10 Best Things to Do on Koh Tao That Aren’t Scuba Diving

If you’re looking for the best things to do on Koh Tao without diving, you’ll be happy to know the island is full of great viewpoints, beaches, hikes, cafés, and adventures above the water. When I first arrived back in 2015, I’d never lived in a small town before, and I immediately fell in love with the community here. Koh Tao is the kind of island where you can walk between the main villages, start recognizing faces within hours, and feel like you’ve become part of a tight, outgoing, and maybe slightly chaotic family!

And while diving is a big part of island life, there is so much more to experience above the water. If you don’t dive, or you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t, or you’re just taking a break between dives, Koh Tao has plenty to fill your days.  

This guide is an overview of the best things to do on Koh Tao that aren’t scuba-related. Future articles will dive deeper into some of these topics, but this is a great place to start.

Visit Koh Nang Yuan

Koh Nang Yuan is a private island group just off Koh Tao, famous for its iconic sandbar connecting its three peaks. Even if you go only once, it’s absolutely worth the trip. The viewpoint hike is short but rewarding, and the beaches are beautiful — though you’ll want real shoes or even bare feet for the scramble at the top.

As of 2025, a longtail taxi boat to the island will run about 250thb per person and the entrance fee is another 250thb per person. Keep in mind the island has strict rules: no plastic bottles, limited opening hours, and fees for entry and use of beach chairs. Bring reef-safe sunscreen or, better yet, a rash guard/water shirt to protect from the sun. Despite the crowds, it’s one of the most unique places you can visit while staying on Koh Tao.  

Explore Koh Tao’s Viewpoints

Koh Tao has no shortage of viewpoints, but a few stand out for being both accessible and stunning.

John-Suwan Viewpoint is my top recommendation. It’s an easy-to-reach, iconic lookout at the southern tip of the island where you can see both Shark Bay and Chalok Baan Kao. You’ll pay a small entrance fee at the resort gate (50thb), but it includes access to several beaches within the resort property as well. Wear good shoes, bring water, and avoid the knockoff “Suwan 360” viewpoint on the way – keep going until the road ends.  

Fraggle Rock makes a great sunset stop. You’ll park near a small café on the way to Hin Wong Bay, then walk a few minutes to an open rocky outcrop with sweeping west-facing views.

And then there’s Mango Viewpoint and the cluster of lookouts around the summit of the island – Coconut Viewpoint is a standout. Each one has a café, hammock, or small entry fee (usually 100thb inclusive of a soda or water), and views stretching across Sairee and down to Mae Haad. 

Hike to Laem Thian’s Abandoned Resort

If you want something more adventurous, the hike to Laem Thian is one of my favorites. It starts near Tarna Resort in Sairee and crosses into the undeveloped, jungle-rich interior of Koh Tao. Most visitors never see this side of the island, and it’s full of wildlife: snakes, birds, reptiles, and if you’re extremely lucky, even a pangolin, one of the world’s most endangered animals!  

The 60-minute hike ends at an abandoned resort that nature has been reclaiming for more than 15 years. There’s a small quiet beach where you can swim or snorkel, and you’ll almost always have it to yourself. This hike is completely self-supported — spotty mobile signal, no shops — so bring proper shoes, water, sun protection, mosquito spray, and snorkeling gear if you want to get in the water. Be sure to read the full article for more information!

Relax on Koh Tao’s Beaches

If you want relaxing things to do on Koh Tao without diving, spending time on the island’s beaches is always a safe bet. Not every beach on Koh Tao is ideal for non-divers, but a few stand out as my favorites.

Hin Wong Bay is one of the most relaxed spots on the island. There’s a tiny driftwood-style café called Freedom Bar, often with music playing, and the water is crystal clear with good snorkelling. It’s an easy place to lose a half-day.  

Aow Leuk is another top beach with wide sands, turquoise water, and some of the best chances of seeing baby blacktip reef sharks in shallow water. The rocks and clear visibility make it one of the best snorkelling beaches for beginners.

For sunsets, Sairee Beach on the west coast is unbeatable. Anywhere along the sand works, but the southern end around Maya Beach Club has the best tropical, relaxed music, and good food and drinks.

Experience Koh Tao Nightlife

Koh Tao’s nightlife is lively without being overwhelming, and because the island is small, you’ll keep seeing the same people — which makes going out surprisingly social.

Fishbowl at Bans Diving Resort is a classic: three bars, beer pong tournaments, DJs, live music, and a party that often spills onto the sand.

The Local in North Sairee is another favorite, known for karaoke nights, quizzes, and themed events.  

The Koh Tao Pub Crawl is one of the most popular in Southeast Asia, visiting spots like Choppers, Georgia Street, The Local, and finishing at the Queen’s Cabaret Ladyboy show. Register early — it sells out fast.  

Nightlife here won’t rival Bangkok or the Full Moon Party, but it’s fun, friendly, and perfect for meeting people.

Rock Climbing and Bouldering

Rock climbing is one of the most underrated things to do on Koh Tao without diving, and it’s a great way to break up your beach days with some real adventure. Climbing here feels completely different from the famous karst limestone cliffs of Railay or Ao Nang. Koh Tao is made of solid granite, so the climbing is more textured and grippy, with big boulder fields scattered across the island and coastal walls overlooking the water. It can be tough on your hands if you’re new to granite, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Your go-to for anything climbing related is Goodtime Adventures in Mae Haad. They offer gear rentals, beginner classes, and guiding for experienced climbers who want to explore the island’s best granite walls. Whether you want a half-day session or just an hour on the boulders, it’s a great way to spend time above the water and see the island from a new angle.

Paddleboarding and Snorkeling

Paddleboarding is a common watersport here, with rentals available at Maya Beach Club on Sairee (SUP Tao) or at Goodtime Beach Club in Mae Haad.  

For snorkeling, Aow Leuk and Hin Wong have the healthiest reefs, while Shark Bay is hands-down the best place to see turtles — usually between mid-afternoon and sunset, when they come in to feed. You might see 5–10 individuals on a good day. Just watch for dive boat traffic around Sairee and Mae Haad; those aren’t ideal snorkel spots.

Muay Thai and Fitness Classes

There are several good gyms on the island, whether you want to try Thai boxing or just get a workout in. Monsoon Gym is my top pick with Muay Thai classes, a fight ring for events, and an air-conditioned fitness area. Gym & Fitness in North Sairee also has AC and even a shooting range, while The Box is the island’s CrossFit gym located in between Mae Haad and Chalok.

Cooking Classes and Restaurants

Cooking classes are also great things to do on Koh Tao without diving, especially on days when you want a slower, more immersive experience. For Thai cooking, Idjang’s Kitchen is the class I always recommend. Idjang is a long-time island local, the setup is perfect for students, and everyone gets their own cooking station. Whether you’re a beginner or have some skill, her classes are easy to follow and always fun.  

Koh Tao’s restaurant scene is surprisingly international for such a small island, thanks to its mix of locals, long-term residents, and travelers. You can find vegan options at Factory Cafe, great Thai fusion at Barracuda, excellent Indian at High on Chai, the Tiktok-famous duck noodles at Duck 995 for an affordable lunch (don’t go at dinner, the line is ridiculous), and a Korean-Japanese menu at Asia Mood in Chalok. It’s easy to explore and find something new every night. 

Koh Tao also has a surprisingly good café scene thanks to all the divers, travelers, and long-term residents working from laptops between adventures. If you want a quiet place to edit photos, journal, or get a few hours of work done, the island has several solid options.

Get a Thai Massage

You can’t leave Thailand without getting a traditional Thai massage, and Koh Tao is actually cheaper than Bangkok — often around 300 baht per hour. Infinity, Silver Sands, Kayo Healing, and Manara Massage are reliable options with experienced staff and locations across the island. It’s the perfect activity after hiking or climbing.

Final Thoughts

Even if you don’t dive at all, I’d still recommend visiting Koh Tao. There’s a generous amount of things to do for such a small island, and the sense of community makes it a special place to spend a few days — or much longer. Whether you’re snorkeling with turtles, hiking to viewpoints, wandering small cafés, or watching the sunset on Sairee, Koh Tao has a way of making people feel at home. Even if you never plan to scuba dive, there are more than enough things to do on Koh Tao without diving to fill a full trip.