What is the population of Koh Tao?

As of 2006, Koh Tao's official population was approximately 1,382 residents. The main settlement is Ban Mae Haad. The small population reflects its remote island location within the Chumphon Archipelago, with limited permanent settlement despite growing tourism activity.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tao?

January through April offers the most favorable conditions, with minimal rainfall and comfortable temperatures averaging 25–27.7°C. February is the driest month with only 108mm of rain, while November is the wettest with 510mm of rainfall. These dry months are ideal for water activities and beach access.

How do I reach Koh Tao by air?

Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) is the nearest commercial airport, located 34 kilometers from Koh Tao. Narathiwat Airport (NAW) is an alternative option at 57 kilometers away. From these airports, ground transportation and ferry services connect visitors to the island.

What accommodation options exist on Koh Tao?

The island contains approximately 15 hotels within a 10-kilometer radius, offering lodging choices across different price ranges and quality levels. Ban Mae Haad, the main settlement, serves as the primary hub for visitor accommodation and services.

What are average temperatures on Koh Tao?

Temperatures remain consistent year-round, averaging 25–27.7°C monthly. The warmest month is April at 27.7°C average, while December is coolest at 25.1°C average. Daily extremes range from approximately 22°C (winter nights) to 32.7°C (April afternoons).

What facilities are available for visitors?

Koh Tao offers 7 restaurants, 5 cafes, 5 ATMs, and 1 hospital within the 10-kilometer radius. The island contains 12 temples reflecting local Buddhist culture. Limited commercial infrastructure reflects its small population and remote archipelago location.

Koh Tao: Island Subdistrict in Thailand's Gulf

Koh Tao is an island subdistrict (tambon) of Ko Pha-ngan District in Surat Thani Province, located on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Part of the Chumphon Archipelago, it covers approximately 21 square kilometers with an official population of around 1,382 residents as of 2006. The main settlement is Ban Mae Haad. The island experiences a tropical maritime climate with warm temperatures year-round, averaging 25–28°C. The wettest months are October through December, with November receiving approximately 510mm of rainfall over 29 days. Conversely, the driest and most comfortable period spans January through April, when precipitation drops to 93–225mm monthly and temperatures remain moderate. The island sits at coordinates 6.08°N, 101.99°E in the Asia/Bangkok timezone.

Updated 2026-05-03 · Source: GeoNames, Wikipedia

Image: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikipedia

Population: 62K
Climate: Tropical maritime
Best months: Jan–Apr

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Local currency

THB

Timezone

Asia/Bangkok

Koh Tao: Island Subdistrict in Thailand's Gulf: 6.077, 101.998Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Stay in Koh Tao

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Climate

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Monthly normals (10-year window). Bars show precipitation, lines show average and max temperature.

Best months to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

What's around (within 10km, 47 POIs)

15
Hotels
12
Temples
7
Restaurants
5
ATMs
5
Cafés
2
Attractions
1
Hospitals

Top landmarks

Pengkalan Haram Ikan Kering, Pasir Masattraction
Pengkalan Haram Ke Mundok, Pasir Masattraction

Nearest airports

OpenFlights.org

Sultan Ismail Petra Airport
Kota Bahru
KBR34km
Narathiwat Airport
Narathiwat
NAW57km

Quick facts

Koh Tao covers approximately 21 square kilometers in the Chumphon Archipelago.
The island's official population was 1,382 residents as of 2006.
January through April are the best months, with rainfall dropping to 93–225mm monthly.
March is the driest month, receiving only 93mm of rain across 13 days.
November is the wettest month, averaging 510mm of rainfall over 29 days.
Average temperatures range from 25.1°C in December to 27.7°C in April.
Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) is located 34 kilometers from the island.
Koh Tao contains 15 hotels, 7 restaurants, and 12 temples within 10 kilometers.
The island sits at coordinates 6.08°N, 101.99°E in the Asia/Bangkok timezone.
Koh Tao is administratively part of Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani Province.
Ban Mae Haad serves as the main settlement on Koh Tao island.
February offers the driest conditions with 108mm of monthly precipitation and 15 rainy days.
October through December are the wettest months, receiving 300–510mm monthly rainfall.
The island contains 5 ATMs and 5 cafes serving the local and visitor population.
Average daytime temperatures remain warm year-round, peaking at 32.7°C in April.

Geography & Climate

Koh Tao lies in the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand as part of Surat Thani Province. The island spans approximately 21 square kilometers. Its tropical maritime climate maintains consistent warm temperatures throughout the year, with monthly averages ranging from 25.1°C in December to 27.7°C in April. Temperature extremes typically range from 22.1°C (February minimum) to 32.7°C (April maximum). Precipitation is heaviest from September to December, peaking at 510mm in November with 29 rainy days. The drier months from January to April receive substantially less rainfall, averaging 93–225mm monthly, making this period the most favorable for outdoor activities and beach access.

Area: 21 km²
Population (2006): 1,382
Warmest month avg: 27.7°C (April)
Wettest month: November (510mm, 29 days)
Driest month: March (93mm, 13 days)

Getting There

The nearest commercial airport is Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) located 34 kilometers from Koh Tao, providing the most direct access to the island. Narathiwat Airport (NAW) is positioned 57 kilometers away as an alternative option. The main settlement on the island is Ban Mae Haad, which serves as the primary arrival point for most visitors. Regular ferry services connect the island to nearby destinations within the Chumphon Archipelago and the broader Gulf of Thailand region.

Nearest airport: KBR (Sultan Ismail Petra) – 34 km
Secondary airport: NAW (Narathiwat) – 57 km
Main settlement: Ban Mae Haad

Accommodation & Services

Koh Tao contains approximately 15 hotels within a 10-kilometer radius, offering lodging across various categories. The island supports a modest tourism infrastructure with 5 ATMs and 5 cafes available for visitors. Dining options include 7 restaurants scattered across the island. Medical facilities are represented by 1 hospital, and 12 temples are present within the survey area, reflecting the local Buddhist cultural context. The limited commercial infrastructure underscores the island's small population and remote location within the archipelago.

Hotels (within 10km): 15
Restaurants: 7
ATMs: 5
Cafes: 5
Temples: 12
Hospital: 1

Best Time to Visit

The optimal period for visiting Koh Tao extends from January through April, when rainfall is minimal and temperatures remain comfortable. January experiences average temperatures of 25°C with 225mm of monthly precipitation across 22 rainy days. February offers the driest conditions with only 108mm of rainfall and 15 rainy days, coupled with average temperatures of 25.4°C. March represents the driest month with just 93mm of rainfall and 13 rainy days, though temperatures climb to an average of 26.7°C. April marks the transition toward the wetter season with temperatures reaching 27.7°C, but still maintains relatively moderate rainfall at 182mm. These months are collectively recognized as the best period for beach activities and water-based recreation.

Best visit months: January – April
Driest month: March (93mm)
Best month for rain/temp balance: February (108mm, 25.4°C)
Warmest best month: April (27.7°C avg)

Regional Context

Koh Tao is administratively a subdistrict of Ko Pha-ngan District (amphoe) within Surat Thani Province. The island is situated within Thailand's timezone (Asia/Bangkok, UTC+7). Its location in the Chumphon Archipelago on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand positions it as a discrete island community separate from the mainland. The relatively small population and limited infrastructure reflect its character as a remote island settlement with tourism serving as a growing but secondary economic activity.

Administrative division: Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani Province
Timezone: Asia/Bangkok (UTC+7)
Archipegalo: Chumphon Archipelago

Frequently asked questions

What is the population of Koh Tao?: As of 2006, Koh Tao's official population was approximately 1,382 residents. The main settlement is Ban Mae Haad. The small population reflects its remote island location within the Chumphon Archipelago, with limited permanent settlement despite growing tourism activity.
When is the best time to visit Koh Tao?: January through April offers the most favorable conditions, with minimal rainfall and comfortable temperatures averaging 25–27.7°C. February is the driest month with only 108mm of rain, while November is the wettest with 510mm of rainfall. These dry months are ideal for water activities and beach access.
How do I reach Koh Tao by air?: Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (KBR) is the nearest commercial airport, located 34 kilometers from Koh Tao. Narathiwat Airport (NAW) is an alternative option at 57 kilometers away. From these airports, ground transportation and ferry services connect visitors to the island.
What accommodation options exist on Koh Tao?: The island contains approximately 15 hotels within a 10-kilometer radius, offering lodging choices across different price ranges and quality levels. Ban Mae Haad, the main settlement, serves as the primary hub for visitor accommodation and services.
What are average temperatures on Koh Tao?: Temperatures remain consistent year-round, averaging 25–27.7°C monthly. The warmest month is April at 27.7°C average, while December is coolest at 25.1°C average. Daily extremes range from approximately 22°C (winter nights) to 32.7°C (April afternoons).
What facilities are available for visitors?: Koh Tao offers 7 restaurants, 5 cafes, 5 ATMs, and 1 hospital within the 10-kilometer radius. The island contains 12 temples reflecting local Buddhist culture. Limited commercial infrastructure reflects its small population and remote archipelago location.

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Sources & methodology

Geographic data from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Narrative sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and structured by Claude. Map by © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). See the methodology and sources registry for full attribution and update cadence.

This page last refreshed 2026-05-03.