Koh Tao is a magnificent island.

The combination of incredible beaches, lush jungle and rolling hills squeezed into just a few square miles make it, in my opinion, the finest of Thailand’s islands.

So who wouldn’t want to find the best viewpoints to see Koh Tao in all of its glory?

Due to its mountainous terrain, there are many spots around the island to choose from. All are beautiful- but there’s no doubt that some are better than others. And if you’re pressed for time, it would do you well to know which.

So here goes- if you have limited time, these are the three best viewpoints in Koh Tao you need to see before you set off.

Note: If you’re planning a trip- or simply on the island and want to know what to do next- make sure to check out my 2–4 Day Koh Tao Itinerary to help organize your time on the island!

Map of the Best Viewpoints in Koh Tao

To make planning easier, I’ve pinned all of the best viewpoints in Koh Tao on the map below.

Most are reachable by scooter, though a few require short hikes. More details to come.

Best Viewpoints in Koh Tao

John Suwan Viewpoint

I’ll start off by saying that each of the three viewpoints I’ll mention give a completely unique vantage point of the island. I say this because there are many other viewpoints on this island that I’m not listing, but the others are essentially just downgraded options of the ones I’ll list here.

So- John Suwan Viewpoint. Possibly my favorite of them all.

It’s located on the tip of a small peninsula jutting out from the southern end of Koh Tao. Which allows for an incredibly unique and wide vantage point.

I wish I had a panorama shot but the best I could do was give you two separate photos that show you the views off both sides of the peninsula.

To get there, you have to park at the same parking lot for Freedom Beach. Navigation to John Suwan should lead you there. Admission is 50 baht, but that price covers Freedom Beach as well (and another secret beach, you can read more about them here!).

From there, you simply follow the signs to John Suwan Viewpoint. It’s not far, in total it should take around 15 minutes to the top from the parking lot at a moderate pace.

It’s a pleasant little area on top, with lots of little spots on the rocks to settle down and relax.

Sunset is beautiful here- as discussed in my Koh Tao Itinerary– but be prepared for it to get busy as it’s one of the most popular viewpoints on the island. If you arrive early enough, you’ll be able to secure a front row spot on the rocks and if you don’t turn around, you can pretend that you’re alone.

And if you’re up to it, come for sunrise as well– this is probably the only spot on the island you can see both from. I never did it myself, but I imagine it’s pretty incredible. And as a bonus, there’s a chance you won’t even have to pay the parking fee if you come so early. 50 baht- that’s a free Pad Thai you just got right there.

Note: If you don’t have a scooter, there’s a tour that brings you to three out of the four viewpoints on this list. I’ll discuss it in more detail later, but I highly recommend it! Click here to to check it out.

Love Koh Tao Viewpoint

Love Koh Tao Viewpoint is a completely different vibe.

First off, there’s no hike to get here. You simply scooter on up.

Love Koh Tao Viewpoint gives you splendid views over the east coast of Koh Tao– which is incidentally home to my favorite beaches on the island (see here for my rankings).

There’s a fee of 20 baht, or you can buy something from the bar on site.

I recommend coming for sunrise if you’re up for it. You may even be able to avoid that dastardly 20 baht fee.

There’s also a great little setup of netting and bean bags, as you can see in the picture below. It’s really a great spot to go and relax.

West Coast Viewpoint

This one was the winner of the 2026 global awards for the ‘most creatively named’ viewpoint, so that in and of itself is a strong reason to visit.

The viewpoint here looks out over the west side of the island (yes, I know, shocker), which means you get a great look at Sairee Beach and the surrounding coastline. It’s a nice change of perspective to see where you’ve probably spent a lot of time hanging out from higher up.

There’s an even more dastardly entrance fee here (100 baht), though it does include a free drink.

Unlike Love Koh Tao Viewpoint, there’s a short hike involved here. It’s not long (10-30 minutes depending on pace) to reach West Coast Viewpoint, and a hike of any length always weeds out crowds to some extent- always a plus.

To reach West Coast Viewpoint, you’ll have to walk across a small wooden bridge off the path and walk through a narrow gap between two boulders– they’re hard to miss, although I had a friend who claimed to have never spotted them.

You can also reach Tanote Peak if you continue on a little further. I’d recommend it, why not. But I do prefer West Coast Viewpoint.

West Coast Viewpoint is among the best places on the island to catch the sunset. Grab a drink, find a seat, and watch the sun drop into the Gulf of Thailand.

Note: Unfortunately, my phone was out of battery and I have no photos of West Coast Viewpoint. If you’re curious for some visuals, here’s a post I found specifically on West Coast Viewpoint & Tanote Peak!

Summit Viewpoint

Summit Viewpoint is, as you may have guessed, the highest viewpoint in Koh Tao.

It’s located at the end of a long string of viewpoints, which are all located off one very narrow and steep road running to the north coast of the island. These include Mango Viewpoint, High Rock Viewpoint, Sunset Viewpoint… etc.

They all offer similar vibes, and- to my knowledge- all charge a 100 baht entrance fee. And the entrance fee for Summit Viewpoint comes with a free drink and access to the nearby Jim View Bar.

It’s also the highest. Feel that should be mentioned again. The bigger the better- so obviously Summit Viewpoint is one of the best viewpoints in Koh Tao.

It’s so high that on a clear day, you may even be able to spot the nearby islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui in the distance.

The viewpoint itself is also quite peaceful. I haven’t seen too many people there, which makes sense as the vast majority of people are lazy and pick the first viewpoint they see. Idiot tourists.

Although it’s true that Summit Viewpoint isn’t the easiest to get to- you’ll have to do some pretty steep off-roading on your scooter. If you’re somewhat comfortable riding on dirt you should be fine. The only time I’ve heard there are major issues is when the ground is wet. So if it’s just rained, perhaps take a raincheck on Summit Viewpoint.

There’s a nice little relaxation section with cushions and little tables overlooking the magnificent view. And also a rock jutting out that you can walk onto, offering a great photo opportunity. Just don’t fall- it’d be a long way down.

Tips for Visiting Koh Tao Viewpoints

Bring Cash for Entrance Fees

Oh, those dastardly fees.

Each viewpoint I’ve included has a fee.

Make sure to bring some baht with you when you come to the viewpoints. You may also want to bring some extra for drinks which are available at all the ones except John Suwan.

Best Time of Day for Views

You want to maximize two things- small crowds and optimal lighting.

Mornings always have the least crowds. If you’re feeling up to an early start, you’ll be rewarded.

As I mentioned above, West Coast and John Suwan Viewpoints are best at sunset. You will have to deal with some crowds, but the pros may outweigh the cons.

Getting to the Best Viewpoints

In order to get to the best viewpoints in Koh Tao easily- and really the best anything in Koh Tao- you really want to have a scooter. So if you can’t ride one, make a friend that can.

For Summit Viewpoint, a scooter is non-negotiable. There’s no other way up.

However, you have other possibilities for each of the other viewpoints. Taxis work, but there’s another option.

There’s a tour that is specifically for viewpoints, bringing you to John Suwan, West Coast, and Love Koh Tao. If you don’t have a scooter, this tour is a godsend.

I’ll link to it below.