On June 18, 1899, His Majesty the King Chulalongkorn (Rama V 1868-1910) visited Koh Tao and left as evidence his monogram on a huge boulder at Jor Por Ror Bay next to Sairee Beach. This place is worshipped even today and should be treated with respect.
From 1933 on the island was used as a political prison. In 1947, Khun A-Paiwong, prime minister at the time, pleaded and received a royal pardon for all prisoners on the island. Everybody was taken to the Suratthani shore and the "Turtle" was abandoned again.
But not for long…In the same year Khun Ueam and his twin brother khun Oh reached Koh Tao from the neighboring Koh Phangan by trying out their traditional sail boat, for that time a quite long and dangerous journey.
Even though the island was still under royal patronage, it didn't stop these pioneers claiming themselves a good part of the land on today's Sairee Beach.Having brought their families over, they began to cultivate and harvest the excellent soil.
The first generation of today's community had settled!They lived a very simple and tough life harvesting coconuts, fishing and growing vegetables, which were also traded with Koh Phangan.
Despite the difficulties in reaching the island, the population then grew steadily.In the eighties the first travelers discovered the island paradise and their special "backpacker-network" quickly made it widely known and a popular destination. As a consequence, bigger, faster and safer boats were used to allow easier access to Koh Tao.
During the past ten years the reputation of Turtle Island's natural beauty, especially its marine life and coral reefs, has spread the world over and the number of paradise seekers increased rapidly.
It soon became one of the major dive sites in Thailand, attracting beginners and professionals alike.
The local businesses expanded immediately to catch up with the needs of the new clientele. The island today, though still remaining an absolute paradise, caters for all tastes and budgets.

Imagine a small tropical island with incredible snorkelling and scuba diving, a rich jungle in the centre and surrounded by remarkably quiet, palm tree laced beaches. You're imagining Koh Tao, a small island off the southern coast of Thailand not far from the better known (but more crowded) Koh Samui.

SAIREE BEACH Sairee's white sandy beach stretches about 1.7km over most of the west coast, interrupted only by a few huge boulders. Mae Haad is only a 10 minute walk away.

Being the most popular area on Tao, Sairee offers a wide range of accommodation, dive centers, restaurants, shops, beach bars, travel & email services, nurseries, etc. Here, you can have the best view on Koh Nang Yuan island. A cluster of rocks called Suan Hin Jor Por Ror highlights King Rama V's inscription that he made on his visit in 1899. You will also find the Fishery Museum, and on the way to Mae Haad the police station, the public school and the local Buddhist temple.

Mae Haad All boats arrive & depart here. Highly developed now, but still managed to keep some of it's old fishing village charm.
Money exchange, post office, government office and health center are located in Mae Haad. Most dive centers have an office here. Expect to find lots of travel agents, email services, supermarkets (SevenEleven), bike rentals, good restaurants and party places. A few up-market resorts are located on it's southern end.

CHALOK BAAN KAO Third largest beach, located on the southern coast facing Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. This bay is smaller than Sairee, but offers a similar range of accommodation, eateries and nightlife.

The Last Paradise, a helicopter pad, offers a spectacular view of the bay and the surrounding beaches. Partytime is on Sat's. Chalok Baan Kao is beautifully framed by Taa Toh Lagoon to the east and Saan Jao Beach to the west. It also connects to Thian Og Bay and Sai Daeng Beach. The rock formation at cape Taa Toh resembles a sitting Buddha, this is best to be seen from the viewpoint opposite (Buddha Rock).

CHALOK BAAN KAO Third largest beach, located on the southern coast facing Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. This bay is smaller than Sairee, but offers a similar range of accommodation, eateries and nightlife.

The Last Paradise, a helicopter pad, offers a spectacular view of the bay and the surrounding beaches.Partytime is on Sat's. Chalok Baan Kao is beautifully framed by Taa Toh Lagoon to the east and Saan Jao Beach to the west. It also connects to Thian Og Bay and Sai Daeng Beach. The rock formation at cape Taa Toh resembles a sitting Buddha, this is best to be seen from the viewpoint opposite (Buddha Rock).

Hin Wong Bay North-east coast; this bay is abundant with intact coral reefs. Four small hillside resorts and one diving school (Hin Wong Divers).