Hot. Hot. Hotter...best describes the climate here. The only sweaters here are human. Like the rest of Thailand the island has three seasons. Don't let any of them put you off visiting.

From January the monsoon rains which started in November begin to die away. The days have a wonderful freshness, and bearable temperatures in the high 20's. Evenings and nights are a relief with temperatures dropping to 25C, and healthy sea breazes cleansing the island of its humidity. The daily temperatures rise steadily until May becomes hot, sultry, and humid. The mercury hits 33C to 36C each and every day. A cloud in the sky is a welcome sight, and a rain shower a blessing. Ever thought you'd look forward to cold showers? This is the weather for it. And awesome tans. Don't forget the factor 30, especially if you are out on the water! The heat is on, and on, and on,

As October draws closer, so the monsoon birds arrive, heralding the next change in season. The rainy season creeps up on you. One day you just realise it has rained every day for a week, and it's cool enough to wear a T shirt all day long! We are talking 24C here. It doesn't rain every day, and it doesn't rain all day. But wow, when it does. 2005/2006 was the first proper monsoon for 4 years. Whilst nearby islands suffered major flooding, and severe structural damage, here on Koh Tao we were inconvenienced with flooded roads, and an abundance of drinking water for the next 12 months! The Bangkok News did carry a story that the Thai Navy had been alerted to evacuate the island, however the truth of the matter was that several tourists were concerned that they would not be able to catch their flights home if the ferries stopped running.

As you will be arriving, and later departing, by ferry a few words of wisdom. Up until 2005 the ferry service to Koh Tao was fairly basic. Due to the design of the boats, they were unable to sail in anything resembling a rough sea. However, since 2005, the ferries serving Koh Tao now include vessels more than capable of making safe crossings in all but the very worst of sea conditions. Rarely will you be marooned on Koh Tao.

Visitors throughout the year will be treated to wonderful tropical sunsets, romantic rising moons, nighttime skies so packed with stars; it hurts your eyes to count them. But most stunning of all, Koh Tao is blessed with the most amazing electrical storms. Bolts of lightning, sheets of lightning, clouds pulsing with light. It has to be seen to be appreciated. The rain falls on the mainland, but we get the benefit of a free light show.