Plan 01
1 day in Koh Tao
- 01
Day 1: Sairee and a snorkelling bay
Arrive by ferry at Mae Haad, leave your bags at your hotel and take a morning snorkel at Shark Bay or Freedom Beach. Have lunch at Chalok Baan Kao, rest in the afternoon, and finish on Sairee Beach for sunset.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Mae Haad 1 to 2 hours Easy Daytime Shark Bay 2 to 3 hours Moderate Early morning Freedom Beach Half day Moderate Morning Chalok Baan Kao 2 hours to a full day Easy Morning or sunset Sairee Beach 2 hours to a full day Easy Late afternoon for sunset Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Shark Bay: Access is by road with a final stretch that can be uneven, and the shoreline has rocks. Shallow snorkelling is easy, but entering the water over rocks calls for care. Shade is limited.
With parents at Freedom Beach: The final approach and the paths between this beach and neighbouring Taa Toh Yai beach are uneven. Flat sand once you arrive, little shade, and limited facilities.
Plan 02
2 days in Koh Tao
- 01
Day 1: South coast
Start early at Shark Bay for snorkelling, then spend the rest of the morning at Freedom Beach. Lunch at Chalok Baan Kao and a quiet afternoon.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Shark Bay 2 to 3 hours Moderate Early morning Freedom Beach Half day Moderate Morning Chalok Baan Kao 2 hours to a full day Easy Morning or sunset Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Shark Bay: Access is by road with a final stretch that can be uneven, and the shoreline has rocks. Shallow snorkelling is easy, but entering the water over rocks calls for care. Shade is limited.
With parents at Freedom Beach: The final approach and the paths between this beach and neighbouring Taa Toh Yai beach are uneven. Flat sand once you arrive, little shade, and limited facilities.
- 02
Day 2: Ko Nang Yuan
Take a boat to Ko Nang Yuan in the morning for the sandbar and snorkelling. Return by early afternoon and watch the sunset from Sairee.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Ko Nang Yuan Half day to full day Moderate Morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Ko Nang Yuan: The viewpoint walk is short, reportedly about ten minutes, but steep and uneven. The sandbar and beaches are flat but lack shade, and boat boarding needs steady footing.
Plan 03
3 days in Koh Tao
- 01
Day 1: South coast
Shark Bay and Freedom Beach in the morning, lunch at Chalok Baan Kao.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Shark Bay 2 to 3 hours Moderate Early morning Freedom Beach Half day Moderate Morning Chalok Baan Kao 2 hours to a full day Easy Morning or sunset Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Shark Bay: Access is by road with a final stretch that can be uneven, and the shoreline has rocks. Shallow snorkelling is easy, but entering the water over rocks calls for care. Shade is limited.
With parents at Freedom Beach: The final approach and the paths between this beach and neighbouring Taa Toh Yai beach are uneven. Flat sand once you arrive, little shade, and limited facilities.
- 02
Day 2: Ko Nang Yuan
Boat to Ko Nang Yuan for snorkelling, an optional short viewpoint climb and lunch on the island.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Ko Nang Yuan Half day to full day Moderate Morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Ko Nang Yuan: The viewpoint walk is short, reportedly about ten minutes, but steep and uneven. The sandbar and beaches are flat but lack shade, and boat boarding needs steady footing.
- 03
Day 3: East coast and rest
Take a taxi to Tanote Bay and Hin Wong Bay for a quiet morning, then rest and watch the sunset at Sairee. Try a discover-scuba session only if fit and medically cleared.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Tanote Bay Half day Moderate Morning Hin Wong Bay Half day Moderate Morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Tanote Bay: The approach road is steep and winding. The sand has been reported as coarse with broken glass in places, so footwear is essential, and facilities are limited.
With parents at Hin Wong Bay: Rough access roads, rocky shoreline and limited services. Not ideal for anyone with mobility concerns.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Koh Tao trip for parents and children
- Choose a hotel with easy vehicle access and avoid steep hillside bungalows.
- Buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation; the island has only clinics and the nearest hospitals are on Ko Samui and in Chumphon.
- Avoid hiring a scooter; use taxis or hotel transfers. Motorbike accidents are the main cause of tourist injuries.
- Do outings in the morning and rest in the afternoon, as the sun is strong.
- Carry all regular medicines for the whole trip plus a copy of prescriptions.
- Check ferry timings and sea conditions in advance, especially from October to December.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Koh Tao compares the areas.
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