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 and countless John-Suwan viewpoint photos.
JOHN SUWAN VIEWPOINT – OVERVIEW
Let’s start this guide with all the essentials you should know about John Suwan Viewpoint, from its location to getting there and more.
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 JOHN SUWAN VIEWPOINT?
The best way to get around Koh Tao is to rent a scooter for about 250 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 100 Baht entrance fee, so just keep that in mind.
BEST TOUR IN KOH TAO
The best tour you can join is the Snorkeling Day Trip Ko Tao & Ko Nang Yuan with Meals!
It includes hotel transfers, lunch and dinner, soft drinks, all entrance fees, and a fun guide!
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
The BEST Hotel in Koh Tao
Need a place to stay? Sai Daeng Resort is conveniently located in Koh Tao.
Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Sai Daeng Resort offers the best of both worlds.
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.
Like I said before, John Suwan Viewpoint is near Sairee Beach and I recommend visiting both when coming.
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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.
WHERE TO STAY IN KOH TAO
Koh Tao has dozens 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: Indie Hostel – Koh Tao
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 BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR KOH TAO
When visiting Koh Tao, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
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Reusable Water Bottle
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Travel Backpack
The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!
Quick-Dry Travel Towel
The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!
Portable PowerBank
Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!
More Thailand Travel Guides
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FINAL THOUGHTS – JOHN SUWAN VIEWPOINT KOH TAO
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.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
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THANKS FOR READING
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