Where to Stay in Koh Tao (Best Places in 2026)

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As I said, Koh Tao is small but mighty. Apart from the few stragglers of properties perched high up in the mountains or hidden in bays, the main areas we’ll be dealing with here are Sairee, Chalok and Mae Haad.

The main thing that’ll help you figure out where you want to stay is getting your priorities in check. Are you here for diving? Will you drive a bike? Do you want to be in the main backpacker hub? Or do you prefer a bit of peace and quiet? Once you figure out the answers, you’ll find that finding your perfect spot in Koh Tao is pretty easy peasy.

FIRST TIME IN KOH TAO

FIRST TIME IN KOH TAO

Sairee

Sairee is the beating heart of the island. Backpackers, partiers and beach bums alike flock to Sairee, and it’s pretty bloody buzzy as a result.

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BEST FOR CHILLED VIBES

BEST FOR CHILLED VIBES

Chalok

Located on the south of the island, Chalok is the quietest and most chilled out part of the island. It’s away from the backpacker buzz and chaos of the pier, but still feels easy enough to get around.

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BEST FOR DIVING

BEST FOR DIVING

Mae Haad

Home to the island’s main pier, Mae Haad is where you’ll want to base yourself as a diver. It’s easy and convenient and has some of the cheapest accommodation on the island.

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1. Sairee – Best for Your First Time

Sairee is the beating heart of Koh Tao. As small as the island is, you’ll find that this is the hub when it comes to bars, restaurants and accommodation. If you want to dive headfirst into the backpacker scene, you’ll find it in Sairee. This area is great for those who won’t be relying on a bike as the area has pretty much everything you need within walking distance.

Sairee Beach itself isn’t the best on the island, but what it lacks in beauty it makes up for with vibes. Come sunset, the whole island flocks here to watch the sky come alight. You’ll find locals playing volleyball, people sipping cocktails at beach bars, lads kicking a ball about, and people in the water taking advantage of the last bits of daylight. This is where people watching is at its best.

It’s also where the island’s nightlife is concentrated. You’ve got Koh Tao institutions like Fishbowl and AC dotted on the beach here, serving up late nights for decades. The craziest party hostels are all clunked together here, so you’re never too far away from a group of English lads lads lads in search of whatever party is going on that night. Sairee is Koh Tao turned up to its full intensity, perfect for backpackers who want convenience and all of the island’s buzz.

• Best For: First-timers and solo backpackers
• The Vibe: Lively, social, and the beating heart of the island. Bars, dive shops, restaurants all in one stretch.
• Proximity to Transport: Sairee itself is walkable, with other parts of the island requiring a bike or taxi
• Budget: Budget to mid-range, with options at both ends
• Crowds: The busiest on the island, particularly along the beachfront strip in the evenings

Things to See and Do in Sairee:

1. Boogie the night away at Fishbowl
2. Grab a cocktail at Maya Bay. The DJs here are always wicked.
3. Unwind with a massage at one of the parlours dotted along the beach
4. Try the infamous 995 Duck
5. Jump on a longtail and explore Koh Nang Yuan for the day
6. Head to AC for their weekly pool parties if you’re feeling a lil feral
7. Beach bum it up on Sairee Beach. Best for late afternoons to watch the sky turn golden as the sun dips.
8. Head to George Street’s weekly Jam Jar to watch local musicians jam it out. Get involved yourself if ya fancy.

Taco Shack Diving Hostel & Restaurant: Best Hostel

Taco Shack, a hostel and dive school, has earned a special place in my backpacker heart. It’s one of those rare gems that hits the sweet spot between having a killer social vibe without turning into a non-stop party. The secret sauce? Probably the steady stream of divers who crash here. They’re up at the crack of dawn, ready to hit the water, but by night, they’re all about chilling rather than going full throttle.

Don’t worry though, there’s still plenty of fun – daily events run every evening, so you can dive into the social scene as much or as little as you like.

Mama O Chai Koh Tao: Best Hotel

Mama O Chai is everything you’d expect from a beach bungalow, quiet, chilled out with wicked views. It’s just a short walk to central Sairee and its restaurants, and shops while remaining secluded. It’s at the north end of Sairee which is the quietest part of the beach so oftentimes it’ll feel as though you have the beach all to yourself. The room itself is no frills with just a fan, but with the sea breeze at your fingertips, you won’t suffer.

Life Koh Tao Resort: Best Airbnb

This resort is a bit up the mountain, away from the hustle and bustle, so it is a bit quieter and great for a good night’s kip. The hosts are so lovely and will even sort you brekky in the morning to start your day. The rooms are spacious with great views looking out towards the sunset on the private balcony.

2. Chalok: Best for Chilled Vibes

Located in the south of Koh Tao is Chalok. This feels like the oldest and most chilled out sibling out of the three. You’ve still got restaurants and beaches at your fingertips but having a bike is definitely required to reach other parts of the island.

Like Sairee, Chalok beach isn’t anything to write home about, but explore further out and you’ll find niggly little bays boasting some of the most stunning waters on the island. Au Luek on the east coast and Freedom Beach at the very tip of the island are up there with my favourites on the island. Hike up to John Suwan viewpoint and you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of the bay jutting out in three directions. Wicked for sunset, just watch how you go hiking down in the dark!

Chalok is less of a hub and more of a base to explore the rest of the island. It’s very slow and chilled out, with notably fewer hostels and tourist accommodations. If the pace of Sairee sounds a little much for you, Chalok might be right up your alley to really lean into island time.

• Best For: Those after a quieter stay and anyone who’d rather skip the Sairee circus
• The Vibe: Laid-back and local-feeling, with enough bars and restaurants to keep you fed and watered
• Proximity to Transport: A bike is needed. Ten minute to Sairee by bike, five to Mae Haad
• Budget: Mid-range, with some budget options
• Crowds: Lowest on the island

Things to See and Do in Chalok

1. Head to Freedom Beach and enjoy an afternoon in the shade amongst the trees
2. Hike to the top of the John Suwan viewpoint and enjoy panoramic views of the island and the sea
3. Eat at Ying Yang, one of my fave restaurants on the island
4. For a more social beach spot, head to Au Luek in the morning
5. Snorkel at Tanote Bay (the best corals directly accessible from the beach on the island)
6. Chow down on seafood at Barracuda on the beach

Wonderland Jungle Hostel: Best Hostel

Wonderland Jungle Hostel holds a very, very special place in my heart. If there were a Spotify Wrapped for hostels, this would be at the top of my bill. Its one of those magical places where people show up for a few nights and end up staying… well, forever. It just has that pull. This spot proves that social hostels don’t have to be raging party hubs, it just needs good vibes and good company.

Aukotan Place: Best Hotel

This is a great base in Chalok. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants within easy walking distance, and the option of the Aukotan store below and the 7/11 opposite for supplies. The rooms are clean and modern with AC to keep things cool after a day in the sun. It’s on a main road in Chalok, which means a bit of noise for the reward of accessibility.

Seaview Bungalow: Best Airbnb

If views are important for you, this spot is stellar. It has panoramic views of Shark Bay and they even provide snorkel masks for you to explore its waters too. The apartment has a fully functional kitchen, air conditioning and a private balcony to soak up those stunning sea views.

3. Mae Haad – Best for Diving

Mae Haad is the first place you’ll land when you touch down in paradise. This is where the island’s main pier is, so don’t act too surprised when I tell you it’s also the best spot to base yourself on the island for diving. Most dive shops are concentrated here, making those early morning wake ups that bit more managable as you’re steps away from where you need to be.

Talking of steps…expect to do a lot of them, over boats, to get to your designated boat. Pier space is hot property and a price most can’t pay to be close to, so hopping from boat to boat is just the law of the jungle here. Adventure or inconvenience? I’ll leave that one up to you.

Smack bang in the middle of the island, it’s also a great base for exploring. Five minutes from Sairee, five minutes from Chalok, you’re got the best of both worlds. Mae Haads roads are admittedly a little busy, especially when the ferries roll in and you’ve got the usual influx of tourists coming in and out, so it’s something to keep in mind. It’s also a decent place to rely on your own two feet, as you can walk from Mae Haad all the way up to the top of Sairee using the beach or its adjacent walking street. It’s accessible, runs a little cheaper than Sairee and is way more peaceful in the evening.

• Best For: Divers and those who want an accessible base
• The Vibe: Busy and functional rather than scenic
• Proximity to Transport: Mae Haad is the island’s main port, so ferries, taxis, and longtail boats are right on your doorstep. It’s walkable to Sairee and a bike ride away from everything else.
• Budget: Budget to mid-range, with some of the cheapest accommodation on the island
• Crowds: Moderate, busier around ferry arrivals

Things to See and Do in Mae Haad

1. Dive, dive and dive. My favourite dive sites are Chumpon and Southwest
2. Rent a bike straight from the pier and do a loop of the island
3. Head to Goodtime for good food, vibes and DJ sets come sunset
4. Hike to Jansom Bay and be rewarded with some of the clearest waters on the island
5. Have brunch at Coconut Monkey
6. Start from Mae Haad and walk the length of Sairee beach for sunset

Islander Hostel & Dive School: Best Hostel

Islander Hostel & Dive School is a solid pick if you want to dive into both the island’s underwater world and its buzzing social scene. With daily happy hours and food that won’t break the bank, it’s a win for anyone trying to stretch that backpacker budget to the absolute limit. There’s something going on every night – from BBQs a couple of times a week to beer pong tournaments and live music.

Nadapa Resort: Best Hotel

Slap in the middle of Mae Haad, this place puts you within stumbling distance of the pier, restaurants, and a handful of dive shops. Rooms are clean and properly sized, the kind where you can actually unpack your bag and not live out of it for three days. Quiet at night, convenient by day.

The House: Best Airbnb

The House is right by the pier, so you can drop your bags and get on with it without a sweaty trek across the island. Scooter rental and a solid restaurant are basically next door, and the room itself is tucked into a back corner for a bit of privacy. For divers, it’s the perfect spot.

Koh Tao is safe, but those hills are no joke. I’ve seen people time and time again with the classic Koh Tao Kiss (road rash between you and I) without insurance to cover it. Don’t be that person. Sort decent travel insurance before you head out.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

There really is no wrong choice when it comes to where you stay in Koh Tao. That’s the beauty of an island this small. I’ve lived in each neighbourhood and day to day life feels relatively similar so long as you have a bike. If you don’t, Sairee is probably your best bet. For the backpackers and party rats, Sairee is your golden girl too.

I wouldn’t sweat the small stuff here. Decent digs in Koh Tao matter more than where it’s located. Wonderland Jungle Hostel is my favourite hostel of all time and is well worth the hill you have to tackle to get to it. Similarly, you can still stay in busy Sairee but in a tucked away street so you can get a good night’s kip.

I hope this guide has given you a little taste test of the magic that you’ve got waiting for you. Whatever time you’ve got allocated for Koh Tao, double it, then add a couple more days on for good measure. You’ll think you won’t need it. Trust me. You will.