Is Koh Tao Safe for Travellers?

Getting to Koh Tao is safe and easy. Two main daytime ferry companies plus night ferries offer regular services to and from the island. So whether you want to island-hop to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, cross to the mainland for a connecting plane, train, or bus from Chumphon or Suratthani, or travel to Bangkok, you will be able to find a service that meets your needs. Virtually all transport options are comfortable, air-conditioned, and in good working order. All companies have English-speaking staff, so you can either book tickets directly with the service provider, or through your travel agent on Koh Tao. Travellers on the way to and from the island very rarely have any issues. But, we do recommend the following precautions to help you and your baggage arrive safely on Koh Tao:

• Keep all of your valuables with you in your day bag or wallet.
• Never leave your day bag or wallet unattended.
• Securely lock any stowed luggage.

Is Koh Tao Safe for Backpackers?

Backpackers can safely enjoy Koh Tao by using common sense. There is a vibrant backpacker scene on the island, and therefore many hostels and guest houses where you can meet fellow travellers to explore and enjoy the island. Between the various late-night bars, event nights, and the Koh Tao Pub Crawl, virtually every night can be a party night here! With late-night drinking comes additional safety risks. But as long as you are responsible there is no reason why you shouldn’t be safe on Koh Tao. Our top tips for backpackers are:

• Don’t buy, sell, or take drugs during your stay. Apart from the lack of judgment that could affect your safety on Koh Tao. Thailand imposes severe penalties for individuals caught with drugs. Update; from June 2022 weed has been legalized, read more about that in this blog post.
• Beware of cheap, ‘knock-off’ alcohol. If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
• Don’t drive a rental scooter when you are drunk. 
• Try to avoid a big night out when you first arrive so you can orient yourself to the island. If you do go out, take a business card from your hotel or hostel. Then you can easily find it again or ask for directions if you lose your way. 

Is Koh Tao Safe for Solo Travellers?

While many solo travelers come to Koh Tao it’s hard to stay solo here for long, as it is such an incredibly social island. The many hostels, bars, and event nights make it easy to meet people, and if you are coming to Koh Tao to take a dive course, then you’ll be welcomed into the dive centre community too. There are, of course, some preventative steps you can take to ensure you stay safe on Koh Tao:

• Party responsibly and don’t accept drinks or rides home from strangers.
• Sign up for organised events or hostel socials. Then you’ll have buddies to walk with if you are concerned about being out alone.
• Install a Thai SIM card into your phone. Use Google Maps to navigate the island and avoid getting lost.
• If you are headed out to explore solo. Make sure you let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to be back. 

Is Koh Tao Safe for Families?

Family holidays on Koh Tao are becoming increasingly popular. Thanks to the wide range of family-friendly accommodations, childcare options, and activities for children, there is plenty to see and do for all ages. Our top holiday tips to keep families safe on Koh Tao during their stay are:

• Rent a taxi (either a cab or longtail boat) to visit beaches and bays that are within walking distance from your accommodation. This is much safer than trying to ride a rental scooter with children. 
• Pick a quiet resort away from the bars and nightlife. Ensure that your family is well-slept and ready for exploration and fun every day.
• Research the best daycare facilities, and only sign your kids up for activities with properly trained and qualified providers.

Is Koh Tao Safe – The Media

OK, let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s no secret that Koh Tao has attracted its fair share of bad press over the years following the murder of two backpackers in 2014. But do bear in mind that in most cases, this is exactly the right description for it – bad press. It is horrible that such a violent crime happened on Koh Tao and nobody is trying to pretend it didn’t.  Most of the stories in the media calling Koh Tao ‘Death Island’ or ‘Murder Island’ have been sensationalised. This is an effort to add a ‘clickbait’ effect and boost sales. 

2014 was a difficult time to be a Koh Tao resident. Before this, Koh Tao had rarely made the news for anything aside from scuba diving-related stories and various island conservation efforts. So it came as a shock to read about our beautiful island home in anything other than a positive way. Don’t get us wrong, none of us are laboring under an illusion that bad things can never happen here. But for the most part, except for a few motorbike accidents and other assorted drunken injuries, Koh Tao had never been associated with danger before. 

It took a long time for the island to recover, and to this day we still receive questions from travellers asking ‘Is Koh Tao safe’. We believe it is – especially compared to other popular tourist destinations that have much higher crime rates. Most visitors agree, and we’ve yet to meet anyone who says they don’t feel just as safe – or even safer – walking around on Koh Tao as they would in their hometown or city. 

So…Is Koh Tao Safe

Yes, we honestly believe Koh Tao is safe. Of course, safety can never be 100% guaranteed in any destination. So visitors to Koh Tao do need to take some responsibility and use good judgement to avoid accidents and issues. Mostly this just means using common sense and applying the same principles you’d live by at home to your trip to Koh Tao. You can also follow our tips about how to stay safe on Koh Tao. 

We wish you all a safe and happy stay on our paradise island. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to contact us ☺

To get the best experience on Koh Tao please check out our activities booking centre, there are many trips & tours, and we’re sure you’ll find something enjoyable to do