The Wanderland Guide To Koh Tao:
Updated 2023 Edition!

Your Newly Updated, Personal Guide to Paradise

Koh Tao is one of the most magnetic destinations of Southeast Asia. Its pristine beaches, lush jungles, and rich coral reefs make it one of the most visited islands in Thailand… but there’s a lot you can miss if you don’t know where to look!

Hi, I’m Alex!

I first landed on Koh Tao in 2009, and called this magnetic island home for the majority of my twenties. Since my early days on Koh Tao, I’ve seen thousands of tourists come and go – and have since hosted three Wander Women Retreats here, where I had the privilege of introducing the island to dozens of its newest lifelong fans. But not everyone knows where to find Koh Tao’s magic. Many travelers breeze through Koh Tao in just a few days, barely scratching the surface of all it has to offer. Guidebooks generally only dedicate a few outdated pages to the island, so most visitors miss its best without even knowing it, and those moving to the island for dive courses or seeking a remote work paradise go in a little blind. I can’t tell you how many travelers arrive here, start uncovering Koh Tao’s hidden gems and realize they aren’t ready to leave — then scramble to change their itineraries!

I created The Wanderland Guide to Koh Tao because those who do this island right leave it with an indelible mark on their memories – and I want you to love this island as deeply as I do! I carefully curated and published the first version of this detailed and organized guide in 2018, after years of randomly doling out Koh Tao advice, answering emails, and crafting seasonal blog posts. In 2020, I returned to work on an update, but quickly paused when… well, you know what happened that year!

The world has changed since then – and so has Koh Tao. So I crafted an update for you! This freshly updated 2023 version of the guide features your own personal tour of the island’s newest boutique hotels, dive shops, restaurants, co-working spaces, yoga studios, and insider secrets to explore. This update was created in collaboration with trusted local friends and carefully researched on the ground, while drawing on my own experiences as a Wander Women retreat leader over the last five years. While Koh Tao stays true to its island heart and soul, its local offerings are ever-changing, so this ebook purchase gets you lifetime access to future updates.

I have a Koh Tao shaped imprint on my heart and I want everyone who comes here to love this island as much as I do — that’s why I wrote this guide, a 165 page love letter to my favorite place!

What’s Included In the 2023 Wanderland Guide to Koh Tao…

The 2023 Wanderland Guide to Koh Tao includes to-the-minute, beautifully presented insights on Koh Tao you simply won’t find anywhere else, online or in print. This is the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and carefully researched guide to Koh Tao anywhere. (And frankly, it’s just gorgeous!)

Plus, it comes with a selection of exclusive discounts and offers from some of Koh Tao’s top restaurants, boutiques and tour operators. This guide can easily pay for itself in a single day on Koh Tao! Here’s what else is inside:

A guide to Koh Tao’s beaches and towns

A guide to diving on Koh Tao, including my favorite dive shops and dive sites

A breakdown of every activity available on Koh Tao (they don’t call me Activities Alex for nothing!)

A curated selection of my favorite places to stay, eat, go out, shop and spa. Support my beloved favorite small businesses.

When to come and how long to stay, plus annual events not to miss (some will surprise you!)

A guide to Koh Tao’s fitness scene, from yoga to Muay Thai to gyms and beyond

Volunteer and conservation opportunities on Koh Tao

The absolute best ways to get to and from the island – I’ve tried every method over the years, and include all my insider tips for each

A brief understanding of Koh Tao’s history and insight into island culture

Advice and insights on moving to Koh Tao

A breakdown of and brief advice for neighboring islands and destinations

A guide to sustainable and ethical travel on Koh Tao

Information on logistics like visas, health and safety, staying connected, managing money, and finding everything from the police to the post office to a print shop

Bonus details like alternative nightlife ideas, what to do when it rains, Koh Tao’s best vegan and vegetarian restaurants, and beyond

Custom hand-illustrated maps of Koh Tao and its three main villages

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is for anyone coming to Koh Tao who doesn’t want to miss the hidden gems that make this island so special. If you want to skip the tourist trail and jump right to knowing one of the most magical islands in Thailand like a local, here’s your chance!

Are you coming to Koh Tao to do your Divemaster Training, your Open Water, or any course in-between? Are you an experienced diver looking for the best dive sites and dive shops?

Are you getting married or honeymooning on Koh Tao?

Are you relocating to Koh Tao to retire, work remotely, find a job or start a business?

Are you simply looking for a dream island in Thailand to explore for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks?

Are you looking to make your dream trip to Thailand magical by having insider insights and using a curated collection of exclusive offers from Koh Tao’s best small businesses?

Buy Now

The freshly updated Wanderland Guide to Koh Tao is available for just $25, and your purchase includes lifetime access to future updates. We pay fair rates to local island researchers and independent designers to bring you this guide! It’s available for instant download and can be read on your laptop, smart phone, or tablet – or, if you really want to, you can print the whole dang thing out.

Put over a decade of experience in the palm of your hand with this purchase!

Koh Tao is a place where you can turn up with nothing but flip-flops – or no shoes at all – and feel right at home. It’s a place where, if you stay long enough, before you know it you’ll be running into familiar faces wherever you go – no need to make plans, they’ll find you! On Koh Tao, there’s no such thing as being out of place. You can come as you are. I want everyone who comes here to experience this spirit of the island and love it as much as I do. That’s why I wrote this guide!