Koh Tao may be small, but it delivered some of the biggest highlights of our Thailand adventure! After celebrating Songkran in Phuket, we flew to Koh Samui and hopped on a ferry to this gorgeous little island, where we spent three unforgettable nights exploring jungle trails, snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks, and discovering two of the most spectacular viewpoints we’ve ever experienced: Koh Nang Yuan and John-Suwan! We stayed at the incredible View Point Resort, where our private infinity pool villa offered breathtaking ocean views and spectacular sunsets. Between the island’s scenic hikes, an amazing beachfront fire show at Sairee Beach, and a resort we never wanted to leave, Koh Tao quickly became one of our favorite stops in Thailand. Our only regret? Not staying longer!
🗓️ Itinerary: Our 3 Nights in Koh Tao
We spent three nights in Koh Tao (April 16–19, 2026), packing our two full days with scenic hikes, snorkeling adventures, and incredible island viewpoints while squeezing in some relaxation at our private pool villa. Although we managed to experience many of the island’s highlights, we would have loved another day or two to spread out the hikes, explore Sairee Beach during the daytime, and dedicate an entire day to relaxing at our resort. We recommend 4–5 nights for a more leisurely experience.
🥾 Day 1 – Arrival in Koh Tao
- 🚕 7:30 AM – Transfer (1-1.5 hr) to Phuket airport (🎟️ BOOK Klook)
- ✈️ 11:00 AM – Flight: Phuket HKT → Koh Samui USM (1 hr) (🎟️ BOOK)
- 🛬 11:55 AM – Arrive in Koh Samui
- 🚐 12:15 PM – Private Taxi to Lomprayah Maenam [Pralarn] Pier (~30 min, 600 THB paid at taxi counter at exit, arrive ~60 min before departure, check-in at desk for tickets/sticker, weigh luggage – 200 THB for >20 kg, board 2:20 PM)
- 🚤 2:30 PM – Ferry to Koh Tao (~1.5h, Lomprayah from Maenam [Pralarn] Pier) (🎟️ BOOK via 12GO)
- ⚓️ 4:00 PM – Arrive at Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao
- 🚐 4:05 PM – Transfer to resort (🎟️ BOOK free via resort – look for person holding View Point Resort sign)
- 🏨 4:30 PM – Check in to pool villa at View Point Resort (🎟️ BOOK)
- 🍽️ 5:00 PM – Dinner @ The Cape at resort (🎟️ RESERVE and notify GF, menu)
- 🌅 6:30 PM – Sunset and relaxation in our private infinity pool
⛰️ Day 2 – Hiking to Shark Bay & John-Suwan
- 🥾 8:15 AM – Hike to Shark Bay (~30 min, 1 mi)
- 🤿 8:45 AM – Shark Bay snorkeling
- 🥾 9:45 AM – Begin hike back to View Point Resort (~30 min, 1 mi)
- ☕️ 10:30 AM – Breakfast from The Cape delivered (pre-ordered included with pool villa room)
- 🏊 11:30 AM – Infinity Pool & Relaxation
- 🍽️ Late Lunch from The Cape (ordered room service for 50 THB)
- 🥾 4:00 PM – Hike to Sun Suwan Viewpoint, John-Suwan Viewpoint and Freedom 2 Beach
Read more: John-Suwan Viewpoint: Hiking Southern Koh Tao - 🌅 6:30 PM – Sunset from our pool villa
- 🍽️ 8:00 PM – Dinner @ The Cape
🤿 Day 3 – Snorkeling Boat Trip, Koh Nang Yuan & Two View Hike
- ☕️ 7:00 AM – Breakfast from The Cape (breakfast pre-ordered and delivered to pool villa)
- 🤿 8:00 AM – Private 5 hr snorkeling boat trip around Koh Tao, including snorkeling at Mango Bay and Ao Leuk (where we spotted blacktip reef sharks!) and hiking to Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint (🎟️ BOOK through resort on arrival)
Read more: Koh Tao Private Boat Adventure: Snorkeling with Sharks & Island Paradise - 🍽️ Late lunch from The Cape (order room service for 50 THB)
- 🏊♂️ Relax in infinity pool
- 🥾 5:00 PM – Hike Two View’s scenic viewpoints, followed by sunset at Two View Restaurant.
Read more: Two View: Hiking Koh Tao’s Scenic Viewpoints - 🔥 7:30 PM – Dinner and Sairee beachfront fire show @ Lotus Beach Bar & Restaurant (show from 7 PM – 12 AM)
🏖️ Day 4 – Jungle Hike + Koh Tao → Koh Samui
- 🥾 7:20 AM – Jungle hike from View Point Resort through June Juea Beach to Sai Nuan Beach and Banana Rock Bar (~1.8 miles, ~73 min total round-trip including stops)
- 🏊♀️ Cool off in infinity pool
- ☕️ 9:00 AM – Breakfast from The Cape (breakfast pre-ordered and delivered)
- 🧳 10:20 AM – Luggage pickup and check out
- 🚗 10:30 AM – Transfer to Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao (🎟️ BOOK free transfer via resort, arrive ~30 min before departure, check-in at desk for tickets/sticker, weigh luggage – 200 THB for >20 kg)
- 🚤 11:30 AM – Ferry: Tao Mae Haad Pier → Samui Bangrak Pier LK (~1.5 hr, 🎟️ BOOK via 12GO)
- ⚓️ 1:00 PM – Arrive at Bangrak Pier, Koh Samui
💡 Tips: What We Learned in Koh Tao
- 🚤 Plan Your Ferry Transfers: We flew from Phuket to Koh Samui before taking the Lomprayah ferry to Koh Tao. Allow plenty of time between flights and ferries, and check luggage allowances.
- 🚕 Arrange Transportation: We relied on resort-arranged taxis and transfers to reach hiking trailheads and other parts of the island.
- 🥾 Prepare for Hiking: Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and shoes with good traction. Some viewpoint trails involve steep, rocky terrain, while the route beyond June Juea Beach toward Sai Nuan can be confusing, with poorly marked paths and plenty of opportunities for wrong turns!
- 🤿 Consider a Private Snorkeling Trip: We booked a five-hour private boat through our resort for 3,000 THB for two people. It was a great way to explore multiple snorkeling spots, including Ao Leuk, where we spotted blacktip reef sharks!
- 🌅 Plan Around Sunset: The island has incredible sunset viewpoints, including Two View Restaurant and the western-facing villas at View Point Resort.
- 🌾 Plan Ahead for Gluten-Free Dining: We notified The Cape about Scott’s celiac disease before arriving and arranged meals through the resort.
- 🏨 Consider a Pool Villa: Our private infinity pool provided a relaxing retreat between hikes and snorkeling adventures.
- ☀️ Don’t Underestimate the Heat: After a full day of hiking Day 2, I felt so nauseous from the heat that I couldn’t finish dinner. Thankfully, I recovered overnight! Stay hydrated, take breaks, and avoid overdoing it.
📸 Summary
🏨 View Point Resort: Our Private Island Paradise
We spent three nights at View Point Resort, where our spectacular Pool Villa 4 featured a private infinity pool overlooking Koh Tao’s beautiful coastline. It was the perfect retreat between our hiking and snorkeling adventures, especially for enjoying breakfast delivered to our villa and watching breathtaking sunsets from our pool! We also loved the convenience of The Cape, the resort’s onsite restaurant, which successfully accommodated Scott’s gluten-free dietary needs. With complimentary ferry transfers and help arranging island transportation and excursions, the resort made exploring Koh Tao easy. Our only regret was not having more time to relax and enjoy it! For more photos, our 360° villa tour, and dining tips, check out our View Point Resort blog.
🥾 Coastal Hiking: Exploring Shark Bay & Sai Nuan Beach
Some of our Koh Tao adventures began right outside View Point Resort, where coastal trails led us through lush jungle, secluded beaches, and beautiful ocean scenery. We explored two different routes: a morning hike to Shark Bay, where we enjoyed snorkeling despite not spotting any sharks, and a final-day adventure through June Juea Beach to Sai Nuan Beach and Banana Rock Bar. Both offered beautiful scenery, but we’d recommend the shorter June Juea hike over continuing to Sai Nuan, unless you have extra time and enjoy a little off-the-beaten-path adventure!
🦈 Shark Bay: Hiking & Snorkeling Adventure
We kicked off our first full day on Koh Tao with a scenic hike from View Point Resort to Shark Bay (~1 mile, 30 minutes), one of the island’s most popular snorkeling spots. The route started along the beach, transitioned to a paved path, and finished with a jungle trail descending to Shark Bay (see video below). We rented masks and snorkels from our resort for just 50 THB each before setting off. Although we didn’t spot any sharks, we enjoyed exploring the underwater scenery before hiking back to our villa for breakfast and some well-earned relaxation by our private infinity pool!
🏝️ June Juea & Sai Nuan Beach: One Last Jungle Hike
Before leaving Koh Tao, we squeezed in one final morning hike from View Point Resort to Sai Nuan Beach, stopping at beautiful June Juea Beach before reaching Banana Rock Bar at Sai Nuan Beach. The route combined jungle dirt trails, paved paths, and roads, but poor signage and confusing intersections led to quite a few wrong turns. Some paths even appeared to wind through private property and backyards, complete with exposed plumbing! While we definitely recommend the shorter hike to June Juea Beach, we’d only suggest continuing to Sai Nuan if you have plenty of time, a sense of adventure, and don’t mind a few wrong turns along the way!
⛰️ John-Suwan Viewpoint: A Panoramic Island Adventure
One of our afternoon adventures took us to John-Suwan Viewpoint, famous for its sweeping views of Koh Tao’s southern bays and lush green landscape. We arranged transportation to the trailhead and combined the hike with nearby Sun Suwan Viewpoint and Freedom 2 Beach before walking back to our resort. With steep climbs, rocky terrain, and ropes to help navigate certain sections, John-Suwan was a memorable adventure that rewarded us with some of the island’s most spectacular panoramic views!
Read more: John-Suwan Viewpoint: Hiking Southern Koh Tao
🤿 Private Boat Trip: Snorkeling Around Koh Tao
We dedicated an entire morning to exploring Koh Tao on a private five-hour longtail boat tour arranged through our resort. Our adventure included snorkeling at Mango Bay, hiking the famous Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint, and spotting blacktip reef sharks while snorkeling at Ao Leuk! We also cruised past Shark Bay and Shark Island, enjoying beautiful coastal scenery along the way. Having our own boat allowed us to combine several of the island’s most iconic destinations into one unforgettable adventure.
Read more: Koh Tao Private Boat Adventure: Snorkeling with Sharks & Island Paradise
🏝️ Koh Nang Yuan: An Iconic Island Viewpoint
One of the highlights of our private boat excursion was visiting Koh Nang Yuan, a stunning island destination just off Koh Tao known for its distinctive sandbars connecting three small islands. We arrived right as the island opened and were the first to reach the famous viewpoint, giving us a chance to enjoy its spectacular panoramic views of turquoise water and picturesque beaches before the crowds arrived!
Read more: Koh Nang Yuan: Hiking Thailand’s Iconic Viewpoint & Exploring Paradise
🌅 Two View: Hiking Above the Island
Our final evening on Koh Tao included a scenic hiking adventure at Two View, where we explored viewpoints overlooking Tanote Bay, Ao Leuk, and the island’s western coastline. After enjoying the panoramic scenery and meeting a couple of friendly cats along the way, we settled in at Two View Restaurant for sunset.
Read more: Two View: Hiking Koh Tao’s Scenic Viewpoints
🔥 Sairee Beach: Lotus Dinner With a Fiery Finale
After sunset at Two View, we headed to Sairee Beach for dinner at Lotus Beach Bar & Restaurant, where we enjoyed an incredible beachfront fire show! Watching the performers light up the beach was one of the most memorable experiences of our final evening on Koh Tao and the perfect fiery finale to a trip filled with hiking, snorkeling, and poolside relaxation!
🎥 Highlights: Short, Reel, TikTok
🚤 Getting to Koh Tao: Flying & Ferry Transfers
Getting to Koh Tao required a little extra planning. We flew from Phuket to Koh Samui, then took a taxi to Lomprayah’s Maenam (Pralarn) Pier for the approximately 1.5-hour high-speed ferry ride to Koh Tao’s Mae Haad Pier. We booked through 12Go, traveling on a covered, open-sided passenger boat with rows of seating. Despite reading plenty of warnings about rough ferry crossings, our ride was surprisingly smooth, and I even managed to fall asleep for part of it! Of course, sea conditions can vary significantly. On our departure day, we took another ferry back to Bangrak Pier on Koh Samui, with View Point Resort providing complimentary transfers to and from Mae Haad Pier.
📞 Transfer, Tour & Guide Info
- 🚕 Koh Samui Airport Taxi: Paid 600 THB at the airport taxi counter for a private transfer to Lomprayah’s Maenam (Pralarn) Pier (~30 minutes).
- 🚤 Lomprayah Ferry: Booked through 12Go for both crossings.
- April 16: Koh Samui Maenam Pier → Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier (2:30–4:00 PM).
- April 19: Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier → Koh Samui Bangrak Pier (11:30 AM–1:00 PM).
- Allow 30–60 minutes for check-in. Our booking listed a 20 kg checked luggage allowance, with smaller bags free and ~200 THB ($6.10) for excess baggage. Confirm current allowances and restrictions.
- 🏨 View Point Resort: Provided complimentary transfers to and from Mae Haad Pier and helped arrange local taxis, snorkeling excursions, and restaurant reservations. Published taxi fares ranged from 100–150 THB per person, depending on the destination, with group rates available. The resort also advertised free scheduled shuttles to Sairee Beach and Mae Haad Pier on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Arrange transportation in advance and confirm current schedules.
- 🚤 Private Boat Tour: Booked through View Point Resort upon arrival for 3,000 THB total for two people (five hours), with pickup directly from the resort beach. Snorkeling gear, life jackets, water, and ice were included. The Koh Nang Yuan entrance fee (250 THB/person) was additional. See our Private Koh Tao Boat Adventure for details.
- 🤿 Snorkeling Equipment: Rented masks and snorkels from View Point Resort for 50 THB per set for our Shark Bay adventure. Kayaks were also available for 200 THB/hour or 400 THB/3 hours, with complimentary life jackets.
No Comments