Koh Tao is a paradise island located in the Gulf of Thailand. The name in English means ‘Turtle Island’ as there use to be an abundance of turtles around its shores. The island also looks like a turtle if approached from it’s southern end, the earlier settlers from the surrounding islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, saw ‘Turtle Island’ first as they sailed to the island in their small sailing vessels some 60 years ago and became the first people to make a home here.

In the early years the island was one of fisherman and farmers, with the rich diversity of nature and untouched soils and coral reefs the local inhabitants were able to carve out a relaxed and sustainable way of living. The population steadily grew and from the mid-70’s the first tourist began to arrive on the island. What the first tourist found was truly paradise, which of course lead to more and more people coming. By the beginning of the 90’s the island already had a small tourist industry and the first dive schools opened.

A few turned in 100’s and then 1000’s until now days the island can accommodate nearly 500000 tourist visiting each year. Of course the island has changed but somehow still manages to keep that same relaxed and wonderful atmosphere that the very first tourist found.