Skip to content

Thailand answers, housing

Where should I stay on Koh Tao long term: Sairee, Mae Haad, Chalok Baan Kao or Tanote?

By DigiTao editorial.

Koh Tao is 21 km2, so you are not choosing a commute. You are choosing what you hear at midnight and whether you can live without a scooter.

Mae Haad, the practical base

The pier village, and what Traveltomtom calls the city centre of the island, busy and without a good beach. The Bangkok Bank and Krungsri branches, the hospital and the post office are all around it, per the Koh Tao Complete Guide. TaoHub coworking is by the pier and Blacktip is on the road from Mae Haad towards Tanote Bay. Holafly, updated in May 2026, prices coliving rooms in Mae Haad at USD 200 to 1,100 a month, with furnished apartments across the island from USD 250.

Sairee, the social one

The long west coast beach, the most popular area and the easiest place to meet people, says Traveltomtom, with dorm beds from about USD 7 to 8 a night and restaurants and nightlife around the 7-Eleven crossing. It is about a ten minute walk from Mae Haad, which is why people who do not want a scooter live on this strip. Bars run late near the beach, so look a little inland if you have a 07:00 dive boat.

Chalok Baan Kao, the quiet bay

The south bay has a relaxed feel and gets very quiet at night, per Traveltomtom. The municipality office and Rescue Koh Tao are there. It is a ride rather than a walk to Mae Haad, so budget for a scooter.

Tanote and the east coast

Tanote, Hin Wong and Lighthouse Bay face away from the prevailing wind, so they stay sheltered and clear when the west coast is rough, according to Isla Tortuga Divers. The price is distance: Traveltomtom describes the remote bays as good value with basic facilities and little nightlife, and recommends a taxi boat if you arrive with luggage. Choose it when the sea matters more than the errands.

The rule we give friends

Live between Sairee and Mae Haad if you want to skip the scooter. Live in Chalok if you want quiet and are happy riding. Try the east coast for a month before you commit to a season.

Rent bands by type are on the Koh Tao page, and what a month costs is in our Koh Tao cost of living guide.

Sources

  1. Traveltomtom, best places to stay in Koh Tao (Mae Haad the busy centre, Sairee about a ten minute walk away, dorm beds about USD 7 to 8, Chalok quiet at night, remote bays basic with taxi boats for luggage), accessed .
  2. Isla Tortuga Divers, living and diving in Koh Tao (Hin Wong, Tanote and Lighthouse Bay sheltered in the windy season), accessed .
  3. Holafly, accommodation in Koh Tao for long term stays, updated 26 May 2026 (coliving in Mae Haad USD 200 to 1,100, furnished apartments from USD 250), accessed .
  4. Koh Tao Complete Guide, hospital, offices and services (banks, hospital and post office around Mae Haad; municipality and Rescue Koh Tao in Chalok Baan Kao), accessed .
  5. Blacktip Coworking Space Koh Tao, official site (location near the road to Tanote Bay), accessed .

Facts in this answer last verified .

Read the full guide

Ask DigiTao