Best time to visit Koh Tao
Koh Tao is known for a January to September dive window that fits an Open Water week, while October to December cancels boats first. Keep an Andaman liveaboard off that same first week.
Back to Koh Tao Jan to SepMar to Sep vizOne sea first
Easier seaJanuary to September
Viz peakMarch to September
Cancel riskOctober to December
Fee20 THB at Mae Haad any month
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Tao sits farther north and more open than Koh Phangan, and January to September is the easier Gulf sea. March to September is the usual viz window for a first cert, and October to December is when fast boats cancel first. The Andaman (November to April) is a different first week.
The 20 THB Mae Haad fee does not change with the month, and keep a buffer day before a USM or Chumphon exit. Pair this page with dive sites and when to go, and do not treat a Full Moon date as a weather forecast.
Month notes
- Jan to Feb: Diveable, cooler air, still Gulf logic.
- Mar to Sep: Best first-cert window.
- Oct to Dec: Cancellations. Keep a spare night.
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Common questions
- Is July good for Tao?
- Yes. July is a Gulf dive month. It is a bad Andaman liveaboard month.
- November on Tao or Phuket?
- Phuket if you want Andaman winter boats. Tao if you accept cancel risk for a course.