Palm-lined shores, beach culture, and striking natural landscapes – what could possibly go wrong on a trip to Koh Tao? In a word, rain.
Koh Tao experiences a severe wet season with storms, high tides, and torrential rainfall. If you can, plan to avoid visiting November, when Koh Tao has an average of 510mm of rainfall. October and December also experience heavy rainfall but to a lesser extent. So, if you have to travel in the wet season, these months are slightly drier options.
Of course, you may be wondering, are there things to do in Koh Tao when it rains? Luckily, the answer is yes. And, in case you are already looking for emergency options, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our curated list of the best things to do in Koh Tao when it rains.
Indulge in a spa experience
Thailand is renowned for its spas and Thai massages, and Koh Tao is no exception. While it is raining on your trip, make the most of the indoor time by treating yourself.
When in Thailand, a Thai massage is a bucket list experience. Coined by many as ‘assisted yoga,’ the massage involves the masseur contorting your body to aid circulation, therapeutic stretching, and promote relaxation. A Thai massage is said to combat general pains, anxiety, and fatigue – making it the ideal treatment option after a busy few days exploring Koh Tao or fighting jet lag.
Watergate Spa rates highly on TripAdvisor, scoring a rating of 4.5 from 70 independent reviews. You can opt for a traditional Thai massage at Watergate Spa or treat yourself even further with a special jacuzzi package.
With that said, Koh Tao has countless spa choices for you to explore, making it one of the easiest things to do in Koh Tao when it rains.
Take a cooking class
There is a reason that Thai food is devoured worldwide – it’s delicious! And, what better a way to make use of a rainy day than to learn to cook your favorite Thai dish? Taking a cooking class is a winning use of a day in the short and long term.
We’d particularly recommend that you look at Thai Cooking With Joy’s website. You can choose a dish to cook from a massive range of options, including the classic pad Thai, green papaya salad, spring rolls, and pad see ew. For their half-day program, you pay $44.48 and learn to cook three dishes in a three-hour session. And, since Thai Cooking With Joy is located near the central tourist spot of Sairee Beach, it’s accessible from the most popular hotels.
Once the rain stops, you will have had a full 3-course meal and acquired new culinary skills – a win-win situation.
Take a Muay Thai class
Whether you enjoy combat sports already, are fitness conscious, or just keen to pick up some self-defense moves, a Muay Thai class is a great rainy day option. A Muay Thai class is a thorough workout that will leave you more than happy to stay inside and crash in your hotel room. Fantastic for weight loss, stress relief, and mobility, why not opt for a healthy and fun activity?
In Koh Tao, many reputable Muay Thai clubs are situated around the popular Sairee Beach district. However, we recommend the Monsoon Gym & Fight Club since it is has a Trip Advisor rating of 4.6 and over 51 independent reviews. For a single group session, it will cost you $8.90. While for a private Muay Thai session, you will pay $14.83. Training clients in Muay Thai since 2002, the club has a stellar reputation and a loyal following of locals and overseas fighters alike.
Go snorkeling or diving
If you are going to get wet, why not get really wet? As long as the weather isn’t too extreme, for example, storming, it is safe to snorkel or dive, and many tours still operate.
Reef sharks, turtles, rays, and beautiful corals – escaping underwater can be the perfect cure to an overcast day on land. For those happy to stay near the surface, snorkeling is a low-cost and fun option. And, those who are PADI certified can escape even further below the waves, making use of some of Thailand’s most sought-after diving spots.
Or, if you are unqualified but scuba diving sounds good, you can take an intensive PADI course and become certified in a few days. If the weather forecast shows rain for the weekend, it is the perfect opportunity to squeeze in your diving qualification. Simple Life Divers have a PADI Open Water Diving Course for $326.22 that runs over three and a half days, including four diving tours and all equipment.
Take a yoga class
The benefits of yoga are no secret. Yoga is proven to combat stress, ease aches and pains, improve flexibility, and even lower blood pressure. So, instead of stressing the bad weather outside, book a yoga class instead and reap the relaxational benefits.
There are a quality handful of yoga retreats and sessions available across Koh Tao, meaning you will have plenty of choices on your rainy day. The Shambhala Yoga Centre is one of the most respected yoga retreats and is easily accessible at North Sairee Beach.
Their website advertises all of their classes as ‘beginner-friendly, making it a great option for yoga first-timers. Since they have a walk-in policy, the center is also a perfect last-minute thing to do in Koh Tao when it rains. Having a yoga morning is affordable too, as the Shambhala Yoga Centre lists their prices starting at $8.90 per 90-minute class.
Dine at a local restaurant
If the food in the cooking lessons sounded good, but cooking was not up your street, dining at a local restaurant is the option for you. Around Sairee Beach is a hotspot for bars, restaurants, and cafes, making it a great place to grab food and quickly bar hop to stay dry.
The Chez Albert has a strong reputation in Koh Tao and hosts a ‘specialist wine shop’ and ‘authentic epicurean experiences’ – ideal for those who enjoy fine dining. At The Chez Albert, you can unwind with an extensive wine list and multiple food courses, sampling a unique bit of France in Thailand. Known for its rotisserie selection, the restaurant is a definite hit for those craving upmarket European cuisine.
Or, if you’d prefer to stick to Thai cuisine, head to the Tree House Café. You will need a form of transportation as the café is located more rurally, but you are treated to expansive views over Koh Tao and a unique wooden perch when you arrive. Dining at the Tree House Café, you can look forward to a range of Thai specialties – including the delicious mango sticky rice dessert.
Visit the Koh Tao Leisure Park
When it’s miserable outside, stay in. And, staying in at Koh Tao Leisure Park is far from a dull affair. There is plenty to keep you entertained with an 18-hole mini-golf area, five pool tables, ‘kids zone’, cinema, table tennis, and even foot pool. For sports fans amongst visitors, you can also catch Premier League and other live sporting events at the in-house Grumpy’s Sports Bar.
As the Park is open from 11:30 am until 11 pm, it is suitable for a full day out. And, once you’ve watched films and exhausted all the entertainment options, you can refuel at The Hacienda Bar & Grill. Saturday and Sundays are prime dining days, as from 3 pm to 9 pm, The Hacienda serves a range of roast dinner options.
Whether you want a vegetarian nut roast, pork belly, lamb shank, or imported beef tenderloin, you can be sure of generous portions and a hearty meal. The Hacienda serves an international range of pub food throughout the week, including Greek chicken souvlaki, pizza, and even a British fish finger butty.
The Koh Tao Leisure Park is ideal for families, couples, friends, or even solo travelers. The Park is an ideal bad weather option for a convenient mixture of things to do in Koh Tao when it rains.
Go shopping for suits
While this may seem an abstract addition, shopping for suits is a popular activity in Koh Tao. Purchasing tailored suits is considered much cheaper across Thailand than in Western countries such as the UK and US, leading to a suit-shopping frenzy for tourists. Typically the turnaround for a tailored suit is around three days, so if you spend a rainy day getting measured, you can show off your new wardrobe addition when the sun starts to shine again.
We recommend Koh Tao Rocky’s Tailor when suit-shopping. Rated at 4.5 on Trip Advisor, the shop is one of the most reputable across Koh Tao. Rocky’s advertise over ‘1000 designs to choose from and offer tailored suits, dresses, and shirts – all of which are ready for collection within three days. Located near Mae Haad Beach, the shop is only a 15-minute walk from the central Sairee Beach district, making it highly accessible from the popular accommodation areas.
Instead of resenting bad weather on your trip to Koh Tao, come home with a special, personalized memory of your holiday. Suit shopping is one of the best things to do in Koh Tao when it rains.
Go on a pub crawl
Ok, so Koh Phangan may receive most of the hype for its nightlife, but Koh Tao is also a hot spot for partying. If the weather isn’t looking too great, join a pub crawl and bounce around some of the most entertaining venues while meeting new friends en-route.
The Koh Tao Pub Crawl runs four nights a week, starting at the Choppers Sports Bar in Sairee. For $14.23, you receive free ‘bucket’, shots, a shirt, all-night happy hour discounts, and entrance to some of the best parties in Koh Tao. The pub crawl guarantees a pool party, beach party, and a performance at a cabaret show by the Koh Tao Queens – we can promise you plenty of fun.
The venues have inside options for bad weather but, after a few drinks and encouragement from your new friends, isn’t it slightly liberating to party in the rain?
