Vol. 09 - Nov 2025

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Thailand’s underwater world beyond the snorkel mask, this is the place to start.

At Scuba Birds Koh Tao, you can earn your PADI Open Water Diver certificate in just 3 days the world’s most recognized diving qualification. The course is designed for beginners and takes you from your first breath underwater to confident open-water dives around Koh Tao’s coral reefs.

Expect small groups, friendly multilingual instructors (English, French, German, or Russian), and calm tropical waters teeming with marine life - from clownfish to graceful sea turtles. Between dives, you’ll relax on the boat with fresh fruit, coffee, and cookies, soaking in the island’s easy rhythm.

By the end of the course, you’ll not only have your international diving license, you’ll have seen a whole new side of Koh Tao.

👉 Start your PADI Open Water journey with Scuba Birds Koh Tao and make your next trip one you’ll never forget.

This week we’re on Koh Tao, a small island north of Koh Samui and close to Koh Nang Yuan. It’s one of Thailand’s best spots for snorkeling, diving, and slowing down.

We came here with another couple of friends for a few easy days. Clear water, fresh seafood, and sunsets that make you forget about time.

📍 We’ve pinned our favorite local spots on the Insider Map.
🍹 Don’t miss Blue Water Café & Restaurant for dinner and drinks right on the beach.
✨ Scroll down for food, stays, and local snorkeling & diving tips.

Hope you enjoy this week’s postcard from the Gulf of Thailand,
Ploy & Jochem ❤️

A travel story

Koh Tao is small, relaxed, and perfect for exploring by longtail boat. It’s a world famous diving spot, but we don’t have our PADI’s (diving license), so we chose snorkeling instead :)

We went with friends and spent a day hopping between the island’s best snorkeling spots: Shark Bay, Aow Leuk, Mango Bay, and Hin Wong. These are quiet bays with just a few boats. The bright coral and calm, clear water make it easy to see the fish and other marine life.

At Shark Bay, we spotted a blacktip reef shark cutting smoothly along the reef edge - small, sleek, and fast. Even for Ploy, who’s not really a fan of the sea, this was an incredible experience. Near Mango Bay, we saw a school of barracudas, who shot away in a silver flash when they noticed us. And off Aow Leuk, a blowfish hovered lazily above the rocks, it’s big eyes following us around. Moments like this make Koh Tao special - no big crowds, just you and the sea in its most peaceful form.

Just off the coast sits Koh Nang Yuan, three small islands linked by a sandbar. The viewpoint there is one of the most stunning in Thailand. It’s worth the climb for the panoramic view of turquoise water and coral reefs below.

We wrapped the day at Blue Water Café & Restaurant, which is owned by a friend of us. They made delicious BBQ, with grilled chicken, squid and sea bass, accompanied by handmade cocktails. All while the sun dipped behind the boats - the kind of pink/orange sunset that only islands have.

Koh Tao offers some of the best stays in Thailand, from relaxed beach resorts to private villas with stunning ocean views. Here’s where we like to stay:

Tucked-away in a private bay. Wooden villas framed by palm trees, a calm lagoon perfect for morning swims, and a small dive center next door. Tip: enjoy the amazing breakfast, bring a book and forget your phone exists.

👉 Book your stay at Haadtien Beach Resort

Cape Shark Villas is hard to beat. Think private infinity pools, panoramic ocean views, and access to your own snorkeling spot right below your villa. Quiet, modern, and designed for making lifelong memories.

👉 Book your stay at Cape Shark Villas

Use it when describing Thailand’s beautiful seas.

Songs for discovering Thailand: from scenic drives to hidden escapes. New vibes added every week .

Click on any of the tracks below to get in the travel mood.

If you liked this week’s edition, here’s how we’d spend a day in Koh Tao.

• 8:00 am : Breakfast at Haadtien Beach Resort

Wake up to the sound of waves and start your morning with breakfast right by the sea. Fresh tropical fruit, Thai-style omelets, and that first (strong!) cup of coffee - the calmest start to the day.

• 9:00 am : Shark Bay

Arrange your snorkeling trip straight from Haadtien’s front desk. Then head out to Shark Bay. The water is calm and clear in the morning, and you’ll often spot black tip reef sharks cruising gracefully along the reef edge.

• 10:30 am : Aow Leuk

The next spot is a favorite for snorkeling; colorful fish and a great variation in coral reef (hard & soft). It’s a quiet bay that feels made for long swims and lazy floating. Tip: spot ‘Nemo’ fish in the soft coral!

• 1:00 pm : Blue Heaven Resort Café

A bit in-land, but perfect for a delicious lunch. Try the mango smoothie bowl or grilled snapper. The vibe is laid-back, the view stretches endlessly, and the sea breeze makes it hard to leave.

• 3:00 pm : Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint

Take a short boat ride to Koh Nang Yuan and climb up to the viewpoint. From the top, you’ll see three islands connected by a sandbar. This is tropical island perfection.

• 5:30 pm : Sunset at Blue Water Café

End the day with a seafood BBQ; grilled squid, sea bass, or chicken - and a cold drink in hand. The sky turns pink-orange as the fishing boats drift in, the perfect end to a day that’s all sea and peace.

• Pla Pao (ปลาเผา) : Grilled fish stuffed with lemongrass and coated in salt. This is a traditional Thai way of preparing fish. A must try when you’re on the islands.

• Pla Muek Yang (ปลาหมึกย่าง) : Charcoal-grilled squid served with spicy seafood dipping sauce. A local beachside favorite that pairs perfectly with an icy Singha beer.

• Mango Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง) : Well known and loved tropical Thai dessert. Sticky rice with a ripe (soft) yellow mango on top, drizzled with salty/sweet coconut cream. I’m getting hungry just writing this…

• Blue Heaven Resort Café – Aow Leuk Bay : A laid-back cliffside café with panoramic ocean views. It’s one of the best lunch spots between snorkeling stops.

• Hin Wong Bay Snorkeling Spot : A quiet, rocky bay on the island’s northeast side with some of Koh Tao’s brightest coral and least-crowded snorkeling. Bring fins, the drop-off gets deep fast, and the fish life is incredible.

• Secret Bar Koh Tao : A hillside bar just outside Sairee, Secret Bar serves cold drinks and bean-bag seats with one of the island’s most cinematic sunset views. It’s relaxed, less crowded, and perfect for a quiet drink as the sun sets.

• Love Koh Tao Viewpoint : A quiet hilltop with panoramic island views, fewer crowds than Nang Yuan.

• FIZZ Beach Lounge, Sairee : Sunset cocktails and beanbags right on the sand.

• Private Longtail Charter : Ask locals near Chalok Bay; they’ll take you around the island with personal stops and snorkeling tips.

Every week we drop new pins onto our Local Secrets Map - special spots you won’t always find in the guidebooks. Street stalls tucked down alleys, rooftop bars only locals know, temples that feel like they belong to you alone.

This map is just for Insiders, and it grows with every edition - a living guide that keeps unlocking Thailand, piece by piece.

👉 Tap the link on your smart phone or computer, and choose “Open in Google Maps” for the full interactive experience! 🌏

That’s this week’s adventure. Next week we’ll be eating seafood by the sea, and sharing a little with our seagull friends. 🌊🦐

We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Thai List. If you did, please share the love 💕 by inviting your friends and family to join us. Each week we uncover local secrets, hidden escapes, and the best food and drinks Thailand has to offer.

Don’t miss out on the journey.

Wishing you save travels,

The Thai List - Your weekly postcard from Thailand.