Beachfront hostel on Sairee Beach with amazing sunset views, dive shop, and beach bar. Social atmosphere perfect for divers and beach lovers, with direct beach access and regular events.
Koh Tao Backpackers is a beachfront hostel on Sairee Beach, the main developed stretch of Koh Tao island in the southern Gulf of Thailand, part of Surat Thani province. Koh Tao is globally renowned as one of the world's most affordable and accessible destinations for open-water dive certification, and the hostel's partnership with an on-site dive operation makes it an established base for first-time divers. Sairee Beach runs for approximately 1.5 kilometres along the island's west coast, offering calm turquoise water, a relaxed beach-bar scene, and the widest selection of accommodation on the island. The hostel sits directly on the beach, with the bar and social deck opening onto the sand and providing direct views over the Gulf at sunset. Accommodation ranges from bunk-bed dorms accommodating up to eight guests to smaller four-bed rooms, with fan or air-conditioning options available. An on-site PADI dive shop manages open-water and advanced certifications at rates competitive with island standards, often bundled with accommodation packages. The beach bar hosts regular sunset sessions, and social events including fire shows and monthly full-moon party ferry transfers to the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan are organised. The ferry pier serving Chumphon and Surat Thani routes is approximately 1.5 kilometres by motorbike taxi from the hostel. Koh Tao Backpackers is consistently recommended as a sociable and well-positioned base for travellers combining diving, snorkelling, and Gulf island exploration.
Amenities
- beachfront
- bar
- dive shop
- free WiFi
- lockers
- tours
Location
19/14 Moo 1, Koh Tao, Surat Thani 84360
10.1064, 99.8294 View on map
Highlights
- Direct beachfront position on Sairee Beach with bar and social deck opening onto the sand
- On-site PADI dive shop for affordable open-water certification in Koh Tao's world-class waters
- Regular sunset sessions, fire shows, and monthly full-moon party transfers to Koh Phangan
- One of the island's most social hostels, drawing a predominantly dive-and-travel crowd
- Koh Tao's clearest snorkelling sites accessible by boat from the hostel's beach frontage
Tips for visiting
- Book the Open Water dive course at least 48 hours in advance during peak season (December-April); the dive shop has limited instructor capacity
- Sairee Beach's northern end near the hostel is calmer; the southern end near the town pier has more boat traffic and reduced water clarity
- Full-moon party ferry transfers to Koh Phangan depart monthly; the hostel can book tickets and arrange the return crossing
- Arrive on the island via the night boat from Chumphon to save a day's accommodation cost — the boat docks at approximately 5am
- Motorbike hire for the day (around 150-200 THB) allows independent exploration of viewpoints and quieter beaches such as Tanote Bay
Accessibility
Koh Tao Backpackers is a low-rise beachfront property with step-free access between the common areas and the beach. Dorm bunk beds involve climbing to upper berths, which is not suitable for guests with significant mobility limitations. The island infrastructure — rough roads, beach sand, and songthaew trucks — presents general challenges for wheelchair users.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How do you reach Koh Tao?
Koh Tao is served by ferry from Chumphon (2-3 hours) and Surat Thani (6-7 hours by night boat or 2.5 hours by high-speed catamaran). The hostel can help arrange onward connections.
What dive courses are available at the hostel?
The on-site PADI dive school offers Open Water certification, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue Diver courses, as well as single fun dives for already-certified divers.
Is the beach suitable for swimming?
Sairee Beach has calm, clear water suitable for swimming. The best snorkelling requires a short boat trip to sites such as Shark Bay or Japanese Gardens; gear hire is available at the hostel.
Is there a curfew at the hostel?
There is no curfew. The hostel operates around the clock and the beach bar runs into the evening.
What is the best season to visit Koh Tao?
The best conditions for diving and snorkelling are from February to September. October and November can bring rough seas and reduced visibility; some dive operations scale back activity during the Gulf monsoon peak.