Pros

• A long sandy beach and lots of dive schools
• Lots of bars and restaurants
• Lively nightlife 

Cons

• The central area gets busy and noisy at night
• Not the best choice if you want a secluded island escape

If it’s your first time on Koh Tao, we think Sairee Beach is the easiest place to stay. It’s the island’s liveliest area, with tons of bars, restaurants, and dive schools lining the beach. There’s always something going on, and we had so much fun staying here.

The beach itself is a huge part of the appeal. The water is generally calm and shallow, and there’s a coral reef just offshore where you can go snorkeling without needing to book a boat tour. But our favorite time to be here is sunset. Sairee faces west, and watching the sun disappear over the Gulf of Thailand with a drink in hand is pretty hard to beat!

There’s even a little history at the southern end of the beach! Walk down, and you’ll find a rock inscribed during King Rama V’s visit to Koh Tao in 1899. So it’s not all nightlife, but that is a fairly prominent part of the Sairee experience. It gets very lively here after dark, so if you don’t enjoy the party scene, a quieter area will probably suit you better.

Still, we didn’t mind a little noise in exchange for beach time and super easy access to diving and snorkeling. Sairee is a great all-rounder, and definitely our top pick for first-timers.

Blue Tao Beach Hotel – $$$

If location is your top priority, Blue Tao Beach Hotel is a gorgeous upscale option right on Sairee Beach. This is a smaller boutique-style hotel rather than a sprawling resort; you get the sand on your doorstep while still being close to all of the bars and dive schools.

The rooms feel bright and contemporary, and you can upgrade to one of the sea-view options. Some even come with private terraces overlooking the water, which means you can enjoy Sairee’s famous sunsets without even leaving your room!

There’s also a garden and sun terrace, but really, the direct beachfront setting is the main reason to book this place. Rooms typically start from around $320 USD per night.

If Blue Tao is fully booked, Chaantalay Hotel is a great alternative if you don’t mind staying a little further back from the sand. It has a lovely outdoor pool and larger options for groups and families, and it’s in a quieter part of Sairee, but you’re still just a 10-minute walk from the bars and restaurants.

Koh Tao Cabana – $$

Koh Tao Cabana is our favorite hotel around Sairee Beach because it feels immersed in nature. It sits at the quieter end of the bay, with villas tucked into tropical greenery overlooking the sea, so you can enjoy Sairee’s convenience and amenities without feeling like you’re right in the middle of the nightlife.

The villas have tons of character, with lots of wood, bamboo, and natural stone worked into the design. There’s also a beautiful infinity pool with waterfalls, and several upgraded villas come with their own private pools and panoramic views across Sairee Bay.

Honestly, we think this place feels considerably more special than its mid-range price tag suggests! Rooms typically start from around $130 USD per night.

The Tarna Resort is another fantastic option if you prefer a sleeker and more modern style. It sits on a peaceful hillside around five minutes from Sairee Beach and has a saltwater pool used for dive training, plus pool-access rooms and romantic sunset suites with private Jacuzzis.

Palm Leaf Resort – $

If you want an affordable stay right on Sairee Beach, Palm Leaf Resort is a fantastic find. This property sits at the quieter northern end of the beach, with simple bungalows and villas surrounded by greenery, so it feels pleasantly removed from Sairee’s busiest nightlife.

For us, the location is what makes it such good value. You can choose a beachfront bungalow or sea-view room and step straight onto the sand, while the on-site restaurant serves Thai dishes and fresh seafood right by the water.

There’s no flashy resort pool here, but when you’ve got Sairee Beach outside your door, we don’t think that’s much of a hardship! Rooms typically start from around $85 USD per night.

If Palm Leaf Resort is full, Sairee Hut Resort Koh Tao is another great option right by the beach. This one has a pool, and it sits directly on the sand, with an adjacent beach bar where you can order cocktails while watching the sunset – bliss. 

We also like Koh Tao Coral Grand Resort for anyone coming to the island primarily to dive. It’s a beachfront resort with Thai-style wooden cottages and its own PADI dive center, so you can roll out of bed and get straight down to business!

Mae Haad

BEST FOR FERRY ACCESS & SHORT STAYS

Pros

• Right by Koh Tao’s main ferry pier
• Plenty of dive centers and amenities
• More affordable than Sairee

Cons

• The waterfront can feel busy when ferries arrive
• Less peaceful and scenic than Koh Tao’s quieter beach areas

If you’re only staying on Koh Tao for a night or two, we think that Mae Haad is the most convenient base to choose. This is the island’s main port village, so every ferry arrives and departs from here. It’s also ideal if you’ve got an early departure! 

The logistics of staying in Mae Haad are super simple. You can stay close to the pier and then walk everywhere – it doesn’t get much easier than that! As well as restaurants and dive centers, there are other useful amenities like pharmacies and ATMs around. This is not an “if you want it, you bring it” island situation.

Mae Haad also has its own beach, so you can still sunbathe on white sand and swim in the tropical waters. However, it doesn’t have the same beach town atmosphere as Sairee. The area around the pier gets busy whenever ferries come in, and it feels a bit more industrial.

If you’re here for more than one night, we recommend walking along the coastal path towards Sai Nuan and Banana Beach for a change of scenery. There’s also a small wreck just offshore at the southern end of Mae Haad Bay that you can explore with a snorkel, and you can walk to Sairee in about 15-20 minutes along the beach path, which is locally nicknamed “the yellow brick road.” 

Sensi Paradise Beach Resort – $$$

We love Sensi Paradise Beach Resort because it offers the convenience of Mae Haad, but it doesn’t make you feel like you’re staying in the middle of a busy port town. It sits at the quieter end of the bay, with traditional wooden bungalows tucked among tropical greenery right by the water.

This resort feels very traditionally Thai, and there’s a big focus on nature. It has so much authentic character, and we love how many different options there are, from romantic sea-view bungalows to spacious family villas. Meanwhile, the beachfront restaurant is a gorgeous spot for sunset cocktails and dinner.

This place really offers the best of both worlds! Rooms typically start from around $190 USD per night.

Lücke Boutique Hotel – $$

If you like small, stylish hotels, Lücke Boutique Hotel is our favorite option in Mae Haad. This adults-only property sits directly on the beach, so you get the convenience of staying close to the pier without sacrificing those tropical vacation vibes.

The rooms are bright and minimalist, with extras like linen robes and beach bags stocked with snorkels and towels. But our favorite part is the beachfront terrace, where you’ll find beanbags and loungers, plus complimentary paddleboards and kayaks for exploring the bay.

They really have thought of everything! Rooms typically start from around $90 USD per night, with a 2-night minimum stay.

If Lücke is fully booked, Blue Diamond Resort is an ideal alternative just a five-minute walk from Mae Haad Pier. It’s directly on the beach and has spacious Thai-style rooms and bungalows, plus an outdoor pool if you fancy swapping the sea for a sun lounger.

We also like Koh Tao Montra Resort if you want more of a traditional resort setup, with a PADI dive center on site. It’s great for families because rooms are spacious, and there’s a huge swimming pool with not one, not two, but three different levels! 

Koh Tao Beach Club – $

For an affordable beachfront stay close to the ferry, Koh Tao Beach Club offers fantastic value. It’s only around 500 meters from Mae Haad Pier, yet you still get a 50-meter stretch of private beach right outside the property.

There’s also an outdoor pool and beachfront bar, while every room comes with a balcony and some overlook either the sea or the pool. We especially like this one for short stays because you get all of the practical benefits of Mae Haad without feeling like you’ve just booked a basic transit hotel.

You can drop your bags and go swimming or snorkeling almost immediately! Rooms typically start from around $75 USD per night.

If Koh Tao Beach Club is fully booked for your travel dates, Shiva Lodge is a lovely resort in the same area! It offers treehouse-style accommodation surrounded by tropical gardens, less than a 20-minute walk from Chalok Baan Kao Beach.

If you prefer the beachfront to the treetops, Ananda Villa is another excellent alternative. It’s a small, family-run property super close to the pier, with two restaurants and amazing sunset views.

Chalok Baan Kao

BEST FOR A QUIET & RELAXING STAY

Pros

• Much quieter and more laid-back than Sairee
• Hotels tend to be more affordable
• Lots of restaurants and dive schools

Cons

• The beach becomes extremely shallow at low tide
• You’ll usually need a taxi or scooter to explore other parts of Koh Tao

Chalok Baan Kao is down on the southern side of Koh Tao, and it’s much quieter than Sairee. There are still enough restaurants and dive schools around that you don’t feel stranded, but evenings are pretty low-key, and there’s none of the same party scene.

The village sits around a big sheltered bay, and the beach is nice for hanging out during the day. However, you should know that the tide goes a long way out here, so you can’t always swim. 

We also think the location is a big part of the appeal. John-Suwan Viewpoint is nearby, and it’s one of the best-known viewpoints on the island. Freedom Beach is just around the corner too, so you’ve got a couple of really nice spots close by without having to head all the way back towards Sairee.

You will probably end up using taxis or renting a scooter if you want to explore much beyond the south of the island, but Chalok itself is very easygoing. It’s the kind of place where you can go out for dinner and then actually go and get some sleep!

View Point Resort – $$$

If you’re coming to Koh Tao for peace and quiet, View Point Resort is the perfect place to disappear for a few days. It’s built into the hillside at the end of Chalok Baan Kao, with cottages and villas tucked between huge granite rocks and tropical greenery.

The setting is really what you’re paying for here. There are beachfront cottages if you want to be close to the water, but we would be very tempted by one of the private pool villas higher up the hill. You get your own infinity pool and loads of privacy, with the sea stretching out below – how amazing does that sound? Rooms typically start from around $115 USD per night.

Koh Tao Relax Freedom Beach – $$

Koh Tao Relax Freedom Beach has an awesome location between Taatoh Beach and Freedom Beach. Every room category comes with a sea view, and the seafront bungalows sit just a few steps from the water.

It has quite an old-school island-resort feel, with wooden bungalows built into the hillside rather than one big hotel block. There are two beachfront restaurants, and you can rent snorkels and kayaks if you want to head straight out onto the water.

John-Suwan Viewpoint is also about a 15-minute walk uphill from reception, so you can even knock that out before breakfast if you’re feeling energetic! Rooms typically start from around $90 USD per night.

If Koh Tao Relax Freedom Beach is full, Ko Tao Paradise Resort is an equally gorgeous option that sits higher up the hill and has incredible views in both directions – in fact, you can catch both sunrise and sunset from here! There are infinity pools overlooking the sea, and the free shuttle to Mae Haad Pier and Sairee Beach is very handy given the hillside location.

Emerald Gulf Resort – $

For something cheaper, Emerald Gulf Resort is an amazing option right by the water in Chalok Baan Kao. It has its own little private beach area, and some of the rooms have balconies looking straight out across the sea.

This one is fairly simple, but we think the location makes up for that. You can spend the morning swimming or snorkeling, then come back for lunch and sit outside with a drink without having to organize transport anywhere.

There’s also plenty of greenery around the property, so it feels tucked away despite being close to Chalok. Rooms typically start from around $80 USD per night.

Pinnacle Koh Tao Resort is another option if you care more about views than being right in the village. It clings to a steep hillside above the sea, with an infinity pool and lots of steps, although there’s a complimentary shuttle to save your legs when needed.

We also like MAR24 Koh Tao Hotel if you prefer something small and straightforward. The rooms are simple and modern; there’s an outdoor pool, and it’s a handy base for exploring the southern side of Koh Tao without paying resort prices.

Southeastern Beaches

BEST FOR SNORKELING & UPSCALE RESORTS

Pros

• Some of the best snorkeling on Koh Tao
• Beautiful secluded bays and high-end resorts

Cons

• The beaches are spread out from one another
• Steep roads mean you’ll probably rely on taxis or hotel transfers

If snorkeling is one of the main reasons you’re coming to Koh Tao, we’d definitely look at the southeastern beaches. Now, this isn’t one compact neighborhood like Sairee. Instead, you’ve got a handful of beautiful bays dotted around this side of the island, with some of Koh Tao’s nicest resorts built into the hillsides above them.

Shark Bay is probably the best-known spot, and yes, the name is quite literal! Blacktip reef sharks are regularly spotted here, along with green turtles, so it’s well worth bringing a mask and snorkel with you. Sai Daeng Beach is another gorgeous option nearby, while Ao Leuk Bay has clear, shallow water and coral reefs just offshore.

The compromise is getting around. The bays are separated by some seriously steep roads, and there isn’t much in the way of nightlife or a central strip of restaurants to wander around at night. Unless you’re very comfortable riding a scooter, you’ll probably use taxis or your resort’s transfers instead. And for this reason, we recommend choosing your hotel carefully here because the chances are that you’ll be spending quite a bit of time there.

Sai Daeng Resort – $$$

If you want to stay somewhere that really makes the most of Koh Tao’s scenery, Sai Daeng Resort has an incredible position on a peninsula at the southern tip of the island. The villas are surrounded by tropical greenery, and you get fantastic views across the water towards Shark Island.

There’s a big infinity pool overlooking the sea with a swim-up bar, and we know that we would end up spending far too much time there! But the location is also brilliant for getting into the water.

You can snorkel just off the coast or kayak towards Shark Island, and Ao Leuk Bay is just around the corner. Rooms typically start from around $260 USD per night.

Jamahkiri Dive Resort & Spa – $$

If scuba diving is high on your Koh Tao agenda, Jamahkiri Dive Resort & Spa makes a lot of sense. It overlooks Thian Og Bay and has its own private dive club and marina, so you can organize dives without trekking across the island every morning.

The resort is built into a steep hillside above the sea, and pretty much everything makes the most of those views. There’s a small private beach below, plus a pool and spa if you’re having a day off from diving. Thian Og Bay itself is less than 100 meters (328 feet) away across the water, and the hotel runs a free boat shuttle there.

Just be aware that the hillside setting means plenty of steps! Rooms typically start from around $180 USD per night.

If Jamahkiri is full, Beach Club by Haadtien is another good option around Thian Og Bay. It has more of a contemporary beach-club feel, with awesome sea views and a dive center on-site.

Coral View Resort – $

For a simple stay right on the beach, Coral View Resort is a great budget option on Sai Daeng Beach. It’s one of only two resorts on this little bay, so things feel a lot quieter here than they do around Sairee.

You can snorkel straight from the beach, and there’s a good chance of spotting some of Koh Tao’s resident turtles in the shallows. The rooms are fairly simple, but that’s not really the point of staying here.

Its remote beachfront location is definitely the selling point, so if you want Castaway vibes, you’ll love this wallet-friendly little spot. Rooms typically start from around $70 USD per night.

If you’d rather stay over at Ao Leuk, Chabalay Resort sits directly on the beach with sea-view rooms and a restaurant overlooking the bay. It has a rustic, old-school island feel, and you can head straight into the water for a snorkel without organizing a trip anywhere.

Aow Leuk Grand Hill is another option on the same bay, with rooms and bungalows looking out over the water. The accommodations are simple, but the views are breathtaking – who doesn’t love waking up on the beach?

Top Activities on Koh Tao 

Now that you know where to stay in Koh Tao, you just need to figure out what to get up to! To help you out, we’ve listed a few of our favorite activities below to get you started. 

• Learn to scuba dive – Koh Tao is world-famous for its excellent diving, so if you’re not already PADI certified, why not learn while you’re here? You can book this 3-day course to earn your license in one of the most beautiful marine environments in the world.

• Full-day snorkeling adventure – If scuba diving isn’t your thing, this full-day snorkeling adventure is another unforgettable way to explore Koh Tao’s underwater world. As well as stopping at some gorgeous snorkeling spots around the island, the boat has a water slide and a climbing wall, so you’ll have a blast both on board and in the water.

• Go on a treasure hunt – A treasure hunt? Sign us up. This six-hour adventure will take you all over the island as you solve puzzles and discover secret spots, snorkeling and sampling lots of local food and drink along the way. It’s such a fun and immersive way to explore, and it’s definitely not your typical sightseeing tour.

Thanks for reading!

Koh Tao might be small, but there’s a perfect corner of the island for every kind of trip! We love the energy and sunsets around Sairee Beach, but you can just as easily escape to a quiet southern bay or stay somewhere where incredible snorkeling and diving are right outside your door. As diving enthusiasts, the underwater world will always be what keeps us coming back, but Koh Tao has plenty to love above the surface too!

Before you go, check out the rest of our Thailand blogs! We’ve spent lots of time traveling around the country and have plenty of guides, itineraries, and firsthand tips to help with your trip. Or, keep reading with a few of our favorite blogs below. Happy travels!

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