If you’re thinking about coming to Koh Tao alone, safety is probably the first thing you Google. I get it. Before I ever moved here, I did the exact same thing — scrolling through articles, trying to decode headlines, wondering what the island actually  feels like. I live in a small hut overlooking Shark Bay in Chalok, and this island is my everyday life — not a quick stop on a backpacking route. I walk these roads. I snorkel Shark Bay alone. I go to the market. I see how the

On the southern tip of Koh Tao lies Shark Bay — a crescent of turquoise water known for its resident sea turtles. It’s one of the few places in Thailand where you can still swim alongside these wild creatures in their natural habitat.

Here is everything you need to know about Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao to help plan your adventure!