Things to Do on Koh Tao Beyond Diving: 9 Highlights

Most people come to Koh Tao to dive, and honestly, that’s fair. The diving here is easy, affordable, and fun. I’ve written a full guide to diving on Koh Tao because it’s a big part of why people end up here in the first place.

That said, Koh Tao isn’t just about diving. Coming to Koh Tao only to dive is a bit like going to Paris just to see the Eiffel Tower. You came for a reason, but if that’s all you do, you miss the place itself.

I lived on the island for several years and worked as a dive instructor, so diving was a huge part of my life. But it was never the only thing I did. If you only dive, eat, sleep, and repeat, you don’t get to experience what makes Koh Tao so nice.

This post is about the things worth doing on Koh Tao beyond diving.

For me, that usually means slow mornings, beach time or snorkeling, a massage, and a sunset drink or dinner. If I’ve got extra energy, I might head up to a viewpoint. Nothing fancy. This is just how I enjoy Koh Tao when I’m not underwater, and what I usually recommend to friends visiting the island.

Have a slow breakfast by the beach

If you’re diving on Koh Tao, your mornings are usually early. Really early. A lot of dive days start with a 5:30 am alarm, a quick coffee, and straight onto the boat. After a few of those in a row, having a slow morning feels like a luxury.

That’s why one of my favourite things to do on Koh Tao is taking the time for a proper, unhurried breakfast by the beach. No alarms, no schedules, no rushing to be anywhere. Just sitting somewhere relaxed and letting the morning pass at its own pace.

My go-to place for this is Coconut Monkey. It’s right on the beach in Mae Haad and has a really comfortable, laid-back vibe. Nothing feels rushed there. It’s the kind of place where you can sit for a while without feeling like you’re blocking a table. The breakfast is genuinely good, with lots of options, and they also have really nice coffee, which is what makes me come back.

Go snorkeling and explore Koh Tao’s bays

Snorkeling on Koh Tao is something I really think people shouldn’t skip, even if diving is the main reason they came here. It’s more flexible, more relaxed, and if you go on your own from the beach, it doesn’t cost anything.

But the main reason is simple: there’s marine life you only see while snorkeling.

Turtles are a good example. Your best chances of seeing turtles on Koh Tao are not while diving, but while snorkeling at Shark Bay. They spend a lot of time in very shallow water, and you’re much more likely to see them calmly swimming or resting there than on a dive.

Same with baby blacktip reef sharks. You don’t see them while diving. You see them snorkeling in Ao Leuk, in super shallow water, sometimes so shallow you can still stand. If you don’t snorkel there, you simply won’t see them.

That’s why I always say that if you come to Koh Tao and don’t snorkel at all, you miss marine life you can’t make up for with diving. Snorkeling here isn’t a backup plan or something you only do if you don’t dive. It’s one of the best ways to experience Koh Tao properly.

If you want to do it properly and know which bays are actually worth your time, I’ve written a full guide to the best snorkeling spots on Koh Tao.

Have some beach time

Not all beaches on Koh Tao are great. Some are very average, crowded, and honestly not that special. But there are also a few beaches that feel like a proper tropical holiday, with clear water, nice sand, and a much more relaxed vibe. Choosing the right beach makes a big difference.

My favourite beach on Koh Tao is Sai Daeng Beach. That’s where I go when I want to chill and unwind for a bit. The beach is nice, the water is clear, and it never feels as hectic as some of the more popular spots. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down for a few hours without feeling surrounded by crowds.

I’m not someone who spends entire days at the beach. I usually go for a few hours, swim, relax a bit, and then move on. But that’s exactly why I like places like Sai Daeng. It feels calm without being boring, and it gives you a completely different side of Koh Tao than what you see from a dive boat.

If you want something with a bit more energy, Tanote Bay is a great option. It’s one of the few beaches where you can chill, snorkel, and cliff jump all in the same place. The beach is big, the water is usually clear, and there’s always something going on without it feeling chaotic.

Go cliff jumping

Cliff jumping on Koh Tao is easy, and that’s a big part of why I like it. You don’t need a tour or special access. You usually just swim out, climb up the rocks, and jump.

The most obvious spot is Tanote Bay, where there’s a big boulder sitting right in the middle of the bay. It’s popular for a reason. The jump is fun without being extreme, the water is deep, and it’s very social. You can jump, watch others, swim around, or just hang out on the rocks.

What a lot of people don’t realise is that if you actually swim out from Tanote and head south along the wall, there are loads of other great cliff jumping spots. Different heights, different angles, and usually fewer people than at the main boulder. That whole area is great if you want to explore a bit and do more than just one jump.

I usually go cliff jumping when I’ve got a lot of energy and want something more adrenaline-heavy than beach time or snorkeling. You can jump once or keep going until your legs are done, there’s no pressure either way.

Take a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan

I think Koh Nang Yuan is a bit overhyped and definitely crowded, but I think it’s still worth seeing. You just need to go there with the right expectations.

I usually go as early as possible in the morning and leave once it starts getting busy. That’s the key. Instead of taking the big ferry, I prefer using a taxi boat, which gives you way more flexibility. You can arrive early, do what you want to do, and leave when it turns hectic.

The viewpoint is nice and worth walking up to, but it does get crowded, especially later in the morning. One thing people underestimate is the mosquitoes on the way up, they can be brutal, so bring proper mosquito spray. It’s not optional.

The snorkeling around Koh Nang Yuan is honestly great. Shallow reefs, clear water, huge coral gardens, and good visibility. That said, I usually recommend snorkeling here as part of a snorkeling tour, rather than trying to do everything on your own. It’s simply easier and lets you see the best parts without worrying about logistics.

One thing to be aware of is that plastic bottles aren’t allowed on the island, which I actually think is a great step for the environment. But it means you need to bring a reusable bottle or buy water on the island.

Get a massage

Getting a massage on Koh Tao is one of my favourite things to do on my days off. Carrying heavy dive gear, snorkeling, riding a scooter everywhere, it all adds up, and a massage here is just super affordable. You’re usually looking at around 300–400 THB (€8–10 / $9–11) for a full hour.

Two places I keep going back to are Kayo Healing Massage at Sairee Beach and Infinity Massage in Mae Haad. Kayo is located right at the beach and if you go in the afternoon or early evening (before the parties start playing loud music) you can listen to the waves crashing gently while enjoying your massage. Infinity is a little bit pricier but has a nice air-conditioned room and feels more luxurious. If you pre-book your massage here, you can ask for their private room. This is what I usually do when I go with friends and we want girls’ time.

My go-to is a coconut oil massage. It’s super relaxing and, for me, way better than a traditional Thai massage. Thai massages here can be pretty painful, and honestly, I don’t recommend them unless that’s what you’re specifically into. An oil massage feels much more like a proper reset.

If I’m feeling really stressed or tired, I’ll get a foot massage instead. Those relax me so much that I almost always fall asleep.

Go for sunset drinks

Sunsets on Koh Tao can be genuinely stunning, and it’s one of those simple things that never really gets old. After a day in the water, grabbing a drink and watching the sun go down is an easy way to slow things down before dinner.

I usually go to chill beach bars or viewpoint bars, nothing too loud or fancy. A couple of my regular spots are Fizz Beach Club and Maya Beach Bar. Both are relaxed, easy places to sit down, have a drink, and actually watch the sunset without it feeling like a party.

When friends visit, I sometimes take them to Secret Bar. It does get very full, thanks to Instagram, but the view is still worth it. I don’t go all the time, but it’s a fun spot to show people when they’re here for the first time.

One thing to keep in mind: sunset is also mosquito time. Bring mosquito spray. Seriously. It makes a big difference and saves you from scratching all night.

See a show at the Queen’s Cabaret

The Queen’s Cabaret is genuinely fun and honestly more impressive than people expect. It’s one of those things I usually save for a special night, but it’s absolutely worth seeing at least once.

I mostly go with friends, for birthdays, hen parties, or when friends or family are visiting. It’s a great group activity and always ends up being a fun night, even for people who didn’t think it was really their thing.

The Queen’s Cabaret is not a club and not necessarily a big night out. You don’t go there to party until late. You go to watch the show, have a drink, laugh a bit, and enjoy something completely different from the usual island routine. It’s very well done, entertaining, and surprisingly impressive to watch.

You pay an entrance fee, but that includes a free drink, which makes it an easy decision. Seating is first-come, first-served, so if you want a good view, get there early.

I wouldn’t go every week, but as a one-night thing on Koh Tao, it’s a fun experience and something I almost always recommend to visitors.

Hike to a viewpoint (if you’ve got the energy)

I don’t do viewpoints all the time, but when I do, it’s usually John Suwan Viewpoint.

It’s a short but steep hike from the parking area at Freedom Beach, and you definitely feel it in the heat, but the view at the top is worth it. You can see both sides of the island, and it really gives you a sense of how small Koh Tao actually is.

I tend to go when I’ve got energy and decent weather, not on a super hot day. Good shoes help, and so does going earlier in the day or later in the afternoon when it’s not absolutely roasting.

Koh Tao has plenty of viewpoints if that’s your thing. Mango Viewpoint is another really good one, but more crowded and the drive there is a bit crazy.