Time to relax.
We longed for sun, palm trees, white beaches, beautiful dive and snorkeling spots and a lively atmosphere.
Yvonne's mum would visit us, therefore the place we were looking for should be comfortable for a 63-years old as well.
However the younger brother of Valentijn should not get the feeling that he arrived in an elderly home.

We searched on websites, read travel guides and talked to travelers. Turtle island Koh Tao situated in the Gulf of Thailand was mentioned time and again. Her distance to Bangkok, 450 kilometer (7 hours by bus and 3 hours by boat), made her even more desirable.
Some quotes relating Koh Tao say:

'The first travelers began to arrive in the early eighties and the island quickly became widely known as a paradise.'
- KohTao.com

'The cheapest place on earth to do the PADI Open Water dive course.'
- Melanie from Germany

'The secret to Koh Tao's undeniable appeal? Simple: although the island is only 21 sq km, tiny Tao sure knows how to pack it in – there's something for everyone.'
- Lonely Planet Thailand

'Expect to unwind and soak up an atmosphere that will see you coming back year after year'
- KohTao.com

'Diving enthusiastics cavort with sharks and rays (…), hikers can re-enact an episode from 'Lost' in the dripping coastal jungles. And (…) hit the bumpin' bar scene that rages until dawn.'
- Lonely Planet Thailand

'How I spend my time on Koh Tao? Sailing a catamaran, becoming a certified diver, laying on the beach, dancing till sunrise at the Blue Moon Party, meeting my girlfriend, swimming, exploring the island per scooter, snorkeling between sharks and watching the sunset from my hammock with a Chang-beer.'
- Sjors from Holland

'The crystal clear waters offer the ideal circumstances for coral to grow...'
- ANWB REIZEN Worldguide (NL), Thailand

'Colorful clownfish and prehistoric turtles play between the hard and soft corals (…), while rays, leopard sharks and enormous whale sharks (…) make the dive more than exciting.'
- ANWB REIZEN Worldguide (NL), Thailand

When we arrived on Koh Tao, we spend three days looking for the best spot on the island,
which we found in Shalok Ban Kao...
Our conclusion: It really is paradise and exactly what we were looking for!

Fast facts

High season: January-March; July and August
Best season: all year round except for November and December (monsoon)
Monsoon: November and December, the water is murky and it rains a lot.

Size: 21 sq kilometer
Population: 5000
Main areas: Sairee Beach, western coast 2 km above Mae Hat, biggest village,
Mae hat, western coast. The ferry arrives here.
Chalok Ban Kao, southern coast