Marking the northern limit of our cruising area Tao (or Turtle) Island is 50 miles off the mainland.

It’s worth spending three days up here visiting all the top dive spots or taking one of the inexpensive dive instruction courses. The luxury of being on a yacht means you have the stunning boulder-lined bays to yourself after the procession of dive boats head home for the evening.

The rugged terrain of Koh Tao is crossed by several jungle trails and you can explore the island in about half an hour. Mee Haad, the main town, consists of two streets always bustling with activity and everything you need from ATMs to internet and drinks to quench your thirst.