Celebrating Halloween on Koh Tao with kids

Note: date has changed to the 5th Nov 2017

At the Koh Tao Playskool and Daycare, we love any excuse for a party and Halloween is no exception. This year we will be celebrating in our usual fashion by holding an activity based party where you can drop your kids off for some thematic fun. Our party lasts for 3 hours which is why we choose to hold this on Sunday, this year it will take place on the 5^th November 2017 from 3pm to 6pm. Check out this awesome video we made as a keepsake for our children back in 2015, click here.

Getting messy

Our party is suitable for children aged 2 years + and our careful planning allows each age range to join the fun at a level which suits their ability. Activities such as potion making and making your own blood bank juice are just some of the cool crafts we have to offer.

Watermelon brain, cake pop eyeballs and earwax cotton buds...

Our party wouldn’t be complete without a terrifying tea party featuring lots of creepy food art which is not only ascetically pleasing but also aims to find the balance between nutrition and pure decadence which, as a ‘one-off’ party, we feel is an excellent treat for the children.

We sell tickets for this event and money raised will go towards bettering our school, the Koh Tao Playskool receives zero funding so supporting events like this really helps develop our wonderful school. Our ticket prices are 500 baht for playschool members and 600 baht for non-members.We have loads of giveaways including candy bags and our ‘dress to scare if you dare’ winner receives a prize for the best costume.

Join us for some Fang-tastic fun at the weekend and help support our school which caters to large number

of local expat, Thai and Burmese children in our community.

Thank you in advance for your love and support!

Bree and the Koh Tao Playskool gang

Lola and Jett had the best-dressed costumes

10 Top tips to surviving monsoon in Koh Tao

Mum holding up the sky before the storm rolls in

Whilst no one can predict what the upcoming monsoon will be like, we can all be prepared. Our monsoon season takes place between October and the beginning of December. The past few years have been hit or miss, in fact, Koh Tao didn't have much rain for around 2-3 years causing a drought, the trees on the mountain turned a yellowy green, water was being shipped in to fill tanks and many of us found ourselves having to shower at friends houses once our wells had run out. However, Koh Tao has since been making up for this, this January we were hit with massive flooding causing damages to many homes and businesses, check out this video. Whilst that was rather unpleasant, we have to be thankful for our rainfall as we rely on the rain as our primary water source. Even though monsoon can be pretty wet, that's not to say we don't have sunshine for weeks on end, it's actually rather refreshing, the temperature cools and we are rewarded with some of the most amazing sunsets we have during the whole year. Don't let the rain put you off coming to Koh Tao, the monsoon is a magical and a truly wonderful experience where you can dance in the rain, go for a swim in the ocean or watch the clouds roll in from your balcony.

Here are 10 tips on surviving monsoon on Koh Tao

1. Save during high season

Koh Tao is a tourist destination with seasonal busy spells, however, during the monsoon period, the island tends to quieten down which is a great opportunity to recharge your batteries and get ready for the December high season. But... you need to plan ahead for this, the low season can mean low income which is why you need to be prepared and bank some cash to get you through this quiet time.

2. Stock up on supplies

Head to 7 eleven, Ice shop, Pods, Aukotan and Chaiwat, grab some cans of beans, soup, mama noodles, freezer meals, cigarettes, toilet paper, water etc.. You will regret not doing this on a wet day when you really don't want to leave the house and drive through the partially flooded roads, even more so if you have cuts or mosquito bites which are likely to turn into an infection. During November the waves can get pretty high so the night boat may be cancelled, sometimes for days, which means our islands supplies can't reach us, shelves will get low in stock, 7 eleven will run out of ham and cheese toasties and restaurants will be buying up any fresh good and meat which is why it's handy to have your emergency stockpile at hand. On a positive note, I have never once seen this island run out of beer so if you do get stuck, head to Banyan bar for some amazing home cooked food and a cold beer.

3. Keep a raincoat in your motorbike seat

It does not rain all the time but be prepared to go for lunch and dinner and the weather to change in a
matter of minutes. You can buy cheap basic raincoats in most shops including 7 eleven for around 40 baht, they fold up really small so can easily fit in your handbag or motorbike seat.

4. Avoid denim

It is so tempting to put on your jeans with the change in temperature but you need to keep in mind that things just don't dry which means you'll find yourself washing your jeans more often, this for me is a sin as I like some of mine to stay the colour I bought them and, keeping in mind it's low season (low income), denim is heavy increasing your laundry bill.

5. Invest in Netflix

OK, so I imagine everyone has already done this, I have only recently joined and can not believe how fantastic it is. If you don't have a TV you can watch on your laptop or smartphone by downloading the app. It costs around 434 baht a month but can be shared between 5 people and has this amazing technology where it suggests movies, series and documentaries based on your previous selections and stores the point where you finished up on any of your selections. I have set up an account for each family member (minus my husband, as he shares with his family) and what that means is that Crew can watch Teletubbies, Phoenix can watch Skylander academy and I can watch my horror movies without affecting each others 'Netflix intelligence', the kids also will not have inappropriate movie suggestions either... Hope that makes sense, anyway our family are huge fans. I should also mention that you do need the Internet for this service, I can run mine off of 3G if need be, otherwise, you can download movie and series when you have a strong WIFI connection, which is how we managed with our baby during our travels.

6. Open up your wardrobes

This is my absolute least favourite part of monsoon, the mould, be prepared to have your clothes and wardrobe become mouldy. Remember not to put clothes you've already worn in with clean clothes and keep those doors open to get some air circulation, I have known people to have fans blowing through their clothes to avoid the dreaded mould and smell (which is very difficult to get out... I have a recipe for this which I may include later). The best way to deal with this inevitable problem is to avoid it as much as possible. So my second tip here is to wash clothes you're not likely to wear and seal them in either a vacuum bag or a strong bin bag, the key to this is keeping them airtight. I have found myself washing our entire wardrobes amounting to 53 washes just to get clothes fresh again, now we vacuum pack them and have a smaller amount of clothes which we hang in our wardrobe. Then simply wipe out the wardrobe with Dettol and bleach and after monsoon re-hang our stored clothes which remain clean and fresh.

7. Clean your cuts and mosquito bites often

Infected bite

As I mention before, infections are more likely to occur in monsoon as you'll find yourself more likely to walk or drive through the dirty stagnant water. You'll be surprised at how quickly a tiny mosquito bite can suddenly turn into a large infected wound, this not only scars skin terribly but also can lead to staph infections which need to be avoided at all costs. The best tip I can give for this is to clean wounds often when you do get out and about and cover them as much as possible during the day as there will also be an increase in bugs, flies and mosquitoes during the rainy spells. Keep dressing off at night in the comfort of your own home. Leggings are also a good solution for ladies and lightweight trousers for men can help avoid these bites to begin with, and keep unwanted dirt out. This tip is handy throughout the year or after an accident etc..

8. Keep a torch handy

Power cuts can happen at any given time so be prepared with a torch next to your bed and keep your phone credit topped up as this also means you will likely lose your WIFI Internet. Keeping your laptop fully charged as often as possible will help as you can also charge your phone thru this and tether your Internet.

9. Bulk cook and freeze

My freezer contents

Monsoon is a great time to catch up with friends and if you're looking to save some cash why not team up together and bulk cook some meals to freeze for later. If you're craving a big bowl of spaghetti bolognese, cooking it yourself and sharing costs with friends makes this meal a fraction of the price. For example, I cook around 8-10 portions for approx 400 baht plus the cost of pasta (500g/5 portions for 75 baht), which works out around 55 baht per person... that's not bad at all.
This is how I manage to feed my large family on a budget here, although I must say it is far cheaper for single people to eat out than my family of 5-6. This is just a great way to enjoy some home foods in the comfort of your own home during the wet season.

10. Dry November 

This is an optional tip but a good one I think. Why not use the monsoon season to take a break from the booze, give your liver a break and see how much you save!! I am now 5 and a half weeks into my alcohol break and I feel great, I've saved a ridiculous amount of money and have managed to achieve some huge work related goals.... Just a thought LOL...

I hope you have all found these tips useful and if I missed anything important, feel free to comment at the bottom. :)

Celebrating a birthday or special occasion on Koh Tao

You've travelled from near and far to holiday on the idyllic island of Koh Tao. But you've just realised that you'll be away for a loved one's birthday, wedding anniversary or graduation and don't want the event to feel forgotten...

What better way to celebrate a special occasion than with a personalised cake? Here are a couple of my favourite places you can order them from and a brief outline on 'how to'.

Remember bakeries need time to produce cakes especially if you want to order an elaborate one, so be prepared and order ahead of time.

My best friend's 'Welcoming baby Leon into the world' party

My beautiful baby shower cake

Thai-Riffic

Situated in the heart of Sairee, Nay Pon Road. This bakery is home to P'Korn, the master of fondant art and extravagant cake creations. If you are looking for something extra special on  Koh Tao, this is the person you need to see. You can contact her simply popping by the shop, or alternatively, you can arrange to meet through her Facebook page Koh Tao Thairiffic. Plan ahead and take with you a picture of your design idea, along with anything you'd like written on the cake... then prepare to be amazed. You will also have candles and a cake knife as part of your order. I've included a price list along with a picture of my favourite creation,  'Ahoy it's a boy' baby shower cake...

Price list for Koh Tao Thai-Riffic

Through the looking glass

If you are all about flavour then this is the place to order from. The Looking glass bakery offer 7'' and 9'' cakes in your flavour of choice along with a few different frosting options. The wonderful staff at the bakery will delicately pipe your cake with a simple design and include any written messages such as 'Happy birthday'. A cake knife and candles will be included in your order as well. As I've already mentioned, you will not be disappointed by their flavours especially if you LOVE carrot cake with cream cheese frosting (it is my absolute favourite cake on Koh Tao). The Looking glass staff are also the people to speak to if you have any allergies or special food requests too. If you are spending Christmas on Koh Tao, don't miss out on their mince pies!!!

7'' ROUND CAKE 650 BAHT
9'' ROUND CAKE 800 BAHT

Not only am I a huge fan of this bakery's cakes, I also wanted to mention that you can actually cater for an entire birthday using this eatery and their menu... even if it's last minute. And I have to tell you that this is a British bakery which means they offer the perfect party food.

Here's an example of what I usually order, these items are readily available Monday-Saturday (closed on Sundays) from 7.30am-2.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm (Mon-Thurs). 

• Sausage rolls, I usually cut these into 3 pieces and work out roughly 1-2 pieces per person - 60 baht a sausage roll
• Long sandwich rolls with your choice of filling ranging from hummus and roasted veggies to bacon and egg with HP sauce. These are also great to stretch your budget at just 100 baht and can be easily cut into 3's.
• Quiche...... Oh their DELICIOUS quiche... choose from bacon with caramelised onion or roasted veggies and feta. At 70 baht a slice (I cut these into 6 bite-size pieces) these are an absolute hit! Both adults and children love to enjoy these.
• If you didn't want to bother with a huge cake, why not take a slice of their chocolate brownie, white chocolate brown, carrot cake (as mentioned before, not to be missed), coconut and banana, cappuccino and more... from 40-70baht a slice, you can try a bit of every cake on display
• Scotch eggs, a real taste of home, just 80 baht

And there you have it, an excellent party with lots of treat and variety to suit all on a small budget and it's completely effortless :)

How to get to Koh Tao with kids (Cheapest vs quickest)

Here are some tried and tested tips on getting to Koh Tao with kids

 1. Fly in to Samui (Easiest, quickest but most expensive)

It can be worth buying flights from your starting point to Koh Samui, often they tend to be cheaper if you fly through Kuala Lumpar to Samui, rather than the Bangkok route. But if you are like us, and like having open plans, you can fly from Bangkok to Samui but this comes with a hefty price tag. This is by far the easiest, quickest and most comfortable way to travel down with children so if you can afford to do it, it's definitely worth the spend. Then you are just a short boat ride away. Timing is crucial when choosing your flights so landing 1hr- 1hr 30 mins prior to boat departure allows you enough time to get to the pier. Flight prices are approx 5000 baht per person one way, you may find cheaper but this might be due to you not being able to meet the boat (then you'll need to consider a hotel and additional taxi's)

Option 1
Take the Seatran ferry at 1pm, this is conveniently located 10 mins taxi drive away from the airport and is great choice if you're pushed for time. Seatran staff are super helpful however, boat takes slightly longer than its competitor but only by 30 minutes. You can also book tickets online, here's the  link.. Adults 600 baht and children (3-8yrs) 300 baht.

Option 2

Take the Lompraya from the Pralarn pier to Koh Tao departing 8.00am or 12.30pm. The pier is approximately 30 minutes drive from the airport so keep that in mind and also be aware of the 'school run' traffic. There is also the 5pm boat which leaves from Nathon pier, you will need to allow plenty of time to get there, about an 1-1.5 hrs. Service is hit or miss so be prepared for 'mum' to get on with the kids and 'dad' to lug bags on the boat. The great thing about travelling with this company is that the boat ride tends to be very smooth and when buying tickets they now consider children 3-11yrs old. Adults 600/700 baht (depending on boat time), children 300 baht (3-11yrs) and infants are free. You can book tickets through their website, here's the link 

- BEWARE OF FULL MOON PARTY DATES, BOATS MAY BE FULL, BOOK IN ADVANCE

2. Fly to Chumphon with Nok air + Lomprayah

This option is slightly cheaper than flying to Samui but the journey time can be quite timely and means waking up early and checking out of your hotel (if you have one) then travelling to Don Mueng airport and checking in. Flights leave around 6am so you would need to leave at 4-4.30am depending on where you are staying in Bangkok. This airline works along side Lomprayah company and intends to meet their boat departure times. You will be met at Chumphon airport with a Lomprayah representative or will need to find their information desk. You will arrive in Koh Tao at either 3pm or 7pm. Adults and children are charged the same starting at around 3000baht one way. We personally don't like this option at all as it's such a long journey with added expenses such as taxi to airport and with many hours to kill, often spending lots on buying snacks and drinks, and entertaining the children. But want to offer as many options available so you can make the choice which suits your families needs best.

3. Train from Bangkok to Chumphon (Top choice)

Crew's first train ride

By far our favourite choice, especially if you can book 2 first class cabin (4 berths), which we do even through Crew doesn't need a bed (it's an extra 500 baht). The train leaves at 7.30pm from Hua Lumphong station and is a wonderful experience. Not only will your children enjoy the novelty of riding the train, it's even more exciting when they set up the bunk beds and they can hide behind their curtain and read a book (or play on their Iphone like in my sons case). If you can get the first class cabins it's a dream as you can keep all your luggage with you and it is so much easier getting on and off the train, you will also have a table, sink (awesome for rinsing used milk bottles) and power points so we often watch a movie and eat a picnic before laying down to rest. Another great thing about the train is that you can order food on there and they serve you in your cabin/bed. If you aren't able to book the first class because they're full, take the second class option is still great but a bit trickier getting luggage on and off, I usually send the kids on first to our seats and then between us we get the regular, outrageous, amount of luggage on (usually full of shopping for the Koh Tao Playskool LOL). The down side to using the train is that the train arrives around 4.30-5.30am and the biggest panic and fear most people have is not being told when it's their stop. Thailand is one of the easiest countries to travel in the world, the train conductor will make sure you are up and awake to get off the train at your stop, they run a very tight 'ship' (train?) and are used to this route and having passengers panic about whether they've passed their stop etc... Please don't panic, you will be informed! When you get off the train, with hopefully all your luggage (triple check, you'll be dazed and confused after just waking up), you are greeted with a toilet and shower on the platform (5/20baht), a shop selling everything from drinks, coffee, toast, crisps, cookies, ice cream etc... with plenty of tables and chair to relax. There, you will wait for the lomprayah bus to the pier which picks you up around 6.30am. Many of the locals will usher you to check in and prompt you of what you need to do next so just go with the flow. You should arrive to Koh Tao before 9am. Bonus, 1 nights free accommodation and check into your hotel and enjoy the entire day you've paid for. Ticket prices vary but approx Adult 1450-1700 baht (second/first class) Children (3-8yrs, depending on whether you share a bed) 1100-1400 baht and infants free.

Please note
- You must go to the train station to book your ticket, online service isn't very reliable and rarely works
- BEWARE OF FULL MOON DATES, TICKETS WILL BE HARD TO FIND

4. Fly from Bangkok to Surrathani (2nd choice)

This is also a really great option in our opinion. Air asia and Thai Lion Air offer some incredibly cheap flights down to Surrathani which, as long as your flight arrives before either 8.30am or 1.30pm, you will make the next boat departing to Koh Tao. You will also be met by a Lomprayah Representative and bus which is included in your boat ticket price. Prices start from around 900 baht per person (flight) and your boat ticket with transfer for an adult 850 baht, child (3-11yrs old) 430 baht and infants are free. Prices will vary depending on whether you need to buy baggage allowance (20kgs +) and if you want a meal etc.


5. Bus from Bangkok to Chumphon (cheapest- last resort)

To be honest I've really debated adding this option, it's one I did for many years on my own with

Phoenix when he was little, but back then there wasn't as many options as there are available today.. I'll start with the price, adult 1100 baht and child 550 (3-11yrs). Now it is in fact the cheapest option but there is a reason for that. I'm not going to say too much about the night bus, just expect to get no sleep, be uncomfortable and extremely cold/hot, being woken up at 2am pit stop... You leave at 9pm and arrived at 9am. There is, however, a 6.30am bus which is the option we used to take, Phoenix and I would stay on Khao San road so it was easier to get to the meeting point in the morning and whilst it's uncomfortable and lacking in space, especially with little ones, the journey wasn't too bad as we'd go back to sleep for a couple of hours and then Phoenix would entertain himself with his cars or trains. You do go directly to the pier and have a short pit stop along the way, then arrive on Koh Tao around 3pm. I mean if you're really tight on cash it's fine taking this morning bus but for my family and I, comfort and sleep hold a lot of value especially when we have plans at our destination.

Koh Tao's most child-friendly hotels

On Koh Tao, you can be absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. I've put together a list of my top picks and have separated them by the type of places to stay and what each has to offer in terms of comfort, access, privacy and amenities.

Luxury villas

This is by far my favourite choice simply because most of them offer stunning views, have a swimming pool, kitchen and lots of privacy. I like the idea of waking up with the kids and literally jumping straight into the pool only metres from your bedroom or putting the kids to bed and taking an evening dip under the stars with a big glass of red wine. Whilst most villa's don't offer breakfast buffets, breakfast deliveries can be arranged and some villas will offer a hand delivered breakfast as part of their service. If you're like me, having a private villa also gives me the perfect excuse to feed one of my holiday addictions, Supermarkets, I will literally spend hours walking around every aisle trying to find new things to try. Upon arrival, my second call of duty, first being to jump in the pool, would be to jump in a taxi and head out to get provisions so we can live in the comfort of our own space with our favourite treats for at least a few days while we unwind. If we were checking into any luxury villa on Koh Tao I would head to Pod's supermarket, grab a selection of cheese, hams and meats, olives, pickles, apples, crackers, bread, eggs and salad bits. Phoenix and Steven would likely head for the cereal selection and grab the most sugar-packed one they could find along with 2 litres of milk. I'd also grab a load of plain yoghurts, cornflakes and a watermelon for Crew. We'd swing by the nearest 7 eleven and pick up wine and beer, soft drinks, water and ice. I doubt we'd cook in the evening so this would be our first night of trying out the local eats, either some street food, with extra for the fridge or maybe hit one of the many delectable restaurants Sairee has to offer. From there we would spend our days trying out all the new beaches, or take a longtail trip around the island or go on organised snorkel tours... always with the comfort of coming back to our beautiful villa and to take yet another dip in the pool. Simply blissful!

Chalisa villa's $$

These beautifully simple and spacious 2 bedroom villas not only offer everything you can think of in terms of details such as a wide choice of movies and series saved on the TV, an easy check in with the lovely property manager Nicky, umbrellas, power adapters, a phone, delivery menus and special requests such as a baby cot. The location is what makes this great for a family, situated in the heart of Sairee, and just a 2 minutes walk to the Playskool and 10 minutes walk to the beach giving you access to some of the best restaurants on Koh Tao, 7 eleven, touristy shops, beach and swimming pool bars, travel agents and more. They both come with their own plunge pools and offer lots of privacy and safety as these properties have high walls and secure gates. They also offer a third property, the 'Bamboo villa' which is a 2 bedroom bungalow with huge living and kitchen space, beautiful interior with a larger swimming pool, decking and outdoor dining area. These villas are by far our favourite choice as they are extremely affordable and the owner can arrange some great deals for anyone wishing to stay for a longer period. We spent 3 weeks here and absolutely loved it!

Cape shark $$$

These stunning villas overlook Shark Island and each comes with the most incredible design integrated into the mountainous surroundings featuring beautiful boulders and luscious palm trees with a choice of beachfront pool properties. What's great about Cape Shark is they have villas with 1-5 bedrooms and you can choose whatever suits your family needs. When I think of luxury villas, these come to mind. When you swim in your private spacious pool, you simply feel like you're on top of the world. They are well managed, maintained and thought out, they have quite easily thought of everything in terms of comfort and ease. When you stay here you'll wish this was your home and will never want to leave. Their open plan designs offer a huge kitchen with an abundance of utensils, cookware and dining options, dining table, lounge area and glass doors so you can see your children from all angles. We were lucky enough to have visited friends and throw a baby shower here.

Villa del Sol $$$

The Villa del Sol is located on the southern side of the island. You can choose from 3 unique boutique villas that offer you the choice of best location, best view and the most space. We recommend for families the Villa Eleadora- gift of the sun as it's conveniently located just 150 metres above sea level and has the easiest access to all the villas and offers close but separate living space. The Villa does suggest it is not really suitable for children under 5 years old so this need to be taken into consideration when booking. However, we highly rate this gorgeous chic property with its outstanding views. 

Resorts and hotels

If you're looking for the complete rest and relaxation package, booking into a resort or hotel is most definitely the way forward. Most come with daily housekeeping, breakfast buffets, fresh towels, swimming pools, diving schools, laundry services, taxi transfers, spas and many other perks. It truly is the most relaxing experience for mums, dads and their children.  

Jamahkhiri Resort and Spa $$

Jamahkhiri has to be my absolute favourite resorts on Koh Tao, it's stunning views, incredible design and outstanding service are the reason this place is the top of my list. Not to mention it's amazing restaurant and of course, it's 5-star Spa.  They offer a wide range of spa package lasting between 2-3hrs, these include the use of their Herbal sauna and Salinity pool, or you can choose from their 'a la carte' treatment menu. The Spa is conveniently located close to the pool making it easy for mums to sneak off for a couple of hours. The rooms are beautifully decorated in a modern Thai design and have balconies overlooking the ocean. This outstanding resort also offers dive courses and have access to the sea. Jamahkhiri holds a special place in my heart as it's where Steven proposed to me on my birthday, the resort owners kindly had their staff arrange flowers on our bed saying 'Happy birthday' and left a chilled bottle of bubbly with 2 glasses which we enjoyed on our balcony before heading to the pool. I can not recommend this place enough!

Koh Tao Cabana $$

This idyllic resort is a work of art, cleverly designed with natural rustic features, it is fabulously thought out and has the best location on Sairee beach. The rooms come in a variety of styles and they offer a wide choice for families. With the choice of beach or pool, it's location is just one of the many perks of staying here. It also has a quaint playground near the restaurant on the beach and a gift shop where you can buy products which are featured throughout their resort (my go-to for gifts for family and friends). I've stayed here on a couple of occasions, the first we stayed in the round almost African style bungalow which would have easily and comfortably fit a family. The second time we were lucky enough to stay in their private pool villa sitting metres away from the beach. This would be the perfect choice for a family with lots of children, with an outside kitchen and lounge area and 2 large bedrooms divided by a swimming pool. This villa is super comfortable and particularly private. We really loved it.

Haad Tien $$

Firstly, I couldn't find a decent photo that does this resort justice, Haad Tien occupies all of Shark Bay. Whilst I've never been a guest, I have pretended to be on a few occasions and made use of their gorgeous black pool and restaurant. This resort has everything you could possibly need and offers the safety and serenity of being on your own private beach. Shark Bay is famous for it's snorkelling and many people come here to see the reef sharks and, if you're lucky, you'll see some turtles too. You will meet many families here and the kids will make lots of friends as this resort is very family focused.  

Dive centres with accommodation 

Many people come to Koh Tao for its diving, which it's famous for. You'll find even dive schools on Koh Samui actually travel to Koh Tao daily to check out our many dive sites. What's great about Koh Tao is that parents can enrol in a dive course or go fun diving and have childcare options through the Koh Tao Playskool and Daycare. Many resorts here tend to be connected to a diving company and can even offer some great deals for their guests who wish to go explore the ocean.

Sairee Hut and Scuba Shack $$

Rated for its excellent location, it has accommodation to suit all budgets and even offers private pool villas. This has to be my favourite Dive focused Resort. They offer a breakfast buffet, have a swimming pool with a kiddy pool, travel information desk and Scuba Shack Dive School. As you walk down the path you'll be greeted by some unusual friends that speak a few languages. These minor birds amuse Crew, and myself, for hours. The family that owns the resort are usually there and absolutely love children and choosing Scuba Shack as your dive school means you can enjoy smaller groups and a more personalised service.

Crystal Dive Resort $-$$

If you're looking for a Dive school with experience, Crystal Dive Resort is the place for you. It was

established over 20 years ago and offers PADI dive courses and even scuba courses for children. Crystal is more than just a dive centre. It offers accommodation to suit all budget needs including Thai traditional beach bungalows and rooms a short walk up the beach to their partner hotel. When you're not diving you can relax at one of their spacious pools or enjoy watching the sunset at their ambient beach bar. Along with that, you are a short walk away from clothing and souvenir shops, 7 eleven and an abundance of Thai and Western restaurants such as Cafe del Sol, Dolce Vita, Famoso and more.

Sairee Cottage and Dive Centre $$

Sairee cottage makes the list because it's beautiful layout, excellent restaurant, pool bar, well-maintained beach area and its small, intimate dive school. The facilities here are stunning and every single detail has been thought out and planned. You will feel like you're part of the Sairee cottage 'family' if you stay and dive with these guys. I recently saw a 12-year-old boy take his Junior Open Water here, the instructor was kind, patient, fun and clearly liked working with children which was wonderful to see. 

Ban's Diving Resort $-$$$

This resort is by far one of the biggest featuring 3 pools, 2 restaurants, 2 shops, a coffee shop, travel agent and soon will open launching a family-focused hang out at Darawan Restaurant. This was where my journey began on Koh Tao and where I embarked on my diving adventure starting with my open water going up to my Dive Master certification. Ban's have quite literally got everything you can think of, making this highly desirable for families. This is a well established, clean and organised holiday spot which offers something for everyone's budget allowance.    

Budget hotels, guest houses and hostels

Sairee Sairee Guesthouse $

If you're travelling on a tight budget why not stay at Sairee Sairee Guesthouse, it's in a great location and offers rooms with a double bed and the option for an extra bed for children over 5yrs old. Children under 5 yrs old can stay for free using the existing bedding. Everything in Sairee is within walking distance and it has 2 supermarkets less than 100 metres away.




There are many more guesthouses, budget hotels and hostels in Koh Tao, however, I haven't had a personal experience with them so wanted to leave this section. If you have or know a great family friendly budget place to stay, please share your experience in the comment area below.

Thanks for reading!

Koh Tao kids school kids playing african drums

How to order from Lazada

Whilst I wouldn't want to encourage people to abuse this islands amazing order system, there are occasions when it is deemed necessary like, for example when you're running out of nappies and can't find your babies size.  With limited options on Koh Tao, us locals order from a company called Lazada. You can search most baby items, motorbike helmets, cots, pushchairs, carriers, swimming accessories, furniture and more. So don't worry if you did happen to forget a crucial item, it can be easily replaced by using this order system.

1. Choose your item/items
2. Check estimated delivery time
3. Check out and enter your details
4. Add this address and you will need to give a phone number 

Your name

Post Restante

Koh Tao Post Office

Surrathani

84360 

      5. Add payment method, I recommend using cash on delivery, this guarantees you get your item and if it doesn't arrive on time, you can reorder again OR paypal.

      6. Wait for an email confirmation 

      7. Track your package

      8. Pick it up from the post office

And it's as simple as that. The one thing I would say to look out for is items that are internationally shipped, these will take at least 6 weeks to arrive here. Items ordered in Thailand should take 4-7 days. Also, I must say the lovely people at the Post Office have nothing to do with your order so if you do have any problems you need to contact Lazada directly on 020180000