Ko Tao

Ko Tao is a small island at the northern end of the Samui Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, renowned as one of the world's most accessible destinations for scuba diving certification. The island's underwater topography includes rock pinnacles, coral-encrusted boulders, and open water sites where whale sharks and reef sharks are occasionally encountered. Above water, the island's interior is hilly and forested, with views from the summit roads toward the surrounding sea. The village of Mae Hat, site of the main pier, is the commercial centre.