I still remember my first trip to Koh Tao. Like most visitors, I came for the diving but ended up falling in love with something unexpected – the island’s hidden hiking trails. While everyone else was busy exploring underwater, I discovered that some of the best eco tourism activities at koh tao happen above sea level, where jungle paths wind through terrain so lush you’d swear you’ve stepped into another world.
Discovering Koh Tao’s Green Heart
Don’t let anyone tell you Koh Tao is “just a diving island.” Sure, this tiny Thai paradise might only be 21 square kilometers, but it packs a punch when it comes to land adventures. The locals I met called it “the turtle’s shell” – a fitting nickname once you see how the island rises from the Gulf of Thailand.
During my second visit last year, a Thai friend named Chai laughed when I told him I’d never ventured inland. “You’ve only seen half the island,” he said, dragging me away from my beachfront coffee and toward a trailhead partially hidden between two resorts.
He wasn’t wrong. After just fifteen minutes of hiking, the sounds of beach bars faded, replaced by humming insects and rustling leaves. The contrast was jarring in the best possible way.
My Favorite Trails on Turtle Island
Mango Viewpoint: The Classic First Hike
“Start with Mango,” suggested Nam, the cheerful owner of my guesthouse near Sairee Beach. “It’s like Koh Tao hiking for beginners.”
She wasn’t kidding about it being beginner-friendly. The trail to Mango Viewpoint starts just behind Sairee, and though it gets steep in places, I passed everyone from flip-flop wearing teenagers to a 70 something couple taking it slow.
About halfway up, I stopped to catch my breath near a small fruit plantation. An old Thai man offered me a slice of pineapple so sweet it was almost unreal. When I asked if he grew it himself, he just smiled and pointed up at the sun, as if to say nature did all the work.
The viewpoint itself? Breathtaking doesn’t quite cover it. I watched the bay change colors as clouds drifted overhead, turning the water from turquoise to navy and back again. I couldn’t help thinking this was as much an eco tourism activity as any marine conservation project happening below.
A word of warning though – by midday this spot gets busy. The small restaurant at the top serves cold drinks at inflated prices, but after that climb, I gladly paid extra for a coconut.
Two View: When You’re Ready for a Challenge
“If you liked Mango, you’ll love Two View,” promised Chai when I ran into him days later. “But wear proper shoes this time,” he added, eyeing my sandals with disapproval.
Thank god I listened. The trail to Two View is no walk in the park – it’s more like scrambling through someone’s overgrown backyard. Parts of the path were so faint I would’ve lost my way without the occasional rock stack left by previous hikers.
I won’t lie – I cursed Chai’s name during particularly steep sections. But then I reached the first viewpoint, and all was forgiven. The western side of the island stretched before me, development somehow looking organic from this height, like the buildings had grown naturally from the shoreline.
Twenty minutes later at the second viewpoint, I understood why this hike was worth the sweat. The eastern coast appeared virtually untouched – just forest meeting sea in a jagged line of perfect wilderness. I sat there for an hour watching sea eagles circle, feeling like I’d discovered a secret dimension of an island most people experience only at sea level.
John-Suwan Viewpoint: Worth Every Baht
“You’ll have to pay at this one,” warned the taxi driver who dropped me near the entrance to John-Suwan. The 50 baht fee (about $1.50) seemed steep for a hike, but the elderly couple collecting the money explained it helps maintain the trails and prevent erosion.
The path to John-Suwan feels almost landscaped compared to Two View – clearly marked and dotted with massive granite boulders that look like they were placed by giants playing a game of marbles. I passed a French family with young kids who were turning the hike into a boulder-climbing adventure.
“It’s like natural jungle gym,” the father told me as his six-year-old scrambled up a rock face with the fearlessness only children possess.
The summit view made my jaw drop. From one spot, I could see Chalok Baan Kao Bay curving like a smile, tiny Shark Island floating offshore, and on the clearest days, even the shadowy outline of Koh Phangan. I met a photographer who’d been coming to the same spot for sunrise four days straight. “The light is never the same twice,” he explained, showing me stunning photos that made me wish I’d dragged myself out of bed earlier.
Real Talk: Practical Tips for Hiking Koh Tao
When to Hit the Trails
Let’s be honest – timing matters hugely when hiking in Thailand. My first attempt at Mango Viewpoint happened midday in April. Big mistake. By the time I reached the top, my shirt looked like I’d gone swimming in it.
November through February offers the most pleasant hiking weather. During my January visit, mornings were actually cool enough for a light jacket until the sun rose higher. If you’re visiting during the hotter months (March-October), either start your hike by 7am or wait until after 3:30pm.
I made the mistake of ignoring dark clouds gathering during a late afternoon hike. The resulting downpour turned the trail into a mudslide that had me sliding down on my backside more than walking. Learn from my fail – check weather forecasts and take them seriously.
Pack Like Someone Who Cares
After seeing plastic bottles littering otherwise beautiful viewpoints, I became religious about carrying my refillable water bottle. Most eco-friendly hiking requires thinking ahead:
- I fill my 2 liter bottle completely before any hike now
- After a nasty sunburn, I switched to mineral sunscreen that won’t harm coral if I swim later
- The mosquitoes near Fraggle Rock trail were vicious – I now carry natural citronella spray
- My phone’s flashlight saved me when I lost track of time watching sunset – now I carry a real headlamp too
The small backpack I bring also has space to collect trash I find along the way. It’s shocking how a single wrapper can ruin an otherwise pristine viewpoint photo.
Be the Hiker You’d Want to Meet
During my third Koh Tao visit, I joined a clean-up hike organized by a local dive shop. The guide, an expat who’d lived on the island for fifteen years, shared something I’ll never forget: “The jungle doesn’t know the difference between tourists and residents. It only knows who respects it.”
Some basic respect goes a long way:
- The monkeys near Mango Viewpoint might look cute, but feeding them creates problems for everyone
- Taking “shortcuts” off established paths damages plant roots that prevent erosion
- Speaking of which… some trails on private land exist because owners allow access – respecting their property keeps these paths open
Beyond Hiking: What Else Is Out There
After a particularly sweaty hike to Fraggle Rock, I discovered the perfect complement to Koh Tao’s sustainable hiking trails – snorkeling in the protected bay below. The contrast between land and marine ecosystems made me appreciate both more deeply.
One rainy afternoon, I stumbled upon Koh Tao’s Eco Mall – a collection of small businesses focused on sustainability. The shopkeeper at a zero waste store explained how tourism was changing: “Ten years ago, people only cared about parties and diving certificates. Now they want to leave the island better than they found it.”
This shift was evident in other eco tourism activities gaining popularity – from beach clean-ups to coral restoration projects where visitors help cultivate new reef sections.
What’s Next for Koh Tao’s Trails?
During my most recent visit, I noticed more trail markers and conservation signs than ever before. A local guide told me community organizations like Save Koh Tao are mapping sustainable hiking routes that minimize impact while maximizing views.
“We’re trying to show that the inside of the island deserves as much protection as the reefs,” explained Mai, a volunteer who led weekly maintenance hikes.
I can’t help wondering how these trails will look in ten years. Will they be preserved as part of an official nature reserve? Or will development eventually creep upward from the coast?
The answer probably depends on what visitors choose to do. Every time someone swaps a jet ski rental for a hiking adventure, they cast a vote for a different kind of tourism.
My last evening on Koh Tao, I hiked to a small unnamed viewpoint Chai had shown me. No facilities, no restaurants, just a natural rock shelf overlooking the sunset. A Thai family was sharing a picnic, and they waved me over to try homemade mango sticky rice.
As we watched the sky turn impossible shades of pink, the grandfather pointed to the jungle behind us and then to the sea below, saying something in Thai.
His grandson translated: “He says the mountain and the ocean are brothers who need each other.”
Looking at the perfect balance between them, I couldn’t have put it better myself. So when will you discover what lies beyond Koh Tao’s beaches?
