Is Snorkeling in Koh Tao Too Deep for Kids? Honest Review of Beginner Spots

*This is a collaborative guest post

Is this your very first visit to Koh Tao? As soon as you see the famed turquoise waters of this island, you’ll understand why it is called Turtle Island. It looks like a giant aquarium, and you’ll want to dive in immediately. 

But hold on. Are you traveling with kids? Surely, the first rush of excitement is going to be quickly followed by concerned questions, such as whether snorkeling here is safe for kids, whether the best spots are too crowded or too deep for nervous young swimmers, etc. 

All valid questions, and I took the plunge, literally, to find out so you can enjoy your snorkeling with your entire family without any worries. 

I’ve spent years chasing the best family-friendly reefs in the world because I wanted to share my love of snorkeling with my little kids. Very quickly, I learnt that a postcard-perfect beach doesn’t always mean a stress-free snorkel session, especially for beginners. The good news is that Koh Tao is one of the best islands in the Gulf of Thailand to introduce tiny snorkelers to the amazing underwater world. The island’s bays are sheltered, the water is warm, and the most beautiful reefs are only a few meters from the sand. 

Has this piqued your interest? Let’s not waste more time and quickly get into the details of how to reach this island and the spots you should most definitely check out. 

Reaching Koh Tao: A beautiful journey in itself 

The best way to reach Koh Tao is by taking a ferry from a nearby island port or the mainland, and the most common route is the Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry. If Koh Samui is not part of your plan, you can take a ferry from Surat Thani or Chumphon. 

Once you have reached and settled down, the following are some of the best beginner-friendly spots in Koh Tao you shouldn’t miss. 

Spot 1: Aow Leuk (The Blacktip Nursery)

My two cents? Do not miss this spot. Aow Leuk is not just a paradise for beginner snorkelers, but if you’re lucky, you’ll get to swim with baby blacktip reef sharks in the shallow waters. These baby sharks are completely harmless, and it is a treat to swim along with them. 

My honest review is that this bay is the gold standard for families because the water entry is perfectly gradual, and even if you are out twenty feet, the water is still waist-deep on an adult. 

The best part? Parents can venture out into the deeper part of the bay once the kids are exhausted. 

Spot 2: Japanese Gardens, Koh Nang Yuan (The Picture-Perfect Classroom)

Take a short longtail boat ride from the main Koh Tao beach to reach Koh Nang Yuan. The Japanese Gardens dive site has earned the nickname, The Picture-Perfect Classroom, due to its shallow, calm, and safe conditions. You could say that the snorkeling conditions here are tailor-made for first-timers. 

Kids love snorkeling here because of the abundance of friendly, vibrant fish. It is almost like swimming in a tropical fish bowl. 

While this is an excellent dive spot, Koh Nang Yuan is a private island. Hence, it charges a small entrance fee. 

Spot 3: Shark Bay (Haad Tien) 

Does the name sound scary? There’s no need to be nervous because Shark Bay gets its name from its harmless frequent visitors – blacktip reef sharks. 

If you move past the name, you’ll find this dive spot perfect for your kids. They could be swimming with green and hawksbill sea turtles. 

You can access this dive spot via a beautiful stretch of beach, and the water starts shallow. At a depth of about 3 to 5 meters, you’ll find the sea turtles hanging out. 

Spot 4: Tanote Bay 

Tanote Bay on the east side of Koh Tao is a slightly different experience, catering to the kid who is gaining confidence and looking for a bit more action. The main attraction is the giant boulder in the middle of the bay, which acts as a natural landmark and cliff-jumping platform. 

The depth here quickly goes from 2 meters to 5 meters and deeper. Therefore, even if your kid is a confident snorkeler, keep a watchful eye. Supervision is required. 

The Final Verdict: Is Koh Tao Too Deep for Kids?

Absolutely not.

Koh Tao offers several dive sites for beginner snorkelers, along with sightings of baby blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles. If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll get obsessed with snorkeling. 

Koh Tao’s kid-friendly dive spots are perfect for building their confidence. 

Just remember to fit the mask and fins properly, and parent supervision is non-negotiable. 

Have you experienced Koh Tao’s dive spots with your kids? Which spots are your favorite? Share your experience.