About Koh Tao
Koh Tao, meaning 'Turtle Island,' is a small paradise in the Gulf of Thailand renowned as one of the world's best and most affordable places to learn scuba diving. With over 25 dive sites, vibrant coral reefs, and regular sightings of whale sharks, the island attracts divers from around the globe while also offering stunning viewpoints and secluded beaches.
Quick Facts
Sunny Days/Year
250 days
Beaches
20
Coastline
35 km
Resorts
100
Dive Sites
25
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Daylight, UV and air quality in Koh Tao
Live conditions, updated continuously — sun times calculated for this exact location.
- Sunrise
- 06:11
- Sunset
- 18:19
- Golden hour
- 17:52
- Blue hour
- 18:40
Sources: Open-Meteo and our own solar calculations
Climate in Koh Tao month by month
Long-term averages 1991–2020 — what the weather is normally like, not a forecast.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 26° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 26° |
| Night | 25° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° |
| Precipitation (mm) | 67 | 31 | 82 | 91 | 147 | 125 | 116 | 121 | 166 | 294 | 240 | 110 |
| Rain days (days) | 8 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 19 | 11 |
| Sunshine (h/day) | 10.6 | 10.9 | 10.8 | 11.1 | 10.6 | 9.8 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 10 |
| Colour shows how well the month suits a trip |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis, 1991–2020
Chance of rain in Koh Tao month by month
How often it normally rains — share of days with at least 1 mm, averaged over 1991–2020.
Driest period
December – April
Driest month
February · 16%
Wettest month
October · 84%
Chance of rain
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain probability | 26% | 16% | 27% | 41% | 74% | 68% | 67% | 65% | 79% | 84% | 62% | 35% |
Rain days per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain days (days) | 8 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 19 | 11 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis, 1991–2020
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Where to stay in Koh Tao
An interactive map of hotels and apartments in Koh Tao, from our partner Stay22.
Top Attractions
John-Suwan Viewpoint
Stunning panoramic views over both sides of the island
Shark Bay
Shallow bay where you can snorkel with blacktip reef sharks
Tanote Bay
Beautiful bay with excellent snorkeling and cliff jumping
Mango Viewpoint
Popular sunset spot with breathtaking island views
Globefellas Partner links
Globefellas Partner links
Things to do in Koh Tao
Tours and activities in Koh Tao, from our partner GetYourGuide.
Best Beaches
The main beach with sunset views, restaurants, and dive schools
Rocky bay with clear waters perfect for snorkeling
Quiet cove with colorful coral and tropical fish
Calm bay known for reef sharks and sea turtles
Small secluded beach with soft sand and clear water
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Koh Tao is from December to May when diving conditions are optimal with excellent visibility up to 40 meters. Known as Thailand's diving capital, Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand has its wettest months from October to December. The dry season offers calm seas perfect for discovering world-famous dive sites like Sail Rock and Chumphon Pinnacle.
Climate Overview
Koh Tao has a tropical monsoon climate influenced by the Gulf of Thailand, with consistently warm temperatures of 26-32°C year-round. The small island benefits from its position that often misses the heaviest monsoon rains. The wettest months are October to December, while the rest of the year enjoys mostly dry weather. Water temperatures stay warm at 27-30°C, creating ideal conditions for the island's famous scuba diving.
Monthly Weather Overview
| Month | High °CMax | Low °CMin | Rain mmmm |
|---|---|---|---|
January | 29° | 24° | 60 |
February | 30° | 24° | 20 |
March | 31° | 25° | 30 |
April | 33° | 26° | 55 |
May | 33° | 26° | 120 |
June | 32° | 26° | 80 |
July | 32° | 26° | 75 |
August | 32° | 26° | 70 |
September | 31° | 25° | 110 |
October | 30° | 25° | 220 |
November | 29° | 24° | 300 |
December | 28° | 24° | 150 |
Weather in Koh Tao
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