Why you need to visit Koh Tao

White sandy beaches, cobblestone sidewalks lined with dive shops and live music, a perfect sunset every night, and the best Thai food you're ever going to eat.

I don't think I'll ever discover a place I love more than Koh Tao. If you are traveling to anywhere around Southwest Asia this is a place you need to add to your itinerary.

Getting there:

Koh Tao is a tiny island in the Gulf of Thailand sitting South of Bangkok. To get there you'll need to either bus or fly into Surat Thani or Chumpon, and then take approximately a 4 hour ferry ride to get to the island.

Lodging:

The island is complete with luxury resorts and hostels, something for every budget. The two I recommend and have personally stayed at are:

- Savage Koh Tao: hostel dorm & private room accommodations, complete with a rooftop pool and complimentary breakfast.

- Blue Tao Hotel: quite possibly the best hotel I've ever stayed at. Clean luxury rooms with a balcony directly above the ocean. This hotel was brand new when we stayed and I'm sure it has only gotten better.

Now most importantly, food:

- Su Chili: Thai pizza, that is all

- 995 Duck: Simply the best duck I've ever had, on a bed of noodles with a side of happiness

- Blue Water cafe: Toes in the sand cafe where you can eat in a cabana bed

- Blue Chair Cafe: Tucked up among the locals is this cute little cafe with amazing authentic Thai food

- BAIA Taco Concept: All you can eat taco Sundays for 300 baht.

- The Factory Cafe: Organic breakfast cafe with some fresh fruit & smoothies if you need a break from the noodles & fried food

- Vegetabowl: Vegetarian cafe with tons of salad options

Drinks:

- Fizz: The perfect spot for sunset happy hour. Relax in a beanbag on the sand listening to live music.

- Victor Bar: This is the after diving scene where you'll find a lot of the locals playing drinking games with an oceanfront view. There are drink specials every night.

- Fishbowl: Party spot of the island, if you opt to do the bar crawl this is where you will end up. There are steps right down to the beach from the bar that the waves will crash into at high tide.

Now lets work off all that food with some activities..

Hikes / Beaches:

- Mao Bay Beach: Long trek across the main part of the island that takes you to an abandoned resort and cove where you can snorkel with a variety of fish and turtles. Be sure to go early in the day so you can make it back before the mosquitos come out.

- Jansom Bay: Entry is 100 baht but worth it. Nice protected little cove with rafts about 100m out you can swim to and watch the fish. There are beach chairs and umbrellas provided so you can spend the entire day there.

- Freedom Beach & John-Suwan Viewpoint: Super steep hike up to the viewpoint where you can see the entire island. Finish it off with a dip in the ocean and drinks at the cafe on the water.