Koh Tao had been on my bucket list for years. In my head, I pictured myself sipping cocktails by the ocean, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and soaking up the views of lush, green mountains.
When it came time to book a place to stay, I knew I wanted beachfront accommodation away from the busy shores of Sairee Beach – somewhere peaceful, with room to really relax.
That’s when I found Coral View Resort on Koh Tao.
I spent 4 nights at the resort, and this is the review I wish I had read before planning my trip.
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Where is Coral View Resort
Coral View Resort is tucked along the southeast coast of Koh Tao Island.
The location is what sold me on this property – it’s right on the beach. And no, it’s not a crowded, touristy beach like most you’ll find in Thailand. It’s a beautiful, secluded beach with not much going on.
The resort is located only 10 minutes from Mae Haad Pier and 15 minutes from Sairee Beach by car.
Coral View Resort Review
I paid for my stay, and no one knew I was a travel blogger, so this is a completely unbiased review of my experience at Coral View Resort on Koh Tao.
TOP TIP: I traveled to Koh Tao in January (peak season) so I booked my stay at Coral View a few months in advance. Luckily, I did because the resort was fully booked during my visit. Check availability here.
The rooms
We booked the beachside double room, and I can’t recommend it enough (check it out here). It’s perfect for families or anyone who wants to be just steps away from the sand.
The room itself was huge and opened onto a spacious balcony where we spent our evenings playing cards while our baby slept inside.
If you prefer more privacy, the hillside cabins and chalets are a great option. They’re standalone units tucked higher up on the hill, but be prepared for some steep stairs.
Overall, the rooms at Coral View Resort are simple but comfortable, and I loved that they all come fitted with air conditioning and a fridge.
You can find out more about the rooms and their pricing here.
The restaurant
It’s hard to beat the views from the bar and restaurant. You’re literally on the beach!
There’s a happy hour every afternoon, and we loved ending our days there with a drink in hand.
The food at the restaurant was delicious. The menu consisted mostly of local food, and the chef was accommodating in making child-friendly meals for our little one. There’s also the option of a fresh seafood BBQ.
The food was more expensive than your average Thai meal from a local restaurant in town, but given the location (and that it’s a resort), I thought the price was fair.
Breakfast
Breakfast is included, served buffet-style in a separate area near reception.
I was impressed with the selection available, with eggs cooked to your liking, plus plenty of local options like noodles, stir-fry, and curries. You’ll also find fruit, yogurt, cereal, and bread with spreads.
The only downside? The flies. They seemed to think breakfast was a buffet for them, too! The food is covered with nets, and the staff do their best to keep them away, but these little guys are determined.
The beach and snorkeling
The resort sits directly on Sai Daeng Beach, a quiet bay with soft sand and plenty of loungers for guests.
The water is beautifully clear, and the beach is popular for snorkeling. The resort provides free snorkeling gear, and some guests spotted turtles and even reef sharks.
Personally, I wasn’t quite as blown away by the snorkeling as others seemed to be, as the coral was mostly bleached and dead.
Depending on the tides, the water can go quite far back. This means you’ll need to walk over rough rocks and coral to reach a section deep enough to swim.
Read more reviews here.
Getting around
While the location of Coral View is its biggest drawback, there’s a catch.
Koh Tao doesn’t have public transport, and affordable taxis are practically non-existent. You can’t just call an Uber and be on your way in a few minutes.
The main way to get around the island is by scooter. If you’re comfortable riding one, I’d highly recommend renting a scooter during your stay. Just be aware that the final stretch of road to the resort is very steep, which can be intimidating (and even dangerous) for novice drivers.
The other option is a private transfer, which is more expensive. These taxi trucks are the only other way to get around. We paid 300 THB (10 USD) for a 10-minute drive from Coral View to Sairee Beach.
Luckily, the resort offers a complimentary transfer to and from the port on your arrival and departure days. They also run a discounted shuttle twice daily, charging 100 THB (3 USD) for a one-way trip to Sairee Beach.
The diving
Coral View is a dive resort (but that doesn’t mean you have to be a diver to stay here).
Both Gary and I are certified divers, so I was hoping to get a few dives in during our stay. I liked that they offer a more intimate experience with only a handful of divers per trip.
Because of the resort’s location, they focus on dive sites along the south and east coasts of the island. These sites are further from Koh Tao’s main hub at Sairee Beach, so you’ll usually find fewer divers around compared with the more popular spots.
They don’t run trips to some of Koh Tao’s best-known sites, like Sail Rock and Champhon, as these are too far from the resort.
Unfortunately, the ocean conditions weren’t great while we were there, so we skipped diving and spent our time exploring the island instead.
For families
We traveled with our 9-month-old baby and found the resort wonderfully family-friendly. The staff were so welcoming and helpful, and we met plenty of families during our stay.
We brought our own travel cot, but the resort also had one available. There was even a high chair in the restaurant, making mealtimes much easier.
If you’re traveling to Thailand with a baby, I’d recommend booking the seaside double room. It’s easily accessible and has enough space for a cot.
Families with toddlers or older kids might prefer the seaside family room (here), which comes with an extra bed and more space.
Things to do
Sai Daeng Beach doesn’t have much going on around, which was just what I wanted.
We took a walk over to Sai Daeng Resort, a luxury hotel at the other end of the beach. They have an incredible infinity pool with a swim-up bar, which we got to enjoy after ordering a drink. You could also stay at the resort, but it’s a lot more expensive than Coral View. If you’re interested, you can check the price here.
The only other spot to eat in the bay is Uncle Soon’s Restaurant, where we had one of the best Tom Yum soups I’ve ever tasted.
For those wanting a bit more adventure, the resort also offers snorkeling trips and full-day excursions around Koh Tao Island.
Is Coral View Resort worth it
Yes, it is! We had the best time at Coral View Resort, Koh Tao. The location is gorgeous, the beach is peaceful, and it’s a great spot to unwind for a few days.
That said, there isn’t much happening in the immediate area. My advice? Stay here for 2 or 3 nights to relax and recharge, then head to another part of Koh Tao for a different vibe.
