When Divers started to come to the island they still wanted to party after they'd finished their diving, and of course there were plenty of people willing to help them. There are many bars all over the island with some of the most noteable ones being located in Sairee.
Continue reading "Bars & Nightlife"
Looking for a fun, family-friendly thing to do after the beach? Head to Koh Tao Leisure Park in the south of the island for an 18-hole, flood-lit mini golf course set in leafy gardens. It’s an easy, low-key evening out for couples, friends and kids—and you can play as many rounds as you like for a single entry fee.
Koh Tao Leisure Park (KTLP)
What’s there: 18-hole mini golf (flood-lit), bar & grill, sports bar with big-screen sports, pool/foosball, pétanque, occasional movie nights/cinema. Great for groups and families.
Typical opening hours: mid-afternoon to late evening (commonly listed ~1:45 pm – 11 pm). Hours can vary with season/events—check the latest post before you go. Facebook+1
Location: Between Mae Haad and Chalok Baan Kao on the south side of the island (easy by scooter or taxi).
Need the latest update? The venue regularly posts current hours/what’s on via the Hacienda Bar & Grill @ KTLP page. Check there before you ride over.
Expect a small entry fee for unlimited rounds on the 18-hole course (guides and recent round-ups put it around the ฿170–฿180 mark; confirm on the day). Walk-ins are normal; larger groups can message the venue in advance. TravelTriangle.com
Cash/QR (small purchases), a bottle of water, and mosquito repellent for dusk. Wear comfy sandals/trainers. If you’re riding a scooter, bring a light jacket for the ride home.
Great at night: Mini golf is flood-lit and most lively after sunset—perfect once you’ve finished diving or the sun is off the sand.
Food & drinks on site: You can grab burgers, Thai plates and cold drinks at the adjoining bar & grill / sports bar.
Rain plan: Showers pass quickly, but if it pours there’s usually pool/foosball and televised sports to keep you busy.
Scooter: 10–15 minutes from Mae Haad or Sairee; park on-site.
Taxi: Ask for “Leisure Park / Mini Golf near Chalok.”
Walking: Feasible from Chalok (hot after midday), less so from Sairee.
Easy, all-ages fun that doesn’t require a full evening commitment.
Budget-friendly (unlimited rounds).
One stop for games, food and drinks—ideal for mixed groups.
Koh Tao Leisure Park – activity overview (18-hole course, unlimited play).
Hacienda Bar & Grill / KTLP – live updates, sports listings & kitchen hours.
General hours snapshot (often shows ~1:45 pm–11 pm for mini golf). Facebook
Koh Tao has a legit Muay Thai scene: you can train daily with experienced coaches and catch high-energy Fight Nights at the new Koh Tao Boxing Stadium near Sairee. This guide covers where to train, how to book, and what to expect on fight night.
One of the island’s originals (est. 2002), with experienced trainers and easy online booking. Typical group classes run morning 8–10 am and afternoon 4–6 pm; privates available. Book/pay on their site (note the platform adds a 10% booking/admin fee).
? Classes & booking: muaythaikohtao.com • FB updates for class times. Island Muay Thai+1Facebook
Full gym + Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu and fitness in a purpose-built facility a short walk from Sairee Beach. Good mix of beginner to fighter training; typical Muay Thai sessions are ~90 minutes with pads, bag work, technique and optional sparring. Check their site/socials for current schedule and prices.
? monsoongym.com • @monsoonfightclub. Monsoon Gym Koh Tao+1Instagram
Tip: schedules shift with seasons/visiting coaches—always check the studio’s same-day post or booking page.
Koh Tao now hosts regular Muay Thai Fight Nights at the Koh Tao Boxing Stadium near Sairee. Events commonly start ~9:00 pm with doors/gate open earlier; fight nights are typically about monthly and can sell out in high season.
? Stadium site (map & location): kohtaoboxingstadium.com • Google Map pin on their page. kohtaoboxingstadium.com
Advance tickets: Island Muay Thai runs an official ticket page for upcoming fight nights (example: 29 Aug 2025, 9:00 pm). Notes on that page include 10% booking fee, collect tickets at Island Muay Thai (8–11 am or 4–7 pm, or message them), non-refundable, and first-come seating—arrive early.
? Fight Night tickets + details. Island Muay Thai
Social announcements: Fight nights and special cards are also announced on Koh Tao Muay Thai / Koh Tao Boxing Stadium social feeds—use these for week-of confirmation and times. Instagram+1Facebook
Expect a lively atmosphere with locals, travelers and gyms supporting their fighters. There’s usually a mixed card (youth bouts to headline fights), music, and drinks available on site. Gates have recently been listed as 8:00 pm with 9:00 pm start on event posts—check the day’s announcement. Facebook
Beginners welcome: tell the coach your level; most gyms have mixed-level sessions with pad rounds and technique. Monsoon Gym Koh Tao
Bring: water, small towel, light clothing. Gyms provide gloves/shin guards (or rent).
Safety: mouthguard if you plan to spar; respect control in drills; hydrate—afternoons get hot.
Etiquette: arrive 10–15 minutes early, remove shoes on the mats, quick bow/“wai” to coaches.
Train + Fights (1–2 days): morning class at Island Muay Thai or Monsoon, beach recovery, then Fight Night when scheduled. Island Muay Thai+1Monsoon Gym Koh Tao
Skills boost (3–5 days): alternate group classes with privates for technique; finish with stadium night if your dates line up. Island Muay Thai
Island Muay Thai — classes & fight-night tickets: muaythaikohtao.com (book online; see notes on booking fee & ticket pickup). Island Muay Thai+1
Monsoon Gym & Fight Club — Muay Thai training: monsoongym.com (program details & contact). Monsoon Gym Koh Tao
Koh Tao Boxing Stadium — location/map: kohtaoboxingstadium.com (Sairee area). kohtaoboxingstadium.com
Latest fight-night announcements: @koh_tao_muay_thai / @kohtaoboxing (FB/IG). InstagramFacebook
Is there a fight night every week?
Not always—recent listings show roughly monthly cards. Check the ticket page or socials for your dates. Island Muay ThaiInstagram
Where is the stadium?
Near Sairee (central Koh Tao) with a map link on the stadium’s website. kohtaoboxingstadium.com
What time do fights start?
Recent events show doors ~8:00 pm, first bell ~9:00 pm—confirm on the day. Facebook
What are typical class times?
A common pattern is morning 8–10 and afternoon 4–6; always confirm daily on the gym’s page or FB
Regrettably for most people at some point they need to move on from Koh Tao, the only way off the island of course is by ferry but on to where next usually depends on which way you came from and where you are heading towards.
Continue reading "Moving on from Koh Tao"Short on time? The island’s biggest night out runs Mon / Wed / Fri / Sun, with sign-ups from 6pm at Choppers Sports Bar in Sairee. Expect a T-shirt, drink deals, buckets and a lively bar-to-bar route that usually finishes on the beach. Koh Tao Complete Guide
Nights: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
Meet & sign-up: from 6:00 pm at Choppers Sports Bar (Sairee)
How to join: buy your wristband in person at Choppers on the night (no regular online sales)
What’s included: event T-shirt, a bucket/shot, happy-hour deals at each stop, and a discount card/wristband you can keep using on Koh Tao.
Check the latest dates/announcements:
Instagram:@kohtaopubcrawl| Facebook: “Koh Tao Pub Crawl”. Instagram+1
You’ll meet the crawl team at Choppers, get your T-shirt and wristband, then move together between a handful of Sairee bars with games, drink specials and a big beach-bar finish. It’s a very social, mixed-traveller crowd and one of the easiest ways to make new friends on the island. (Route and venues change—follow social updates on the day.)
Bring: photo ID, some cash (not every bar is card-friendly), sunscreen for the late afternoon start, and comfy shoes.
Eat first: line your stomach—Sairee is full of quick Thai and western options.
Hydrate & pace yourself: alternate water with drinks; the crawl is a marathon, not a sprint.
Respect the beach & locals: use bins, avoid glass on the sand, and don’t swim after drinking.
Getting home: Sairee is walkable; otherwise arrange a taxi pickup point before it gets late.
At present the crawl is in-person sign-up only at Choppers Sports Bar from 18:00. Numbers can be limited on very busy nights, so arrive early. For any last-minute changes (weather, holidays), check the official social channels the same day.
Some hostels, including Nomads Koh Tao, run in-house social nights or occasional “bar hop” evenings for their guests. These are separate from the island-wide Pub Crawl and schedules vary—ask at hostel reception or message them directly for current events. (Nomads Koh Tao contact/updates: Nomads’ social channels.) Facebook
Koh Tao Pub Crawl – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kohtaopubcrawl/ Instagram
Koh Tao Pub Crawl – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kohtaopubcrawl/ Instagram
Nightlife overview mentioning crawl schedule & signup:
Master Divers guide: https://master-divers.com/blog/koh-tao-nightlife-guide-2024/ (still current for 2025)
General travel info also noting Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun schedule:
KohTaoCompleteGuide.com (Pub Crawl page) Koh Tao Complete Guide
Nomads Koh Tao (contact/updates for hostel events):
https://www.facebook.com/NomadsHostels/ (message for local schedule)
Is the Koh Tao Pub Crawl on every night?
No—typical nights are Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun. Check the Instagram/Facebook story on the day you plan to go. Instagram
Where do I buy tickets?
At Choppers Sports Bar from 6:00 pm on crawl nights. Arrive early in peak season.
What’s included in the ticket?
Usually an event T-shirt, a bucket/shot, plus drink deals at each venue and a discount wristband/card valid on Koh Tao. Exact inclusions can vary—ask when you sign up.
Is there an alternative to the main crawl?
Yes—some hostels (e.g., Nomads) host their own social nights/bar hops for guests. These are separate and have their own schedules; inquire directly. Facebook
The PADI Advanced Open Water (AOW) is a fun, skills-building course that you can complete at an easy pace over two days, or—if you’re tight on time—in about 24 hours (start ~10:00, do two dives in the afternoon, add a night dive, then finish with two morning dives next day).
Continue reading "PADI Advanced Open Water course"Okay so you're already a Advanced Open Water Diver, so what's the next step? Well the next step which is logical is to be able to be confident that if there was to be an emergency and someone else needed help before the emergency response services arrived that you would know what to do. So the next step is the Rescue Diver & EFR course, be it a PADI/RAID/SSI course etc it doesn't really matter as they're all essentially the same and you can switch courses between different agencies through until you get to the Dive Instructor level anyway as all the agencies recognise each others courses below that anyway.
Continue reading "EFR + PADI Rescue Diver course"Koh Tao isn’t only about diving—there’s a thriving yoga and wellness scene with daily classes, restorative practices, and easy ways to look after your body between hikes and ocean days. Use this guide to find current classes, retreats & workshops, plus simple island tips for feeling your best.
Easiest daily drop-in: Ocean Sound Dive + Yoga (Chalok) — friendly vinyasa & yin, no booking required, mats provided. Koh Tao Diving and Yoga
Real-time timetable & private sessions: Koh Tao Yoga Studio — live schedule updates, WhatsApp to book privates; regular sound-bath/ice-bath add-ons. kohtaoyoga.com
A long-time favorite for travelers and island residents. Expect welcoming, alignment-minded classes in a breezy shala just up from the beach.
Good to know: No booking needed, mats & water provided; typical drop-in is 300 THB; check their page for the current day’s times.
? Classes & details: <a href="https://www.oceansoundkohtao.com/yoga-classes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ocean Sound — Yoga Classes</a>. Koh Tao Diving and Yoga
A boutique studio with a real-time online schedule, regular yin/restorative, and wellness extras (sound baths; see the “Ice Bath” section). You can also arrange private classes via WhatsApp.
? Live timetable & contact: <a href="https://kohtaoyoga.com/class-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Koh Tao Yoga — Classes & Schedule</a>. kohtaoyoga.com
Tip: island schedules shift with seasons, visiting teachers, and workshops. Always tap through to the studio’s page the morning you plan to practise.
Short workshops (yin, sound bath, breathwork/ice bath): keep an eye on studio feeds and the Koh Tao Yoga site’s navigation (“Ice Bath”) for upcoming sessions. ? <a href="https://kohtaoyoga.com/class-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">See KTY schedule</a>. kohtaoyoga.com
Multi-day immersion: Ocean Sound periodically lists special events/series on their site alongside daily classes. ? <a href="https://www.oceansoundkohtao.com/yoga-classes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check Ocean Sound</a>. Koh Tao Diving and Yoga
Best time to practise: mornings (cooler, calmer) or just before sunset.
Hydration & sun: carry water, reef-safe sunscreen; the walk to/from class can be hot.
Cross-training: swap a rest day with gentle snorkelling (slow, mindful movement) or a beach walk at low tide; your hips and lower back will thank you.
Clothing: light, breathable layers; you’ll warm up fast.
Mats & props: most studios provide mats (bring a small towel if you sweat lots). Ocean Sound confirms mats are included. Koh Tao Diving and Yoga
Payment: small studios often prefer cash; some accept QR/transfer—check at the desk.
Etiquette: arrive 10–15 minutes early, silence phones, and let your teacher know about injuries.
Do I need to book in advance?
At Ocean Sound, no booking is required—just arrive a little early. Other studios list a real-time timetable and may take walk-ins unless a class is full. Always check the live page before you go. Koh Tao Diving and Yogakohtaoyoga.com
How much does a class cost?
Expect around 300 THB for a standard drop-in at Ocean Sound; other studios are similar and may offer multi-class packs. Verify on the day for the latest price. Koh Tao Diving and Yoga
Can beginners join?
Yes—most schedules include mixed-level vinyasa or gentle/yin options. Teachers are used to first-timers; just flag any concerns before class.
Are there restorative options?
Yes—look for yin, sound bath, or ice-bath/breathwork sessions on the Koh Tao Yoga schedule and studio socials. kohtaoyoga.com
Where are classes held?
Ocean Sound’s shala is in Chalok (south); Koh Tao Yoga is near Sairee (north). Both link maps from their sites for easy navigation. Koh Tao Diving and Yogakohtaoyoga.com
Ocean Sound — Yoga Classes: <a href="https://www.oceansoundkohtao.com/yoga-classes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">oceansoundkohtao.com/yoga-classes</a> Koh Tao Diving and Yoga
Koh Tao Yoga — Classes & Schedule: <a href="https://kohtaoyoga.com/class-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kohtaoyoga.com/class-schedule</a> kohtaoyoga.com
Yes—there’s scuba every day, and plenty going on after sunset. From beach bars and fire shows to cabaret, live music, and the famous island pub crawl, here are the regulars to help you plan your nights.
Continue reading "What’s going on in Koh Tao?"Getting certified on Koh Tao is one of the island’s big draws. We recommend Fifty Six Diving (Sairee) and Scuba Shack Diving as partner centers for the PADI Open Water course. Prefer another agency? Big Blue Diving offers SSI Open Water, and La Bombona Diving runs the RAID Open Water 20.
Bottom line: choose the center that fits your vibe, schedule, and location. All agencies let you complete theory online before you arrive.
Pick a dive center close to where you’ll stay — Chalok Baan Kao, Mae Haad, or Sairee — so your training days are easy.
Includes:
Small groups: Fifty Six & Scuba Shack run max 4 students : 1 instructor. A Divemaster trainee or second instructor may assist.
Price (guide): ฿11,000 incl. equipment hire & certification. Subject to change; confirm current rates when booking.
Do the theory before you arrive to spend more time in the water.
Price (guide): ฿11,500 incl. equipment & certification. Deposit: ฿5,000 to activate PADI eLearning.
After certification you’ll have the afternoon free — beach time, explore, or try a Thai cooking class.
Maximum 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio for recreational courses. New instructors are supervised and mentored to keep standards high.
Avoid flying for at least 18 hours after training dives. See current guidance here.
Videography of your final day is available (~฿3,000 per group video). Split costs with friends if you like.
Fifty Six Diving (Sairee) — friendly team, small groups, and easy Sairee Beach access. A great choice if you’re staying in or near Sairee.
