Koh Tao means “Turtle Island”in Thai language, so named because
of the abundance of turtles living around the island. Only 21 sq
km and located 70 km from the mainland. From 1933 to 1947 Koh
Tao was used to jail political prisoners of the Bowaradech
Uprising. Many were transferred from Koh Tarutao to Koh Tao by
reason of its isolated location in the middle of the Gulf of
Thailand. The community on Koh Tao first settled when the
villagers from Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan immigrated in 1947 to
fish and to harvest coconuts on this virgin land. During the
past ten Koh Tao became of the natural beauty, marine life,
coral reefs, and tropical beaches, one of the major dive sites
of South East Asia. Take a look at our exclusive KOH TAO MAP