Koh Tachai

Koh Tachai is a remote island which sits alone between the Similan and Surin Islands. In 2001, the Ministry of Agriculture has included it in the Similan Marine Park as eleventh island. Tachai Island, also called Virgin Island, is located about 60 north of Koh Ba-Ngu, the northernmost of the original nine islands that formed the Park, and about 64 km west of Lamken Pier in Khao Lak District, the nearest access to island from mainland. In the last decade the island has become famous for its beautiful dive sites, where often are reported sightings of Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, the two largest pelagic species of oceans. Twin Peaks, its most famous site, has received a nomination from the National Geographic Society as one of the top 10 diving destinations in the world. The island has a surface of 1.2 square kilometres, 3 km long and less than 1 km at its maximum width. It has an ancient rainforest in the interior which offers a variety of wild life. A fairly difficult path inside the jungle allows crossing the island from side to side in less than 15 minutes. Like most of Similan Islands, Koh Tachai has a western coastline made up granite formations which plunge dramatically into the deep ocean, while the eastern side is characterized by a gentler slope with a beautiful coral reef interspersed by numerous sandbanks dotted with huge granite formations and pinnacles. Here are located most of famous its dive sites and the only beach of Koh Tachai. The pristine beach is a strip 800 meters long of fine white sand, surrounded by crystal turquoise waters. The shallow reef in front of it is ideal for swimming and skorkelling among big shoals of tropical fish. The island offers some facilities that are fairly basic. Behind the beach there is a small restaurant which serves Thai's dishes and a campsite for visitors.Read More  

Please note: Koh Tachai will be closed to tourists indefinitely beginning 15 October 2016 due to restore itself from the ecological damage caused by excessive tourism.