Is Koh Tao Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know

When you think of a Thai island, you likely envision paradise; white sand beaches, pristine waters, a relaxed pace of life, and friendly locals.

As someone who has visited Koh Tao, I can say this tiny Thai island is just that. Unfortunately, however, Koh Tao has gained a somewhat negative reputation over the years.

If you’re planning a trip to this part of Southeast Asia, you may have heard some bad things about Koh Tao.

So is Koh Tao safe, or are there many dangers awaiting the tourists who dare to visit? Let’s find out.

Is Koh Tao Safe For Tourists?

Despite what you may have been told, Koh Tao is generally safe. There have indeed been various past crimes relating to tourists, including murders (which we’ll explain more about later).

However, Koh Tao is not considered more dangerous than other Thai islands in the scheme of things.

The reason why the murders shocked both Thailand and its tourists is that they were totally unheard of. Tourist murders are very uncommon in Thailand, and there has been a steady decline in the homicide rate since the 1990s.

Moreover, the Thai islands have always been known as safe, peaceful locations.

Is Koh Tao Safe To Travel Now?

As of 2023, Koh Tao is a safe and popular tourist destination. Tourists flock here for world-class scuba diving spots, laid-back island life, and the epic party scene.

All Covid restrictions from 2020-2022 have been entirely removed, so you won’t be expected to show vaccine certificates or do Covid tests. There is no mask mandate, but you will find many locals still choose to wear one when out in public.

Why Is Koh Tao “Dangerous”?

So why does Koh Tao have a reputation for being dangerous and why has it been dubbed “death island?”

There has been a high number of dead or missing tourists on the island, and the reason why remains a mystery.

In 2014, two backpackers were murdered. Two men from Myanmar were convicted and sentenced to death (Thailand retains the death penalty but carries it out very occasionally).

Then in 2015, a French tourist was found hanging from his balcony ceiling with his hands tied behind his back, but the case was never solved.

The mysterious deaths are not limited to western foreigners, though. In 2021, a Thai/Indian billionaire couple was found dead in a hotel pool, which became another unsolved case.

These events have given Koh Tao a negative image that it cannot shake off. But in reality, it doesn’t put tourists off, and most people find Koh Tao a peaceful paradise.

So while it’s good to be aware of Koh Tao’s past, it shouldn’t stop you from going there.

The Safest Areas In Koh Tao

There are no particularly dangerous areas in Koh Tao, and all the well-known tourist spots are safe. Most travelers stay in or around Sairee Beach, Mae Haad Bay, Chalok Baan Kao Bay, Tanote Bay, and Shark Bay.

• Sairee Beach – This is the most commercial area of Koh Tao, consisting of a long beach, accommodation options for all budgets, and all the amenities you may need. There are great restaurants, bars, gyms, and massage shops.
• Mae Haad Bay – This is the next town south of Sairee Beach, where the main pier is located. Thus, it’s a bustling area with everything you need, including dive shops, supermarkets, and cafes.
• Chalok Baan Kao Bay – Located in the south of the island, this is a very chilled-out resort town with lovely hotels and restaurants. If you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, this is a fab spot as it’s away from the party area yet still close enough to reach.

Things To Avoid In Koh Tao

Koh Tao is quite a party island. Sairee beach, Koh Tao’s longest and busiest beach, is full of clubs and bars, and thus, it can be an excellent night out.

However, it can also be a crime hotspot, particularly with pickpocketing, so always ensure your belongings are kept safe, or leave them in the locker in your hotel room.

Another thing to avoid when out at night in Koh Tao is drugs. You’ll likely have many men approach you offering to sell you all sorts of drugs.

Drugs are illegal in Thailand, and the punishments for getting caught with them can be very severe. So please don’t take the risk; continue walking without conversing with them.

Like most Thai islands, there is no public transport, and taxis can be expensive. Therefore, many tourists choose to rent a scooter during their stay.

However, I only recommend doing this if you have previous experience riding one. Even then, take extra caution, as the road conditions in Koh Tao can be pretty bad.

Taxis are naturally more expensive on the small islands than in the big cities.

However, Koh Tao taxis have no meters or fixed rates, so the price a driver quotes you may not be fair. What’s more, some taxi drivers are known for trying to rip off tourists.

To prevent this, do your research before your trip to know the average rates. Moreover, always try to negotiate a lower price with the driver. Bargaining is common and accepted here.

Driving In Koh Tao

Because Koh Tao is a small island, many tourists assume it is a safe place to ride a scooter. Thus many more tourists are driving here than in the bigger cities.

However, most tourists who drive scooters in Koh Tao lack previous experience riding motorcycles or mopeds. This results in an incredibly high number of road accidents, many of which result in fatalities.

While the roads are generally quiet and the island is easy to navigate, the road conditions can be pretty bad. Sand makes many roads slippery, and dirt tracks and potholes are standard.

Thus, I only recommend riding a scooter in Thailand if you have experience riding one elsewhere, preferably somewhere else in Asia.

Koh Tao For Solo Travelers

Many travelers and backpackers who visit Koh Tao come alone. Solo travelers particularly enjoy Koh Thao as it is very social and incredibly easy to meet people.

In addition, there are lots of backpacker hostels and parties, so if you’re traveling solo and are looking for some buddies, you won’t stay alone for long here.

However, like anywhere in the world, it’s essential to be extra cautious when traveling solo.

Only accept drinks or rides from people you trust and join the social events organized by your hostel rather than heading out on your own.

Koh Tao For Female Travelers

In my experience, Koh Tao is not any less safe for women as with men.

However, it’s still best to be cautious and trust your gut instinct, whether traveling alone or with a friend.

Crime rates regarding sexual harassment and rape are generally low in Koh Tao. However, this doesn’t mean you should act like there are no dangers.

For example, watch your drinks at all times and only stay in public areas; don’t go hiking alone or wander down a dark alleyway at night.

Koh Tao For Digital Nomads And Expats

In recent years, Koh Tao has become increasingly popular with digital nomads and expats.

There is now a sizable community of mid to long-term foreigners on the island, so if you’re considering extending your vacation to a multi-month remote work trip, Koh Tao is ideal.

There is only one dedicated coworking space on the island, TAO HUB, which is situated near Mae Haad Pier. However, there are many lovely coffee shops and cafes you can work from, including several beachfront spots.

So if you’ve always dreamed of working from the beach, that can become a reality here.

It’s also important to note that legally you cannot work on a tourist visa anywhere in Thailand. Whether this includes working remotely for a company based outside of Thailand remains a gray area.

To date, no digital nomads have had any trouble living and working in Thailand for a few months.

Still, I recommend keeping quiet about it, as you never know who could be listening.

Extra Safety Tips

Here are a few other precautions we suggest taking when visiting Koh Tao. They also apply to other Thai islands and cities.

• Wear mosquito repellent – Mosquitos are rife in Koh Tao, like most of Thailand. Aside from being extremely annoying, they can make you sick with Dengue fever. If untreated, Dengue fever can enter the blood and become life-threatening, so it’s best to protect yourself from mosquitoes when you go outside. You’ll find mosquito repellent sprays and creams in any 7-Eleven or convenience store.
• Be cautious with street food – While street food is less widespread in Koh Tao than in the big cities, some small night markets sell a selection of strange and sometimes questionable snacks. While trying the local delicacies is an exciting activity, always be cautious as street food can cause upset stomachs and food poisoning for tourists. Learn more by reading our guide to avoiding getting sick in Thailand.
• Don’t drink tap water – Tap water is unsafe for drinking in Koh Tao, so only buy bottled water. All convenience stores sell two types of bottled water, filtered and mineral. The former is very inexpensive.

Koh Tao Travel Insurance

Whether you’re only visiting Koh Tao or you plan to travel around the country, travel insurance is a must.

You may assume there is no need for insurance if you plan to spend your days sunbathing on the beach. However, Thailand has many health dangers, particularly on the islands.

For example, dengue fever (caused by mosquito bites) can be very severe and result in a hospital stay.

In addition, various other emergencies can occur, such as getting bitten by a venomous snake or catching a nasty case of food poisoning.

While we hope none of these events occur on your Koh Tao trip, having travel insurance will provide peace of mind and financial protection.

It will also cover non-health-related issues such as lost luggage or flight cancellations.

We recommend SafetyWing for the most comprehensive and straightforward coverage in Koh Tao and the rest of Thailand.

What’s excellent about SafetyWing is that you don’t have to be in your home country to take out a policy; you can sign up from anywhere in the world.

Final Thoughts On Safety In Koh Tao

Koh Tao may not be perfect. Like everywhere in Thailand (and the world), corruption and crime exist.

However, is Koh Tao safe for tourists to travel to? Absolutely!

If you use common sense and be mindful, you’ll have a wonderful, trouble-free time in Koh Tao.

There are no additional dangers for female or solo travelers, and you’ll generally find the locals very friendly and helpful.

Traveling to Thailand soon? Read one of the following guides:

• Best SIM card in Thailand
• Is Bangkok safe
• Living in Koh Phangan