Where to Stay on Koh Tao: Best Areas & Hotels for Divers

Figuring out where to stay in Koh Tao is harder than it should be. The island is small, but where you base yourself makes a big difference to how your days play out, especially if you’re diving a lot (which I cover in detail in my Koh Tao diving guide).

I’ve spent a lot of time on Koh Tao over the years and have lived in Sairee, Mae Haad, and Chalok between 2017 and 2026, moving around as my diving and daily routine changed.

There isn’t one “best” place to stay here. Some areas are convenient but loud. Others are quiet and beautiful, but a hassle if you don’t have a scooter. It really depends on why you’re here and how much you plan to dive.

If you’re in a rush, here’s how the main areas of Koh Tao compare in real life:

• Sairee Beach is the easiest base for most divers. Lots of dive shops, plenty of places to eat, and everything is walkable, but it’s also the busiest part of the island.
• Mae Haad makes sense if you want to be close to the ferry and dive shops, or if you’re only staying a short time. It’s practical rather than pretty.
• Chalok and the southern bays are quieter and more relaxed, with some really nice places to stay, but getting around is less convenient.
• The east coast bays are peaceful and scenic, but not ideal if you’re diving every day unless you’re happy riding a scooter.

Below, I’ll go through each area in detail and explain what it’s actually like to stay there, who it works best for, and where I’d realistically stay myself. If you’re diving on Koh Tao, location matters more than most people expect.

A quick note before we get into specific places: it’s worth saying that I only include places I’ve stayed in myself, or ones where close friends or family have stayed and loved their experience. If I don’t know a place well, I leave it out.

Sairee Beach

Best for: Nightlife & Social Vibes

Sairee Beach sits on the west coast of Koh Tao, just north of Mae Haad, where the ferry arrives. It’s the busiest part of the island, packed with bars, restaurants, dive shops, and hostels, all within walking distance.

If you’re coming to Koh Tao to party and dive, Sairee makes things easy. You can roll out of bed and straight onto a dive boat, then head out for food or drinks in the evening without needing a scooter.

I lived in Sairee for about a year and a half in 2017–2018, first during my dive training and later while working as a divemaster. Back then, it was a great base. Super convenient, social, and easy. These days, it feels very different. It’s much more of a party hub, with heavier traffic and more noise than I’d personally want to deal with now.

The main intersection by 7-Eleven, the walking street along the beach, and the road up the hill from the junction are the busiest and loudest parts of Sairee. During high season, restaurants here fill up quickly, and it’s not unusual to wait up to an hour for a table. This is also the main nightlife area on the island, so music often goes late into the night.

Further north past the main junction, the crowds thin out and things get noticeably quieter. That’s where I’d stay if I wanted to be in Sairee without being right in the middle of the chaos.

If you’re staying in Sairee and want a fun, social dive experience, Roctopus Dive is a great choice. I’ve dived with them for several months and can highly recommend them for both courses and fun diving.

I have to admit, Sairee does have some of the best sunset views on Koh Tao. There are plenty of beach bars where you can sit with a drink and watch the sun go down, which is still one of my favorite ways to end a day of diving.

One thing to keep in mind though is flooding. During monsoon season, the main intersection regularly floods badly, making the road out of Sairee difficult or impossible to pass, which can leave you a bit stuck.

Where to Stay in Sairee Beach

Mae Haad

Best for: Convenience & Easy Logistics

Mae Haad sits on the west coast of Koh Tao and is where the ferry arrives. It’s not the prettiest part of the island, but in terms of convenience, it’s hard to beat. You’ve got dive shops, cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, ATMs, and scooter rentals all within a small area, and most places are walkable.

I lived in different parts of Mae Haad for a total of about two and a half years between 2023 and 2025, and it ended up being one of my favorite areas to live on Koh Tao. It’s especially good during rainy season. Streets here flood less than in Sairee, and even during heavy rain, you can usually still get around without too much trouble.

While living in Mae Haad, I worked in different parts of the island, and that’s where this area really shines. It’s very central. You can get to Sairee, Chalok, or further south within about five minutes, which makes daily life much easier if you’re diving or moving around a lot.

If you’re staying in Mae Haad and want a relaxed, high-quality dive center, I highly recommend Master Divers. Two of my friends work there, and I’ve also worked alongside them through dive centers I was with, so I know how they run day to day. They’re well organized, safety-focused, and professional, with a fun but calm atmosphere.

Mae Haad is also a solid choice if you’re arriving late or leaving early, since you’re right by the pier. It’s not necessarily where I would come for beaches or nightlife, but as a base, it’s practical, low-stress, and surprisingly easy to settle into.

Where to Stay in Mae Haad

Chalok

Best for: Laid-Back Vibes & Relaxing

Chalok sits on the south side of Koh Tao and feels very different from Sairee and Mae Haad. It’s quieter, less chaotic, and generally easier to move around in day to day. There are fewer bars and dive shops, but still enough restaurants and cafés around that you don’t feel isolated.

I’ve lived in Chalok for about a year (2025–2026), and it’s easily one of my favorite areas on the island. Traffic is calmer, nights are quieter, and the overall pace is slower. I worked in Chalok while living here, which made it an ideal setup, and while I wouldn’t want to commute daily to Sairee for diving, getting to Mae Haad or other parts of the island is still quick.

Chalok still has a bit of that old-school Koh Tao charm, before the island became as busy and built up as it is now. For me, it is the best area to stay in Koh Tao.

If you’re looking for a chill, social dive shop in Chalok, I highly recommend you check out Hydronauts Diving. I worked at Hydronauts for two years, so I know firsthand how they operate and the level of care they put into their diving. The quality is consistently high, with personalised service, good equipment, and great facilities, all without losing the relaxed vibe.

I recommend you stay in Chalok if you’re happy with a more relaxed routine. It’s not the place for nightlife, but if you value sleep, space, and a calmer environment, it’s a really comfortable base.

Where to Stay in Chalok

East Coast Bays

Best for: Quiet Beach Stays & Snorkeling

Ao Leuk and Tanote Bay are on Koh Tao’s east coast and feel very different from the busier west side of the island. They’re more secluded, less developed, and some of the most scenic parts of Koh Tao if you’re looking for clear water, calm bays, and easy snorkeling straight from the beach.

I haven’t lived on the East Coast myself, but I’ve spent a lot of time here snorkeling, diving, and visiting friends over the years. It’s a beautiful part of the island, but it comes with trade-offs, especially if diving is your main reason for being on Koh Tao.

Diving options here are limited. Each bay has only one dive shop, and most dives are done locally. You won’t be heading out to sites like Chumphon Pinnacle or Southwest Rock from here, so if you want to do Koh Tao’s best dives regularly, staying elsewhere and visiting the east coast for day trips makes more sense.

That said, if you’re after a quiet beachfront stay and are happy to travel into town for diving, Ao Leuk or Tanote Bay can work really well. This is the part of the island I’d choose for snorkeling days, slow mornings, and being close to the water rather than dive logistics.

Where to Stay in Aow Leuk & Tanote Bay

Things to Consider when Booking Your Stay in Koh Tao

Where you stay on Koh Tao has a real impact on your dive trip. Being close to your dive shop can make life much easier, but noise, transport, and comfort also matter more than people expect.

Here’s what you should consider before booking your stay:

• Access to Dive Centers: Most dive centers don’t offer pick-ups, so staying within walking distance of your chosen dive center makes life much easier. If you’re diving every day, the last thing you want is long scooter rides or expensive taxis just to get to the boat in the morning.
• Atmosphere & Noise Level: Koh Tao has both lively and quiet areas, so think about what suits you best. Sairee is great for nightlife, but if you want early nights for morning dives, it might not be ideal. Mae Haad and Chalok are quieter, more convenient options and offer a more peaceful stay.
• Facilities & Comfort: Do you need AC, a pool, or beachfront access? While Wi-Fi is strong across the island, some budget bungalows still only offer fans, which might not be ideal in Koh Tao’s hotter months. No matter where you stay, you won’t need much. Check out my lightweight Koh Tao packing guide to keep things simple and useful.
• Getting Around: If you want easy access to restaurants, dive shops, and minimarts, stay in Sairee, Mae Haad, or Chalok, where you can walk everywhere. If you’re staying in the hills, Ao Leuk, or Tanote Bay, you’ll need a scooter or taxis, which can get pricey if you need them daily.

How to Get to Koh Tao

You’ve got many options for getting to Koh Tao. There’s no airport on the island, so the only way to get here is by ferry. Some routes are faster and more convenient than others, depending on where you’re traveling from.

• From Bangkok – You can either fly to Koh Samui, Chumphon, or Surat Thani and take a ferry, or go the budget route with an overnight bus and ferry combo.
• From Koh Samui – The fastest and easiest option. The ferry takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the operator. Some routes stop in Koh Phangan first, so check before booking.
• From Chumphon or Surat Thani – If you’re coming from the mainland, Chumphon is the better choice—ferries take 1-2 hours, while Surat Thani ferries can take 3-4 hours.

Whichever way you choose, make sure your ferry lines up with your arrival so you don’t get stuck waiting at the pier for hours. My personal go-to is the Lomprayah bus + ferry combo from Bangkok.

FAQ: Where to Stay on Koh Tao