Planning you Thailand adventure on Koh-Tao island?
Koh Tao is a little island with gorgeous beaches, clear water, a colorful marine life and cool and laid back neighborhoods by the sea. Neighboring with Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, Koh Tao is a popular diving and snorkeling spot and attracts those wanting an affordable diving license course.
Like any other destination, weather in Koh Tao can have a huge impact on the outcome of your trip. So you’re probably wondering when is the best time to visit Koh Tao? You’re in the right place. In this guide we’ll explain what are the best months to visit Koh Tao. And also cover the weather in Koh Tao by month.
But basically, as an overview, the climate in Koh Tao is similar year round with 3 variations: hot, hot+rainy or hot+humid.
The best time to visit Koh Tao is from mid December to around the end of March. Visiting Koh Tao during these months is ideal because it’s the dry season with the least rainfall. But also, during this time of year the temperatures are pleasantly cooler and not as humid and sticky as other months.
“By cooler I don’t necessarily mean cool, I just mean slightly lower temperatures”
Visiting outside these months you’ll still have a great holiday. There are some great hotel deals and less tourists which can be attractive. You just need to be prepared that it may rain, or for sticky and humid weather.
When is the best time to Visit Koh Tao?
While the island enjoys fairly consistent temperatures all year long, the very time to visit Koh Tao is between mid December and end of March. During these months expect nice sunny days and a fairly cooler temperatures with lower humidity. Also, Koh Tao experiences a yearly tide cycle but during these months the waters are nice and full and perfect for swimming.
By the end of March onwards temperatures in Koh Tao begin to rise. Humidity also increases creating sticky and stuffy days. But you may also want to consider visiting Koh Tao around Mid April and be part of the Songkran celebrations which is basically a massive waterfight celebrated all over Thailand.
Tides in Koh Tao
Koh Tao and the rest of the islands in the Gulf sea of Thailand are affected by daily tides. These tides are usually high until around mid day and slowly go down. Then there’s also the yearly cycle where the tide is overall lower between March and July. This causes certain beaches to be shallow and unsuitable for swimming and also the water is warm. Not great if you want to cool down.
From August until February, the tides are higher creating good swimming conditions for the majority of beaches.
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When should you not go to Koh Tao?
The wettest months in Koh Tao are October and November. While these months do get the most rainfall, the rain often only comes in the late afternoon and in bursts that typically on last about 1 hour.
Many tourists and travelers prefer the low season because of cheaper accommodation prices along with cheaper scooter rentals and also fewer tourists.
Weather in the Gulf of Thailand (East Coast)
Koh Tao is located in the Gulf sea on the East Coast of Thailand. Neighboring with the with Koh Phangan and Koh Samui further south. All islands have the same weather pattern which is always hot.
It’s always important to drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Also, avoid staying hours in the sun especially during the mid day heat. Both myself and Jacqueline have experienced heat strokes and it’s horrible to have shivers in the hot weather.
The Koh Tao weather chart below gives an overview of the weather by month. This chart can also be referenced to if you’re visiting Koh Phangan or Koh Samui.
Getting to Koh Tao can be done via the bus and ferry joint tickets. It’s a hassle free and affordable way to travel from many destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Ao Nang.
Click any of the routes below to view options ⤵
→Bangkok to Koh Tao (joint ticket)
→Phuket to Koh Tao (joint ticket)
→Krabi to Koh Tao (joint ticket)
Koh Tao Dry Season & Koh Tao Rainy Season
The dry season in Koh Tao is typically from mid December to the end of August. As with any tropical climate it can rain at any time but during these months rain isn’t common.
The wet season in Koh Tao, which is also referred to as Monsoon season runs from September to mid December. It rains almost every day during these months. However, most often the rain comes in heavy bursts in the late afternoon which is a similar rainfall pattern in most South East Asian countries.
Get certified in 3 days – Koh Tao
Receive your open water certificate during your stay in Koh Tao. With small groups of 4 and each participant getting their own dive buddy, this diver favorite 3 day course offer a personal experience like no other. →book it here
Koh Tao in January – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 28℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high
Koh Tao weather in January is ideal. Wether you plan hitting the beach, exploring the island on a scooter, doing amazing boat tours or land tours, January is one of the best months.
Koh Tao temperature in January is one of the cooler months of the year. And is also just 1 month past the end of wet season meaning chances of rainfall are low.
There are many great things to do in Koh Tao in January. One of them is to take advantage of the ideal sea conditions. The calm seas are perfect to go snorkeling or diving or maybe even visit places like Angthong Marine Park. It’s an archipelago formed by a cluster of small islands covered in jungle and you’ll get to snorkel with colorful marine life and kayak through gorgeous lagoons. It’s one of the best things to do if you’re in Koh Tao.
Koh Tao in February – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 28℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high
Weather in Koh Tao in February follows the same pattern as the previous month.
It can often be more appealing to visit Koh Tao during February. The main reason is because most tourists visiting for Christmas will have already left and the island will be less busy.
While February is by no means the low season, there tends to be more accommodation on offer. Also places like restaurants and nightlife venues aren’t as busy as the previous month.
Koh Tao in March – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 30℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high or low
In March temperatures begin to rise and also humidity tends to increase making it feel even hotter. The end of March also marks the end of the cooler months of the year.
But don’t worry, you’re on a tropical island surrounded by gorgeous beaches. You can easily cool off at one of the many beaches. March also marks the end of high tide yearly cycle. You may notice the beaches water isn’t as full.
Koh Tao in April – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 32℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: low
Temperatures gradually increase throughout April. How hot it feels often comes down to the levels of humidity which are always unpredictable. So while April is indeed one of the hottest months, it’s the humidity that makes the days hot, stuffy and sticky.
April also marks the month of Songkran. This is the Thai new year and what better way to celebrate than a nationwide massive water fight? Come here in April and have fun getting soaked from head to toe.
Koh Tao in May – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 33℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: low
Weather in Koh Tao can feel unbearably hot in May. With average temperatures of around 33℃ and humidity levels high, even evenings are usually quite warm. It’s important to stay hydrated and if possible don’t spend excessive amounts of time in the open sun especially around mid day.
Koh Tao in June – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 32℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: low or high
In June temperatures slowly start coming down yet still remain above the 30℃ mark. Humidity levels also begin to drop and compared with the previous month of May which is always the hottest, June offers somewhat of a spite of relief.
June is also when the tide begins to increase and the water level is fuller.
Koh Tao in July – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 31℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high or low
July in Koh Tao marks the start of the peak summer months. Temperatures are still high but humidity levels tend to be lower. This is when kids come out of school and families go on vacation.
July can be busy because not only foreign tourists and families visit but also the locals kids on the island are on vacation and families from other provinces and from Bangkok also come to enjoy their holidays on this tropical island.
Koh Tao in August – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 30℃ | Dry Season: Yes | Tide: high
August weather in Koh Tao is like the final month of overall sunny days. It’s still a great time to visit because by mid August most families have gone back to prepare for kids back to school. It is usually significantly quieter and thus hotel prices can be cheaper than usual.
The weather is still holding though until the end of August.
Koh Tao in September – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: Yes/No | Tide: high
Weather in Koh Tao in September is usually unpredictable. This is the end of the dry season. Overcast days start to roll in and as the month progresses expect more frequent showers.
September can be a good month to snatch up some bargain deals while the weather is still holding up. Personally I love these shoulder months especially watching a thunder storm rolling in from the distance as I sit in a terrace overlooking the ocean.
Koh Tao in October – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No | Tide: high
October is officially the wet season. However, with tropical climates, rainy season doesn’t mean constant rain, it isn’t the UK with constant drizzles. Thailand weather usually just gets on with it.
On most days, mornings up until the early afternoon it’s nice and sunny. Then clouds start rolling in and throw down a massive downpour usually lasting around 1 hour in the late afternoon. But it tends to clear up rather quickly.
Koh Tao in November – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No | Tide: high
November is the same as the previous month. This can be a really good time if you want bargain deals. Especially big resorts with super low occupancy like to significantly slash prices. Usually these deals happen last minute though. So searching for deals in November 1 year in advance may result in getting the same prices as any other month.
Koh Tao in December – When to Visit Koh Tao
Temperature: 29℃ | Dry Season: No/Yes | Tide: high
December is once again the shoulder month and can be unpredictable especially until mid month until the weather in Koh Tao begins to settle. This can be a great time to visit Koh Tao if you love the outdoors.
After the rainfall outdoor nature will be nice and green and lush. Temperatures are still cool making the days perfect for hikes.
Koh Tao Travel Guide
How to get to Koh Tao?
Getting to Koh Tao is easy and the best options will be determined depending where you’re coming from and your budget.
Most tourists visiting Koh Tao come from either Bangkok or from Phuket and Krabi. If you’re coming from either of these destinations the fastest option is to take a direct flight to the nearby island Koh Samui. From there take a 30 minute ferry to Koh Tao.
A cheaper option that will only be slightly slower is the joint tickets. These tickets combine a bus trip with the ferry. It’s hassle free and quite fast because the bus goes directly to the ferry avoiding any transfers. This saves a lot of time and money.
Where to stay in Koh Tao?
While Koh Tao is relatively small island, it is still important to correctly choose where to stay. If you’re still planning your Koh Tao itinerary, below is an overview for the different areas around the island along with hotel recommendations.
Or read this guide that covers the best places to stay in Koh Tao.
But first ⤵
#1 Hostel in Koh Tao → Revolution Koh Tao – $17 for bunk bed
Best Resort in Koh Tao → The Ava Resort – $155 night
Best Private villa in Koh Tao → Phandara Luxury Pool Villas – $370+
Maehaad
Maehaad is the main town and capital city of Koh Tao. The main ferry pier is here and there’s a number of restaurants, cheap eateries, budget stays and a number of scooter rental stores to choose from. While you’ll find all western amenities, Maehaad it isn’t touristy.
Best place to stay for any Budget in Maehaad ⤵
$$$ | Name | Price | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
$ | → Nadapa Resort Koh Tao | $22 | 8.5/10 |
$ | → Sunrise Koh Tao | $27 | 8.9/10 |
$ | → Blue Wave House | $33 | 9.2/10 |
$$ | → Field.D house | $52 | 8.9/10 |
$$ | → Lücke Boutique Hotel – Adults Only | $67 | 9.6/10 |
$$ | → Big Tree Boutique Hotel amazing find!! | $70 | 9.1/10 |
$$$ | → Villa Seaview Garden x5 ppl | $125 | 9.0/10 |
$$$ | → Viking House Villa Deluxe | $259 | 8.8/10 |
Sairee Beach
Probably 90% of tourists that come to Koh Tao stay in Sairee Beach. It’s the largest beach on Koh Tao and is lined with waving palms and trees and a promenade dotted with restaurants, dive shops, beach lounges and various accommodation options.
Best place to stay for any Budget in Sairee Beach ⤵
$$$ | Name | Price | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
$ | → Sairee Cottage Resort | $15 | 8.8/10 |
$ | → Summer Guesthouse & Hostel | $19 | 8.5/10 |
$ | → Budchui Village 2 | $24 | 8.7/10 |
$$ | → Wyh Hotels | $46 | 8.6/10 |
$$ | → DD Hut Bungalows | $54 | 9.2/10 |
$$ | → Simple Life Cliff View Resort | $73 | 8.5/10 |
$$$ | → Koh Tao Cabana Hotel | $97 | 8.5/10 |
$$$ | → Tao Island Boutique Hotel | $150 | 9.2/10 |
Chalok Baan Kao Bay
Chalok Baan is just 10 minutes drive from busier Sairee beach. There’s a few accommodation and places to eat. It’s a laid back atmosphere where you can really enjoy the slow going island life of Koh Tao.
Best place to stay for any Budget in Chalok Baan ⤵
$$$ | Name | Price | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
$ | → Koh Tao Tropicana Resort | $19 | 7.9/10 |
$ | → Chandra Hostel Kohtao | $19 | 8.3/10 |
$ | → Bubble Bungalow | $21 | 8.4/10 |
$$ | → The Ozo Kohtao | $37 | 8.1/10 |
$$ | → Greenery Resort | $41 | 9.1/10 |
$$ | → Ko Tao Resort Paradise Zone | $46 | 9.0/10 |
$$$ | → Koh Tao Relax Freedom Beach Resort | $70 | 8.9/10 |
$$$ | → View point Resort | $79 | 9.0/10 |
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Since you’re going to Koh Tao you may want to consider adding one of these best selling and best rated tours to your Ko Tao itinerary.
Where to go after Koh Tao?
Being in Koh Tao is pretty convenient. You can jump on a ferry and island hop to Koh Samui or head over to Koh Phangan. Or another option would be to purchase a bus+ferry combo ticket and make your way to Krabi town or Ao Nang/Railay. Phuket can also be reached by air from Koh Samui airport.
Use the form below to search transport to your next destination⤵
For your trip to Koh Tao
Things to do in Koh Tao
How to get from Phuket to Koh Tao
How to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao | Bus and Ferry
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