Why go to Koh Tao Island of Smaui Archipelago and What you Might Expect Once There

For those unfamiliar with the small Thai island, Koh Tao is located in the southern part of Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand. It is one of the islands that make up the Samui Archipelago. The main islands in the grouping are Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Of these three Koh Tao is the smallest, the least developed and the least visited.

Immediately, the previous sentence will usually produce one of either two reactions in the reader. One reaction is: not developed and hardly ever visited – it must be an inconvenient place full of hippies. The other reaction is: it must be a place with pristine nature, cheap places to stay and far from the crowds of the major tourist destinations in Thailand.

The truth is that Koh Tao is a little difficult to get to since it doesn’t have an airport. It is necessary to take a boat from one of the islands or from the mainland. Also the infrastructure on the island is patchy. Some places like Mango Bay are not connected to the main electricity supply. Some of the roads are unpaved and hazardous.

Some people enjoy a beach holiday where they stay in an urbanized area next to a beach. This is the attraction of Waikiki in Hawaii and Miami in the USA. All the conveniences and facilities of a town such as banks, restaurants, shopping malls, golf courses,  and bars can be enjoyed if one gets bored sitting on a beach all day.

The trouble with these places is that they tend to pollute nature. The wildlife and tree cover disappear. Things can often be found littering the beach and the sea. Crime can also be a problem.

If you are interested in a beautiful natural environment then Koh Tao is definitely worth visiting. The seas off Koh Tao are famous for their coral reefs that hold a profusion of marine life including sharks, barracuda and turtles. All the beaches on Koh Tao have lush vegetation and towering palm trees. It is nature that is in the ascendency and not concrete.

The thing to remember is that this does not mean it is necessary to stay in a mosquito ridden bungalow to enjoy nature. There are plenty of good mid-range resorts in Koh Tao (a few of which have swimming pools) where air-conditioning, satellite TV and hot water can be found. Moreover, along the main beach called Sairee there are plenty of bars and restaurants that provide lots of nocturnal fun. Koh Tao has nightclubs, a bowling alley, comedy nights, Irish pubs, mini golf and shopping areas. It may lack the development of other islands in Thailand, but it is not without diversion and entertainment.

Koh Tao is a peaceful and relaxed island where many people come to learn how to scuba dive; many just come to rejuvenate on a tranquil beach. The chances are that the reader lives in a city. Ask yourself: do you need more of the same when you go on holiday?