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 When to go Thailand's climate is tropical, high in both temperature and humidity. Koh Tao has three seasons: Hot, dry & windy: December – February. Hot season: March - August. In May it often starts to rain a little more. This is a great period to visit Koh Tao if you can stand 35 degrees Celsius daytime. Rainy season: September - November: It is still hot and there are many sunny days, but sometimes you will find yourself in a refreshing monsoon shower! Sometimes it can be rather windy in October, November and December so the visibility is not at its best if you are diving then. Getting there There are two options on how to get to Koh Tao with Singapore Airlines and Bangkok Airways: 1) Four flights a week to Koh Samui via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. One night stopover in Koh Samui is required on the outward journey. 2) Daily flights to Bangkok via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. One night stopover in Bangkok is required. On the next day there is a fight from Bangkok to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways. The flight from London to Singapore takes about 12 hours. It is one-hour flight time between Singapore and Bangkok, 1.5 hours between Singapore to Koh Samui and 1 hour between Bangkok and Koh Samui. From Koh Samui there are two ferry services per day to Koh Tao and the crossing takes about 2 hours. Getting around Koh Tao has one major concrete road, which connects the north with the south, passing the main village Mae Haad in the middle. There is an increasing amount of small concrete roads leading to the other beaches and bays but more often than not you will find dirt tracks challenging even a skilled driver. Consequent we do not recommend car hire. Taxis and motorbike taxis can be found at Mae Haad or can be hailed from the roadside. Taxi prices are not fixed and can double in late hours of the day. Be sure to discuss the fare before the ride. The colourful, traditional Long Tail Boats take you conveniently and quickly to stunning remote beaches and secluded bays. You can find them at all the main beaches and they can be chartered for a short trip or a day tour at a reasonable price. In our opinion walking or taxi-boats is the best method of transport on this island. Entry Requirements For stays of up to 21 days, most European community nationals require a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of arrival, as well as a return ticket. Local Airport Tax The national departure tax is BHT 500, payable at the airport in Koh Samui. Language The national language is Thai but English is widely spoken and understood. Money Thai Bath is the official currency in Thailand and you should ideally have enough cash with you to last you for the duration of your stay. There are no full bank branches or ATMs on the island, but there is an exchange booth of Krung Thai Bank, located in Mae Haad close to the main pier. Cash-withdrawals with credit cards are possible in many shops and travel agencies, although the handling fee is 7%. Currency exchange and travellers cheques is available but at a lower than the official rate, due to Koh Tao's remoteness from the mainland. Health There are no vaccinations required to enter Thailand and there is no Malaria on Koh Tao. Even though Thailand is a tropical country with some of the usual tropical diseases, they are generally only a hazard when venturing out into the rural areas off the beaten track. We can assure you that with a little knowledge of basic precautions you will be unlikely to experience anymore than maybe jetlag, an upset stomach or sunburn. Tap water is NOT safe for drinking and you should always resort to bottled water, which is readily available for a few pennies. |
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