Ko Tao (Thai: เกาะเต่า, pronounced [kɔ̀ʔ tàw], lit. 'Turtle Island') is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, part of the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of approximately 21 km² (8 sq mi). Administratively, it is a subdistrict (tambon) of Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani Province, Thailand. As of 2006, its official population was 1,382. The main settlement is Ban Mae Haad.
Etymology
The name "Ko Tao" translates to "Turtle Island" in Thai. The name derives from the island's historical role as a habitat for sea turtles (green turtles and hawksbill turtles). Additionally, when viewed from Ko Pha-ngan, the island's shape is said to resemble a turtle.
History
Before permanent settlement, the island was occasionally visited by fishermen from neighboring islands seeking shelter from storms. Early European maps and descriptions referred to the island as "Pulo Bardia," indicating initial settlement by Malayo-Polynesian peoples. A map by John Thornton from The English Pilot, the Third Book (c. 1677) and maps by William Dampier (c. 1697) show the island under this name.
On 18 June 1899, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited Ko Tao and left his monogram on a boulder at Jor Por Ror Bay next to Sairee Beach, a site still revered today.
From 1933 to 1947, the island was used as a political prison. In 1947, Prime Minister Khuang Abhaiwongse secured a royal pardon for all prisoners, who were transported to the mainland, and the island was abandoned.
In the 1980s, overseas travelers began visiting Ko Tao, and it quickly became a popular destination. In the 1990s, the island gained international recognition as a scuba diving site.
Geography and Environment
Ko Tao is located approximately 60 km north of Ko Samui and about 73 km from the mainland coast. The island is characterized by granite boulders, dense jungle-covered hills, and secluded coves. The western side features long sandy beaches, most notably Sairee Beach (approximately 1.7 km), while the eastern coast is more rugged with rocky bays.
The island is an important breeding ground for hawksbill and green turtles. A breeding program organized in 2004 by the Royal Thai Navy and KT-DOC (a coalition of local scuba diving centers) has reintroduced hundreds of juvenile turtles to the island's ecosystem. The island hosts over 130 species of hard corals and more than 223 species of reef fishes belonging to 53 families.
Economy and Tourism
The economy of Ko Tao is almost exclusively centered on tourism, particularly scuba diving. The island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, with annual visitor counts cited between 132,000 and three million.
Scuba Diving
Ko Tao is globally recognized as a premier destination for scuba diving, known for clear visibility, warm water, affordable pricing, and a wide range of marine life. There are over 25 dive sites around the island. Major dive sites include:
- Chumphon Pinnacle – A deep pinnacle (max depth 45 m) known for whale shark sightings (seasonal), barracuda, and bull sharks.
- Sail Rock (Hin Bai) – Located midway between Ko Tao and Ko Pha-ngan, featuring a vertical swim-through chimney.
- White Rock – A shallow site with diverse hard and soft corals.
- Shark Island – Known for resident turtles, barracuda, and occasional reef sharks.
- Southwest Pinnacle – A deep site for experienced divers with large pelagic species.
- Green Rock – A maze of swim-throughs, canyons, and caves.
- Japanese Gardens – A shallow site suitable for beginners and snorkelers.
The island is one of the most affordable places in the world to obtain scuba diving certifications (PADI/SSI Open Water), with numerous dive schools and resorts.
Other Activities
Beyond diving, Ko Tao offers snorkeling, hiking to viewpoints (such as John-Suwan Viewpoint), rock climbing, bouldering, kayaking, paddleboarding, yoga, Thai cooking classes, and Muay Thai training. The nearby island of Ko Nang Yuan (a group of three small islands connected by a sandbar) is a popular day-trip destination.
Beaches
- Sairee Beach – The longest beach on the island (1.7 km), the main social hub with restaurants, bars, and dive shops.
- Chalok Baan Kao – A quieter bay in the south.
- Shark Bay (Thian Og Bay) – Known for blacktip reef shark sightings.
- Freedom Beach – A small, peaceful beach.
- Tanote Bay – A rocky bay on the east coast.
- Ao Leuk – Popular for snorkeling.
Transportation
Ko Tao has no airport. It is accessible by ferry from several points:
- Chumphon (1.5–3 hours by high-speed catamaran; 7 hours overnight)
- Surat Thani (4 hours day boat; 9 hours overnight)
- Ko Samui (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Ko Pha-ngan (approximately 1.5–2 hours)
Ferry operators include Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery, and Songserm. The nearest airports are Chumphon Airport (CJM), Ko Samui Airport (USM), and Surat Thani Airport (URT).
On the island, transportation options include motorbike rental, taxis (songthaews), and longtail boats.
Demographics
The official population is 1,382 (as of 2006). To serve the tourist population, an estimated 3,000–5,000 Burmese workers staff the island.
Environmental Concerns
The island faces significant environmental challenges due to tourism, including shortages of electricity and fresh water, inadequate solid and liquid waste management, and coral reef degradation. Approximately 42,000 tonnes of solid waste are produced annually. Conservation groups such as Save Koh Tao work on reef restoration, turtle conservation, and waste management initiatives.
