There are 3 good reasons to go to Koh Tao. First, it offers the most exciting diving in the Gulf of Thailand. Second, it is a picturesque island near Samui. And third, it is a mighty fine place to sit and do nothing.
We chose the third reason, and fulfilled our task without the slightest difficulty. Days passed by in a coma of sunbathing on sandy beaches, snorkelling through fish-filled seas, reading atop granite boulders, and nipping around the island on longtail boats, with only fresh seafood, spicy soups and cold beers for interruption. Staying at Sensi Paradise certainly helped. It's a good-value and well run lodge, one of many dotted around the island's 20km of palm-fringed shore-line. Of course, if you want action, the adjacent village of Mae Haad offers bars, clubs, dive courses, mountain bikes and kayaks for rent.
Highs
- There's a variety of accommodation, from simple backpackers' huts to larger stilted houses at the water's edge
- Lovely landscaped gardens with palms, lawns, bright flowers, tropical birds and a huge, secluded pool
- Beachside restaurant with seafood BBQ's and fresh fruit pressés
- Sandy beach on your doorstep, and more secluded coves within a short walk
- Handy location for dive courses, bike and kayak rentals, and more...
Lows
- We've received mixed feedback on this property of late; it's been some time since we were last able to visit and experience it for ourselves, but we hope to stop by personally soon. In the meantime, please note that our review may not entirely reflect the experience of staying at Sensi Paradise
- Being near the main pier means a lot of noise from the regular boats serving the island, and the recent reports suggest the beach is quite dirty
- Only a few of the houses are immediately on the sea
- Prices have risen of late, and you must buy their water in glass bottles (no plastic)
- Reports suggest the quality of the food has dropped
- It may take a while to get an answer to your enquiry
Best time to go
Like all islands on the eastern (gulf) side of Thailand, Koh Tao is affected by the northeast monsoon from October to December, with the worst of the rains coming in November. Travel to/from the island can be difficult during these months. January to April is high season, with hot and humid days; May through September are cooler, with pleasant breezes spilling over from the southwest monsoon during July - September.
Our top tips
We loved the gorgeous landscaped gardens with flowering shrubs, bright hibiscus flowers, tropical birds flitting about, and even a moat-ringed wooden pavilion for lazy book-time.
- Beach Resort
- 48 bedrooms
- Restaurant + bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Laundry Service
- Snorkelling equipment
Rooms
The 48 houses are cleverly spread out along the beach, among the huge boulders and up the palm-covered hillsides, so it feels much smaller and more private. The houses vary from simple houses to beautiful beachfront villas, with various other options in between. Throughout, the emphasis is on stylish simplicity: thatch panelling and roof, smooth hardwood floors and furniture, stilted balconies, and open-air shower rooms incorporating boulders and branches. Aesthetes might scoff at the over-shiny varnish or the unfaced brickwork of the bathroom walls, but it's a good effort given the remoteness.
Pride of place goes to the Royal Villa, which fronts a small sandy cove surrounded by granite outcrops. Failing these, there are assorted Family Houses set back from the sea, some overlook the beach, other the pool and some the gardens.
The best options for couples are the Romantic Sea View Houses and Sea View Suites, at the far end of this cove, also with direct access from bedroom to balcony to sea (a gratifying early morning progression!).
The Superior and Deluxe Houses are basically single-space huts on stilts, with a simple shower room out the back and a shaded porch out the front. We’d still be happy in these as they offer a little more privacy.
Features include:
- Fan
- Minibar
- Mosquito net
Eating
It's amazing how hungry you can feel after a gruelling day of sunbathing and swimming! Happily, Sensi's beachside restaurant fills the spot with an extensive menu of Thai and international dishes and drinks, served on a wooden platform looking out over Mae Haad's sandy beach and its busy boat piers.
At breakfast, choose from American-style (including eggs, bacon, sausages, tomatoes), Continental (fruit salad, breads, pastries) or Asian (rice soup with chicken or prawns, fruit salad). Or you can order individual dishes - muesli with fruit salad and yoghurt for the healthy and pancakes for the kids.
The a la carte lunch and dinner menu offers a good range of curries. We ordered a 'mild' tom yum goong soup with prawns, it was rather like a seafood broth - lovely and fresh. Some evenings, a seafood BBQ is laid on.
If you (or your children) prefer to play safe, there's a choice of western dishes (lamb chops, DIY pizzas, classic pastas and even fish 'n' chips!), plus some unexpected salads (Caesar, Greek…).
Drinks include a dangerously addictive banana-mango-strawberry smoothie, as well as wines, champagnes and beers … not bad for a remote island.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Sunbathe and relax on the sandy beach in front of the resort, by the large pool, or at a quieter cove a short walk away. Jansom Bay is idyllically poised between gargantuan boulders, and well worth the small fee
- Go swimming and snorkelling through the bay or round the cape. The reef starts a stone's throw from the beach, with fantastic coral formations (giant cabbages, bulbous brains, luminous green mould, wavy razor edges, stalky lattices), not to mention a plethora of exotic fish gliding silently in front of your nose as on a screensaver. Masks and fins are available free of charge
- Or, go diving with one of the many reputable schools in Mae Haad. There are 25 prime dive sites within close proximity to the shore (around 15-20m depth), boasting caverns, swim-through arches and pinnacles, and home to fantastic coral fish and anemones, as well as passing pelagics, sharks, turtles, manta etc
- Head off on a chartered boat-trip around the island, stopping at the famous 'triple beach' of Nang Yuan, where the spits from 3 tiny coral islands converge. Or head to Ang Thong Marine Park, a cluster of 40 tooth-like islets inhabited only by wild animals and birds
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Scuba diving courses
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Yoga
Kids
This is a great place for children of all ages. The food is kid-friendly and the sandy beach (with boats, snorkels, kayaks etc) is a godsend.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Family Houses and Royal Villa are the best options as they can sleep from 3 to 6 in 2-3 bedrooms and fit an additional bed or baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Families Should Know:
Few twin-bedded rooms (most have doubles); and a few dangerous raised balconies for tiny toddlers (check when enquiring)
Distances:
- Airport: 2-4 hours (boat service from Koh Samui)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Sensi Paradise lies on the eastern side of Koh Tao (Turtle Island), at the quiet end of the island's longest beach.
By Air:
Koh Samui (50km), which has domestic flights from Phuket and Bangkok. Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
There are several daily boats from several different piers on Samui, taking 2-4 hours, and usually stopping at Koh Phangan en route.
Transfer from boat
If you tell Sensi your arrival time and vessel, they will meet you off the boat and transfer you (free of charge) to the resort in a pick-up. Or they can take your bags while you walk - it's only 10 minutes' stroll from the pier at Mae Haad. 
More on getting to Thailand and getting around
Airports:
- Koh Samui 50.0 km USM
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International 470.0 km BKK
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.3 km