Koh Tao is about a 2 hour fast-jet ferry ride from Koh Samui. It’s smaller and extremely geared toward diving. It’s either the first or second world leader in issuing diving licenses (it competes with an Australian city near the Barrier Reef).

 

As with Koh Samui, food, lodging, and taxi prices are much higher than mainland Thailand. We went here with Rachel’s sister Erica and her boyfriend Chris. We enjoyed riding scooters along the dirt paths that connect the island, and snorkeling.

 

We’d also like to thank Pino and Hannah, our diving-instructor friends from Boracay, who live there and hung out with us a couple nights.

 

 

What We Learned

 

- The truck/taxi drivers on this island have got your options in a vice grip. You will pay dearly for the shortest rides. Try to hire a scooter if you need to go somewhere, even if it’s only for an hour, it’ll probably be cheaper.

 

- If you get a bike to check out the island, go for a big engine if there are two people on it.

 

- If you rent a bike, take pictures of it before signing the contract. Some of these business will “draw at straws” to find a little scratch to charge you with once you return it.

 

- Don’t bother with A/C. Prices increase by almost $20 with that added option because all the power is made by two oil/gas burning power plants.

 

- Go to the fringes of the Sai Ri beach to get the best deals on food and accomodation.