Koh Tao with children
A peaceful island paradise in Thailand
In July 2025, we visited Koh Tao with our children aged 10, 7, and 1.5, and stayed four days and three nights on this small, enchanting island. Koh Tao is ideal for families looking for a relaxing island holiday, but those who enjoy hiking, snorkeling, or diving will also find plenty to love here. The underwater world is stunning, and anyone wanting to obtain their PADI diving certification will find plenty of affordable dive schools on the island. What we loved most is that Koh Tao had perfect weather during our summer holiday while offering everything at once: from lively villages to quiet, deserted beaches where children can play freely.
This blog was written by Melissa from levendooreenmamalens.com
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The best activities on Koh Tao with children
Postcard painting at Gift Organic Clothing Café
One of our favorite quiet activities with the children was postcard painting at the Organic Gift Clothing Café in Sairee. For a small fee and the purchase of a drink, you can create your own postcard here—a creative souvenir from your holiday. There aren’t many tables, so sometimes you have to wait a bit, but that gives the children the chance to look around calmly or play for a while.
Snorkeling and swimming with turtles
Snorkeling is an absolute must on Koh Tao. The coral reefs just off the coast are beautiful and easily accessible from several beaches. You can enter the water independently or join organized tours, which is often convenient with children. For those looking for a bit more adventure: in Shark Bay you can regularly spot blacktip reef sharks and turtles in the early morning or late afternoon. Even if you don’t see these animals, the beach itself is already a paradise to spend an entire day, as we did. Other bays where you have a chance of seeing these special animals are Haad Sai Daeng and Ao Leuk, especially around midday.
Viewpoints
For a panoramic view, you can visit one of the well-known viewpoints. The John-Suwan Viewpoint offers stunning views over two bays, but the climb is steep and challenging, making it more suitable for older children. For a more child-friendly option, there is Mango Viewpoint, where no climbing is required and where you’ll also find a fun bar with games and a pool table.
If you enjoy beach hopping, you can plan a day tour along different beaches such as Shark Bay, Ao Leuk, and Tanote Bay by rental car, scooter, or taxi. We noticed how tempting it was to simply stay in Shark Bay all day—the views and the water there are truly enchanting.
Day trip to Nang Yuan
A day trip to Nang Yuan Island is also highly recommended. This paradise-like island actually consists of three small islands connected by sandbanks. Children love walking from one island to another and snorkeling in the crystal-clear water. It’s a popular spot, so it’s smart to take the first boat around 9 a.m. The boat costs around 300 baht per person, and there is an entrance fee of 250 baht per person on the island itself. Climbing to the viewpoints on the island is not recommended with children, but the beaches are absolutely worth a visit.
Family-friendly hotels on Koh Tao
Because Koh Tao is relatively small, the choice of accommodations is more limited than on larger islands. We chose Sairee Hut Resort in Sairee because of its spacious family rooms, swimming pool, and central location close to the beach. Our room offered enough space for our family, and even our baby cot fit in easily. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful when needed, which made the stay extra relaxing. Other options that are suitable for families, but where we did not stay ourselves, include Sensi Paradise Beach Resort, located near the pier and within walking distance of the town center, with family rooms and a swimming pool, or Kohtao Heritage Hideaway, which especially appeals to those seeking peace and quiet due to its location in a dead-end street and its beautiful views, but is a bit less stroller-friendly because of stairs and hills.
Family-friendly restaurants on Koh Tao
Koh Tao is full of family-friendly places to eat. From cozy beach bars to authentic Thai restaurants and street food stalls, the local people love children—and you notice it right away. Our youngest son was regularly offered a free banana or some fruit, which makes eating out with kids extra easy.
We enjoyed the breakfast buffet at our hotel, where high chairs were available, and discovered several lovely spots in Sairee. Blue Shark Brunch in Sairee is a small café where children can choose their own drink and receive a little surprise—a big hit with our family. If you’re at Shark Bay, the Haadtien Beach Resort restaurant is a great place for lunch or dinner, with sea views and right next to the beach. For authentic Thai dishes, Mama Tam is a great choice, while a tasty pizza at La Pizzeria Da Claudio makes for a fun change—and they even deliver to your hotel.
Practical tips for families on Koh Tao
Best time to visit & ideal length of stay
Koh Tao is located in the beautiful Gulf of Thailand and is mainly a summer destination, with the best travel period from April to October. During our summer holiday, we stayed on the island for three nights, but in hindsight we would have loved to make it five or six nights. The island has so many beautiful bays, viewpoints, and snorkeling spots that you could easily stay longer to explore everything. Even during the high season, it remains relatively quiet, making it ideal for families with children who prefer to avoid mass tourism.
Transportation
Getting around Koh Tao does require some planning. Taxis are available, but the supply is limited and apps like Bolt or Grab do not operate here. The easiest way to arrange a taxi is through your accommodation or by approaching a driver in the center, for example in Sairee. It’s smart to ask for their phone number right away so you don’t have to search for one on the return trip. Prices are slightly higher than on larger islands, but you can usually still negotiate. Renting scooters is the fastest way to explore the island, but we chose not to do this with two children and a baby.
How to Get There?
The only way to reach the island is by boat. We departed from Koh Samui and took the Lomprayah high-speed catamaran, with a short transfer on Koh Phangan. It was a comfortable and convenient way to travel, and the crossing takes about two hours. Fortunately, the sea was calm, as the journey can be quite bumpy when the waves are higher. If you’re traveling with a baby, it’s often possible to board first and sit at the front, giving you extra legroom and space for a stroller. Tickets can easily be booked online in advance via the Lomprayah website.
From Koh Tao, you can continue on to other destinations in Thailand. The nearest airport is on Koh Samui or on the mainland near Surat Thani, from where you continue by boat.
Stroller or baby carrier
The island is hilly, and some beaches are only accessible via steep roads, which can be challenging with a stroller. If you mainly stay in central areas like Sairee, most places are easily reachable on foot, and a baby carrier or stroller is convenient to bring along.
Koh Tao in your Thailand itinerary
For us, Koh Tao was the perfect stopover after four nights on Koh Samui and before continuing on to Khao Sok. They were long travel days, with four hours on the boat and another three hours in a taxi minivan, but it was more than worth it. After Khao Sok, we continued our round trip to Ao Nang in Krabi, and then flew back home via Bangkok. For us, Koh Tao was the ideal island to slow down, enjoy the beach, snorkel, and explore the island at a relaxed pace with the children.
Wil je je rondreis naar Thailand meteen gaan plannen?
Bij het plannen van je reis naar Thailand zijn er verschillende manieren om je verblijf en activiteiten te boeken. Als je graag zelf alles regelt, kun je via Booking.com eenvoudig accommodaties vinden die passen bij jouw wensen. Voor unieke excursies en tours is GetYourGuide een uitstekende keuze. Wil je liever alles in één keer geregeld hebben? Dan biedt TUI complete pakketten aan voor een zorgeloze vakantie. Ben je op zoek naar meer flexibiliteit en wil je je reis op maat samenstellen? Kijk dan eens bij Riksja, waar je met bouwstenen je eigen ideale reis kunt samenstellen.
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