John Suwan Viewpoint is low-key the best viewpoint on Koh Tao Island and an adventure not to be missed.
It’s an easy 20-minute hike to reach the top of the viewpoint for sunrise and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the island at the top.
I have put together this ultimate guide to John Suwan Viewpoint Koh Tao which includes all the information you need to know before you go.
Table of Contents
WHERE IS JOHN SUWAN VIEWPOINT?
John Suwan Viewpoint is a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach, the main tourist hub of Koh Tao.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET HERE
The best way to get around Koh Tao is to rent a scooter for 150 Baht per day to explore all four corners of the island. There are dozens of scooter rental stores in and around town and most accommodations offer scooter rentals too.
John Suwan Viewpoint has decent road access and when I visited this spot for sunrise, there were no parking or entrance fees.
However, some other travelers mentioned to me that when they visited during the day, they had to pay a 50 Baht entrance fee, so just keep that in mind.
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BEST TOURS IN KOH TAO
ARRIVING AT JOHN SUWAN VIEWPOINT KOH TAO
When you arrive in the parking lot at the jump-off point you’ll see a sign with ‘viewpoint’ written on it and an arrow pointing the way.
Along the trailhead, you’ll come to an intersection with three different roads branching off. Be sure to take the middle road which is the correct trail to take to reach the viewpoint.
The trail is rocky with some make-shift stairs and you’ll also come across a few spots where there are ropes anchored in place to help you scale some bigger boulders, which was my favorite part of the adventure!
The hike is not that strenuous and it takes approximately 20-minutes for the average person from bottom to top.
Must Read → 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
Taking a selfie at the top
Scrambling up to the top
WHAT TO EXPECT
Unfortunately, when I visited the weather was very overcast and there was not much of a sunrise that I was hoping for. However, the stunning panoramic views at the top compensated for the shitty weather.
At the summit, you can see two beaches on either side of the palm tree covered ridge, one is Chalok Baan Kao Bay and the other is Shark Bay Koh Tao.
There are a few other viewpoints that can be found at John Suwan Koh Tao, so don’t rush back down to the bottom, spend some time exploring the area and you’ll be sure to come across more epic views of the island and its coastlines.
An overcast sunrise
Exploring the summit
Taking in the views
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
After hiking to the John Suwan, be sure to check out the nearby Freedom Beach and Taa Toh Bay, which are two of my favorite Koh Tao beaches.
To get to Freedom Beach, walk down the stairs near the parking lot which will lead you right down to the beach. After visiting Freedom Beach, follow the beach boardwalk for 2-minutes around the boulders to the magnificent Taa Toh Bay.
Freedom Beach
WHERE TO STAY IN KOH TAO
Koh Tao has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Sai Daeng Resort Koh Tao
I personally stayed at Sai Daeng Resort and can’t recommend this place enough! This 4-star accommodation is located right on the beachfront and features an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and restaurant on the beach, water sports activities, a shared lounge, free wifi, and shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious, fitted with air conditioning, flat-screen tv, a fridge and kettle, work desk, private bathroom, and balcony with ocean views. Buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Perfect place to stay for couples, families, and friends.
Mid Range: Wind Beach Resort
Wind Beach Resort is the best value-pick accommodation located in the main tourist hub, Sairee Beach. Featuring a beachfront bar and restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, Thai massage services, and free wifi. The rooms are fitted with beautiful wooden furniture and decor, air conditioning, flat-screen tv, minibar, ensuite bathroom, and ocean views. Great place to stay in Koh Tao for couples, friends, and families.
Budget: Koh Tao Central Hostel
Koh Tao Central Hostel is rated one of the best budget accommodations for solo travelers, friends, and couples. Centrally located in Mae Hadd and within walking distance to the beach. There are dormitory-style rooms with air conditioning, free wifi, power sockets, lockers, and privacy curtains on all beds. Also at this hostel is a shared outdoor deck with cushions and a common area for guests to enjoy during their stay.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN KOH TAO, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR KOH TAO
When visiting Koh Tao, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Thailand sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
MORE THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES
- Thailand Travel Guide: 3 Week Thailand Itinerary
- Bangkok Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Bangkok
- Koh Tao Travel Guide: 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
- Chiang Mai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Chiang Mai
- Pai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Pai
- Krabi Travel Guide: 5 Best Beaches in Krabi
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you found this guide useful and if you have any questions, please drop me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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